PGG Wrightson’s long-standing commitment to Research and Development (R&D) has opened a new chapter with an investment into a dedicated R&D Station in Hastings. The company already conducts 70 to 80 scientific trials nationwide each year, but when the opportunity arose to lease the Geelan Family Trust Research Station, a dedicated agriculture research site with decades of history, it was one they could not let pass.
To unpack what this means for growers, Milton Munro, PGG Wrightson’s Technical Team Manager and host of the podcast, ‘Blue Shed Diary,’ sits down with the man managing the site, Extension Advisor Marcus Fitzsimmons.
Stepping into this role is something of a homecoming for Marcus who worked on the property between 2010 and 2016 with Agrivet Services (Andre Geelen’s business) and Eurofins Agroscience Services.
“It is a bit of déjà vu for me,” Marcus says.
“This site has been instrumental in bringing new products into the New Zealand apple and wine industries. The research done here has helped make a lot of important chemistry available to growers.”
Milton readily admits the project is close to his heart. From early discussions with Marcus and colleague Kevin Manning to building the business case, the transformation of the site into PGG Wrightson’s own R&D hub has been a milestone achievement.
“I have had immense satisfaction getting it over the line,” Milton says.
“I am excited to see what new developments come out of it.”
A ‘unicorn’ among research facilities
Marcus describes the site as “a complete unicorn.” Purpose-built for agricultural research, the station features a small laboratory, dedicated chemical storage, and well-established blocks of grapevines, apples, peaches, and cropping land.
“You cannot find anything like this anywhere else in the country,” he says.
“It is essentially the Rolls Royce of research stations.”
The station currently hosts around 23 trials, with more on the way. Marcus oversees the full operation—maintenance, record-keeping, trial applications, assessments, and supporting other staff. The mix of plantings offers the team flexibility.
“There are about 0.6 hectares of grapes, including Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, nearly a hectare of apples—Brookfield Gala, Pink Lady, Fuji, peaches, and around half a hectare allocated for arable and vegetable work. Broccoli is already in the ground, with squash going in next for a powdery mildew trial,” explains Marcus.
Historically, trials were conducted on growers’ properties, requiring extensive travel, contracting, and coordination. The new station centralises much of that work, improving efficiency and consistency. While variety-specific trials like Peekaboo pears will still be done off-site, the station already eliminates the need to outsource dozens of trials each year.
What is on trial?
Though much of the research conducted is confidential, Marcus did reveal a few examples. One is a new liquid sulphur formulation for grapes—designed to improve usability for growers. Another is a next-generation fireblight control product, Serenade Prime, which will replace the well-known Serenade Optimum. Both are undergoing crop safety and efficacy trials this season.
Growing data and confidence
For Marcus, the value proposition to growers is clear.
“It is about control. A dedicated research site means total oversight from start to finish. That gives us confidence that the results mirror what farmers will see in the field.”
While early data will be ready before Christmas, more extensive results will be ready around harvest in late summer and ready to roll out to PGG Wrightson’s Fruitfed customers to put to work.
Listen to the full interview with Marcus Fitzsimmons on PGG Wrightson’s Blue Shed Diary, available on Spotify, Amazon, and iHeartRadio.
