AgriSea NZ Seaweed Ltd

25/07/2025

Dr Ashna Khan joined AgriSea in April 2022 to head up our Research & Development plans.
Ashna had worked with us as a customer engagement specialist at Callaghan Innovation for a number of years before joining AgriSea full time.
With a Doctorate in Organic Chemistry From Victoria University, her brilliant mix of people skills and research excellence made her the perfect fit to move into project management with Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai.

Team Spotlight: Dr Ashna Khan – Project Manager

Ashna is the Project Manager for Rere ki uta rere ki tai, and no two days are the same. Her mahi can include everything from meeting with collaborators and funders, working alongside the POU Leads team, and supporting their mahi, to liaising with farmers, organising Fieldays and on-farm days, and managing the financial and admin side of the project.

What excites Ashna most is the impact the project is making in the primary industry. “It’s amazing hearing farmers talk about the benefits they’re seeing. Our group of trial farmers are early adopters, and seeing their journey through the project is exciting.”

One thing that’s stood out to her is how passionate farmers are about their land and animals. “They’re always looking for ways to improve their farming systems — and they definitely have their own language and jargon!”

What motivates Ashna? “The positive environmental impact and the team I work in. Every day is exciting, it comes with new challenges and new learnings.”

Outside of mahi, Ashna is a busy mum of two school-aged kids. She enjoys travelling and spending time with her whānau.

24/07/2025

Set your calves up for stronger gains

The early days matter. AgriSea Animal Nutrition supports healthy calf development by working with the animal’s natural systems from the inside out.

How it works:
Our seaweed-based tonic delivers bioavailable nutrients, minerals, and amino acids that enhance gut development, boost immunity, and improve nutrient uptake. That means more of what your calves eat gets converted into real growth.

Why it matters:
AgriSea Animal Nutrition contains over 60 naturally occurring nutrients and beneficial compounds — including essential trace elements, vitamins A, C, E & B, and amino acids. Together, these support immunity, energy levels, and rumen development.

Farmers using AgriSea are seeing:
• Faster weight gain
• Stronger immune responses
• Clear eyes, shiny coats, and no scours
• Calves weaning up to 3–4 weeks earlier

Talk to your local AgriSea rep to find the right program for your system.
https://agrisea.co.nz/product/animal-nutrition/

22/07/2025

Nutrition matters for hive health 🐝

Bees rely on a diverse diet to stay healthy, especially during times of stress like overwintering or early spring buildup.

Research shows that trace minerals, amino acids, and micronutrients can play a role in:
• Brood development
• Queen health and longevity
• Immune resilience and colony strength

In periods where natural forage is limited, nutritional support may help maintain hive condition and performance.

AgriSea Bee Nutrition is one example of a seaweed-based supplement used by beekeepers to support overall hive health.

More info: https://agrisea.co.nz/product/bee-nutrition/

17/07/2025

Winter is a critical time for soil health

Cooler months slow down biological activity in the soil, but microbial life doesn’t stop. Supporting soil biology through winter can:

• Improve nutrient cycling efficiency
• Help clover establish and fix nitrogen
• Maintain soil structure and porosity
• Increase fertiliser utilisation

Products like AgriSea’s Soil Nutrition and Soil+ are often used during this time to enhance soil microbial function and set the foundation for spring growth.

Curious about how soil biology is performing on your farm this winter? Your local AgriSea field rep can help you assess your soil system and identify opportunities for support.

For more info: https://agrisea.co.nz/product/soil-nutrition/

15/07/2025

“Significant decrease in animal health costs per cow and an increase in pregnancy rates.”
– Jackson & Sarah Henshaw, Glenavy, South Canterbury

After 7+ years of using AgriSea, the Henshaws are seeing long-term benefits across their whole system — from improved soil biology and reduced nitrogen use, to earlier weaning and stronger, healthier calves.

• Faster weight gain
• No scours
• Clear eyes, shiny coats
• 3–4 weeks earlier weaning
• Better in-calf rates and herd health

Natural inputs, practical results.

Learn more: https://agrisea.co.nz/product/animal-nutrition/

14/07/2025

The Seaweed Secret to Winter Horse Health 🐴 - https://mailchi.mp/agrisea/the-seaweed-secret-to-winter-horse-health

13/07/2025

Strengthen your soil this winter

Winter is the perfect time to build soil health for next season’s success.

Adding AgriSea Soil Nutrition or Soil+ to your winter nutrient program helps:
• Boost microbial activity and soil life
• Enhance nutrient cycling and uptake
• Improve soil structure and water retention
• Support resilient, productive crops come spring

Healthy soil doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built from biology up.

Whether you’re growing kiwifruit, berries, veges or vines, AgriSea Soil products work naturally with your system to strengthen the foundation of your growing operation.

Chat to your local AgriSea rep for a tailored plan.
Learn more: https://agrisea.co.nz/product/soil-nutrition/

11/07/2025

Boost herd health from the inside out

Healthier cows = better production, fewer issues, and stronger resilience through the season.

