Dr John Baker

Dr John Baker

Dr John Baker initiated a research and development project at New Zealand’s Massey University in 1967 aimed at identifying and eliminating the causes of biological failures during low-disturbance no-tillage. After 30 years as a scientist, he and key members of his team resigned from the university and formed Baker No-Tillage Ltd. John is a Fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, a Chartered Engineer and holds a PhD in agricultural engineering, a Master’s degree with first class honours in soil science and a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural science. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) by Queen Elizabeth II on 2006 and won the Sir Earnest Rutherford Science and Technology Medal in 1996. His team won the BP Energy Conservation Award in 1980 plus 6 innovation and technology awards at the New Zealand National Fieldays between 1984 and 2005 and the Henty Field Days (NSW) Machine of the Year in 2010. His company was a finalist in the 2010 World technology Awards and John has twice been nominated for the World Food Prize (in 2013 and 2014).

When what Grandad taught me isn’t good enough

February 17, 2017
Surely improving soil health – and with it the security of food supply – is not a competition? But it is! Competing for the prize are the manufacturers and suppliers...

Low-Disturbance No-Tillage: Opportunities for NZ

December 14, 2016
We are often asked, what is it about low-disturbance no-tillage that benefits New Zealand? The answer is that not only do we realise our soil is being plundered but we...

Why low-disturbance no-tillage succeeds

November 10, 2016
Low-disturbance no-tillage succeeds in all soils regardless of whether they are part of a home garden or a 1,000 hectare farmer’s field. In doing so, it contradicts much of what...

Regenerate the soil and save the world

October 05, 2016
If there is one thing that farmers have taken for granted for centuries, it’s the need to till or cultivate the soil before sowing crop seeds. And there’s nothing more...

Zero Tillage

September 06, 2016
When asked what the linkage is between food security and climate change, most people don’t have a ready answer. Some see climate change as threatening how well food plants will...