Publications
We've compiled a small selection of recent publications, along with some commentary from Dr Doug Edmeades on each subject. If you would like to stay updated, sign up to receive Doug's blogs and papers as they are published. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. You may also like to keep updated with Doug's fortnightly blog for the New Zealand Farmer magazine, here
Is the Commercial model appropriate for Science?
Author: Doug Edmeades
MSc (Hons), PhD. Dip Management
Science in NZ has been commercialised. This commenced in 1990 with the formation of Crown Research Insitutes. These are companies owned by the State and governed and operated on commercial entities. They are required to undertake ‘public good’ research and pay dividents and profits. I researched the implications of this in a paper entitled, “Is the Commercial Model Appropriate for Science?”. I concluded, based on the values and requirements of science that it was, of all the potential governance and management models available, the worst model. The “Not For Profit” organisational model was recommended.
At its essence, science is a tool, a process, a set of implicit rules that can be applied to phenomena in the pursuit of understanding and ultimately discovering a truth. The process requires a commitment to the values of objectivity, impartiality and honesty
Download PDF: Is the Commercial model appropriate for Science
Science Under Threat
Author: Doug Edmeades
MSc (Hons), PhD. Dip Management
I recently became interested in the question: why is the value and importance of science being undermined? This took me into the world of philosopy and lead to the paper “Science under Threat: why and what can be done?
The discipline of philosophy which have had given birth to, and supported science intially has now turned to devour its most productive child.
Pseudo-Science a threat to Agriculture?
Author: Doug Edmeades
MSc (Hons), PhD. Dip Management
Science is under threat in contemporary society because of the adoption of post-modern philosophies which give credibility to pseudo-science. This paper, presented at the 26th Annual Conference of the Grasslands Society of NSW, explores its pernicious nature and the dangers it presents to agriculture.
Confidence in science and its products - technology - began to be questioned. Science, while not the cause, was seen as part of the 'problem'...This led to the philosophical movement called post-modernism which sets aside evidence as the authority and asserts that 'truth' is what you believe...Importantly in this setting, all opinions are to be given equal authority; irrespective of where the evidence lay.
Is the hypothesis of anthropogenic climate change correct? A personal view.
Author: Doug Edmeades
MSc (Hons), PhD. Dip Management
Climate change, or more specifically dangerous anthropogenic global warming (AGW), is arguably the major contemporary scientific issue confronting society. It is based on the hypothesis that increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, and specifically carbon dioxide, as a result of man’s activities, increase global temperature.
This paper represents my investigation into ‘global warming’. It sets out the reasons I am sceptical, at this point in time, of the theory of dangerous, human-induced gobal warming. Sure the climate changes both up and down driven by many factors, but do humans really have a large impact? Although I am not a climate change scientist I am a scientist who can follow logic and read graphs.
The Technology Transfer System is Broken
Author: Doug Edmeades
MSc (Hons), PhD. Dip Management
This paper was delivered to the 2011 NZIAHS Conference at Lincoln University. Using examples, it contrasts the quality of the technology transfer from science to the farmers of the past with the current situation.
The current flow of information from science to the farmer is full of psuedo-science infomercials and mumbo-jumbo.
A More Stable Funding Environment: A response to the MoRST sector engagement paper (2006)
Author: Doug Edmeades
MSc (Hons), PhD. Dip Management
In 2005 MoRST released a discussion document regarding New Zealand's science system. It was predicated on the basis that "the system is not broken but faces immediate challenges." In this paper I question that premise asserting that "New Zealand science is caught in a management warp: the philosophies and theories upon which the current science system has been developed create an environment which is the antithesis of that required for an open, healthy, vigorous and productive science sector."
A new science management model is required, built on evidence-based and objective analysis of the needs of science and the needs and goals of New Zealand.
Letter to the Editor: Re Creating Engines of Growth (2010)
Author: Doug Edmeades
MSc (Hons), PhD. Dip Management
In this letter I challenge the suggestion that "the creation of the CRIs 18 years ago was a brave move and that the reorganization currently proposed is equally brave", drawing on and expanding previously published ideas about the management of science in New Zealand.
Bravery is a quality which does not exist without courage. To confront wrong and rectify mistakes is to show courage, not the limp hand-wringing, cap-fiddling obsequiousness, suggested by the authors. Bravery or slavery?
You might also enjoy Doug's blog
Dr Edmeades also publishes a regular blog here, which is also featured on the Farming Show website. Recent topics include, 'Profitable Dairying' and 'Climate Change and Drought'. If you'd like to stay updated, sign up to receive the blogs and publications via email.
Science Review Papers on Soil Fertility and Pasture Nutrition
A selection of Dougs recent Science review papers
1. Edmeades, D. C., Pringle, R.M., Mansell, G. P., Shannon, P. W., Ritchie, J., Stewart, K. M. 1985. Effects of lime on pasture production on soils in the North Island of New Zealand: Description of a lime recommendation scheme. New Zealand journal of agricultural research. 13: 47- 58.
2. Edmeades, D. C. 2000. The agronomic effectiveness of lime-reverted and dicalcic superphosphates. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 43: 1-6.
3. Edmeades, D. C. 2002. The effects of liquid fertilisers derived from natural products on crop, pastures and animal production. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53: 965-976.
4. Edmeades, D. C. 2003. The long-term effects of manures and fertilisers on soil productivity and quality: a review. Nutrient Cycling and Agroecosystems 66: 165-180.
5. Edmeades, D. C. and O’Connor, M.B. 2003. Sodium requirements of temperate pastures in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 46: 37-47.
6. Edmeades, D. C. and Perrott, K. W. 2004. The calcium requirements of pastures in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 47: 11-21.
7. Edmeades, D. C. 2004. The magnesium requirements of pastures in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 47: 363-380.
8. Edmeades D. C., Thorrold, B. S. and Roberts. A. H. C. 2005. The diagnosis and correction of sulphur deficiency and the management of sulphur requirements in New Zealand pastures. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 2005. 45: 1205-1223.
9. Edmeades, D. C., Metherell, A. K., Waller, J., Roberts, A. H. C. and Morton, J. D. 2006. Defining the relationships between pasture production and soil P and the development of a dynamic P model for New Zealand pastures. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 49: 2007-222.
10. Edmeades, D. C., Morton, J. D., Waller, J., Metherell, A.K., Roberts, A. H. C., and Carey J. 2010. The diagnosis and correction of potassium deficiency in New Zealand pastures: a review. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 53: 151-173.
11. S.H.Chien, D.Edmeades, R.McBride and K.L. Sahrawat. Review of Maleic-Itatonic Acid Copolymer Purported as Urease and Phosphorus Enhancer in Soils. Agronomy Journal 106-2
12. D.C.Edmeades and R.McBride, 2011. An Independent Scientific Assessment of the Efficacy of Avail and Nutrisphere.
13. D.C.Edmeades, 2004. Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors. A review of the national and international literature on their effects on nitrate leaching, greenhouse gas emissions and ammonia volatilisation from temperate legume-based pastoral systems. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2004/22.
14. D.C.Edmeades, 2011. Where Will Agricultural Science be in 20 Years?/The Technology Transfer System is Broken. Presentation to the NZIAHS Conference 2011.
The Fertiliser Review
Dr Edmeades also publishes The Fertiliser Review, a widely read and respected product and service guide for farmers. You can read all of the past copies of the Fertiliser Review on the agKnowledge website here.