Deer Farmer’s Invention Impresses Prince William
Royal endorsement sought for eco-friendly bale net wrap
A Southland deer farmer promoting his sustainable invention received an audience with royalty. Grant Lightfoot met with Prince William at an agricultural show in England, potentially securing a royal endorsement.
Kiwi Innovation Gains Royal Attention
While traveling abroad to promote his edible natural bale net, Grant Lightfoot secured a one-on-one meeting with Prince William. The Prince approached Lightfoot’s stand at the Groundswell Agricultural Show in England.
The pair discussed Lightfoot’s sustainable bale net wrap, which is manufactured using plant fibers. Lightfoot then provided William with a pamphlet and his Kiwi Econet business card.
“He wants my product on their farms,”
Lightfoot said.
Notably, interest in sustainable farming is growing, with the global market projected to reach $13.2 billion by 2028 (Fortune Business Insights).
Eco-Friendly and Edible
Kiwi Econet bale net wrap offers an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional plastic netting. Safe for consumption by cattle, it negates the necessity for removal.
“When I was talking to him, my leg was shaking so much, I thought it was going to fall off,”
he said, recounting his encounter with the Prince.
Reality TV Pitch
During his visit to the United Kingdom, Lightfoot also made a stop at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop.
The Southland farmer said he is in discussions with producers of Clarkson’s Farm
about featuring his product on the hit Amazon Prime series.
Lightfoot’s innovation was recently spotlighted on TVNZ’s Hyundai Country Calendar
, available on TVNZ+.
