AgResearch

What AgResearch does

AgResearch is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute and, from 1 July 2025, a Group of the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science, delivering agricultural science across the pastoral, agri-food, and agri-technology sectors. The organisation operates four campuses (Lincoln, Hamilton/Ruakura, Palmerston North/Grasslands, and Mosgiel/Invermay) with 650+ staff and co-locates with Lincoln University, Massey University, and sibling CRIs. Its core capability spans farm systems research, climate change mitigation and adaptation, integrated biosecurity, emerging foods, and Māori agribusiness partnerships, with over 45 patent families and 175+ active patents underpinning an IP commercialisation pipeline.

The product and technology portfolio includes the Margot Forde Genebank (the world's largest forage seed bank with 175,000+ samples from ~2,500 species), the proprietary Sheep Genomic 60kplus SNP Chip commercialised via subsidiary GenomNZ with manufacturing partner Illumina, the AI-driven Map and Zap® laser weeding system, the CPG Weed Risk Model (88% validated accuracy across 20,000+ plant species), the LIDAR-based MSICS (M6) forage yield measurement machine, and a newly opened NZ$11M PC2-certified multi-trophic containment facility. Commercial subsidiaries Grasslanz Technology (plant and microbial IP) and GenomNZ (sheep genomics) handle market-facing commercialisation, while Ballance Agri-Nutrients distributes the MitAgator water-quality software tool derived from AgResearch science.

The business model blends multi-source government core funding (MBIE, SSIF, the new $42.8M seven-year Biodiscovery Platform) with professional-services revenue from Māori agribusiness partnerships, IP licensing and royalties, transaction-based genomic testing via GenomNZ, and freemium seed distribution through the Margot Forde Genebank portal. Go-to-market spans direct enterprise partnerships with major NZ primary-sector firms (Fonterra, Alliance Group, Pāmu, Beef + Lamb NZ), regional councils and government agencies (MPI, Environment Canterbury, DOC), Māori agribusiness trusts, and international research collaborators. Pricing is not publicly disclosed for most services, though GenomNZ positions its genomic testing at costs comparable to parentage tests.

Name

AgResearch

Legal name

AgResearch Limited

Website

https://agresearch.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

AgResearch is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute delivering agricultural science and IP commercialisation for the pastoral, agri-food, and agri-technology sectors, with products spanning the world's largest forage genebank, AI-driven weed and genomic tools, and licensed plant/microbial technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Crop Production (111), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG / Carbon & Conservation Program Advisory (AFACAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soil Health & Regenerative Agronomy Consulting (AFACABAA), Yield Optimization & Crop Performance Consulting (AFACABAC), Plant Tissue, Soil & Water Sampling Coordination (Agronomy-Focused) (AFACABAH)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• Pastoral science innovation
• Livestock genomic testing
• Biosecurity weed research
• Crop genetic resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Christchurch

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Core Funding (MBIE): AgResearch receives core funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) as a Crown Research Institute. This funds fundamental research across agriculture, climate, biosecurity and food science.
2. Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF): Government funding stream supporting strategic science programmes including Sustainable Agriculture, Future Farming Systems, and Integrated Biosecurity.
3. IP Licensing and Royalties: Commercialisation of AgResearch's IP portfolio through licensing agreements, patents and commercial agreements. Manages over 45 patent families with over 175 active patents. Works with KiwiNet for commercialisation support.
4. Māori Partnership Research Services: Research partnerships with Māori agribusinesses (Waituhi Kuratau Trust, Wi Pere Trust, Te Manawa o Tūhoe, Aramiro Whenua Trust) delivering on-farm improvements funded by MBIE and industry.
5. GenomNZ Sheep Genomic Testing: GenomNZ, a subsidiary, sells the Sheep Genomic 60kplus SNP Chip for genomic selection in sheep breeding, providing breeding values to farmers.
6. Margot Forde Genebank Seed Database Access: Seeds freely available to bona fide researchers worldwide through an online portal. The public part of the genebank database is accessible online.
7. Grasslanz Technology Licensing: Grasslanz Technology, a commercial subsidiary, develops and commercialises cutting-edge plant and microbial solutions for the primary sector, licensing technology to industry.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AgResearch is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute (now a Group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute) that delivers agricultural science and innovation across farm systems, climate change mitigation and adaptation, pest and biosecurity control, livestock genomics, and high-value foods. It commercialises proprietary technologies such as the Map and Zap® laser weeding system, MSICS forage yield measurement, the Sheep Genomic 60kplus SNP Chip, and the Margot Forde Genebank through subsidiaries (Grasslanz Technology, GenomNZ) and licensing arrangements.

