Latest news with #LincolnUniversity
Scoop
4 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
Scientists In NZ First Genomic Study To Cut Chemical Use In Wine Sector
Press Release – Impact PR Early findings from the grapevine research suggest that chemical spray use could be cut by as much as 80% in some cases – a potential multimillion-dollar cost saving for an industry under mounting pressure from climate change. A world-first genome study underway in Canterbury is set to help NZ's billion-dollar wine export industry grow more disease-resistant grapevines and reduce fungicide use in the sector. New Zealand farmers consume 3,400 tonnes of pesticides annually. Under the US Environmental Protection Agency's classification, 5% of herbicides, 60% of fungicides, 8% of insecticides and 72% of plant growth regulators used in NZ are suspected carcinogens.1 Early findings from the grapevine research suggest that chemical spray use could be cut by as much as 80% in some cases – a potential multimillion-dollar cost saving for an industry under mounting pressure from climate change, which is intensifying disease risk and making traditional spray schedules less effective. Viticulture is New Zealand's sixth-largest export industry, generating $2.1 billion in export revenue last year alone, and employing thousands across the country's key winegrowing regions. The research aims to identify natural genetic traits that make grapevines more resistant to disease, reducing the need for fungicides and boosting productivity for growers. Scientists at Lincoln University have installed the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 genome sequencer, a next-generation DNA reading machine, which is enabling them to run tens of thousands of tests on grapevines at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods. Advances in sequencing technology have dramatically reduced the cost of genomic sequencing, from billions of dollars in the late 1990s to just tens of thousands today, making large-scale studies like this one feasible. Associate Professor Christopher Winefield, Department of Wine, Food & Molecular Biosciences at Lincoln University, says it is the first time the sequencing platform has been used to support wine-related research in New Zealand. 'The wine industry is a major contributor to the New Zealand economy, but it's also facing huge challenges around sustainability. 'Vineyards are heavily reliant on chemicals to fight fungal disease and that can come at a cost to the soil microbiome, long-term crop health and the environment. 'With this technology, we're now able to scale up our studies dramatically and look for grape varieties that are naturally resistant to disease. 'You're never going to get to zero but by identifying and cultivating naturally disease-resistant vines, and by targeting interventions only where they're truly needed, we can massively reduce chemical input. Even removing a single spray late in the season has multiple benefits; it lowers costs, reduces residue risks in wine and lessens the environmental burden.' 'In the past, we have been limited to being able to sample a few hundred vines a year, but with the new system installed, the lab can now process more than 50,000 a year, which is a 100-fold increase in volume.' 'Having this technology on site means we no longer have to send samples offshore for analysis. That's saving time and money and allowing us to move at a completely different scale.' The genomic platform allows researchers to detect the presence and spread of diseases like powdery mildew or mealy bug in real time, enabling farmers to spray only where needed. 'What this unlocks is a move from broad-spectrum, scheduled spraying to data-driven, localised treatment. That means fewer chemicals in the environment, lower resistance pressure on pests and pathogens and a better product at the end of the day, whether that's milk, grapes or meat.' Professor Winefield says the lab is now collecting genetic data across a wide array of grape and hop varieties to understand how they respond to stress and disease pressures. 'We're looking for the vines that can handle more with less spray, less water and fewer inputs. Genomics allows us to do that with unprecedented precision. 'What we're doing isn't genetic modification it's about identifying and working with natural variation to breed better and more resilient plants.' Dr. Bicheng Yang, director of MGI Australia, says the partnership with Lincoln University is part of a broader push to support sustainable agriculture globally. 'This is a powerful example of how cutting-edge genomics can support the long-term sustainability of key industries. 'By helping researchers understand the genetic factors that improve disease resistance and fruit quality, we're enabling a future where viticulture relies less on chemicals and more on the natural resilience of the plant.' Researchers on the study are now forming a new commercial venture designed to democratise genomic testing for farms across New Zealand. Targeting sectors like viticulture, horticulture and dairy, where growers often rely on blanket chemical treatments due to a lack of precise data, the venture aims to give farmers affordable access to real-time genomic insights, helping them detect disease earlier, reduce input costs and minimise environmental impact. Professor Winefield says the project is one of the first of its kind and is expected to inform not only viticulture breeding programmes, but also other crop research relevant to the brewing and horticulture industries. 'Our goal is to bring the cost of genomic tests down to a level where individual growers and farmers can routinely use them to make better, more targeted decisions. 'This is about taking world-class science out of the lab and into the field – and transforming how primary industries manage disease and productivity at the grassroots level.' 'Ultimately, this kind of science supports the future of New Zealand's primary industries, higher-value, lower-impact and globally competitive.' Winefield is now seeking investors to back the development of a standalone company that will dramatically scale up the testing capacity already proven in the lab. The new venture plans to process more than a million samples per year initially, with the potential to scale to 10 million tests annually within five years. He says climate change is adding further pressure to pest and disease management across the primary sector, with warmer, wetter seasons driving more aggressive outbreaks and shifting the geographic range of many pathogens. Winefield says the venture could serve as a model for similar services internationally and believes the country's climate diversity makes it an ideal test bed for developing robust genetics that can be exported. 'New Zealand may never feed the world by volume, but we can absolutely feed it through better science, by exporting the genetic tools and insights that lift productivity and resilience globally.' 'We're seeing diseases appear earlier in the season, or in regions where they weren't previously a problem. That unpredictability makes scheduled spraying less effective and raises the risk of over- or under-treating crops. Genomic monitoring gives us the tools to respond to these changes with precision, spotting threats earlier and adapting management strategies to shifting environmental conditions.' 'We're not just building a lab, we're creating a national infrastructure for precision agriculture, one that allows growers and vets to test for multiple pathogens or productivity issues at once, at a cost that's viable for everyday use.'
