About the Pasture Renewal Charitable Trust

The Pasture Renewal Charitable Trust (PRCT) is an independent entity working to increase the rate of pasture renewal in New Zealand.

Currently New Zealand pasture renewal rate is very low at only 3-4% annually. The ideal rate of renewal is 10% of each farm annually to maximise the benefits from new pasture for increased dry matter production, better stock performance, improved animal health, greater management flexibility and a higher income.

The value of pasture-based farming is the fundamental platform for 35% of New Zealand’s annual GDP. Trust members believe renewing pasture more frequently is the key to New Zealand’s farming future and will benefit the whole economy.

Who we are

The PRCT comprises 14 agribusiness companies who began to work collaboratively together in 2007 to promote more frequent pasture renewal.

The companies pay an annual sponsorship to the Trust to fund key activities, led by a communications strategy underpinned by market research direct with farmers and a literature review on research nationally on pasture renewal.

PRCT’s sponsors are:

PRCT's key focus

is to communicate why more frequent pasture renewal is a beneficial investment for New Zealand's farmers. 

For further information on the best approach and techniques for pasture renewal on your farm, please contact your rural retailer, Dairy NZ or farm consultant, contractor or other trusted advisor.

The Trust's Management Team

comprises chairman Murray Willocks, Chief Executive of NZ Agriseeds Ltd; John Caradus, Chief Executive of Grasslanz Technology Ltd; Tony Leggett, Editorial Director of Country-Wide Publications Ltd; Nicola Smith, Marketing Manager of Nufarm NZ; and Matthew Strahan, National Manager Agronomy and Crop Protection, PGG Wrightson Rural Supplies. 

The Trust’s Project Manager

is Nicola Holmes, based in Palmerston, Otago,