On-Farm Innovation Fund 2007/08

A small portion of levy funds is invested in those who show innovation in research or design ideas that can greatly benefit dairy farming and dairy farmers. Investment in this area is on a case-by-case basis.

Download: On-Farm Innovation Fund Expression of Interest Form
Find out more about the On-Farm Innovation Fund

The following On-Farm Innovation Fund projects are now complete.

Project	Project Number	Description	Partners	Total Funding (Excl. GST)
The human face of once-a-day milking	OF102	This project will identify farm and staff management changes encountered by farmers who have switched to once-a-day (OAD) milking and how OAD impacts on the social sustainability of rural communities in New Zealand. It is co-funded by LIC and Lincoln University.	Rural Employment Relations Group Lincoln University	$56,215
Southern Dairy Project	OF103	In this project Otago and Southland dairy farmers track farm management changes at Telford Rural Polytechnic and the resulting production and efficiency gains, using a system based on the successful South Island Dairy Development Centre. View Project Summary Report 2007/08	Telford Rural Polytechnic	$86,222
West Coast Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Surveillance Scheme	OF106	The goal of this project is to decrease the likelihood of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) introduction to na?ve herds; reduce the production loss due to BVD in endemic herds, and through surveillance rapidly detect break downs and respond to them promptly. Farmer education and surveillance are the key areas of this programme, which is based on the West Coast and will provide a model for rolling the system out nationally. This project is co-funded by Westland Milk Products, Westland Veterinary Services, Buller Veterinary Services and Gribbles Laboratory.	Buller Vets, Westland Milk Products, Animal Antics, Greymouth Vets and Hokitika Vets	$88,889
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea - prevalence of infected herds and economic consequences	OF107	This research will evaluate for the first time in New Zealand the effect of BVD infection on economic loss in individual animals. The results will be the basis of an economic assessment of the benefits of BVD control at national level, and for the individual farmer.	Eltham District Vet Services	$89,889
Polioencephalomalacia in Calves - Predisposing & Precipitating Factors	OF108	Monitoring of farms that historically have Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) in the post weaning period with a aim of determining predisposing and precipitating factors.	Oamaru Veterinary Services	$32,121
To determine if the presence of vasectomised teaser bulls improves dairy cow fertility	OF110	A trial using teaser bulls will establish their effect on dairy cow fertility. If vasectomised teaser bulls were to decrease farm empty rates by three per cent this would equate to an annual saving of $96 million in the national herd.	Canterbury Dairy Farmers Teaser Bull Study Group	$44,444
Real-time, on-line monitoring for animal health and environmental impact management	OF119	This project supports the development of pilot "Monitoring and Control Systems" for three areas at the Lincoln University Dairy Farm: - Urine testing of Mg levels - Breath testing for stress factors - Nitrate testing of drainage water. View Project Summary Report 2007/08	South Island Dairying Development Centre	$177,596
Soil moisture monitoring system for West Otago or Milton catchment	OF121	This project is developing a decision-making tool (via a website) for farmers in the catchment and region to assist them to minimise their impact on the environment when applying effluent to land. View Project Summary Report Project Example More information: http://land.orc.govt.nz/LandInfo/	Otago Regional Council	$10,756
Agrecovery container programme	OF124	The Agrecovery Foundation has been established to responsibly manage the recovery of farm plastic wastes throughout NZ to be in line with best international practice. Co-funding supports the development of a nationwide collection network for used plastics from agriculture, pastoral and forestry sectors.	The Agrecovery Foundation	$7,556
Salt in drinking water to increase nitrogen/protein use efficiency	OF129	This project investigates the impact of using salt in dairy cow drinking water and the effect of urinary nitrogen outputs.	Landcare Research and Lincoln University	$61,992
Kikuyu grass management and elimination with clover: a whole farm concept	OF134	Investigation of a novel system of clover usage to diminish kikuyu on farms, increase the nutritive value of pasture and increase milk production.	Kikuyu Action Group	$8,889
Intensive Farm Systems and Pasture Monitoring for Pasture Quality	OF139	To intensively monitor our farm systems to determine the impact that management has on pasture quality, and utilise the information to make a pro-active decisions to drive on farm profitability.	Central Waikato Farm Monitor Group	$7,200
Farmers Supporting Farmers	OF140	A pilot mentoring scheme aimed at assisting career progress, retention of staff and success in the industry that will provide support for dairy farmers and an opportunity to learn from others.	AgFirst Waikato Ltd	$40,000
To develop a ��Beginner's Guide' for the establishment of community-based quality employer groups in the dairy industry	OF141	A beginner's guide to assist farmers with bringing a cooperative effort to focussing on employer attitudes and quality employment at a community level. View Project Summary Report 2007/08	Clydevale Clinton Quality Employers in Association with the Clutha Agricultural Development Board	$39,111
A new programme for professional development of rural professionals in dairying	OF143	This project supports the development of a unique programme of advanced level courses in key aspects of dairy production systems and business. People with increased knowledge at an advanced level will be able to meet the increasingly complex needs of the industry. Courses will be available extramurally to suit people in full-time employment.	Massey University	$68,000
Innovative anaerobic pond design	OF147	This project takes the first steps to identify measures that can be taken to enable the New Zealand dairy farm to become self-sufficient in power by investigating a compact system that will allow farmers to cost effectively cover their pond providing for economic gas capture while preserving the inherent simplicity of operation.	Massey University	$175,000
Applied research and awareness for the control and management of yellow bristle grass	OF155	This project is to launch the Yellow Bristle Grass booklet and awareness programme. Co-funded by Sustainable Farming Fund, Ballance and Environment Waikato. View Project Summary Report 2007/08	Yellow Bristle Grass Action Group	$8,889
Women in Dairying: Growing the Leadership Pipeline	OF802	The project's aims are twofold: research and pilot intervention. - Identify causes for women's low uptake of dairy sector leadership opportunities and - Carry out a pilot intervention with identified women leaders to test mechanisms to facilitate the entry of women in the New Zealand Dairy sector leadership pipeline. View Final Report Relevant Links: Women in Dairy Profile Videos New Zealand Leadership Pathway	Network for Women in Dairying Trustees	$45,000