As part of that process AgResearch has spent the past two weeks consulting staff and Farmers Weekly has learnt an announcement on who will stay and go will be made tomorrow.
Sources expect AgResearch to proceed with its proposed staff cuts as outlined on October 14, with the loss of 33 science roles and 50 technicians.
Recruitment in other areas will result in a net loss of 14 scientists and 41 technicians for the 2015-16 year.
Confidential documents released to Farmers Weekly revealed animal science research would be the hardest hit from the proposed restructuring with the net loss of 28 people, a fifth of its workforce.
The staff consultation papers also reveal that science staff will be expected to generate more revenue from contracted work.
AgResearch said it was grappling with a $10 million drop in net revenue since 2013, with revenue for the 2016 financial year $5.3m less than it received in 2015.
The documents say that staff numbers needed to either match changes in “customer demand,” or be aligned with its science roadmap, a document with stakeholder input that sets the direction, quality and relevance of AgResearch’s work.
The science company has identified areas of research promise that it was pursing – food safety, security and innovative high value products, Maori agribusiness, farm systems and integrating animal and forage science in to farm systems.
