A Winslow property is set to become a research facility for local agricultural service company Carrfields.

“Spring Farm” down Hinds Highway formerly belonged to Reith Agri-Imports Limited (formerly NZ Tractors), and was used as an operations base.

Former owners Anthea and Grant Reith also ran angus cattle on the land.

In Carrfields’ hands, plans are to transform the 20 hectare property into a “state-of-the-art research and development facility,” and make it the new home for Winseed (formerly Canterbury Seeds).

For Winseed it will become a breeding centre, kitted out with nurseries, glasshouses, grow houses and test plots.

The site will also be used for seed screening trials, to produce specialist seed, test produce nutrition and to trial precision machinery.

Carrfields managing director Craig Carr said the Winslow property was a “strategic location, close to Ashburton with [a] main road profile.”

“This investment demonstrates our dedication to science, innovation and excellence in agriculture,” he said.

“Findings from this dedicated research facility will help us to continue to offer our customers modern and responsible farming solutions, ensuring they get the best out of their crops.”

Winseed’s chief executive Tom Sherratt said the purchase will centralise the company’s projects.

“We’ve been operating in multiple locations around Canterbury, predominantly on lease sites.

“This allows us to consolidate and bring those operations onto a solo site, which also allows us to invest in long-term infrastructure.”

He said some local jobs could be created as the facilities were built and new tech was brought in.  

“We’re a growing company, and the scale of our R&D programme is growing with that.

“Over years to come, it will certainly offer job opportunities for people that are interested in a career in plant research, or crop development.”

The first orders of business are planning those state-of-the-art facilities and turning the soil.

“We’ve [got] glasshouses to design and build, we’ve got tunnel houses, grow houses to establish, irrigation, plant nurseries and other facilities that support the activities of the R&D programme.”

Winseed has made moves internationally, reportedly exporting nine billion beetroot seeds to India yearly, and holding 60% of the country’s hybrid beetroot seed market.

“Winseed’s been operating in India for the last 10 years; we’ve got a staff of about 40 over there,” Sherratt said. “We’re completely committed to the Indian market.

“A lot of the varieties that we’re breeding here off of Spring Farm in Ashburton will be bred for commercialising in India.”

Winseed has operations across New Zealand, India and Egypt.

By Anisha Satya