The evolution of plant breeding in New Zealand with Dr. Alan Stewart

2025-12-01

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In this episode of The Al & Juddy Show, Dr. Alan Stewart reflects on his extensive career in plant breeding and how New Zealand’s agricultural landscape has evolved over the decades. He walks through his early education, the influence of endophytes on pasture management, the challenges and innovations of the 1990s, and the emergence of new forage species such as plantain. Dr. Stewart also discusses the major shifts driven by industry mergers and global expansion in the 2000s, along with the growing importance of e...

In this episode of The Al & Juddy Show, Dr. Alan Stewart reflects on his extensive career in plant breeding and how New Zealand’s agricultural landscape has evolved over the decades.

He walks through his early education, the influence of endophytes on pasture management, the challenges and innovations of the 1990s, and the emergence of new forage species such as plantain.

Dr. Stewart also discusses the major shifts driven by industry mergers and global expansion in the 2000s, along with the growing importance of environmental considerations in modern farming.

A useful collection of significant events from the past 40 years in New Zealand pastoral agriculture - and a glimpse at where it’s heading.

“It was a pretty primitive world. The endophyte discovery in the early 80s really changed everything.” – Dr. Alan Stewart.

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