RESEARCH
The PGgRc’s research programme complements research New Zealand Government and NZAGRC research investment, so all parties are working in a coordinated manner.
Research is broad ranging – from microbiology and genomics, through to animal nutrition, genetics and farm systems. The goal is to develop mitigation solutions that will work at a practical, on-farm level, and may also provide an opportunity for other countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Between PGgRc and NZAGRC, there are seven areas of research. Each has strategic decision points in their development, so the consortium can concentrate on those opportunities that have the most promise of delivery.
AREAS OF RESEARCH
- Low-methane animals
- Low-methane feeds
- Methane vaccine
- Methane inhibitors
- Reduce nitrous oxide and nitrate leaching
- Increasing soil carbon
- Integrated farm systems
PGgRc concentrates on the first four areas or research, which are focused on methane reducing technologies.
PGgRc RESEARCH OUTLINE
The PGgRc’s research programme addresses four research aims:
- Breed low-CH4 emitting ruminants
- Identify low-GHG feeds
- Develop a vaccine to reduce ruminant CH4 emissions
- Identify inhibitors that reduce ruminant CH4 emissions.
The programme is organised around five research objectives, with objectives 1-4 each directly addressing one of the research aims. Objective 5 coordinates work in the other objectives to ensure the technologies are practical and readily adopted by farmers. This objective also ensures that the technologies are developed to an implementation-ready stage that will attract commercialisation partners for further investment.
The PGgRc governance board oversees and directs the programme and protects/manages its IP under the PGgRc-NZAGRC collaboration agreement and joint R&D&E strategy. The Board regularly seeks advice from commercialisation, expert science and end-user advisory groups, in collaboration with the NZAGRC steering group, in a consolidated operation with a NZ Inc focus.