Precision agriculture solutions provider Vantage is celebrating 15 years in business this year.

Since 2010, the company has been demystifying precision agriculture for New Zealand farmers and connecting farmers with the right systems for their farms to deliver the best results.

The idea for the business began when Jemma Mulvihill, inspired by her time studying in the United States, saw firsthand the benefits American farmers were reaping from precision agriculture technologies.

Upon returning to New Zealand, she and her father, Craige Mackenzie, began testing various PA systems on their family farm near Methven.

"Dad was doing his Nuffield Scholarship at the time, so we both had our eyes open to different things.

"We came home and implemented some of these systems on our farm to see if they made a difference."

Mulvihill found that the systems they trialed showed positive results.

"There were lots of gains made, mostly in terms of productivity and profitability."

This success led to the launch of Agri Optics in 2010, which was later rebranded to Vantage NZ in 2020.

Back in 2010, precision agriculture was in its infancy, and convincing farmers to give new technology a go was a challenge at first.

"People were very sceptical, but it helped with us using the technology on our farm, how we were using it, being able to show first-hand the financial gains it was making and the steps to get there."

Fast forward to 2025, and while farmers are more aware and open to precision agriculture than ever before, more understanding is still needed on the return on investment.

“That’s our ongoing challenge, to showcase and educate the different ways across the country that our customers are using precision ag to make a real difference to their farms.

"It can seem really costly, but it doesn't have to be."

While the technology may seem complex, the concept itself is simple.

"It's all about putting the right thing in the right place at the right time," Mulvihill said.

Vantage offers a wide range of precision agriculture systems, including guidance and steering systems, various mapping services, data collection and analysis, and flow and application control systems for fertilisers, seed, and pesticides and much more.

They also provide tools to monitor soil health, such as soil moisture sensors and systems to measure soil variability.

Through variable-rate mapping, Vantage optimises input applications like seeding, fertilisation, and irrigation by adjusting to the specific conditions of each field.

"We do a large amount of Ravensdown's and Ballance's variable rate work across the country.

"We had those key partnerships in the early stages, and they continue."

As the technology landscape evolves rapidly, Vantage remains committed to evaluating the latest innovations and determining which are truly worth adopting.

"Everyone has the latest and greatest thing.

"What we take pride in is validating the new tools and techniques that are out there and how they can make a difference on farm."

Mulvihill said Vantage only offers precision agriculture that delivers value, a challenge in what Mulvihill describes as a "noisy" market.

"We need technology, we need development, but it also has to have a strong return on investment because farmers can't afford to make mistakes."

Looking ahead, Mulvihill sees sensing technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the next big frontier for precision agriculture.

"AI holds enormous potential in areas like imagery, data analysis, and integration.

"It's getting better all the time."

Mulvihill, who was just 22 when she founded the business, said she is most proud of the impact Vantage has had on the efficiency of New Zealand agriculture over the last 15 years and the relationships they have built along the way.

"Our team of people love finding solutions for New Zealand farmers."

About Precision Agriculture

Precision Agriculture  is an approach to farming that uses advanced technology and data analysis to optimise farming practices.

By precisely applying resources—like water, fertilisers, pesticides, and labour—based on real-time data, precision agriculture improves productivity and reduces waste, driving greater efficiency and sustainability on the farm.

By Claire Inkson