Product overview

AgResearch is a Group of the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science delivering science innovation for the agricultural sector. The portfolio includes core research services (Margot Forde Genebank seed banking, GenomNZ DNA testing, Life Cycle Assessment tools) and technology products (Map and Zap® AI laser weeding system, MSICS forage yield measurement). AgResearch also conducts research in precision fermentation, emerging foods, biosecurity, sustainable agriculture, and Māori agribusiness partnerships. From July 2025, AgResearch became part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute alongside Manaaki Whenua, Plant & Food Research, and Scion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Margot Forde Genebank New Zealand's national seed bank for grassland plants and indigenous flora, holding over 175,000 seed samples from approximately 2,500 species across 100+ countries. Provides germplasm acquisition, conservation, regeneration, and distribution for plant breeding and conservation research worldwide.
• GenomNZ DNA Testing DNA testing services including the Sheep Genomic 60kplus SNP Chip for genomic selection, parentage assignment, and breeding value prediction. Enables farmers to make early selection decisions for improved flock quality and lower carbon footprint.
• Map and Zap® Laser Weeding System AI-based weed identification and eradication technology using specialist cameras to detect chemical signatures and precision lasers to eliminate weeds. Chemical-free weed management solution for vineyards, orchards, vegetable fields, and pasture.
• MSICS (M6) Forage Yield Measurement System Non-invasive LIDAR-based system for measuring ryegrass and forage yield. Replaces manual cutting and visual assessment, producing consistent and accurate real-time measurements validated against harvest data.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Services Carbon footprint analysis and environmental impact assessment services for agricultural farm systems and products, particularly dairy and red meat sectors. Helps industry partners meet emissions reporting goals and evaluate trade-offs between mitigation strategies.
• Precision Fermentation Research Research programme exploring precision fermentation technology using microbes as cell factories to produce proteins functionally equivalent to traditional animal sources, converting recovered bioresources from primary industries into fermentation feedstocks.
• Hybrid Protein Research Emerging Foods research programme developing dual-protein meat products combining traditional meat with alternative proteins (microalgae, nutritional yeast, edible insects) using a holistic systems-based framework for innovation in sustainable protein.
• MitAgator Environmental Software Environmental software tool helping farmers manage water quality and impacts of contaminants. Based on over 10 years of AgResearch science; now owned and operated by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dairy sheep milk production increased 25-70% for Waituhi Kuratau Trust; industry expanded from 5 to 30 farms 2013-2023; national on-farm benefit of $4.1M/year with value chain up to $25M
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability9 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bioeconomy Science Institute (NZ Institute for Bioeconomy Science)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025On 1 July 2025, AgResearch became a Group of the NZ Institute for Bioeconomy Science, a new Public Research Organisation formed from the merger/consolidation of seven Crown Research Institutes into three PROs. The Bioeconomy Science Institute comprises AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion. The Institute leads a $42.8M Biodiscovery Platform over seven years.
• Grasslanz TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2025Commercial subsidiary of AgResearch focused on development and commercialisation of cutting-edge plant and microbial solutions for the primary sector. Megan Skiffington appointed CEO in March 2025. John Caradus became CTO after 19 years as CEO.
• FonterracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2024Partner in dairy-beef LCA study showing 32-48% lower carbon footprint. Charlotte Rutherford, Director of Sustainability, involved. Fonterra focuses on creating options for dairy-beef calves.
• Alps 2 Ocean FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2024Produces Mīti, a low-carbon beef product from surplus dairy calves. Partner in dairy-beef emissions research. Founder Daniel Carson involved in study.
• Alliance GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2024Red meat processing partner in dairy-beef LCA study. Murray Behrent, GM Livestock and Shareholder Services, involved. Exploring younger livestock beef production systems.
• PāmuminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2024NZ state-owned enterprise and research partner in dairy-beef LCA study. CEO Mark Leslie involved. Aligns with strategy for surplus calf utilisation.
• PūhorocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2024Partnership with AgResearch for Toitū Te Whenua scholarships supporting Māori students in STEMM. Aim to build pipeline of Māori talent and diversify STEMM workforce. Four inaugural recipients in 2024.
• University of AucklandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2017Partner in the Map and Zap® drone-mounted laser weeding project. Funded $1M from MBIE Endeavour Fund for 3-year programme.
• University of MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2017International research partner in Map and Zap® drone-mounted laser weeding project. Provides expertise in AI and laser technology.
• Manaaki Whenua - Landcare ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four CRIs forming the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Partners on the $42.8M Biodiscovery Platform and on sleeper weed management research with regional councils and MPI.
• Plant & Food ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four CRIs forming the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Co-located with AgResearch at shared science campuses (Te Rourou, Massey University). Partner in food and bio-product research.
• ScioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four CRIs forming the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Focus on forestry and bioeconomy applications. Partner in biodiscovery platform.
• GenomNZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgResearch subsidiary selling the Sheep Genomic 60kplus SNP Chip for genomic selection in NZ sheep breeding. Works with Beef+Lamb Genetics and Illumina (manufacturer). Callum Livingston is stakeholder manager.
• KiwiNetminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommercialisation programme manager Michelle Polglase noted KiwiNet as a pathway for AgResearch technologies. KiwiNet supports NZ agritech commercialisation.
• Ballance Agri-NutrientscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOwns and operates MitAgator environmental software tool based on AgResearch science (10+ years). Distributes the tool to NZ farmers. Rebecca Redmond is Sector Manager - AgriTech at AgResearch.
• Maui MilkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner that connected NZ dairy sheep industry to global markets. WKT partnership with AgResearch helped attract Maui Milk investment, enabling industry growth.
• DairyNZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint internship programme with AgResearch for Māori students. Two internships for 12 weeks, flexible between October 2025 and March 2026. Exposure across industry-good body and PRO.
• RavensdownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with AgResearch and Wi Pere Trust on weed control and pasture management research. Provided expertise alongside AgResearch scientists on clover-friendly herbicide strategies.
• Environment CanterburycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly adopter of CPG weed risk model. Funded 30-species project that conceived the basic model in 2021. Accessing results for Canterbury's lowland and highland subregions via updatable e-book. Dr Morgan Shields involved in co-design.
• Department of Conservation (DOC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with AgResearch on sleeper weed management research. Web-based tool for prioritising investment in sleeper weed management programmes.
• Tainui Group HoldingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAramiro Whenua Trust work led by Brett Te Whare (now at Tainui Group Holdings across 2,700+ hectares). Mobile micro abattoir project being picked up at iwi level through Tainui Group Holdings.
• Beef + Lamb New ZealandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of the Sheep Genomic 60k Chip. Publishes factsheets sharing Wi Pere Trust research findings nationally. Represents sheep and beef farmers.
• Waikato Regional CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with AgResearch and WKT confirmed that dairy sheep farming has a lower nitrogen footprint than traditional bovine dairy systems.
• International Genebanks and CollaboratorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMargot Forde Genebank has international collaborations with other seed banks, universities, and world-renowned institutes. Seeds deposited at Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway. Genesys platform for global germplasm sharing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency with a major Agriculture and Food business unit. Closest international analog: government-funded applied agricultural science with patented technology, commercial spinoffs, livestock genomics (similar sheep genomic work), precision agriculture and extensive IP licensing activity.
• EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation): Brazil's publicly-funded agricultural research corporation. Comparable as a state-owned applied research organisation focused on tropical/temperate agriculture, livestock genetics and tropical pasture systems, with significant IP and technology transfer programmes.

