Lincoln research impresses Australia’s Minister of Agriculture

Lincoln University welcomed the Australian Minister of Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie, to its campus where she was introduced to some of the institution’s most celebrated land-based projects, a university news release today says.

The Minister visited the Lincoln University vineyard, dairy farm and Ashley Dene Research & Development Station with a party that included Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce McKenzie, Soil Science Professor Keith Cameron, and Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Dean and wine researcher, Roland Harrison.

She heard about the operations, expenses and targets of the Lincoln University Dairy Farm and its strategic purpose to lead and promote the very best sustainable dairy food production systems.

She also viewed a presentation on the various projects taking place at the Ashley Dene Research & Development Station, which aim to improve the profitability, environmental and welfare performance of dairy and livestock farming systems.

During her tour, the Minister expressed particular interest in the award-winning ClearTech system, a ground-breaking method of turning dairy effluent into clarified water.

Developed by Lincoln University Soil Science Professors Keith Cameron and Hong Di in collaboration with Ravensdown, the system significantly reduces on-farm fresh water use.

Earlier this year, the system won the Science & Research Award at the Primary Industries Awards in Wellington.

“ClearTech provides farmers with a new tool to help them continue to improve the sustainability of their business,” Professor Cameron said. “The scientific results are exciting and demonstrate the potential benefits of ClearTech for the farm and the environment. It’s a win-win technology.

“It was fantastic to be able to showcase this product to the Minister. Her visit was a great success.”

Source:  Lincoln University

Author: Bob Edlin

Editor of AgScience Magazine and Editor of the AgScience Blog

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