Otago University Agricultural Innovation Programme

Kia ora koutou,

As the Agricultural Innovation Programme draws to a close for 2025, I want to extend my deepest thanks to all of you across the sector who generously contributed your time, expertise, and support.

To our invited speakers, your insights, from soil science and genetics to fibre innovation, biosecurity, and food traceability, brought real-world relevance and inspiration to our students. Your willingness to share your knowledge and experience has been invaluable, and the student feedback reflects the impact of your talks. A special thanks to Daniel Carson, who meet with Otago agricultural innovation students twice this year and brought unique perspectives to both sessions!

To our field trip hosts, thank you for welcoming us into your operations and showcasing the practical applications of agricultural innovation. These visits were a highlight for many students, offering a tangible connection between classroom learning and industry practice.

Whether through lectures, field trips, or informal conversations, your contributions have helped shape a rich and engaging learning environment. The students consistently praised the diversity of perspectives and the opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the field.

We are proud to collaborate with such a passionate and forward-thinking community, and we look forward to continuing these connections in the years ahead.

Ngā mihi nui,

Craig

Student feedback about what was best about the paper(s) they took

The labs and field trip!

The field trip and the practices.

Feildtrip/invited talks

I would have loved to been able to attend more of the talks during the field trip.

Attend as many lectures/tutorials/fieldtrip opportunities as possible

The different aspects of learning from practically in labs, tutorials and field trip.

Love the practicals & field trip.

I enjoyed the wide range of lectures, tutorials, field trips etc,

Talks

Daniel Judd https://www.oscardairy.com/ - Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme soil report

Dr Eric Button https://www.orc.govt.nz/ - soil scientist

Craig Adams (CEO) https://www.superior.net.nz/ - fertiliser

Toula and Andrew Finlayson https://southlandcarbon.co.nz/ - biochar

Dr Helen Bettie https://www.vawa.co.nz/ - animal welfare

Hon Damien O'Connor https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/oconnor-damien/ - NZ ag

Tanya Simmonds https://hempcentral.earth/ - fibre innovation

Kate Wilson (Founding Partner and IP Strategist) https://www.jamesandwells.com/nz/ - intellectual property

Daneil Carson https://miti.nz/ - Fieldays 2025 Innovation people choice and Innovation early-stage awards, food innovation

Ben Lee (CEO) https://agilis.nz/ - veterinary pharmaceutics

Dr Peter Amer (CEO) https://abacusbio.com/ - genetics

Dr Shannon Clark https://www.agresearch.co.nz/ - genetics

Dr Suzanne Row https://www.agresearch.co.nz/ - genetics

Dr Roger Hellens (CTO) https://www.kiwifruitbreeding.com/ - plant breeding

Ben Scales https://www.kiwifibre.com/ - fibre innovation

Justin Legg https://www.mhvwater.nz/ - irrigation

Dr Georgina Dowd https://www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/ - cellular agriculture

Grant Boston https://www.mpi.govt.nz/ - biosecurity

Prof Russel Frew https://oritain.com/ - food traceability

Ag@Otago Seminar Opening Hon Mark Petterson https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/mark-patterson

Panel Session 1: Agrifood, The Intersection of Agriculture and Food Production 19 May Our Farming Future What’s Possible?

• Daniel Carson https://miti.nz/

• Anna Benny https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-benny/

• Dr Victoria Hatton https://foodhq.com/

Field trips

AgResearch https://www.agresearch.co.nz/  – Digital Agriculture, Ethical Agriculture, and Genetics groups

Techion https://techion.com/  

DRL https://www.drl.net.nz/  

Shearwell https://www.shearwell.co.nz/  

Awanui Scientific https://www.awanuiscientific.co.nz/

Rumenaut https://rumenaut.com/ 

Craig Whiteside https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/farmlands-peoples-choice/good-relationships-key-business

Richard Currie https://blackforest.co.nz/