AgriSea Animal Nutrition isn’t just for young stock — it’s delivering measurable results across herds:
• 15% increase in antioxidant status
• 20% reduction in somatic cell count
• Improved recovery post-calving
• Enhanced immune system support

Our natural, seaweed-based formula works at a cellular level to build animal resilience and overall wellbeing. The result?
• Fewer health problems
• More consistent milk production
• Greater returns on animal health investment

Whether you’re battling mastitis, metabolic stress, or just want to support your herd through seasonal pressures — we’re here to help.

Get in touch with your local AgriSea rep for a tailored approach to herd health. https://agrisea.co.nz/contact/

10/07/2025

Proven results. Trusted by farmers.

Strong, healthy calves start with the right foundations.
AgriSea Animal Nutrition is a seaweed-based tonic designed to support gut development, immune function, and healthy weight gain in young calves.

It’s natural, bioavailable, and works with your system, not against it.

• Backed by science
• Trusted by Kiwi farmers nationwide
• Tailored advice for your unique farm system

Want to give your calves the best possible start this season?
Chat to your local AgriSea field rep today for advice tailored to your farm.

Wintec research showed a 12.5% increase in weight gain in calves supplemented with AgriSea Animal Nutrition compared to untreated calves.

That early weight gain can also lead to earlier weaning — on average 10 days sooner, with some farms weaning 3–4 weeks earlier than before using AgriSea.

Learn more: https://agrisea.co.nz/product/animal-nutrition/

09/07/2025

Hard to reach spots on the farm that need a boost? Get in touch with AgDrone Limited ✅

Boost Your Farm with AgriSea!

AgriSea offer new solid and liquid biostimulants that help your soil and plants stay healthy and grow better. They can be easily applied using drones, making it quick and precise—perfect for sustainable farming!

Solid Biostimulants:
Made from seaweed and natural minerals, they improve soil health and plant growth over time.
Great for drone spreading, with low application rates and added benefits like better nutrient retention and soil structure.

Liquid Biostimulants:
Boost pasture quality and soil health fast.
Ideal for drone application, reaching difficult spots and saving time.

Using these products with drone tech helps you farm smarter—more efficient, eco-friendly, and results-driven!

Contact AgDrone today to discuss the drone application of AgriSea products on your property today.

info@dronespraying.co.nz
021 310 338

AgriSea NZ Seaweed Ltd

04/07/2025

Working with local and regional contractors to bring our nanocellulose factory to life!

Get in touch with us for all of your concreting jobs!
Big or small the boys can make it work👍

Have a good and safe long weekend from the crew at Carters!

01/07/2025

Move over Lemon & Paeroa. Paeroa is set to be world famous for its pioneering new hi-tech seaweed products, not just a tangy carbonated soft drink.

The world’s first biorefinery for processing seaweed into a versatile polymer will open on the outskirts of Paeroa, New Zealand in August this year.

The venture is a partnership between family-owned seaweed company AgriSea NZ Seaweed Ltd and Crown Research Institute Scion.

The pioneering project is set to transform waste seaweed into high-value, eco-friendly materials, with global potential and deep roots in Māori values and partnership.

Nanocellulose is used in various products, including batteries, adhesives, biomedical supplies, and cosmetics. Its ability to retain large amounts of water is one of several useful properties.

While the raw product looks like white playdough, it is lightweight with a tensile strength far greater than steel.

Most nanocellulose in the world is produced using wood pulp treated with harsh chemicals.

The new biorefinery process uses less energy and about 85% less chemicals compared to nanocellulose made from wood pulp, and the product will be cheaper.

Seaweed grows much faster that trees and can be harvested multiple times during the year without impacting negatively on the environment.

Initially, nanocellulose production will target the agriculture and cosmetic industries in New Zealand and the USA. Its exceptional water retention properties make it ideal for creating seedling gels to boost plant survival rates in dry conditions.

Research shows that a light application of cellulose can extend the shelf life of fruit. It can also protect tree fruit from frost damage.

The company's goal is to export the intellectual property, not the product.

AgriSea has been operating for almost 30 years, making a range of seaweed-derived products for animal, plant and soil health.

The biorefinery will use the waste seaweed from those processes to make cellulose.

Research is underway to find ways to extract other high value materials from seaweed, including fucoidan and alginates which are used in the food and medical sectors.

AgriSea uses wild-harvested seaweed that has washed onto beaches around the North Island. Contractors collect the fresh seaweed, dry it and supply it to the company.

While there are more than 1000 types of seaweed in our waters, AgriSea uses just five.

Storms can result in huge volumes of seaweed washing up. However, that same wild weather can also have adverse impacts later on. For example, the cyclones that hit the North Island at the start of 2023 washed huge amounts of sediment off the land and out to sea, smothering large areas of growing seaweed.

“In nature there’s no such thing as waste. It’s only an input into another process. That’s where we see the future," said AgriSea’s Chief Innovation Officer Tane Bradley.

AgriSea’s collaboration with Scion has won several awards, including the 2021 Science New Zealand Awards, the 2022 KuDos Awards and the 2022 Hi-Tech Māori Company of the Year Award.

Source: NZ Business