MOU a significant milestone
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Lincoln University and Ballance Agri-Nutrients is being hailed as a significant milestone.
LINCOLN AGRITECH Ltd is celebrating 50 years of researching and encouraging agricultural engineering.
The company, approved by the government in 1963, was founded in 1964 as New Zealand Agricultural Engineering Institute (NZAEI) at Lincoln College (now Lincoln University). The first staff member joined in October 1964.
Financed chiefly by Ministry of Agriculture grants, it first worked on tractor safety frame testing, fencing, carcase disposal, farm water supply and farm aviation.
In 1979 NZAEI opened a second research division at Ruakura, Hamilton. Lincoln Ventures Ltd was created in 1994 as a merger of NZAEI, the Kellogg Farm Management Unit and the Centre for Resource Management.
In 2012 the company changed its name to Lincoln Agritech Ltd to better reflect its position as an independent agritech-focused science and engineering research company, owned by Lincoln University.
The company has spread its field of interest beyond farming, to the industrial and environmental sectors. Examples include:
A mechanical blackcurrant harvester developed and made commercially from 1973, and sold in NZ and elsewhere.
Water harvesting in dams and other types of storage in the 1970s for stock and irrigation, including the design of the Glenmark Irrigation Scheme in Waipara.
A direct drilling machine called the Rotodrill (1980) in collaboration with MAF, which enabled ploughing and seeding of land in a single step.
IRRICAD, a world-known software package used to design pressurised irrigation systems sold in 60 countries.
Aquaflex, a soil moisture sensor sold worldwide since 1991.
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.