Milk flow may double

A "hare-brained" scheme to double New Zealand's milk production without doubling the national herd could be worth $4 billion to the agricultural industry.

Members of the AgBio Innovators Academy at Waikato Innovation Park, Ruakura, are working on a way of doubling the production of milk solids without increasing the herd after a September workshop hosted by Bill Wilmot, a United States expert on technological innovation.Prof Wilmot is also working with Silicon Valley-based technological innovation consultancy SRI International on value creation.

Peter Dowd, the chief executive of the academy, could not discuss the details of the scheme as they were commercially sensitive, but said if it was successful it would be the equivalent of creating a new industry.

Mr Dowd said Prof Wilmot had encouraged members of the academy to think outside the square.

"To come up with hare-brained schemes is quite important, as it is to have a place where you can come up with them safely," Mr Dowd said.

Those working on the proposal expect in March to present it to a forum of chief executives, and senior managers, from AgResearch, Fonterra, the Gallagher Group, LIC, the NDA Group and Milfos. If the forum approves, the scheme could take 15 to 20 years to implement.

"We are looking at a business case and seeing what options are available," Mr Dowd said.

The academy is also exploring further means of turning dairy effluent into a commodity. The regional council, Environment Waikato, has trialled using it on Waikato dairy farms to grow maize.

This could help solve the pollution problem, highlighted by the regional council last month in a report which found three-quarters of the region's waterways were unsafe for swimming or for stock to drink from because of agricultural pollution.

Mr Dowd said the academy was also working with a joint venture in developing new milk sensing technology.

- © Fairfax NZ News