With a focus on innovation, resilience and global pressures, B+LNZ’s biennial AgInnovation captured the zeitgeist as farmers look to technologies to help drive efficiencies in their farming businesses.
Annabelle Guscott, India Williams, and Audrey Hall from St Matthew's Collegiate School in Masterton
Over 350 attendees gathered at Palmerston North’s Awapuni Racecourse to hear innovators, researchers, farmers, and industry leaders discuss the future of sheep and beef farming in New Zealand.
Global perspectives and practical innovation
The conference opened with keynote speaker Mark Mortimer, a mixed sheep and cropping farmer from Central New South Wales. Mark shared his practical approach to on-farm innovation and the “three rules” he uses to separate useful tools from distractions: improve profit or reduce labour, fit existing farm systems, and require no IT degree to use.
Barney Riley, Manager Trade Policy, Engagement and Implementation Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), provided a detailed overview of the global geopolitical environment and emerging trade trends. He spoke about the increasing fragility of global supply chains and the importance of building resilience within them.
He also discussed the Government’s ambition to double the value of exports by 2034, noting this will require a significant lift in performance across the primary sector and wider economy. A key shift will be moving from volume-based growth toward higher-value, value-added exports, with diversification remaining critical to long-term resilience.
Pick n’ Mix sessions highlight real-world innovation
Alongside the keynote presentations, the Pick n’ Mix sessions showcased practical innovation in action across New Zealand farms.
Ryan Luckman introduced the DAGI App (Drench and Grazing Integration App), which helps farmers better understand parasite risk and drench resistance using a simple traffic light system. Developed in response to growing parasite resistance challenges, the tool supports more informed grazing and animal health decisions.
A farmer panel discussion talked about the merits and challenges of virtual fencing in New Zealand beef systems. Among the panel was George Hardwick Smith, who shared perspectives from Kohunui Station, where Gallagher eShepherd virtual fencing is being used to improve hill country utilisation and lift productivity without the need for physical fencing.
Sarah How, co-founder at Landify, introduced a new digital platform connecting landowners and younger farmers across New Zealand to explore partnership pathways such as lease-to-buy, equity partnerships, and vendor finance. Her session focused on honest lessons, real examples, and a bold vision for more accessible farm ownership.
Jarred Mair, Chief Insight Officer at MPI, presented on how global change is driving investment and technology transformation, with a focus on AI’s growing reac; how it is reshaping technologies and influencing change back down the value chain.
Dr Jeremy Bryant, Founder and Chief Technical Officer at AIMER, a dairy farmer turned AgTech innovator, spoke about AI-powered pasture intelligence for better farm decisions. Jeremy examined the on-farm realities that limit the effectiveness of sward sticks, plate meters, satellites, and drones. He then introduced AIMER, a smartphone-based pasture measurement tool, and shared results from New Zealand and overseas trials. He also outlined how AIMER will integrate with virtual fencing systems to further support precision grazing and decision-making.
Advancing science and sector collaboration
B+LNZ Principal Scientist Cara Brosnahan talked about innovation in animal health research, highlighting how data, laboratory testing, and machine learning are being used to improve facial eczema prediction and parasite management. Projects such as the Sheep Poo Study, early FE forecasting, and targeted selective treatments are helping farmers make more proactive, data-driven decisions.
B+LNZ Senior Strategic Advisor Jim Inglis and Fonterra Dairy Beef Development Manager Rebecca Hickson provided an update on industry dairy beef initiatives. The programme aims to strengthen collaboration between dairy and beef sectors, improve calf genetics and systems, and create clearer market pathways for higher-value calves.
Christian Suaremann, a parasitologist with AgResearch, and Stuart Kay from Ballance Agri-Nutrients presented on innovation in the fight against drench resistance. Over the past 13 years, Ballance Agri-Nutrients has been developing and testing a nitrogen-based pasture application designed to disrupt the parasite life cycle on pasture. They discussed its potential role in future resilient farming systems, alongside other integrated approaches to managing parasite pressure and reducing reliance on traditional drenches.
Young farmers and future talent on the ground
The conference also welcomed secondary school students and emerging farmers.
Female students from St Matthew’s Collegiate School in Masterton attended as part of their agribusiness studies, sharing how inspiring it was to see the breadth of career opportunities in agriculture, from on-farm roles through to agritech, science, and business.
Napier Boys’ High School teacher Rex Newman is a familiar face at the conference and returns every two years with a new group of Year 12 and 13 students. He sees strong value in these experiences, with students keen to connect classroom learning with real-world innovation and explore future career pathways.
First-time attendee and farmer Alistair Cameron, working at Ōhineiti Station and participating in the B+LNZ Gen Next programme, said the event provided valuable takeaways on emerging farm technology and future industry direction, particularly around virtual fencing systems. He also highlighted how much he enjoyed the networking opportunities, connecting with farmers, innovators, and industry leaders, and found those conversations just as valuable in shaping his understanding of where the sector is heading.
Health and wellbeing focus
A free health check service was also available on site, with one in four attendees referred to their GP, reinforcing the importance of health and wellbeing within rural communities.
A strong finish and lasting message
The conference closed with Sir John Kirwan encouraging attendees to prioritise mental wellbeing, stay active, and build connection through simple acts of kindness and engagement.
His message resonated strongly with the farming audience, reinforcing the importance of looking after both people and productivity in a high-pressure industry.
Sharing openly from his own personal experience, Kirwan reflected on his mental health journey, including the moment he decided: “I’m going to be the All Black of depression.” He used this powerful statement to highlight the importance of facing mental health challenges head-on and speaking about them openly.
He reminded the audience that depression is not a weakness, but an illness that deserves the same care and attention as physical health. Through his ongoing advocacy, he continues to encourage practical tools, openness, and support for wellbeing.
B+LNZ extends its sincere thanks to sponsors Gallagher, Farmlands Co-operative, Farm Focus, FMG, Halter, OSPRI, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, and Farm IQ Systems, as well as product sponsors Atkins Ranch and Taylor Preston, for supporting the event.
Exclusive conversations from AgInnovation
Listen here to CountryWide Connect’s Andy Thompson talk to many of the speakers at AgInnovation.
