Kate Fransen

Kate joined DairyNZ in 2014 with expertise in leading a range of different teams to deliver large work programmes. Kate coordinates programmes involving lab research through to on-farm implementation, forming the bridge between scientists and farmers.

Kate is the project leader of the Plantain Potency and Practice programme. This seven-year collaborative research and development initiative, funded by DairyNZ, MPI, Fonterra, and PGG Wrightson Seeds, aims to quantify the efficacy of plantain in reducing nitrogen leaching and support its adoption on farms.

Kate enjoys joining the dots between research, development, and extension delivery. “My best days are the ones where I am working on farms with farmers,” says Kate. “It gives me perspective and emphasises how important it is to link the questions we're asking and what we find in our research with farm systems. I also enjoy thinking strategically about how it all joins together so it is relevant for farmers.”

The seeds for Kate’s interest in agriculture were sown during her upbringing on a sheep farm in Victoria, Australia. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at La Trobe University, and a Master in Rural Systems Management at the University of Queensland. She worked as a programme lead for the Victorian Department of Primary Industries in Australia before making the shift to DairyNZ. She initially led a farm system certification and training programme for consultants and DairyNZ extension staff in association with NZIPIM and went on to lead the Low N programme before taking on leadership of the Plantain Potency and Practice programme.