Innovation and research are the backbone of our company

Research & Development at Midlands

Driving Innovation, Quality, and Global Agricultural Solutions

Since its inception, Midlands has placed research and innovation at the core of its operations. Our integrated R&D approach spans high-value hybrid seeds, specialty oils, and premium honey, ensuring every product meets global standards of quality, reliability, and market readiness. By combining agronomy, food science, and beekeeping expertise, we create solutions that support growers, manufacturers, and international partners while continuously pushing the boundaries of agricultural innovation.

Why Research Matters at Midlands

Research at Midlands is holistic, continuous, and commercially focused. By integrating seed production, nutrition, and honey, we deliver innovations that benefit the entire value chain:

• Higher yields and superior quality for crops and seeds
• Advanced nutritional profiling for specialty oils and superfoods
• Innovative honey products with guaranteed purity and consistency
• Sustainable farming practices supporting environmental stewardship
• Reliable solutions for global markets through vertical integration

Our mission: Create better crops, better ingredients, and better products—through world-class research.

Seed Research & Hybrid Crop Innovation

Seed research is the backbone of our R&D, forming the largest portion of our programmes. Midlands develops high-performing seeds for international growers, leveraging advanced breeding, agronomy, and pollination strategies.

Key Seed Research Initiatives

• Hybrid Seed Development: Creating high-yield, disease-resistant vegetable and forage crops.
• Genetic Evaluation: Testing overseas varieties for Southern Hemisphere production.
• Best Management Practices: Optimising soil, irrigation, pest control, and post-harvest handling.
• Crop Isolation & Pollination: Ensuring hybrid purity with precise pollination management.
• Field Trials Across New Zealand: Validating performance in Mid Canterbury, Central Otago, Marlborough, Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay.

Why it matters for our partners: Reliable, traceable, and high-purity seeds that perform in diverse growing conditions worldwide.

Nutrition Research & Product Development

Midlands Nutrition focuses on producing premium oils, superfoods, and specialty ingredients that meet the highest global standards. Our research ensures every product is nutritionally optimised, stable, and market-ready.

Focus Areas

• Raw Material Quality: Monitoring crops from planting to harvest for optimal nutrition.
• Fatty Acid & Nutritional Profiling: Ensuring consistency and dietary benefit in every batch.
• Product Innovation: Developing new formulations, delivery systems, and packaging solutions.
• Stability & Shelf-Life Testing: Maximising quality throughout distribution.
• Clean & Safe Production: Rigorous testing for residues, heavy metals, and pesticides.

By integrating field research and food technology, Midlands creates ingredients that are consistent, traceable, and globally competitive.

Honey Research & Advanced Technology

Midlands Apiaries invests in cutting-edge technology and R&D to deliver premium honey products that are consistent, pure, and market-ready.

Honey Research Initiatives

• Product Innovation: Developing new flavours, fortified blends, and functional honey formats.
• Laboratory Testing & Quality Control: Independent verification of purity and authenticity.
• Advanced Production Technology: Visual inspection, metal detection, and automated systems for flawless packaging.
• Bee Health & Pollination Research: Supporting hive performance for seed pollination and honey production.
• Environmental Stewardship: Biodiversity programs with Betta Bees, FutureBees NZ, and Trees for Bees.

This research ensures Midlands is a trusted global supplier capable of meeting high-volume demand while innovating for the future.

Collaborative Partnerships & Global Networks

Midlands partners with universities, government institutes, and industry bodies to expand our research capability:

• Crop genetics and hybrid breeding
• Sustainable farming and arable systems
• Bee genomics and pollination
• Food science, oil processing, and functional nutrition
• Environmental research and carbon reduction

These collaborations accelerate innovation, validate best practices, and deliver practical, market-ready solutions for global customers.

From Field to Global Markets

Midlands’ research philosophy is built on integration, traceability, and operational excellence. By combining agronomy, lab science, food technology, and beekeeping, we create a seamless research ecosystem.

Our Principles

• Innovation-Driven: Exploring new crop varieties, product formats, and market opportunities.
• Science-Based: Using trials, data, and analytics to guide decisions.
• Sustainable Practices: Prioritising environmental stewardship and regenerative farming methods.
• Vertical Integration: Controlling every stage from planting to finished product.
• Customer-Focused: Delivering consistent, reliable solutions for international markets.

This approach positions Midlands as a forward-thinking, market-ready partner across seeds, nutrition, and honey.

Driving the Future of Agriculture and Food

Midlands research programmes are evolving continuously to respond to global trends, regulatory requirements, and sustainability goals. Our integrated R&D enables:

• Growth and resilience in global seed markets
• Nutritionally optimised oils and superfoods
• Premium honey products with verified quality
• Sustainable and efficient agricultural practices
• Rapid commercialisation of new ideas

Innovation at Midlands is not a department—it is our philosophy, our commitment, and our competitive advantage.

Learn More About Midlands Research

Discover how our integrated research programmes can support your business, drive growth, and deliver high-quality, innovative agricultural solutions.