Contents - May 2008

• ACE 2008
• The latest in Sire Selection from LIC
• Systems for R&D tax credits
• NZIFST Professional Development Courses

ACE 2008

CATALYST^® is happy to announce the release of ACE 2008, our updated Annual Carbon Emissions Calculator. ACE is an easy to use tool for the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from business or household activity.

The updates include:

• Emission factors – these change each year based on the latest energy data and we have updated ACE to include the latest NZ-relevant factors as provided by the Ministry for the Environment.

• Waste emissions - due to popular request we have incorporated a function to calculate emissions from waste

• Taxis - recognising the significant use of cabs by some businesses we have added a taxi trip emissions calculator.

For those yet to try ACE, you can download the latest version for free by clicking here. You will be asked to login and register with us so that we are able to notify you of future updates. If you have any problems logging in please contact us.

We trust you will find the updates useful and we welcome your feedback. We would like to thank those of you who provided feedback on the original version, especially Fulton Hogan, Interface and Latitude Nelson.

For more information on the new version visit our website.

The latest in Sire Selection from LIC

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), New Zealand’s largest dairy genetics company, has just wrapped up a month of touring the country promoting their latest innovation: DNA Proven Semen. For the last 55 years top bulls in the country have been identified and selected for artificial breeding by the Sire Proving Scheme. Although highly successful this methodology relies on offspring screening and therefore takes a minimum of 5 years to “prove” each sire. The new innovation, to screen and select premier sires based on the latest genetic technologies and only possible thanks to recent mapping of the bovine genome, allows instant selection through genomic selection.

According to LIC this new technology will change dairying forever. The biggest advancement in bovine genetics in 50 years is expected to add $1.9 to $3.9 billion to the sector over the next 20 years (click here for Rural News article).

CATALYST^® worked with LIC to plan the research and prepare applications for investment funding for the project leading to DNA Proven Semen.

Establishing systems so you can claim your R&D Tax credits

In our last newsletter we highlighted the R&D tax credit scheme that came into effect this year. Based on feedback it has become apparent that some businesses feel it is an end of year accounting requirement that will just be dealt with by their accountant.

However, while businesses certainly need to have their accountant involved we would like to emphasise the need to put appropriate paperwork in place from the start of any R&D project and document it as it happens.

Your accountant will then have a robust basis from which to lodge the claims at end of year. So talk to your accountant but establish the required records for projects now within the business.

If you would like assistance with some appropriate templates please contact us.

New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology Professional Development Courses

The NZIFST believes that there is a need to improve professional development benefits for members and have begun to develop a series of short courses to achieve this. The current courses are:

• Engineering for non-engineers
• Nutrition for non-nutritionists
• Improving your labelling expertise
• Food labelling - clarifying those grey issues

With a potential certificate course in Labelling Legislation being considered.

Click here to see detail on these. For more information contact Rosemary at NZIFST.