Scoop
4 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
Scientists In NZ First Genomic Study To Cut Chemical Use In Wine Sector
A world-first genome study underway in Canterbury is set to help NZ's billion-dollar wine export industry grow more disease-resistant grapevines and reduce fungicide use in the sector. New Zealand farmers consume 3,400 tonnes of pesticides annually. Under the US Environmental Protection Agency's classification, 5% of herbicides, 60% of fungicides, 8% of insecticides and 72% of plant growth regulators used in NZ are suspected carcinogens.1 Early findings from the grapevine research suggest that chemical spray use could be cut by as much as 80% in some cases - a potential multimillion-dollar cost saving for an industry under mounting pressure from climate change, which is intensifying disease risk and making traditional spray schedules less effective. Viticulture is New Zealand's sixth-largest export industry, generating $2.1 billion in export revenue last year alone, and employing thousands across the country's key winegrowing regions. The research aims to identify natural genetic traits that make grapevines more resistant to disease, reducing the need for fungicides and boosting productivity for growers. Scientists at Lincoln University have installed the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 genome sequencer, a next-generation DNA reading machine, which is enabling them to run tens of thousands of tests on grapevines at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods. Advances in sequencing technology have dramatically reduced the cost of genomic sequencing, from billions of dollars in the late 1990s to just tens of thousands today, making large-scale studies like this one feasible. Associate Professor Christopher Winefield, Department of Wine, Food & Molecular Biosciences at Lincoln University, says it is the first time the sequencing platform has been used to support wine-related research in New Zealand. 'The wine industry is a major contributor to the New Zealand economy, but it's also facing huge challenges around sustainability. 'Vineyards are heavily reliant on chemicals to fight fungal disease and that can come at a cost to the soil microbiome, long-term crop health and the environment. 'With this technology, we're now able to scale up our studies dramatically and look for grape varieties that are naturally resistant to disease. 'You're never going to get to zero but by identifying and cultivating naturally disease-resistant vines, and by targeting interventions only where they're truly needed, we can massively reduce chemical input. Even removing a single spray late in the season has multiple benefits; it lowers costs, reduces residue risks in wine and lessens the environmental burden.' 'In the past, we have been limited to being able to sample a few hundred vines a year, but with the new system installed, the lab can now process more than 50,000 a year, which is a 100-fold increase in volume.' 'Having this technology on site means we no longer have to send samples offshore for analysis. That's saving time and money and allowing us to move at a completely different scale.' The genomic platform allows researchers to detect the presence and spread of diseases like powdery mildew or mealy bug in real time, enabling farmers to spray only where needed. 'What this unlocks is a move from broad-spectrum, scheduled spraying to data-driven, localised treatment. That means fewer chemicals in the environment, lower resistance pressure on pests and pathogens and a better product at the end of the day, whether that's milk, grapes or meat.' Professor Winefield says the lab is now collecting genetic data across a wide array of grape and hop varieties to understand how they respond to stress and disease pressures. 'We're looking for the vines that can handle more with less spray, less water and fewer inputs. Genomics allows us to do that with unprecedented precision. 'What we're doing isn't genetic modification it's about identifying and working with natural variation to breed better and more resilient plants.' Dr. Bicheng Yang, director of MGI Australia, says the partnership with Lincoln University is part of a broader push to support sustainable agriculture globally. 'This is a powerful example of how cutting-edge genomics can support the long-term sustainability of key industries. 'By helping researchers understand the genetic factors that improve disease resistance and fruit quality, we're enabling a future where viticulture relies less on chemicals and more on the natural resilience of the plant.' Researchers on the study are now forming a new commercial venture designed to democratise genomic testing for farms across New Zealand. Targeting sectors like viticulture, horticulture and dairy, where growers often rely on blanket chemical treatments due to a lack of precise data, the venture aims to give farmers affordable access to real-time genomic insights, helping them detect disease earlier, reduce input costs and minimise environmental impact. Professor Winefield says the project is one of the first of its kind and is expected to inform not only viticulture breeding programmes, but also other crop research relevant to the brewing and horticulture industries. 'Our goal is to bring the cost of genomic tests down to a level where individual growers and farmers can routinely use them to make better, more targeted decisions. 'This is about taking world-class science out of the lab and into the field - and transforming how primary industries manage disease and productivity at the grassroots level.' 