Marlborough Research Centre - MRC

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Marlborough Research Centre - MRC

MRC is an independent science based research organisation focused on working with the primary industries that Marlborough, NZ depends on

MRC was established in 1984 by a group of far-sighted horticulturalists, farmers and local government who saw the need for locally based scientific research to help the province progress. A Charitable Trust was set up at that time to ensure the Marlborough region made the best use of its natural resources by assisting innovative research and technical development in agriculture, pastoral, horticul

tural and viticulture production. The Marlborough Research Centre Trust secured initial funding from primary sector producers and business. Today, the Trust owns and manages MRC properties in Blenheim and Grovetown and MRC works closely with the Marlborough District Council, Crown Research Institutes and other key sector groups and organisations. MRC’s main campus is at 85 Budge Street, Blenheim. Under the umbrella of MRC, the Wine Research Centre was established in 2003. This is based at the Budge Street campus with executive offices, laboratories, teaching winery and a lecture theatre. This campus is shared with Plant & Food Research, Sustainable Winegrowing NZ, Wine Marlborough, Bragato Research Institute and NZ Dryland Forests Innovation. MRC’s Grovetown Park campus is 2km away, on State Highway 1. This is a commercial campus with tenants ranging from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Hill Laboratories to a variety of commercial businesses and research organisations. The adjacent 10-hectare Rowley Vineyard at Grovetown is part of the MRC operation, the site of research trials and a sauvignon blanc vineyard. Many success stories have eventuated over forty years with the most significant being the opening of the New Zealand Wine Centre in 2022 on the Budge Street Campus.

12/06/2026

What’s next in wine technology at WinePro!

09/06/2026

☀️ Warm. Dry. Sunny.

May 2026 delivered above-average sunshine, just half the usual rainfall, and very few frosts in Marlborough. In fact, it was one of the driest Mays of the past four decades.

Our latest weather update includes growing degree days and detailed met data for Blenheim and Awatere, compiled by Victoria Raw (Bioeconomy Science Institute) and funded by the Marlborough Research Centre.

📊 Explore the full May weather story on our website (link in the comments).

01/06/2026

What happens when you put great minds from across Marlborough’s primary sector in one room?

Find out at Speed Share: Thinking for Tomorrow — an evening of fast-paced talks, discussion and networking at the Marlborough Research Centre.

Hear perspectives on energy, premium production, science, waste innovation and future land use — then stay for refreshments and conversation.

📅 Thursday 4 June
🕠 5.30–7.30pm
📍 Marlborough Research Centre

Please register via Eventbrite for catering purpose
(link in the comments)

31/05/2026

Research Snapshot Seminar 🍇
Could spore trapping help reduce unnecessary vineyard spray rounds?
Join Karen Peterson and Mark Krasnow (Kraz) as they share collaborative research between Thoughtful Viticulture, the USDA and SARDI investigating how spore monitoring could improve spray timing, efficiency and sustainability in New Zealand vineyards.

The session will include early 2025–26 season spore count data from vineyards around New Zealand and discuss what this could mean for future spray practices.

📍 MRC Lecture Theatre
📅 Monday, 8 June 2026
⏰ 10am–11am

👉 Find out more on our website - link in the comments

28/05/2026

Fresh ideas. Short talks. Worth it for the connections!

Speed Share: Thinking for Tomorrow brings together rural professionals from across Marlborough’s primary sector for an evening of discussion, networking and thought-provoking insights.

Topics range from farming and land use to science, waste and innovation — all delivered in quick 6-minute presentations designed to spark conversation.

📍 Marlborough Research Centre, Blenheim
📅 Thursday 4 June | 5.30–7.30pm

Registration required via Eventbrite.

12/05/2026

Warm, sunny… and very wet 🌦️

April 2026 was Marlborough’s wettest April since 2017, while still recording above-average sunshine.

Our latest weather update includes growing degree days and detailed met data for Blenheim and Awatere, compiled by Victoria Raw (Bioeconomy Science Institute ) and funded by the Marlborough Research Centre.

📊 Head to our website to explore the full April weather story.

10/05/2026

WinePro 2026 is almost here — and registrations are now open.

From 23–25 June, Blenheim will host growers, winemakers and industry leaders for three days of ideas, insights and connections focused on the future of New Zealand wine.

Marlborough Research Centre is proud to support WinePro and showcase the New Zealand Wine Centre campus and its partners as a centre for wine research, science and innovation.

Register here:
https://winepro.co.nz/winepronz-2026-conference-schedule/

03/05/2026

A warm welcome to Luke van Velthooven, newly appointed to the MRC Trust.

Bringing over 26 years’ experience in property and infrastructure—and strong Marlborough roots—Luke joins the Board at an exciting time for research and innovation in the region.

Alongside this, Ivan Sutherland has been appointed Chair following Bernie’s retirement.

More: https://www.mrc.org.nz/news/2026/4/28/mrc-board-update

08/04/2026

🔆March Weather Data is out now

Highlights: March 2026 was cooler than average, sunny and dry with low wind run. It was a typical autumn /
Indian Summer month with the onset of cooler morning temperatures but with warm sunny days.

Our weather updates includes growing degree days and detailed met data for Blenheim and Awatere, compiled by Victoria Raw (Bioeconomy Science Institute my Science Institute ) and funded by the Marlborough Research Centre - MRC.

See the full reports on our website. Link in the comments.

01/04/2026

Are Marlborough farmers applying more phosphorus to lucerne than the crop actually needs?

New research suggests they might be.

MRC is supporting on-farm trials across Marlborough to test whether lucerne can maintain high yields at lower soil phosphorus levels. If confirmed, this could mean reduced fertiliser costs for farmers and less nutrient loss to waterways.

Trials are already underway at Bonavaree and The Pyramid, with early insights challenging long-held assumptions.

👉 Read more on our website:

Marlborough Research Centre (MRC) is supporting new on-farm research that could help farmers reduce fertiliser costs without compromising lucerne production.

Address

85 Budge Street
Blenheim
7201

Website

http://www.mrc.org.nz/

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