Horticulture industry research impresses animal science graduate

10 January 2025

Animal science graduate, Leo Farrell is really enjoying his time in horticulture and is impressed by what he has seen. 

‘It’s cool to learn a bit about another industry even though I see agriculture and horticulture as related industries,’ says Leo.

Leo is this summer’s Te Ahikawariki/Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence (VICE) research intern, working alongside Vegetables NZ research, development and extension manager, Daniel Sutton at the demonstration farm in Pukekohe.

‘I hadn’t realised how much research is going on in the horticulture space, looking at alternatives to chemicals, given increasing resistance and availability issues,’ Leo says. 

‘I’m really enjoying my biodiversity project, which is part of integrated pest management (IPM) research at the demonstration farm.

‘We’ve put two pods of native plants into a lettuce crop. We’re using traps and crop monitoring to see what kinds of insects are around, if they are also in the lettuce crop and if so, what impact they are having.

‘I am enjoying the variety of work, and have also had the chance to go and see some of trials that Plant & Food Research and Fruitfed Supplies are doing, too.’

After his time with Vegetables NZ, Leo will continue his studies in animal science and nutrition, by starting a Master’s degree at Massey, where has been studying to date. 

‘Daniel’s still trying to convert me to the horticulture space though,’ says Leo with a grin.