The international award winning Crusader white clover was top priority on the list of ‘must sees’ when the Hon Michael Cullen and Hon Steve Maharey viewed Grasslanz Technology in Palmerston North today.

Grasslanz™, a division of AgResearch, develops, promotes and licenses proprietary forage cultivars, grass endophytes and applied biotechnology, all of which are delivered to farmers through seed company licensees.

The AgResearch legume improvement team at Grasslanz™ has been successfully cultivating white clover - a vital component in dairy production and natural source of nitrogen - as part of a plant-breeding programme to improve animal performance.

Crusader recently received international recognition when AgResearch team leader Dr Derek Woodfield accepted the prestigious NIAB Variety Cup in May for the best new fully recommended variety across all crops in the UK. AgResearch is the first organisation outside Europe to win the award; it’s also the first time a clover variety has taken first place.

“Winning the award certainly was recognition of our international successes over the past decade,” Dr Woodfield said.

“It is great to see that continue with this ministerial visit, and especially after Dr Cullen’s recent budget delivered another $100 million to research, science and technology including $3.9 million for pastoral research,” he added.  

The visit to Grasslanz™ Technology, within the Manawatu Biocommerce Centre, is part of a promotional tour by the Ministers around Palmerston North to promote economic transformation aspects of the recent budget.

AgResearch Chief Executive, Dr Andy West, said he was pleased the Government is recognising the important role that organisations such as Grasslanz™ play in the agricultural sector.