PGW Leases New Research Facility to Enhance Agricultural Innovation

PGW has secured a lease for the Geelen Family Trust Research Station, previously managed by Bayer Crop Science, to establish a dedicated facility for horticultural and agricultural research. This development will complement PGW’s existing operations, which currently involve 70 to 80 scientific trials conducted across various paddocks and orchards throughout New Zealand.

Strategic Investment for Enhanced Research

In a statement, Chief Executive Stephen Guerin emphasized that the new site is perfectly suited to the company’s research requirements. He noted that previous trials were often conducted in collaboration with farmers, which required them to withdraw some productive land from use. “Now, by investing in a dedicated research facility, we will reduce that burden and can implement a more controlled and scalable research programme at this special purpose facility,” Guerin explained. He highlighted the benefits for customers, stating that this investment will deliver greater value on-farm and in orchards for years to come.

The 2.8-hectare site is home to approximately 600 apple trees, 50 peach trees, and 1,100 metres of grapevines, along with plans to cultivate about one hectare for fodder and onion crops. Milton Munro, the Technical Team Manager, noted that the new facility provides PGW with a significant advantage, as replicating such a site elsewhere would typically take at least five years before trial work could commence. “We are thrilled to hit the ground running and start trials on the site in September this year,” Munro said.

Commitment to Research and Development

PGW’s commitment to research and development dates back to the 1960s, focusing initially on providing phytosanitary support for customers of Fruitfed Supplies facing stringent export regulations. Over the past decade, this focus has broadened to encompass the agricultural sector. Currently, PGW allocates the largest investment to research and development within the agricultural and horticultural retail sectors.

Nick Berry, Retail and Water General Manager, indicated that the company is dedicated to supporting customers with research and data that substantiate product label claims. Beyond enhancing the research site, PGW plans to invest in additional training for its R&D team and will also hire new staff to support these initiatives. The upcoming trials will explore various areas, including new plant protection products, herbicide evaluations, and the effectiveness of fertilizers under New Zealand conditions.

Munro added that the trials will lead to a more profound understanding of products, often years before they reach the marketplace. Guerin remarked that the site will also serve as a platform to showcase emerging research and technology to clients, which he views as a potential area of competitive strength for the sector, provided there is adequate regulatory support for innovation.

“While we are committed to continuing to bring new products needed by farmers and growers, we remain concerned with the current speed of our regulatory processes. New Zealand must do better in this area. Otherwise, we risk starving our primary sector of innovation and disadvantaging our farmers and growers,” Guerin stated.

The results from the initial trials scheduled to commence in September are expected to be available by January 2024.