# Nitrogen-reducing plantain recognised with Fieldays Award

- Link: https://rd2.co.nz/nitrogen-reducing-plantain-recognised-with-fieldays-award/
- Published: 2018-06-18T00:18:48+00:00
- Author: Molly Callaghan

A plantain that started life as a common weed has been recognised for its contribution
to the future of farming with an Innovation Award from Fieldays.
 Ecotain is an 
environmentally functional plantain that significantly reduces nitrogen leaching
on livestock farms. It was officially launched in September 2017 when proprietary
seed company Agricom announced major research findings that showed Ecotain reduces
nitrogen leaching from the urine patch, an area containing high concentrations of
nitrogen from animals’ urine. Ecotain won the Launch NZ Innovation Award, which 
recognises innovative products being launched into New Zealand’s agricultural market.
Each year, the Innovation Awards attract dozens of entries across multiple categories,
and winners are announced at the Innovation Breakfast. This year also marks Fieldays’
50th year of showcasing agriculture and innovation, with the theme being the “Future
of Farming”. Initial research from Agricom, alongside Lincoln and Massey universities
and Plant + Food Research, found Ecotain can function in pasture systems to reduce
nitrogen leaching in four ways, known as dilute, reduce, delay and restrict. Consuming
Ecotain increases the volume of cows’ urine which dilutes the concentration of nitrogen,
it reduces the total amount of dietary nitrogen in animals’ urine, it delays the
process of turning ammonium into nitrate in the urine patch, and it restricts the
accumulation of nitrate in soils growing Ecotain. Agricom’s lead scientist Dr Glenn
Judson says he’s proud to receive the Innovation Award as an acknowledgement of 
a “big year” for his team. “As with most research projects, Ecotain has been a hugely
collaborative effort and we are fortunate to have the support and expertise of some
of New Zealand’s best researchers and scientists joining us along the way.” He says
the Innovation Award tops off the positive industry response Ecotain has received
so far. “It’s great to see excitement in the industry that finally we may have a
tool to solve nitrate leaching from livestock farms, and receiving the Innovation
Award tells us we’re moving in the right direction.” New Zealand National Fieldays
CEO Peter Nation says the awards judges were impressed with Ecotain’s scientific
backing and the potential it has for the future of farming in New Zealand. Other
Resources:- [Liquid Nitrogen Fertiliser NZ](https://www.rd2.co.nz/product/synergizer/)