Page 94 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2019 Edition

Gregorini says 60 percent of New Zealand grazing land is DESIGNING THE FUTURE
high hill country terrain. Issues such as slope steepness, rock
cover or location of water sources can restrict animal foraging
due to accessibility.
“In this way, areas of the landscape with restricted access
may be under-utilised by most cattle. Conversely, more easily
accessible patches might be over-utilised even at conservative
stocking rates. Cattle tend to congregate and graze more
intensively near waterways, which can impact fresh water quality.
Concentrated urination and defecation in these areas can lead
to excessive nitrogen leaching, sedimentation, phosphorous,
and faecal contamination. Both under- and over-utilisation of
vegetation caused by uneven grazing can significantly diminish
ecosystem services and productivity of New Zealand hill and
high country grasslands.”
By the end of the project Gregorini says they will have
identified beef cattle with genetic markers (single nucleotide
polymorphisms or SNPs) that are associated with indices of
efficient grazing patterns, dietary selection and terrain use. “In
other words, genotypes and phenotypes to select and breed
for grazing syndromes (i.e. correlated traits) for regenerative use Prof. Pablo Gregorini
and management of New Zealand hill and high country, fragile
grasslands ecosystems.”
Designing future productive landscapes is the vision behind
Lincoln University’s new Centre of Excellence.
Led by professor Pablo Gregorini, the centre’s main Craigmore Bart 170253 - 0169170253
objective is to conceptualise, design, create, implement
and test alternative agro-ecosystems and other productive Outstanding young bull purchased for record
landscape systems to build on ecological, economic, price for a yearling Hereford $20,000. Flawless
health, social and cultural wealth. structure, excellent volume, length and depth.
Gregorini says numerous transformations and pressures
have reshaped and affected productive landscapes in New Export semen available in Australia.
Zealand and around the world over the past century, diminishing
biodiversity, reducing water and air quality, and accelerating Otapawa Poll Herefords - Sale Day 4th June
loss of soil and plant biomass (amongst other factors).
“Given New Zealand’s economic reliance on food
agricultural production and provenance, our global brand, Stuart & Maria 027 8484 408 Douglas & Dara 06 376 7765
prosperity and wellbeing are at risk. Land users, policy
makers and society generally are therefore calling for Donald & Marlene 06 376 7250 Every day is an Open Day. Sale held on farm Tiraumea
alternative approaches to land use systems that enhance
and restore the ecosystem, societal services and resilience.” otapawa@xtra.co.nz www.otapawa.co.nz
He says Lincoln University is strategically placed to
investigate what our production landscapes could look
like in the future. It is doing so by partnering in projects Introducing
with local government, communities, industry groups and Otapawa Voodoo 7007 - 0347177007
organisations, iwi and other national organisations, such as Exciti ng young sire prospect - Sept born.
the project described above with NZHA. Mt Diffi cult Centennial x Otapawa Leonora 4016
“GIVEN NEW ZEALAND’S ECONOMIC
RELIANCE ON FOOD AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTION AND PROVENANCE,
OUR GLOBAL BRAND, PROSPERITY
AND WELLBEING ARE AT RISK.”

LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM: PhD student Cristian Moreno fits a
GPS collar on a cow; Preparing GPS collars for fitting.
From left Matt Beck, Pablo Gregorini, Brandon Dalton and
Cristian Moreno.
Otapawa Stati on, 351 Haunui Road, Tiraumea
92