Science Group Leader
Farm Systems & Environment
Email Alasdair
Farm Systems & Environment
We find mitigations for environmental impacts and climate change. We improve dairy, beef, lamb and deer production systems through innovative research on soil and water management, pasture fertilisation and farm nutrients, which reduces negative impacts on critical ecosystems.
The Farm Systems & Environment Group is concerned with improving production systems through innovative research to create more profitable and sustainable farms and agribusiness. Collectively, our research provides the capacity to understand complex interconnected agricultural issues of interest to both the industry and the public.
Our work includes increasing the understanding of how to reduce nutrient losses to water and greenhouse gas emissions from farming systems.
Teams within this group
• Farm Systems
• Environmental Research
• Environmental Sciences
• Modelling
• People & Agriculture
Our Team
Alasdair Craig
Dr. Robyn Dynes
Science Impact Leader
Farm Systems & Environment
Email Robyn
Dr. Tony van der Weerden
Science Impact Leader
Climate Change
Email Tony
Dr. Warren King
Science Impact Leader
Farm Systems & Environment
Email Warren
Dr. Seth Laurenson
Acting Science Impact Leader
Soil & Water
Email Seth
Dr. David Houlbrooke
Science Team Leader
Environmental Research
Email David
Dr. Ross Monaghan
Science Team Leader
Environmental Science
Email Ross
Richard Muirhead
Acting Science Team Leader
Modelling
Email Richard
Tracy Nelson
Science Team Leader
People & Agriculture
Email Tracy
Dr. Sue Zydenbos
Science Team Leader
Farm Systems
Email Sue
SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE
Studying mood and emotion in livestock
Featuring Dr. Gosia Zobel & Dr. Jim Webster
New research exploring the moods and personalities of farm animals is being seen as an opportunity to better understand and enhance their welfare.
The research looks at how animals respond in new and different situations. It is the latest work by AgResearch’s Animal Welfare Team helping to expand the knowledge of livestock behaviour, at a time of growing consumer demand for strong welfare standards.
The research looks at how animals respond in new and different situations. It is the latest work by AgResearch’s Animal Welfare Team helping to expand the knowledge of livestock behaviour, at a time of growing consumer demand for strong welfare standards.
Strategic winter grazing
Featuring Dr Seth Laurenson & colleagues
With farmers always on the lookout out for simple, cheap methods to improve their farm systems, AgResearch and partner DairyNZ undertook practical research to provide just that. This strategic winter grazing research has developed low–cost approaches for farmers to better manage their land in winter conditions. Our scientists say the pick-up from farmers has been amongst the highest we have seen here at AgResearch – which tells us it’s making a real difference. Here the team talk about how they went about it, the methods, and what the areas of benefit are for the farmers.
Sharon the mutant sheep
Featuring Dr Jeff Plowman
Sharon the Felting Lustre mutant sheep has become somewhat of a celebrity since the media spotlight came on in her in early 2017. She was even featured on the BBC!
This rare kind of sheep has straight wool instead of the usual crimped wool, and presents opportunities for our scientists to learn more about the wool structure and how it might lead to new wool products, as well as what it can tell us about human hair.
In this video, AgResearch scientist Jeff Plowman – who has researched these mutant sheep - talks about Sharon and how she is helping add to our understanding.
This rare kind of sheep has straight wool instead of the usual crimped wool, and presents opportunities for our scientists to learn more about the wool structure and how it might lead to new wool products, as well as what it can tell us about human hair.
In this video, AgResearch scientist Jeff Plowman – who has researched these mutant sheep - talks about Sharon and how she is helping add to our understanding.
Lasers from above to 'zap' weeds
Featuring Dr. Kioumars Ghamkhar
Drone-mounted lasers could be used to zap weeds that are posing a billion-dollar problem for New Zealand agriculture.
AgResearch – with partners the Universities of Auckland and Michigan and NZ-based technology firm Redfern Solutions Limited - was awarded just under $1 million in 2017 from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund to look into how to “map and zap” the many weeds plaguing productive land.
AgResearch – with partners the Universities of Auckland and Michigan and NZ-based technology firm Redfern Solutions Limited - was awarded just under $1 million in 2017 from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund to look into how to “map and zap” the many weeds plaguing productive land.
Maori Agribusiness
Featuring Pakihiroa Farms Ltd
What aspects of Māoridom are our partners taking into consideration when farming? Hilton Collier of Pakihiroa Farms, owned by Ngati Porou, talks about their priorities in farming and how decisions are made based on five pou. AgResearch Māori Agribusiness Sector Manager, Chris Koroheke, discusses what working in Māoridom involves.