Evaluation of Forecasting Performance - Agricultural Commodities
Sharemilking systems in New Zealand
Deer industry financial analysis
Queuing Methodology for SPS Applications
Business Case Analysis – Land Information NZ (LINZ)
Effectiveness of Fisheries Compliance
Investment Analysis for an Established Forest
NZ Dairy Industry Research Evaluation
Analysis of the economic outcomes of research projects funded by Meat New Zealand
Financial viability assessment of a meat by-products plant
Client investment
Review of New Zealand agricultural credit
NZ Pork Industry Board Farmer Attitude Survey
Research evaluation
MAF Quality Management (MQM) - corporatisation
Economic analysis of fisheries management systems
Banking industry services
Vineyard and winery feasibility study
Producer Board Reform
Forage as a production alternative
Saleyards evaluation
Deer industry competitive intelligence

Evaluation of Forecasting Performance - Agricultural Commodities Reference

Evaluation of MAF's forecasting performance for major agricultural commodities against actual outturns and against other forecasters including statistical analysis of significance.

Sharemilking systems in New Zealand

Researched sharemilking systems for foreign quasi government organisation wishing to learn from New Zealand experience to improve the succession of young farmers onto their own properties. Analysed the history, organisation of sharemilking, types of contracts, statutory requirements, education and training, current trends, the impact of sharemilking on the dairy industry, financing a dairy farm, the economics of dairy farming and sharemilking as a route to farm ownership.

Deer industry financial analysis

On-going financial analysis of the New Zealand Deer Industry comparing deer farming with other pastoral production options, and reviewing economic and financial aspects of the industry’s international marketing programmes. Client uses to model deer industry growth and production.

Queuing Methodology for SPS Applications

We developed the principles and guidelines for setting priorities for the queuing of Sanitary and Phytosanitary applications for the import of agricultural products. Commissioned by MAF Policy and MAF Regulatory Authority to undertake research for a discussion paper suitable for presentation to the SPS Committee of the World Trade Organisation.

Business Case Analysis – Land Information NZ (LINZ)

Prepared the business case and Cabinet paper for the LINZ Automation Programme. This is a $100 million programme to allow the electronic transaction of survey and title information. Key activities included fiscal and economic cost benefit analysis and development of funding options.

Effectiveness of Fisheries Compliance Reference

Estimation of illegal fish flows in Central Region, survey and analysis of resource user perceptions on MAF Fisheries effectiveness and efficiency, and provision of advice on strategic issues as outcomes of the analysis.

Investment Analysis for an Established Forest

Provided a detailed analysis, including financial forecasts and valuation of an East Coast Forestry Grant, for a large East Coast forest in support of a syndication process. Included advising our client on relevant issues and management options for the forest, bringing experience and credibility to the overall project.

NZ Dairy Industry Research Evaluation Reference

Developed a framework for the economic evaluation of Research and Development projects in the dairy industry. This project brought together the Dairy Board and four major research provider organisations to develop a consistent framework that could be applied across all projects and provider organisations. The tool is based on traditional CBA and incorporates risk simulation. The framework was tested on five projects representative of the range of problem areas that had to be addressed (the analysis and names of these projects are held confidential because of commercial sensitivities).

Analysis of the economic outcomes of research projects funded by Meat New Zealand

More efficient lamb production for Southland. Using our QuRA™ methodology we assessed the economic outcomes for the following projects

• Slow release bolus for facial eczema.
• Manufacturing meat value added.
• Energy modeling software for meat processing plants.
• Process hygiene index (PHI).
• Development of new sheep semen diluents for artificial insemination.
• Breeding to reduce the negative impact of nematode parasites on sheep production.
• Quality meat and wool production from pastures containing protected proteins.

Financial viability assessment of a meat by-products plant

Our quantitative risk analysis tool (QuRA) was used to estimate the net benefits of a joint venture partnership to supply raw material, process and export a high value added meat product. The analysis showed that by reducing the scale of the proposed plant and utilising this more effectively the likelihood of excellent returns were high.

Client investment

We source suitable investments in the primary sector, mainly focusing on rural land and forestry. Services provided include sourcing the properties, developing projections, evaluating options and assessing risks and returns. We are actively involved with the on-going management and development of some $30 million of assets.

Review of New Zealand agricultural credit

Reviewed the rural credit policies and operations of New Zealand’s main rural lenders for the N Z Ministry of Agriculture. Covered credit availability, lending criteria, payback terms, security requirements, risk management and debt servicing criteria and guidelines for lending to farmers in pastoral, arable and horticultural enterprises.

NZ Pork Industry Board Farmer Attitude Survey Reference

A survey of NZ pork producers to obtain an understanding of the concerns of pork producers to key issues faced by the industry. The results of the survey are used in the Board's strategic planning so the Board can more accurately target its services to producers.

Research evaluation Reference

We developed an evaluation model for assessing research and development investments in the dairy industry that is now being used throughout New Zealand.

MAF Quality Management (MQM) - corporatisation Reference

Undertook a quantitative analysis of corporatisation Issues for MQM as a requirement of Cabinet. Addressed effectiveness, efficiency and risk management questions for MQM management. Recommendations accepted.

Economic analysis of fisheries management systems

Economic analysis of systems to support the new Fisheries Bill including compliance with the Act to preserve fish stocks, minimising risks to the Crown, minimising Crown funding, ensuring contestability and harmonising stakeholder relationships.

Banking industry services

Developed a rural credit manual and a module based training programme for a major banking institution that became part of its staff development.
Carried out due diligence on rural loan portfolios during takeover negotiations.

Vineyard and winery feasibility study

We provided the independent assessment of this greenfields development into grape growing and wine making in New Zealand. This required the development of financial models for a range of options which proved essential in the final decision making process. The land has been purchased and the development proceeding.

Producer Board Reform

We conducted a review of the Producer Board Reform for a substantial offshore client who purchases commodity product from New Zealand and was concerned to understand the process, the reasons for the reforms, and any potential effect on the business they conduct here in New Zealand.

Forage as a production alternative

We reviewed New Zealand initiatives over the past 30 years which were aimed to increase the use of high-quality forage as a production tool. This project was requested by a global organisation that was looking to implement the use of efficient, low-cost forage grazing systems which has made New Zealand a world leader in protein food production. The aim is to increase the areas of high-quality forage as a substitute for expensive feed grain, and the overall goal is to reduce this global organisation’s dependence on imported feed grains. The review focused on policy measures, key lessons learned, and the funding required.

Saleyards evaluation

Improving technology and e-commerce have brought changes to traditional methods of selling livestock and rationalisation of saleyards facilities. Our clients commissioned us to evaluate six of their selling facilities based on location and condition, and current and projected future throughput. This required a detailed analysis of likely changes in livestock type and numbers resulting from land use change and new farming systems within each saleyards catchment area. Future strategy for the individual saleyards was developed from this work.

Deer industry competitive intelligence

Over the years the company has provided reviews for the deer industry which include:
financial analysis of the New Zealand deer industry weaner buy-in-price and profit analysis
sheep and beef finishing profitability comparison with deer industry options deer farm economic performance monitoring life-time analysis of various deer farming options competitive intelligence which includes the current situation and outlook for New Zealand agriculture, and competition in the German protein market.

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