Most growers and home gardeners don't view thrips positively, but perhaps we could change your perspective. This week, data scientist and podcaster Tom Moore speaks to entomologist Mette Nielsen about her career in entomology, particularly her research on the many species of thrips in Aotearoa New Zealand. Correction: in this podcast we incorrectly state that the editor of the book "Advances in biocontrol of crop insect pests" was Trevor Jackson, this should have been Travis Glare. To find out more about the book see: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-138077. To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Most people are already familiar with products like oat milk and almond butter, but what about barley yoghurt? Scientists at Plant & Food Research are developing a new plant-based product: yoghurt made from barley grain.

 

 In this week's podcast, scientist and podcast host Rebecca Campbell speaks to food scientist Gert-Jan Moggre about this exciting project. The research involves trials using plant-based bacterial fermentation to create a delicious and well-textured yoghurt alternative. This dairy-free yoghurt offers numerous benefits, including being high in dietary fibre, producing less waste, and being more sustainable to produce.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

People | Planet | Food - Host Roger Robson-Williams speaks with sustainability experts Saskia Verraes and Martin Rich about the future they aspire to create through their work. They discuss the encouraging signs of progress in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the globe.

Amid rising illiberalism, increasing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and an unstable climate, this episode offers a chance to reflect on how we can cultivate a more prosperous future for everyone. It also celebrates some of the outstanding initiatives already in progress. This episode serves as an invitation to hope and take action. To explore our full catalogue of podcasts, visit our Scigest page: www.plantandfood.com/scigest.

Gene editing is a new technology with the potential to breed new crops faster. With changing regulations worldwide on how gene editing can be incorporated into food production systems, what does it actually take to gene edit a plant crop?   This week Scigest host and scientist Jay Jayaraman speaks to Zac Hanley, GM Science – New Cultivar Innovation about the science of gene editing plants. They talk about the process of gene editing, some of the challenges in using the technology and how gene editing could help develop the plant varieties of the future.

For more about the use of gene technologies in food production, see https://www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/gene-technologies. To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

People | Planet | Food – In this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams chats with friend and colleague Stephen Wallace, Sustainability Manager at AgResearch and Plant & Food Research,

Stephen shares his journey into sustainability, sparked by a passion for the environment and early efforts to combat food waste in the workplace. He offers insights into his collaborations with senior leadership to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and vehicles, emphasising the importance of reducing gross emissions and the role of carbon offsetting in climate strategies. The episode wraps up with practical advice on how individuals can contribute to a healthier planet, ensuring thriving ecosystems and healthy, sustainable food for all.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts go to our Scigest page: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Success in international development projects requires not only a variety of skills, including project management, people, and technical skills, but also a commitment to see jobs through and meet every challenge, which can be considerable in some of the less developed regions around the world. In this podcast, scientist and podcaster Hilary Ireland speaks to international development specialist Suzie Newman about her role in leading the successful International Development Team at Plant & Food Research. 

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

People | Planet | Food – in this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams delves into the innovative world of modern steam power with Jack Donaldson from Mackwell and Co., a Christchurch-based start-up pioneering advanced steam technology for farm machinery. Together, they explore how replacing diesel with biomass could revolutionise energy use in food production, offering a sustainable and resilient alternative. The conversation spans the future of energy for businesses and communities, the surprising potential of steam engines in enhancing energy sovereignty, and the importance of equipping future generations with the tools and skills to thrive in a changing world. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion about rethinking power in the food system. To view our full catalogue of podcasts go to our Scigest page: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Cellular agriculture is an evolving technology where animal meat is grown in a lab using just their cells. This process is potentially an important way of producing animal protein in a sustainable and ethical manner. Plant & Food Research are exploring this technology to grow fish meat and is an important part of our overall fish research at our Nelson site where this recording is from. This week Scigest host and scientist Julie Blommaert speaks to Georgina Dowd about her research on cellular agriculture, the risk and rewards and also the potential for this technology in the future.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Geoinformatics is the analysis of spatial data using technology to understand and solve real-world problems.

Scientist and Scigest podcast host Dion Mundy speaks to fellow Scientist Rebecca Campbell about her journey into geoinformatics and her expertise in analysing spatial aspects of data. Rebecca also talks about her experience as a recipient of the prestigious MBIE Science Whitinga Fellowship and the benefits that this Fellowship has provided her in her career so far. To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Plant elicitors have huge potential to help protect New Zealand crops from disease. Acting much like a vaccine, these elicitors allow plants to defend themselves better against disease. Coming from a biological source like seaweed, they offer a more ecologically friendly crop protection option, too.

This week James Sainsbury from our Ruakura site speaks to Dr Joel Vanneste about his research on the recently Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded, 5-year project on plant elicitors led by Dr Marie Magnuson and Chris Glasson from Waikato University. Listen along to learn more about plant elicitors and how they could help manage plant diseases, whether in crops or our native trees. To view our catalogue of podcasts, including extra links on some podcasts, please go to our Scigest page: www.plantandfood.com/scigest