LeaderBrand Case Study: Regenerative Agriculture Success

January 30, 2026

LeaderBrand Produce partnered with one of the major supermarket retailers in New Zealand to trial regenerative agricultural practices in a real-world setting.

Hear about the benefits and learning from Gordon McPahil, General Manager Farming at LeaderBrand Produce.

Q&A with Gordon McPahil

Gordon McPhail, General Manager Farming,
LeaderBrand Produce

Why did LeaderBrand Produce decide to invest in regenerative agriculture trials?

For us, healthy soil is the foundation of everything we grow. Years of intensive cropping have taken a toll on soil health, and climate change is adding even more pressure. We wanted to understand whether regenerative practices could restore soil function and improve crop performance in a real-world, commercial setting. Our goal was to find practical, science-backed solutions that work for growers like us.

Tell us about your partnership with Woolworths New Zealand, and the Bioeconomy Science Institute Plant & Food Research Group.

Launched in 2022, the trials focus on using compost and cover crops to revitalise soil in intensive vegetable farming. While it's still early days, the signs so far are encouraging. We've seen improved spinach and mesclun yields at one site and also evidence for improved organic nitrogen supply, which could reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers over time. A key focus is to increase soil organic matter levels. We're doing this by importing carbon in compost and also growing it onsite with cover crops.

Where is the trial taking place?

Two sites were chosen at LeaderBrand's intensive vegetable production operation location on the Turanganui-a-Kiwa flats, near Gisborne. At each site, two treatments or ‘management zones' were implemented: a regenerative management zone subject to compost application and cover cropping; and a standard management zone where compost was withheld and fallow periods maintained.

Seeing improvements in just three years is incredible.

Regenerative agriculture isn't just good for the land—it's good for the future of food in New Zealand. Despite the relatively short timeframe of three years, there are marked improvement in soil health, and we have seen increased yields in 4 out of 6 cash crops. A vetched cover crop returned increase Sweetcorn yields despite a 34% reduction in N fertiliser inputs. There is no doubt these practices have the potential to positively impact our soil resilience and performance. However, vegetable crop rotations can be very unique. My advice would be to take an incremental approach, testing how to best incorporate one or a few new regenerative practices into a working farm system.

What challenges have you faced?

There have been a few. Compost consistency is a big one—nutrient levels, weed seeds, and food safety risks all need careful management. Timing cover crop establishment is also critical; plant too late and growth suffers. And while compost improved soil conditioning, it wasn't a quick-release nutrient source so synthetic fertislisers still played a role. These trials reinforced that regenerative practices aren't one-size-fits-all, they need to be tailored to soil type and crop rotation.

What does this mean for the future of vegetable farming?

We know we're looking at a future that is likely to place increasing pressure on where and how we source our fresh food. With a growing consumer market, and one which is increasingly conscious of farming and growing practices and their impact on our environment, regenerative agriculture offers exciting opportunities to grow production while supporting a healthy ecosystem. Far from being in opposition to intensive commercial growing systems, the data show regenerative practices can be successfully integrated for greater yields and healthier soils in an IVP setting, potentially boosting commercial outcomes, and increasing the stability of our food supply chain. We're also looking at alternatives like biochar for long-term carbon storage. Longer trials—five years or more—are essential to understand lasting impacts. Ultimately, this is about building a resilient food system for for Aotearoa—one that supports growers, communities, and the environment.

What advice would you give to other growers considering regenerative practices?

Start small. Test one or two practices—like cover crops or reduced tillage—and measure the results. Use tools like nitrate quick tests to manage nutrients efficiently. And remember, the goal isn't perfection overnight; it's progress toward healthier soils and stronger crops.

Case Study: LeaderBrand's Success with Regenerative Agriculture