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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.
A young man just five years out of his Lincoln University degree already has his foot in the door of farm ownership, as equity manager of a large new dairy conversion now taking shape in Mid- Canterbury.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the good farming pracrtice plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
A Lincoln University research fellow is working to safeguard grapevine species from extinction, using careful science and liquid nitrogen.
The South Island Dairy Event has announced Jessica Findlay as the recipient of the BrightSIDE Scholarship Programme, recognising her commitment to furthering her education and future career in the New Zealand dairy industry.
Fussy children might be frustrating, but fussy mealybugs could help protect the New Zealand wine industry from grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.
Rural Women New Zealand has announced the winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards.
Horticulture NZ says the funding boost to improve state highway resilience will support growers and strengthen the transport links they rely on to get produce to market.
Gallagher has appointed Rob Clayton as Chief Executive of its global Animal Management business to lead the next stage of growth across key markets.
A Waihi dairy farmer, Keith Torrens, has been convicted and fined $39,000 for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent following a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council.
Taranaki's sunshine and energy sector expertise are powering a new approach to renewable energy, with the launch of BlueGreen Frontiers.
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