Performance Lab

In early November 2025, General Manager Crop Protection and Export – Tim O’Sullivan and Managing Director – Jarred Marfell, we had the privilege of hosting five Chinese potato growers in New Zealand – not just as customers, but as partners in optimising how our N-Boost product performs in real-world conditions. What started as a reward trip for some of our earliest adopters became something far more valuable: a masterclass in customer collaboration.

Building Relationships Beyond Transactions

These weren’t ordinary customers and I think that no farmer is.  Each are large scale Potato growers in China/Inner Mongolia’s challenging growing conditions, and they’ve been pioneering the use of N-Boost on potatoes. To connect these growers with successful Kiwi growers was something truly special – the exchange of knowledge between growers from different continents, each not talking the same language, but talking the same terminology.

One of our most experienced users, shared how N-Boost has become his exclusive choice after three seasons of sustained results. Meanwhile, another explained the extent of his operation, demonstrating the scale at which our product is making a difference.

Product Performance That Speaks for Itself

The feedback was unanimous: every grower rated N-Boost as superior to established competitors. But what struck us most was hearing about N-Boost’s unique capabilities that no other product has matched.

An observation that was particularly compelling – N-Boost’s consistent proven ability to help eliminate the negative effects of pesticide residues and pest damage, while consistently reviving weak plants and improving leaf health. When you’re managing hundreds of hectares, these aren’t minor improvements. A plant that recovers from stress and is in better condition to optimise conditions for growth means better than otherwise would be expected yields and improved returns.

What made these conversations so valuable was the specificity. These farmers weren’t speaking in generalities. They walked us through their seasons, explaining exactly when they saw N-Boost make a difference. They described fields that had been written off as underperforming, then watched them bounce back after application. They talked about sections of their farms where pest pressure had been high, and how N-Boost helped those plants push through when other products hadn’t. This is the kind of feedback you can’t get from a survey or a phone call – it comes from sitting down with people who’ve staked their livelihoods on your product and hearing what actually happened in their fields.

This experience reminded us that in agricultural innovation, success isn’t just about developing superior products – it’s about building relationships with the people who use them. When customers become collaborators, everyone benefits: they get products that truly meet their needs, and we gain insights that drive meaningful innovation.

Donaghys would like to thank our NZ farmer hosts for inviting us into their businesses and sharing information with our overseas customers. It is truly valued by Donaghys and our overseas customers.

Also thank you to Adama our partner in China who have introduced N-Boost to the market and continue to grow successfully each year.