The Branching Out project, in partnership with our trialists, continues to make significant and exciting progress across all trial crops. Here is an update on our recent activities, as well as a preview of what is planned over the next few months. 

Garlic 

In September, the Branching Out team visited Murphy’s NZ in Blenheim to gain insights into the operations of New Zealand’s largest garlic grower. The visit was part of our ongoing collaboration with Murphy's and allowed us access to learn about their in-field practices, packhouse systems, and product manufacturing processes.  

An important outcome of this collaboration has been gaining access to commercial-grade garlic seeds, including Fuego a promising variety that has not been grown commercially in New Zealand before.   

Plans are set to begin harvesting the earliest-planted garlic in early December - with the aim to expand the local supply window by several weeks, as there are indications that the Taranaki season will be earlier than that of the South Island. We see this as an opportunity to have a wider window of supply, primarily for domestic supply, to replace imports. Discussion regarding this is ongoing. 

The garlic cultivation is progressing well, with good growth observed across varieties. Importantly, the garlic is displaying no signs of rust thus far. Unlike in the South Island, the trials have not required irrigation, as natural rainfall has sufficed.  

Coming into Spring, weed pressure is increasing, however, a combined approach of a targeted spray regime and hand weeding where necessary is in place to control the weed growth and minimize competition for soil nutrients. Murphy’s has kindly offered a mechanical weeding solution, which is under consideration to enhance efficiency and reduce labour-intensive practices. 

Caption: Kūmera mothers being prepared

Kūmara 

The kūmara trial, in partnership with an agribusiness collaborator, is hoping to expand into local supply in its second year. Around 3,000 tipū are being prepared in specially constructed beds across North and South Taranaki, with three varieties set to be trialled. Poly has been laid in preparation for planting, which is expected to occur in late November, involving a sizable team for rapid tipū placement. 

Faba Beans 

The ‘Ben’ faba bean variety is growing well. As mentioned in our previous newsletter the team had high hopes for a high-protein Spring variety sourced from Germany. Unfortunately, on arrival at the bio-security inspection facility, the seed was found to be contaminated with pests and was subsequently destroyed, with the supplier unable to guarantee that future consignments would be pest-free.  Despite this setback, the team continues to explore faba bean as a dual-purpose crop for both human and animal consumption.  

Medicinal Plants 

The medicinal plant trials have shown considerable progress with both ashwagandha and calendula, which are being grown to meet specifications for both yield and bioactive compound content.  

Spotlight on Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha sowing was completed in late October, with transplants scheduled for planting in mid-November. This dual approach—direct seeding and transplanting—enables researchers to compare yield outcomes and determine the optimal cultivation method for maximizing root biomass.  

Field preparation across our medicinal plant trials has focused on creating “stale seedbeds”, which minimises unwanted seeds before the main crop is planted.  

Recent chemical analyses of ashwagandha indicate that certain of the seed lines selected meet the quality and purity criteria established by the European Pharmacopeia. Meeting these standards suggests that the ashwagandha has a quality level suitable for use in European markets, particularly in medicinal and pharmaceutical products. This quality benchmark increases the potential of Taranaki-grown ashwagandha for both domestic and international markets. 

The measurements taken during Year 1 of the ashwagandha trial include: 

• Shoot and root yield: The total amount of root biomass that a plant or crop can produce, which is important for understanding the plant's efficiency in utilizing soil nutrients and water. 
• Subterranean/aerial growth ratio: Compares root growth with the growth of the plant's aerial parts. Depending on our objectives and the plant's adaptability, we can adjust practices to optimize growth according to our needs.
• Withanolide content: Withanolides are the active constituents of interest. In laboratory research, testing for withanolides in ashwagandha roots is essential because they are key indicators of the plant's therapeutic potential.
• % ripening fruit: Withanolides concentration tends to increase as the ashwagandha plant matures and goes through its development cycle, with potential peaks during flowering and fruiting. To verify this, three harvests were carried out. 

These measurements will be repeated during Year 2 of the trials. This exciting progress highlights the region’s potential to develop a robust medicinal plant sector. 

Caption: Angelica just before harvest in South Taranaki. 

Gin Botanicals 

Angelica continues to show promise for gin production, with tests indicating that Taranaki-grown varieties contain high levels of essential oils when compared to imported varieties, particularly rich in aroma-enhancing compounds like α-pinene and limonene.  

The presence of α-pinene (21%) , δ-3-carene(16%), limonene(16%), and α-phellandrene(8%) in Angelica archangelica root essential oil is a key quality indicator for gin distillation. These compounds influence the gin's overall aroma and flavour profile, affecting its perceived quality. They were detected in all the tested varieties at similar percentages and in consistent quantities.  

Samples from the four angelica variants were recently provided to Juno Gin and incorporated into both a straight distillate and a gin base, yielding eight unique samples. With guidance from Juno’s Dave and Jo James (a certified spirits judge), in the coming weeks, the Branching Out team and trialists will evaluate the distinctive flavour profiles of each variant—insights that can be leveraged for future customer engagement. 

We are proud to have featured in a story featured on Seven Sharp earlier this month, which showcased the broader potential beyond gin, exploring applications in natural health industries and beauty products. Watch the story on Facebook here. 

Liquorice 

The liquorice crop has shown significant growth since the start of spring, though the growth remains slower than other crops under trial and requires careful management. The first harvest is expected in 2025.  

Hemp 

Three ‘Time of Sowing’ dates and an additional seed density measurement has been added to our Hemp trials in an effort to understand ideal planting times and to increase hurd and fibre production. The first sowing has been completed. An additional two hectares across two sites will be sown later in November, in an effort to supply the proposed pilot Hemp Processing Facility which is set to be established in the region in 2025. Hemp’s potential for sustainable construction materials remains a key focus, aligning with regional goals to reduce emissions and reliance on imported materials. 

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