92 | nzdairy RURAL SERVICES » Agritech NZ He points to Fonterra as a good example and its flow-on effect on its farmers, reducing compliance hours and delivering on premiums. “They have an internal goal to take one million compliance hours away from farmers so their farmers can focus on more productive activities by enabling data exchange between different systems.” AgriTechNZ is facilitating efforts to accelerate this trend through its data collaboration initiatives. This work aims to enable efficient agricultural data exchange by removing barriers and fostering sector alignment. AgriTechNZ is an independent non-government organisation representing about 160 member organisations in the agricultural technology space. • from page 91 “At AgriTechNZ, we are committed to fostering an independent and open approach to developing, storing and discovering data potential across the primary sector. We also promote and amplify related data interoperability initiatives ensuring they are aligned across the sector and internationally.” The organisation is currently facilitating workshops nationwide to help technology companies understand potential interaction points with other systems. It also runs a series of events throughout the year focused on digital maturity and capability in Hawkes Bay, Christchurch, and Hamilton. AgriTechNZ is an independent non-government organisation representing about 160 member organisations in the agricultural technology space. As part of an alliance of technology associations established under NZTech, AgriTechNZ seeks to maximise the performance of the agritech sector’s impact alongside agriculture’s status as New Zealand’s largest economic contributor. Central to its approach is ensuring international connection and relevancy. The organisation connects innovators, investors, regulators, researchers, and other stakeholders while promoting a globally-oriented outlook for New Zealand’s agricultural technology sector. “AgriTech’s New Zealand aspiration is to ensure that New Zealand is a global leader in science, technology and innovation, delivering commercial outcomes for the global primary sector,” says Brendan. “Connecting and engaging with great offshore partners is critical to our global outreach strategy.” As digital adoption accelerates and data-sharing practices mature, Brendan says that AgriTechNZ believes the resulting ecosystem will benefit the environment, economy, and all stakeholders within New Zealand’s agricultural sector, creating new opportunities for domestic innovation and international export success. Breed for the best traits, at scale. info@abacusbio.co.nz | abacusbio.com AbacusBio is home to a global team of expert quantitative geneticists, economic strategists, and plant and animal breeders. Industry non-profits, agribusinesses, and seed companies partner with us for everything from genetic and genomic evaluation to selection index creation, to improve performance and tap into the future state of breeding. AbacusBio plays a crucial role in applying global advancements to New Zealand’s unique agricultural systems and driving practical gains through data-backed solutions. Since 2001, their team of highly skilled technical experts have been partnering with industry organisations, breed societies and farmers to support the development and implementation of core methodologies utilised throughout genetic improvement programmes. “A big area of our work is in trait prioritisation, so working out the economic consequences of genetic improvements for different traits. We help figure out how we juggle all of those things together and come up with a final set of priorities to move the population forward in the most economically balanced way,” said Peter Amer, Managing Director, AbacusBio. Partnerships and collaboration are at the heart of the business, providing the driving force for practical solutions and gains to support farmers and growers in New Zealand and around the world. From providing expertise to make systems more efficient and scientifically accurate to co-developing and supporting the core methodology behind selection indexes like Breeding Worth and Maternal Worth, AbacusBio thrive on making innovation a reality. "AgriTechNZ deeply values AbacusBio’s membership—bringing world-class science, practical insights, and a collaborative spirit that helps drive innovation across New Zealand’s food and fibre sectors," said Brendan O'Connell, CEO, AgriTechNZ. With offices in Dunedin, Scotland, Canada, and Australia, AbacusBio gain valuable insights, knowledge, talent and partnerships that all play a crucial role in further advancing genetic improvement here in New Zealand. "Our international interaction is crucial, and AbacusBio is at the heart of bringing these insights to New Zealand's livestock industries. We are proud to have been supporting the New Zealand dairy industry for the past 15 years,” said Amer. Turning data into impact
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