Farming, Food and Health. First
WHO WE ARE
AgResearch is one of New Zealands leading
research organisations.
We have an outstanding team of scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff. They have a track record of
conducting excellent scientific research and producing commercially-relevant technologies.
New Zealand-based AgResearch operates internationally, and has formal research collaboration agreements with
more than 100 organisations around the world.
Our science capability is structured in three Groups,
the Agriculture & Environment Group, the Applied Biotechnologies Group and the Food & Textiles Group
which together are able to provide a world class research and technology capability unique in its ability to provide
science that reaches from plate to pasture.
At a national level we collaborate widely and are involved
in a significant number of industry government research initiatives in the areas of forage genomics, greenhouse gas
research, sheep genetics, meat biologics and Johnes disease.
We also partner with many local universities such as
Aucklands Growth & Development Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) and Lincolns Bio-Protection CoRE. We are
also a central partner in Massey Universitys Riddet Institute for Innovation in Foods and Biologicals.
In addition, we have established national research centres in Biosecurity and Infectious Disease (a joint venture with the
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environmental Science & Research and AsureQuality), Reproduction and Genomics
with the University of Otago and the Hopkirk (animal health) Research Institute with Massey University.
Our mission is to create sustainable wealth in the
pastoral and technology sectors through science and technology.
- To support its research activities AgResearch has assets exceeding $250m,
including four major campuses and twelve farms.
- AgResearch and subsidiaries expect to earn in excess of $150m of revenue each year.
- Profits from our research are invested in growing our capability in order to support
New Zealands pastoral and biotechnology sectors.
AgResearch Comprises (approx.):
- 1000 staff (900 Full Time Equivalents)
- 700 professional science staff, with 260 staff holding a PhD including 25 non-science PhDs)
- 30 business development and commercial services staff
- 250 support staff
- Research campuses in four locations: Hamilton (Ruakura), Palmerston North (Grasslands and the Hopkirk Research
Institute), Christchurch (Lincoln) and Dunedin (Invermay)
- Numerous shared research facilities and 12 farms throughout New Zealand.
ADDING VALUE FOR YOU
AgResearch is a customer focused research institute which prides itself on being easy to work
with. We work hard to find a deal that works for you, meets your expectations and delivers
value to your business.
We have an impressive track record in developing innovative solutions for, and with,
New Zealand and international companies. We see partnering with industry as a key way in which
we can make a difference to the agricultural sector.
AgResearch, with one of the largest science capabilities in the southern hemisphere that works
across a wide range of science disciplines, is able to provide a comprehensive range of science,
development and adoption solutions to meet your needs. This diverse range of skills when coupled
with our animal, plant and farm resources allows us to provide complete innovation packages to
our customers.
We own and maintain a significant portfolio of Intellectual Property and work closely with industry
partners to convert this into usable technologies. We are aware of the value of intellectual property
but do not demand ownership, preferring to seek ways in which value created can be shared. As a result,
we have a flexible IP policy and are open to all commercial arrangements for the equitable exploitation of
new discoveries.
Working with AgResearch can be as simple as using our services on a contract fee for services basis where
you own all the Intellectual Property or via larger long term collaborative research programmes right through
to more formal spin-out or joint venture opportunities involving the establishment of new companies with
shared ownership. We are happy to discuss any of these options or to consider others.
We are often able to leverage additional financial support from government funding sources and have a strong
track record in doing so. In addition we have our own investment funds available and welcome the chance to
co-invest with partners to make new ideas into commercial reality.
The Commercial Group within AgResearch works with customers
and internal science groups to facilitate the creation and transfer of knowledge into usable solutions to
meet market needs. We have people experienced in dealing with the needs of customers and who can arrange
for you to discuss your problems with our skilled science teams.
We welcome enquiries from parties who have identified technology issues in their business and are looking
for a switched on commercially-orientated science and technology provider to help find a solution.
Contact: Dr Ian Boddy
Commercial Group Manager
ian.boddy@agresearch.co.nz
OUR FOCUS 2020 SCIENCE
2020 Science is a blue print for the future
and will involve AgResearch working closely with its industry partners to achieve some remarkable outcomes. These
include doubling the value produced by the dairy, meat and textile industries while reducing their costs and
impacts on the environment.
