Science Supporting Biological Farming
At EMNZ, research has always been more than a marketing exercise.
For over 30 years, we've worked alongside independent researchers, consultants, farmers and growers to better understand how biological management influences soil health, nutrient cycling and crop performance under New Zealand conditions.
Every season adds another piece to the puzzle, helping us refine products, improve recommendations and build confidence in biological farming systems.
As we head into another spring, we're excited to share some of the work that's been happening behind the scenes.
Independent Crop Trials
One of our priorities has been expanding the number of independently replicated trials across a range of farming systems.
Recent work has included cereals, forage crops, vegetables, potatoes, pasture and maize, allowing us to evaluate biological products under real commercial conditions.
Some of the highlights include:
Wheat
An independent Canterbury wheat trial demonstrated a 26% increase in grain yield following applications of Foliar Enhance.
In addition to higher yields, the trial also recorded improvements in grain quality, providing further evidence that supporting plant metabolism and nutrition can translate into meaningful production gains.
Maize
Independent maize silage trials have continued to demonstrate the value of integrating biology into fertiliser programmes.
Applications of Fert Enhance alongside conventional fertiliser increased dry matter production by approximately 14%, reinforcing the importance of supporting nutrient cycling and soil microbial activity.
Additional work investigating biological programmes under reduced nitrogen inputs is helping explore how biology can contribute to more efficient nutrient use while maintaining productivity.
Lucerne
One of our most exciting replicated trials has been conducted in lucerne, where Plant-Stim applications resulted in significant increases in seasonal dry matter production.
The trial demonstrated that enhancing plant metabolism throughout the growing season can have a substantial cumulative effect on productivity.
Looking Beyond Yield
While yield remains important, our research programme is increasingly focused on understanding the wider biological processes occurring within the soil.
Current projects include evaluating:
- Root development
- Soil structure
- Nutrient cycling
- Plant nutrient status
- Botanical composition
- Soil microbial activity
- Long-term soil health indicators
By measuring more than just production, we're building a better understanding of how biological management contributes to resilient farming systems.
Dairy Soil Health Programme
This season marks the beginning of a new longitudinal dairy programme designed to investigate the interaction between soil biology, pasture performance and nitrogen management.
Working alongside commercial dairy farms, the programme will monitor:
- Pasture production
- Feed quality
- Soil nutrient status
- Potentially mineralisable nitrogen
- Visual soil assessments
- Botanical composition
- Biological management under reduced nitrogen programmes
Rather than focusing on a single season, the project aims to understand how soil function develops over time.
Investing in Innovation
Alongside our field research, we're continuing to invest in product development and laboratory work.
Current projects include:
- Next-generation biostimulant formulations
- Vegetable crop trials
- Tunnel house evaluations
- Independent replicated field trials
- International collaboration through the EMRO network
- Expansion of our online research library
Our goal is to combine practical on-farm experience with independent science to provide biological solutions that deliver measurable value for New Zealand growers.
Looking Ahead
Biological farming continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing recognition of the role that healthy soils play in supporting productivity, nutrient efficiency and resilience.
Every trial, every observation and every season adds to our understanding of these complex systems.
We'll continue to share our findings through independent research, case studies and practical on-farm experience, helping growers make informed decisions based on real New Zealand data.
Because advancing biological agriculture starts with asking better questions—and testing them under real farming conditions.
