The government has announced a bill will be introduced to parliament this year to change rules and regulations to genetic modification. Access to genetic modification technologies globally already exists, and in this episode we talk to chief executive of Grasslanz Technology John Caradus about what we can learn from overseas, to develop the best system for New Zealand and the work already underway to develop GE forages for farmers here.

Guests include:

1. John Caradus, CEO, Grasslanz Technology

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

John Caradus says any new regulations need to be risk based and take into account risks to the environment, native wildlife and human health as well as farm systems.

He discusses the issues that have faced producers overseas in finding ways for organic farmers to coexist with those wanting to use genetic modification in their crops. He says we should learn from their experiences, but that arable farmers growing specialty seed crops here also have valuable insights into how to stop cross contamination.

John explains the introduction of this bill is important because at the moment, while scientists can do experiments within glasshouses and laboratories, they can’t do research in real life conditions to test how plants would perform in NZ.

Find out more about the NZIPIM Conference 2024 here.

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With changes to gene editing regulations being signaled by the government, it’s time to have the conversation on why and how this would benefit New Zealand growers, and the general public.

But according to a survey 26% of growers don’t know how they feel about a change in regulations, which begs the question - are we having the right conversations about what gene editing means?

Guests include:

1. Dr Tony Conner, Emeritus Scientist, AgResearch
2. Liz Morley, Account Director, Research First

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

AgResearch emeritus scientist Dr Tony Conner has been the fact checker for our Special Report on genetic modification (GM) and gene editing (GE). He walks us through our glossary of terms and explains the difference between genetic modification, genetic engineering and gene editing. He's also stepping us through how gene editing and technologies such as CRISPR work.

Tony Conner says it’s important the current regulations are updated because they are no longer relevant to the new techniques. Gene editing can now allow more precise breeding techniques to be used, but that’s being restricted under the regulations while less precise techniques – such as using radiation to cause more random mutations – is not.

Anne Lee also talks to Liz Morley from Research First about our exclusive survey into the understanding and perceptions of farmers and growers on genetic modification and gene editing. It's the first time farmers and growers have been surveyed on this issue and Liz and her team have compared those views with the recent surveys they've done on the general population.

Almost 60% of farmers and growers want the regulations to be changed, according to the survey. Liz Morley says the results from the survey show the level of understanding about the technology is low and there’s a need for more education. Farmers and growers, though, have relatively high levels of acceptance of the technology being used in New Zealand, particularly if it is used to solve environmental issues such as methane emissions.

Read the Dairy Exporter Exclusive Survey results here

Find out more about the NZIPIM Conference 2024 here.

Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here

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This week we caught up with some farmers who shared their expertise at SIDE’s 2024 Conference, along with a geneticist. From new traits being researched for the fertility breeding value, to tackling strategies to reduce N loss, and finally how to navigate the ins and outs of share milking contracts, hosts Sheryl and Anne cover it all.

Guests include:

1. Dr Melissa Stephen, Quantitative Geneticist, NZAEL
2. Athol New, Mayview Farm & Terry Kilday, Camden Group
3. Richard & Chrissie Wright, farmers
4. Kerry Burt, farmer

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

Dr Melissa Stephen discusses the importance of recording accurate calving dates to help the national breeding evaluation. She also explains the research she is doing into early life fertility predictors, including how anogenital distance (AGD) can help predict a cow's fertility.

Farmers Athol New and Terry Kilday spoke at the conference about their involvement in the Hinds and Selwyn project, a five-year programme, focussing on farmer-to-farmer learning to understand mitigation strategies to reduce N loss. They discuss the different ways they tackled this on their farms, and offer some advice to other farmers.

Farmers Richard and Chrissie Wright share their advice on fostering good working relationships with contract milkers, and what to look out for when navigating the ins and outs of contracts.

Kerry Burt was part of the same workshop, and shares his own experiences with contract milking, and what employers and employees alike should keep in mind.

Click here to check out last week’s episode from the SIDE Conference.

Click here to check out Barenbrug’s ‘Better Pastures Together” podcast series now.

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