'Ultimately, this kind of science supports the future of New Zealand's primary industries, higher-value, lower-impact and globally competitive.' Winefield is now seeking investors to back the development of a standalone company that will dramatically scale up the testing capacity already proven in the lab. The new venture plans to process more than a million samples per year initially, with the potential to scale to 10 million tests annually within five years. He says climate change is adding further pressure to pest and disease management across the primary sector, with warmer, wetter seasons driving more aggressive outbreaks and shifting the geographic range of many pathogens. Winefield says the venture could serve as a model for similar services internationally and believes the country's climate diversity makes it an ideal test bed for developing robust genetics that can be exported. 'New Zealand may never feed the world by volume, but we can absolutely feed it through better science, by exporting the genetic tools and insights that lift productivity and resilience globally.' 'We're seeing diseases appear earlier in the season, or in regions where they weren't previously a problem. That unpredictability makes scheduled spraying less effective and raises the risk of over- or under-treating crops. Genomic monitoring gives us the tools to respond to these changes with precision, spotting threats earlier and adapting management strategies to shifting environmental conditions.' 'We're not just building a lab, we're creating a national infrastructure for precision agriculture, one that allows growers and vets to test for multiple pathogens or productivity issues at once, at a cost that's viable for everyday use.'
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Canterbury council to pay $60k for pro rugby team base
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should the council have tipped in $60,000 to upgrade this fi eld at the western end of Lincoln University for Matatū women's Super Rugby team. Email your opinion in 200 words or less to The Selwyn District Council is paying $60,000 to upgrade a sports ground for the South Island's Super Rugby women's team Matatū. The team is based at Lincoln University and needs a better ground. The district council says it is a win-win deal. In return for the $60,000, community and sports organisations will be able to use the field. Matatū will help with the Girls on the Go holiday programme, council chief executive Sharon Mason said. Matatū has been based at the university since it was founded in 2021. The ground which will be upgraded is at the western end of the university, close to the intersection of Ellesmere Junction and Weedons Rds. The deal is part of an agreement between the district council, the university and Matatū signed in May. 'This relationship reflects council's commitment to strategic investment and collaboration that delivers tangible benefits for our community,' Mason said. She said the district council has identified a growing need for increased access to sports fields in Lincoln. 'Compared to the cost of purchasing land or constructing a new facility, this partnership offers a highly cost-effective solution that delivers immediate community benefit.' The university will manage the upgrade and ongoing upkeep. New Zealand Cricket, which operates its High Performance Centre at Lincoln University, will assist in the remediation work. Matatū general manager Sarah Munro said many players and staff live in Selwyn. 'We are incredibly grateful for the support of Selwyn District Council to support this field upgrade to provide a much-needed space for women and girls to continue to train at a professional level, as well as provide an opportunity for wider rugby community usage.' Mason said the $60,000 was left over from the parks and reserves budget. Remediation includes spraying off the existing surface, cultivating the soil and breaking up the surface, grading it, preparing and installing seed and starter fertiliser and installing new sprinklers. The partnership between the university and the council has included students doing internships at the council, and district council staff giving lectures at the university on resource planning, management and leadership. University staff have also given advice on district council projects.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Slash And Forestry Management Changes Proposed
Less than two weeks remain for the public to have their say on sweeping proposals to change many aspects of the RMA, including how forestry and slash are managed. Under proposed changes to the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF), councils would be more restricted in their ability to set harder controls. Other proposals would require all forest harvests to have 'slash mobilisation risk assessments' as part of their harvest management plans, and/or change requirements around slash removal. Consultation on the proposed NES-CF runs until Sunday, 27 July 2025. The SMC asked experts to comment. Previous expert reactions on proposed RMA changes around housing are available here. Dr Steve Urlich, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management, Lincoln University, comments: 'Stabilising hill country is a national emergency as intense rainfall occurs more frequently. Recent cyclones and atmospheric rivers have led to loss of life, profound economic and infrastructure damage, and ecosystem degradation. 'Extensive erosion can occur on pastoral hill farms and clearcut forests. Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted public concern on the damage and dangers of forest slash. 'The Government tightened the national rules around slash removal in 2023, but is proposing to relax these due to cost and compliance issues. 'However, the proposals will not effectively reduce the risk to downstream communities and environments from slash and sediment. 'Extensive harvesting on gully heads often results in large volumes of slash and broken trees being left to the elements. This is because of self-assessed health and safety risks. 