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Seedling mix growing media in development
We've listened to feedback and have a prototype loose fill growing media in development. Developed from a mix of aged bark, wool and seaweed with a phosphate booster for strong root development.
Infused wool pellets in testing for launch in June
We've developed a range of wool pellets for launch this year; seaweed infused wool for moisture and fertiliser, and biochar for added moisture retention, and nitrate reduction. We' re also testing a wool, bark and biochar pellet with Ag Research for microbe delivery.
Joint venture announced with Terra Lana
We're pleased to announce that we've entered a joint venture with Terra Lana to do joint research and explore a manufacturing collaboration.
Flower cutting plug trials start in Mexico
Our new South American collaboration with Invernaderos Natur has begun a series of trials for flower cuttings in our seedling plugs, and they are also working in partnership on our behalf with local fruit growers to trial our blocks.
Winner of Fieldays Innovation Award
In a complete surprise, we were announced the winner of the Fieldays Prototype Category at their Innovation Awards. This award has gone toward new machinery imported from overseas as well as a big shot of confidence to our team.
Patent filed for Fleecegrow process
You may have noticed that our website never used to have any pictures of our prototypes. That's because we needed to wait until our patent is filed and the initial search complete (about 8 weeks later). Our patent was finally completed and filed on the 1st Feb so now we have been able to share pics of everything we've been working on. Insta here we come!
Trial begins with Turners & Grower
In September our first trial with Turners and Grower commenced with two product prototypes. This will be a 15 month journey, with 9 months till first fruit and 12 months to end of season. We are doing a second trial in December with a revised product with higher density. This should show how well the product holds its structure over time and the health of the plants. We've already learned alot with roots taking immediately and plants faring better in one prototype. We'll use this to create the third prototype for the December planting.
Trial commencing with strawberry runners
This week our next trial has commenced with 26 Seasons, as they experiment with propogation options. 26 Seasons is a vertical strawberry farm in Foxton with approximately 50000 plants. We're excited to see how our media works with the runner cuttings in the hydroponic systems.
Fleecegrow wins Agmardt grant
The Sprout Agritech accelerator programme was interrupted for a short celebration when Agmardt approved our grant application. This means our funding match to the Callaghan grant is met and we can focus on our trials, engineering design and market research ready to meet the market next year.
Invited to Sprout Agritech
In exciting news, we have been invited to join the Sprout Agritech accelerator. This will help us work out how to commercialise our product and scale it.
Callaghan offers Arohia Seed grant
Callaghan have accepted Fleecegrow for the Arohia Trailblazer seed grant. This will allow us the consistency for our first commercial trial and build our business case for scaling.
Additionally some of the engineering team are going to help us tame some of our wild ideas into practical production.
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