AgriZeroNZ partners with Innovate UK to drive agricultural innovation
AgriZeroNZ has entered a new partnership with Britain's national innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Agribusiness and government joint venture AgriZeroNZ has recently invested $4.1 million into a US-based start-up aiming to reduce methane while improving cow health.
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Hoofprint Biome was founded by biotech entrepreneurs Drs Kathryn Polkoff and Scott Collins as a spinout from NC State University.
The pair discovered enzymes that naturally reduce rumen methane emissions and saw the potential for delivery of these with probiotics to benefit ruminant agriculture and tackle the climate change.
Ingested as a supplement, the Hoofprint probiotic aims to reduce enteric methane emissions by over 80% while simultaneously increasing milk and meat yield by over 5%.
AgriZeroNZ is a partnership comprised of MPI and several NZ agribusiness entities such as Fonterra and Rabobank.
It was established in February to accelerate the development of tools and technology to help farmers rapidly reduce emissions and support our climate goals. Shareholders have committed to at least 10 years in the partnership with $165 million to be invested over the first four years.
AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says that the investment earlier this month will allow it to be involved from and early stage and drive development towards a solution for New Zealand farmers.
"Hoofprint is developing novel technology with potential to be a real breakthrough to help meet our country's climate goals," McNee says. "We're looking all over the world for opportunities that will work on New Zealand farms."
He adds that New Zealand farmers are the most efficient in the world but the importance of reducing agricultural emissions cannot be understated and technology like this needs to be part of the solution.
Polkoff says Hoofprint is excited to partner with Kiwi farmers develop the solution for Kiwi farmers.
"We're bringing next-gen probiotics to ruminant agriculture in our mission to cut methane emissions while improving animal health and profitability."
She says the investment offers a unique opportunity for Hoofprint to tackle the climate crisis together with New Zealand farmers, who have been leaders in sustainable agriculture.
McNee says the investment aligns with the JV's ambition to ensure all farmers in NZ have equitable access to affordable, effective solutions to reduce emissions. He adds that the goal is to support a 30% reduction by 2030 and enabling development and adoption of solutions to drive towards 'near zero' by 2040.
"The Hoofprint probiotic is in early stages but if development continues to progress we look forward to supporting it through New Zealand's regulatory process and getting it into farmers' hands."
This is AgriZeroNZ's fourth investment since being established in February.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…