'The Government needs to amend the national rules to: Limit the size of clearcuts to <20% of catchment size. Retire gully heads, overly steep faces, and deep incised gullies. Prevent new plantings in these extremely high-risk areas. Require forest roads and skids to be engineered to withstand 1-in-100 year rainfall events 'The last point will be expensive, but the human, financial and ecological costs are currently intolerable.' No conflicts of interest. Dr Nathanael Melia, Senior research fellow, New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington; and Founding Director of Climate Prescience, comments: 'It is a positive move that the proposed amendments to the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry) Regulations (NES-CF) is open to consultation and seems to finally offer movement in the right direction. I have been aware of slash mobalisation following extreme rainfall since the 2018 Tolaga Bay Queen's Birthday Storm. It's 2025, and we are still discussing possible legislation to address these issues. 'The too-long, didn't read version is: MfE are suggesting that they may like to consider asking forest harvest operations if they wouldn't mind taking a second look in some cases before clearing the slope, please. 'It's good to see the action required being based on a site's Erosion Susceptibility Classification rather than a set of blanket rules that would restrict the industry's good actors. However, there is nuance here, some types of erosion that harvest can exacerbate are classed as 'low risk-no further action'. Others deemed more serious suggest 'further assessment required', but with seemingly no mandate for these assessments to be independent and free from conflicts of interest, I fail to see how this is helpful. 'Other recommendations suggest that harvest planners 'should' use past rainfall observations to assess slash management needs. This reflects that these recommendations are to be self refereed, based on estimates from recorded events rather than this new extreme climate we are in, and require zero material action. Other predictive measures of slash mobilisation are mentioned and put in the too hard basket. Worse, slope features physically present and observable that are consistent with active erosion that 'channel landslide to waterway' are considered not measurable, not a predictor of risk, and only of some consequence. 'The bibliography suggests that all the relevant material is known, but only the non-confrontational evidence is used in this draft. The good news is that this is open to consultation; however, there is a risk that these weak suggestions will be seen as red tape by some operators, who will want to lobby for a less restrictive environment. Meanwhile, there are very few independent experts to argue for higher standards required to keep slash away from the public and our sensitive environment.' No conflicts of interest. Mark Bloomberg, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Te Kura Ngahere New Zealand School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, comments: 'Firstly, I do not wish to comment in any way on the current situation in the Tasman region. The immediate focus there is protecting life and property, urgently mitigating dangerous situations and repairing flood damage. Commentary at this stage would be inappropriate. Part 2.2 of the Primary Sector discussion document. 'In the discussion document, the NES-CF regulations introduced in 2023 (regulations 69(5)–(7)) to manage slash on the forestry harvest cutover are considered 'costly to implement and not fit for purpose'. Proposed redress is to amend regulation 69 to require a slash mobilisation risk assessment (SMRA) for forest harvests as part of the existing harvest management plan, and/or amend regulation 69(5) to require all slash above an identified size to be removed from the forest cutover. 'These changes will not help. The problem is not 'slash' per se. The problem is the significant adverse effects of illegal discharges (slash, sediment, logging waste) from clear-felled forest lands. The proposals do not address the root causes of these illegal and catastrophic discharges from clear-felling sites on erosion-susceptible land. These root causes and their effects can be most directly avoided or mitigated by: Setting the activity status of clear-fell harvesting and matters for control or discretion in a way that allows regulators to properly regulate the risk from discharges, with no requirement for extra stringency in regional plans, i.e. the NES-CF should provide adequate stringency. Limiting the size and location of clear-felling coupes on erosion-susceptible land Developing a robust nationally-based standard for identifying and mapping landslide-susceptible areas, as well as landslide hazards and discharge flow paths downslope and downstream of clear-felling areas. There would need to be a major commitment by the government and the forestry industry to train, certify, and support a cadre of professionals capable of making these assessments.' Conflict of interest statement: 'Mark Bloomberg receives research and consultancy funding from the government's Envirolink fund and from local authorities and forestry companies. He is a member of the NZ Institute of Forestry and the NZ Society of Soil Science. He co-authored a recent article in The Conversation with Dr Steve Urlich of Lincoln University, which covers a lot of the same ground as the comments above.'
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
A new way to identify pathogens
New Zealand farmers use well over 3,000 tonnes of pesticide annually. But a new genomic study has discovered a way to potentially cut that by 80%. Using DNA sequencing technology, Lincoln University scientists believe it's possible to stop mass applications and instead switch to a targeted approach. Currently the project - led by Lincoln University Associate Professor Dr Chris Winefield - is focusing on vineyards. Photo: Supplied - Chris Winefield
