The UPTAKE Story
UPTAKE was founded in the 1980s by John Davis, a drystock farmer with a deep love of the land and a vision for smarter farming. While running his own farm (and even a shearing gang in his younger days), John saw first-hand the challenges of keeping soils productive, animals healthy, and farms profitable.
He believed there had to be a better way. Long before ‘sustainability’ became a buzzword, John was already thinking about how to reduce waste, prevent nutrient leaching, and protect New Zealand’s soils for future generations. That vision became UPTAKE: fertiliser solutions designed to deliver nutrients precisely where they’re needed, for healthier soils, stronger stock, and more resilient farming systems.
Our history
In 2025 UPTAKE was sold the next generation of innovative agri-professionals. While John’s stepped back from day-to-day operations, he remains close to the team, offering his knowledge, practical experience, and the occasional sheep-sharpening story.
The new owners carry forward John’s founding philosophy: smarter fertiliser, less waste, and farming systems built for the long haul. With John’s guidance still in the mix, UPTAKE continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.
A new chapter
Our philosophy
From the very beginning, UPTAKE has stood for:
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We exist to make farmers’ lives easier and more rewarding.
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Adopting smarter, more precise fertiliser systems decades before they became mainstream.
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Because one can’t thrive without the other.
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Reducing waste, minimising leaching, and protecting the land for the next generation.
Looking ahead
What started as one farmer’s idea has grown into a nationwide system helping Kiwi farmers lift production, improve profitability, and care for their animals - all while doing right by the land.