With millions of dollars invested annually, PGG Wrightson Seeds’ research programmes are focused on developing new forage and turf products for the company’s major markets of New Zealand and the temperate regions of Australia, USA, South America and Europe.  The primary goal of our research is to enhance farm productivity and profitability.

Forage is the primary focus of our 30 plus staff members enhanced by primary research partnerships with AgResearch and Crop and Food Research in New Zealand, and the Molecular Plant Breeding CRC in Australia.  Either directly or through our research partners, we have R&D alliances in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, USA, France and the Netherlands.

We are world leaders in delivering forage innovations to our farmer customers.  PGG Wrightson Seeds hold market leadership positions in temperate regions for forage ryegrass, tall fescue, white clover, forage brassicas and herbs. 

Novel endophytes for ryegrass and tall fescue, developed in partnership with AgResearch, have been a technological breakthrough for pastoral industries.  Importantly, the grazing animal is fully integrated into our breeding effort.

Our turf grasses dominate the browntop and ryegrass markets in Australasia. 

Other aspects of our research programme include the breeding and evaluation of arable crops such as wheat, barley, oats and triticale; and through a joint breeding programme with Heinz Watties and Crop and Food Research, we develop vining peas for the process market.

Discovery Research

• Plant Breeding
  • Forage grasses, legumes, brassicas and herbs
  • Feed and milling cereals
  • Turf grass
  • Garden and process peas
• Endophytes – for ryegrass and tall fescue
• Biotechnology
  • Molecular markers to improve breeding efficiency
  • GM traits to achieve technological breakthroughs
• Seed treatments – to increase plant establishment and performance

Product Development and Delivery

• Product evaluation under grazing systems
• Develop management and support packages for the Sales and Marketing Team
• Protect Intellectual Property – PVR and patents
• Produce nucleus seedstock for the Production Team
• Seed certification
• Maintain quantities of nucleus seed through production and storage in coldstore
• Contract services to agricultural chemical and seed companies

How to contact us

Call us on 03 325 3560 or email research@pggwrightsonseeds.co.nz