Regional players

• INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement): France's national research institute for agriculture, food and environment. Comparable in scale and remit, with large livestock, crop, food and environmental science programmes, and significant IP commercialisation through subsidiary structures analogous to Grasslanz.
• Agroscope: Swiss federal agricultural research institute. Comparable as a government-funded applied research organisation with strengths in livestock, pasture, crop and food science, and active technology transfer to Swiss farmers and industry.
• Rothamsted Research: UK's longest-running agricultural research institution. Comparable in applied crop and grassland science heritage, long-term field trials (similar to AgResearch's biochar pastoral trial), and focus on sustainable agriculture with strong IP portfolios.

Direct peers

• Scion: New Zealand CRI and fourth member of the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Comparable as a government forestry/bioproducts research institute with overlapping IP, commercialisation subsidiaries, and shared Biodiscovery Platform participation.
• Plant & Food Research: New Zealand Crown Research Institute and sister organisation within the new Bioeconomy Science Institute. Directly comparable as a government-funded applied science institute serving NZ's horticultural and food sectors with overlapping IP commercialisation subsidiaries and shared campus infrastructure.
• Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research: New Zealand CRI and fellow member of the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Comparable as a public-good science institute with co-developed research programmes (sleeper weeds, Biodiscovery Platform) and shared campus co-location with AgResearch.

Others

• Lincoln University (NZ): New Zealand's specialised land-based university and long-standing AgResearch partner, co-located at the Lincoln campus (including the Tuhiraki building) and involved in joint research, student and scholarship programmes. Comparable ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Blue River Technology (John Deere): US-based computer-vision and robotics company acquired by John Deere, building See & Spray precision weeding equipment. Closest commercial analog to AgResearch's Map and Zap® laser weeding technology, applying AI vision to targeted, chemical-free weed control in row crops.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AgResearchNEWS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/agresearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/agresearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agresearch
• Instagraminstagram.com/agresearch

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A1 record

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AgResearch