Wayne McNee
Chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, the NZ public-private partnership investing in agricultural emissions-reduction tools; former CE of LIC, PHARMAC, and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
5
APPEARANCES
3
PODCASTS
Oct 23, 2026
Wayne McNeeGUEST
first and what it'll do best? Yeah, so the first thing should be a product called Ruminant Biotech.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
Farmers want to say, OK, what works in my farming system? And ultimately it's up to them.
Garth BrayHOST
What do we need to do to turn the corner to make that sector even more productive, do you
Wayne McNeeGUEST
So if a processor or like Fonterra or Silverfin comes to us or a farming group comes to us and said, hey, we'd like to try this new technology.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
Then there's an independent panel that looks at that application and decides whether or not the government money will be matched.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
So if a processor or like Fonterra or Silverfin comes to us or a farming group comes to us and said, hey, we'd like to try this new technology.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
Then there's an independent panel that looks at that application and decides whether or not the government money will be matched.
Jamie MackayHOST
How are you going to convince sceptical farmers, the likes of Jane Smith, who's been a real critic of you, and AgriZero NZ to use this technology, even if it is available and even if it works?
Wayne McNeeGUEST
Well, look, ultimately it's up to farmers to decide what they do on their farm.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
And what we're looking to do is make the tools available so farmers will have choices.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
So the reduction in application of nitrogen, the reduction in nitrate leaching, and in the case in Amur, in an embryo, accelerating genetic gain.
Jamie MackayHOST
Now, with the falling livestock numbers, Wayne McNee, announced this week from Stats NZ, is it an issue?
Wayne McNeeGUEST
And as you know, I was also brought up on a sheep farm in North Targo, so I do know it's been tough sheep farming down there for a while.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
Our focus is on reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions from ruminants to meet global customer goals and maintain market access and trade agreements.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
And as long as our global customers continue to call for low emissions milk and meat, then that continues to be important for New Zealand because we export 95% of what we make.
Wayne McNeeGUEST
And major customers, the premium customers across all markets actually, are calling for low-emissions products.
Jamie MackayHOST
Ultimately, will the market drive farmer behaviour when there's a premium for low emissions milk or meat? Farmers will be into it, boots and all?