Our Story

The T.R Ellett Agricultural Research Trust is built on the foundations laid by visionary Trevor Ellett, an ardent advocate for pasture farming and pioneer of ryegrass development, who had a profound impact on plant breeding in New Zealand.

Trevor’s legacy of philanthropy towards the agricultural industry lives on through the work of the Trust.

The Trust is governed by a board and awards scholarships to students and research grants for projects, especially relating to pasture and its pivotal role in farm systems. We also partner with industry bodies and organisations who align with the Trust purpose, providing support to further our industry.

Trevor Ellett

The largest part of Trevor’s career was as a farmer. Trevor was an ardent advocate for pasture farming and a pioneer of ryegrass development, who had a profound impact on plant breeding in New Zealand.

Trevor completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at Massey University in 1945. He was then assistant lecturer in Dairy Husbandry and then lecturer from 1950-1951.

Dairy farming

Trevor owned two dairy farms known as ‘Ihumatao farms’.

The herd achieved high milk production and, because the farms were efficiently managed, they were highly regarded by scientists and advisors of the day, hosting regular farmer field days.

Mangere ryegrass ecotype

While lecturing at Massey College, Trevor developed his interest in plant improvement.

In 1951 he sowed the Government-bred and certified pasture seed mix, Ruanui, Grasslands Manawa, Huia Pawera in three paddocks in successive years, and on each occasion the perennial ryegrass had disappeared after one year.

Disappointed, Trevor decided to harvest his own ryegrass seed from his best paddock to sow in his worst to try and improve its performance. Obtaining seed was difficult, however he had a tenacity to succeed.

Visual comparisons between the Government-bred certified perennial ryegrass and pasture sown with the seed Trevor harvested called ‘Mangere’ ryegrass, showed it had much better growth and persistence than the recommended mixture.

At this stage, nothing was known about the important role of ryegrass endophyte, a fungus that lives inside ryegrass and is essential for insect control and ryegrass persistence in the upper North Island. The endophyte story was about to unfold.