The PGgRc is an investment vehicle that aims to understand, and provide mitigation solutions for, greenhouse gases produced by grazing animals.

New Zealand livestock farmers need knowledge and tools in order to mitigate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.The Consortium members are AgResearch Ltd, Dairy InSight (now DairyNZ from 2008), DEEResearch, the Fertiliser Manufacturers' Research Association, Fonterra, Meat & Wool New Zealand and PGG Wrightson Ltd. The industry funding contribution is matched dollar for dollar by FRST (the Foundation of Research, Science and Technology).

PGgRc’s goal is to develop one or more methane and/or nitrous oxide mitigation measures that can be implemented within New Zealand’s pastoral agricultal system i.e. measures that are practical in terms of product safety, animal safety and overall economics and that produce sustainable (medium to long-term) methane/nitrous oxide mitigation results that are recognised by the international regulatory authorities.

The goal is that farmers will co-benefit from this research through  enhanced meat, wool or milk production and lower input costs. Achieving improved feed conversion efficiency, improved animal productivity and improved nitrogen management to  mitigate GHG  will also fulfill New Zealand’s international commitments as a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol to address climate change.

The PGGRC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding whose purpose is to recognise the partnership between the Crown and the agricultural industry to fund research on the abatement of pastoral agriculture’s non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions. The role of the PGGRC is to co-ordinate the agricultural sector’s programme of research into the abatement of agricultural non-carbon dioxide gases, including options for industry to improve the production efficiency of ruminant animals, in accordance with the industry.