New Zealand based, Thriving Southland, a community-led group, has released a discussion paper titled "Understanding Precision Fermentation" in response to increasing curiosity within the Southland farming community about this innovative technology.

The paper serves as an educational tool, providing an accessible overview of precision fermentation and its potential implications for New Zealand's dairy industry and should be of great interest to the country's more than eight thousand dairy operations.

Source: Thriving Southland - Precision fermentation

The document synthesises a variety of stakeholder opinions and points to further detailed studies for those interested in exploring the topic more deeply. Richard Kyte, the project lead at Thriving Southland, says the document is about "informing our community". He says it responds to direct requests from farmers and stakeholders eager to understand the technology better. The paper is clear that while it draws from existing research, it does not contain new studies conducted by Thriving Southland itself.

Precision fermentation is recognised as a disruptive technology with the potential to significantly alter food production, especially within the dairy sector. As a cornerstone of Southland’s economy, the dairy industry's response to such innovations is crucial for future planning. Anna Crosbie, the author of the paper, highlights the importance of the dairy sector to regional employment and output, saying there is a critical need for local dairy stakeholders to engage with emerging research on alternative protein technologies like precision fermentation.

This discussion paper, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment through the Southland Just Transition initiative, is part of broader efforts to prepare the region for future food and fibre opportunities. It aims to spark dialogue and encourage strategic thinking about how such technologies might reshape the industry.

The timing and scale of potential disruptions are still uncertain, but with growing global investment in precision fermentation, the paper suggests it is crucial for New Zealand to enhance its resilience and strategic preparedness.

Source: ID 32196781 © Rafael Ben Ari  - Dairy Cows

Auckland based Daisy Lab is already making progress towards commercialisation . Read earlier stories about them HERE

This initiative reflects a growing trend where community education leads the way in discussing potential industry disruptions. The approach taken by Thriving Southland aims to empower local farmers with the knowledge needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities that precision fermentation may bring.

This New Zealand discussion paper follows hard on the heels of a Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA), white released this week. Read our story on this HERE.

To download the document CLICK HERE

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