AgScience Newsletter July 2024 issue 2

Global perspectives and local insights into crop protection challenges, and the solutions on the horizon are the focus of this year’s New Zealand Plant Protection Society (NZPPS) symposium Growing a Greener Future – Crop Protection for Aotearoa 2050.

Co-hosted by AgResearch’s Agrichem-Light Solutions programme, the A Lighter Touch programme and Plant and Food Research, the upcoming symposium aims to connect and share new research and emerging science and technologies in crop protection. Being held on Monday 12 August 2025 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Downtown Auckland, it immediately precedes the full NZPPS annual conference.

International speakers include plant pathologist Dr Aoife O’Driscoll, of the UK’s National Institute of Agricultural Botany. Given decades of reliance on agrichemicals to control pests and diseases in crops, Aoife asks the question, how do we change thinking from ’what can we kill?’ to ‘what can we introduce?’

Also presenting is Dr Louise Thatcher, principal research scientist at Australia’s science research agency CSIRO. Based in Canberra, Louise leads the Microbial Technologies team focused on both applied research to deliver industry specific outcomes.

Horticulture New Zealand chair Barry O’Neil will give an industry perspective, drilling into specific issues for local sectors, while independent analyst Julia Jones’ discussion includes the rising impact of protectionism, the importance of climate adaptation strategies, and the role of technology in transforming agriculture.

A wide range of researchers and industry experts will speak across four sessions and two panel discussions, focusing on:

trends in crop protection – global to local,
emerging science and future tools,
commercial realities and opportunities,
creating momentum, including a showcase of new technologies being used in crop protection, such as robotics and drones.

The full programme is available HERE on the NZPPS website, and registrations are now open. Be part of this important conversation around the solutions and action required to move New Zealand towards a shared agrichemical light future.

NZIAHS 2024 CANTERBURY FORUM

The New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science (NZIAHS) is holding a one-day forum “Nitrogen – Friend or Foe?” on Wednesday 23rd October 2024 from 8.50am to 3.30pm in the Stewart Lecture Theatre, Lincoln University, Canterbury.

The topic has been chosen because nitrate (and other forms of nitrogen) regularly feature in media headlines as either being a problem, or a benefit, depending on what sector you work in. The Forum will address this topic because often the arguments presented in the media are imbalanced, devoid of scientific detail, or presented in a narrow context.

Speakers:
Prof Grant Edwards, Vice-Chancellor, Lincoln University
Emeritus Prof Keith Cameron, Lincoln University
Prof Rich McDowell, Chief Scientist, Our Land and Water National Science Challenge
Dr Tim Davie, Director, Environment Canterbury
Dr Murray Close, Principal Scientist ESR
Warwick Catto, Science Strategy Manager, Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Assoc Prof Jacqui Keenan, Dept of Surgery, University of Otago
Dr Mike Beare, Principal Scientist, Plant & Food Research
Dr Alistair Black, Senior Lecturer, Lincoln University
Prof Jacqueline Rowarth, Lincoln University
Emerita Prof Alison Stewart, CEO, Foundation for Arable Research

Full programme and to register:
https://agscience.org.nz/event/2024-canterbury-forum-nitrogen-friend-or-foe/

NZIAHS Canterbury Forum “Nitrogen – Friend or Foe?”
to be held in Stewart 1, Lincoln University on Wednesday 23^rd October 2024.
Programme and online registration:
https://agscience.org.nz/event/2024-canterbury-forum-nitrogen-friend-or-foe/

NZIAHS Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 23^rd October 2024 at 3.30pm – Stewart 1, Lincoln University, Lincoln