The vision is captured in Five Goals: future dairy industry; future meat industry, future textile
industry; pestilence-free New Zealand; and agriculture and its communities.
AgResearchs activities are critical in
ensuring the prosperity, security and sustainability of New Zealands pastoral and agri-food sectors. These sectors are
the backbone of our economy and their continued success is essential to this countrys living standards.
To help create the future of the pastoral and agri-food sectors we must be forward-focused
identifying scientific and technological opportunities, and turning them into tangible benefits for the sector.
Contact: Dr Jimmy Suttie
Science & Technology GM Applied Biotechnologies Group
jimmy.suttie@agresearch.co.nz
OUR THREE AREAS OF SCIENCE EXPERTISE
FOOD & TEXTILES
The Food & Textiles Group grows New Zealands pastoral sector
through application of R&D in agri-foods and textiles either side of
the farm-gate. The Group has four research, science and technology
Sections; two focused on (1) regulation of milk composition and
production, and dairy and meat processing underpinned by
non-invasive measurements and (2) biotechnology-based nutrition,
microbiology and physiology for dairy and meat-derived foods, and
to understand the microbial ecosystem of the rumen and gut, and
interactions with animal or human hosts. The other two focus on
the wider textiles world; from catwalk fashion, to carpets to smart
and technical textiles.
Contact Professor Warren McNabb
warren.mcnabb@agresearch.co.nz
AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
The Agriculture & Environment Group undertakes R&D contributing
to a sustainable and profitable pastoral sector including animal
health to minimise internal parasites and infectious diseases, and
animal welfare to ensure livestock management is acceptable to
consumers. The Group also contributes to the integrity of New
Zealands environment though the management and mitigation
of (1) pests and weeds, and (2) the emissions of greenhouse gases,
nutrients and pathogens from agriculture. Border biosecurity to
prevent new diseases and pests entering the country is also a
priority area. The Group works with rural communities and
agribusiness to ensure they remain sustainable and to enhance
the adoption of new technologies and policies. At both a farm and
industry level we look to enhance production systems through
systems modelling and management and value chain analysis.
Contact Peter Benfell
peter.benfell@agresearch.co.nz
APPLIED BIOTECHNOLOGIES
The Applied Biotechnologies Group uses genomic techniques to
research and develop plant, fungal and animal technologies to
enhance New Zealand agribusiness. The Group is structured into
two Sections conducting plant and fungal R&D, four Sections
involved with animal R&D and a Bioinformatic, Biometrics and
Mathematical modelling section. Plant R&D centres around
developing plant biotechnology tools for new traits in plants,
conventional plant breeding and the development and
implementation of new fungal endophytes. The animal sections
are working on whole genome selection in sheep, cattle and deer,
the use of embryonic stem cells, transgenics and measuring new
growth, wool and reproductive phenotypes.
Contact Dr Jimmy Suttie
jimmy.suttie@agresearch.co.nz
WHO'S WHO
Chairman
Sam Robinson
Chief Executive
Dr Andrew West
Commercial Group Manager
Dr Ian Boddy
ian.boddy@agresearch.co.nz
COMMERCIAL TEAM LEADERS:
Food & Textiles
Margot Buick
margot.buick@agresearch.co.nz
Agriculture & Environment
Dr Gavin Sheath
gavin.sheath@agresearch.co.nz
Applied Biotechnologies
Dr Richard Curtis
richard.curtis@agresearch.co.nz
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY GENERAL MANAGERS:
Food & Textiles Group
Professor Warren McNabb
warren.mcnabb@agresearch.co.nz
Agriculture & Environment Group
Peter Benfell
peter.benfell@agresearch.co.nz
Applied Biotechnologies Group
Dr Jimmy Suttie
jimmy.suttie@agresearch.co.nz
AgResearch Company Profile
Produced by AgResearch Corporate Affairs
Contact AgResearch Corporate Affairs Manager,
Allanah James
Phone +64 3 321 8800 or 029 9833989
Email allanah.james@agresearch.co.nz
www.agresearch.co.nz