Why Performance Agronomy™ is the future of farming
The name Wholesale Seeds may not be new to you. Since 2007, they have evolved from being a product supplier to building a reputation for exceptional agronomy.
Now, to meet the growing demand for their more specialised agronomy advice, hands-on services and tailored solutions, Wholesale Seeds is introducing a new brand
– Catalyst Performance Agronomy.
The inspiration for the name comes from the meaning of ‘catalyst’ – an agent that promotes or speeds significant change or action – something that resonates highly with the progressive nature of this business. “Our new brand has a lofty vision to reshape the New Zealand pastoral sector with industry-leading agronomic product and service delivery,” says CEO Patrick Davis. Innovation is inherent in everything Catalyst does, with a number of industry firsts already under their belt, including the introduction of proprietary liquid fertiliser formulations for kale and fodder beet, and the development of a bespoke drill design (backed by a university study) that allows seed to be precision sown in 30cm row spacing, in a minimum tillage situation.
Catalyst call their approach Performance Agronomy™ for a reason – achieving superior yields in pastoral crops while controlling the cost of inputs is specialised. It’s so specialied, Catalyst even saw fit to trade mark the term, the implication being that no one does it quite like they do. “Good product matters. But it’s the advice that really counts,” says Davis. Whether you’re trying to achieve higher yields, faster growth, better nutritional value or optimising current resources, Catalyst’s Performance Agronomy™ approach combines science and business thinking to make the most from each piece of land.
It is essentially tailored growing programmes and inputs that focus on a farm’s commercial objectives while taking its unique land, environmental and resource circumstances into account, eg. paddock size, soil type, topography, climate, prior crops, irrigation, nutrient budgets, regulations, etc. Each solution is tailored not only from farm to farm, but from paddock to paddock, prescribed exactly when and where they’re necessary. To ensure these agronomy-led solutions stay on track for success, the agronomists are there on farm regularly walking the crops corner to corner to make recommendations along the way.
Davis says, “Our Performance Agronomy™ approach is a proven and pragmatic system that helps farmers grow extraordinary outcomes. At its core is not only an in-depth understanding of what needs to be achieved, but why.” It starts with diagnosing the challenge and setting objectives followed by the defining and deploying of a tailored season plan; during the delivery phase, regular crop monitoring and thorough reporting ensures the plan stays on track; each season is wrapped up with a debrief to review what worked and identify improvements for the next season.
But where Performance Agronomy™ and Catalyst really take the lead as the future of farming is in their holistic view. CEO Davis says, “We’re also working in conjunction with an expert to create a complementary offering that would see an environmental consultant working in harmony with Catalyst agronomists to find solutions that balance compliance and economic viability for farmers. That will be another first for New Zealand we think.”
Apart from the new name, existing customers will find much the same: the same team of technically astute agronomists; the same innovative growing programmes and inputs tailored every season; still delivered with an ongoing commitment to innovative advice grounded in science and best practice.
The Catalyst team is made up of some of the country’s smartest, most experienced agronomic advisors and the fresh thinking of top graduates. They continually train using the best and brightest brains in agribusiness to ensure their people can create maximum value for farmers.
Catalyst and Wholesale Seeds HQ is based in Ashburton with offices in Canterbury, North Otago, Central Otago and Southland.
“There are certainly benefits to our business in making this move. But really what it does is create value for our customers around what our core competency can achieve, and because we’re not afraid to aim high, we also see this as setting an industry benchmark.”
Patrick Davis, CEO
Wholesale Seeds continues to operate as a go-to seed, chemical and fertiliser supplier. It has not been sold and ownership remains with its current shareholders. Their costeffective pastoral options (a wide portfolio of ryegrasses, legumes and herbs, and top performing brassicas and fodder beets) offer a combination of performance, durability and excellent value.
To find out more go to catalystag.co.nz