Key Takeaways:
- BioLumic has entered a multi-year partnership with Fonterra to develop light-activated seed traits for pasture-based dairy systems.
- The collaboration focuses on ryegrass, a cornerstone of New Zealand dairy farming, aiming to boost productivity and resilience.
- BioLumic’s xTraits™ platform programs plant genetic expression with light signals rather than genetic modification.
- Early development is underway, with field trials set to begin in 2026 and commercial launch targeted for 2028.
- The partnership is supported by Fonterra’s Ki Tua Fund and will integrate farmer network validation to ensure scalability.
BioLumic & Fonterra's Partnership Overview
BioLumic, a seed trait innovation company, announced a multi-year collaboration with New Zealand-based dairy cooperative Fonterra to advance forage innovation. The partnership will use BioLumic’s xTraits™ technology to deliver light-activated traits that improve ryegrass productivity and resilience without altering plant DNA.
“This partnership signals a new era for forage innovation to supercharge pasture-based dairy systems,” said Jeremy Hill, Chief Science and Technology Officer at Fonterra. “Together, BioLumic and Fonterra are aiming to set a new standard for forage performance—unlocking greater productivity with technology that’s readily scalable.”
Addressing the Forage Productivity Gap
Pasture-based dairy systems face pressure from rising costs, regulatory demands, and climate variability. Innovation in forage grass has lagged behind crop breeding, constrained by cost and regulatory hurdles. BioLumic’s light-activated approach offers a faster, non-GMO pathway to improved traits.
“The xTraits Platform uses precise light signals to program beneficial traits into seeds – without altering their DNA. It’s a faster, natural alternative that works with the varieties farmers already trust,” said Dr. Jason Wargent, Founder and Chief Science Officer at BioLumic. “We’re committed to practical, farmer-focused solutions that unlock more from every hectare.”
Trait Development and Goals For BioLumic & Fonterra
The initial focus will be on enhancing ryegrass with productivity traits to increase dry matter yield and metabolizable energy, aiming to improve forage performance, feed efficiency, and milk solids production. Traits can also be combined with lipid-enhancing features to help reduce methane emissions from cows, supporting climate-smart dairy outcomes.
Development is currently underway in BioLumic’s controlled trials, with field trials in partnership with Fonterra scheduled for 2026. A commercial launch is planned for 2028, with BioLumic working alongside leading seed companies to integrate xTraits™ into existing ryegrass varieties.
Broader Applications
The partnership builds on BioLumic’s broader work with seed companies across crops such as corn, soybean, and rice, where xTraits™ technology has been applied to improve both productivity and sustainability.
BioLumic
BioLumic focuses on plant trait development using light-based solutions to influence genetic expression. The company's xTraits™ technology activates biological mechanisms in seeds and seedlings to improve yield, vigor, nutrition, and overall plant health without chemicals or genetic modification.
With applications across over a dozen crops—including corn, soybeans, rice, and forage—BioLumic offers a platform that shortens trait development timelines by up to 90% while aiming to reduce environmental impact and support crop resilience.
