Ottilie Upshall

Ottilie Upshall is based in Rotorua, New Zealand, where she is the leader at Eric Kawabe & Associates SRU Ltd, the consulting business established by her father, Eric, in the 1980s. She graduated from Auckland University’s School of Biological Sciences with a BSc majoring in Biology and specializing in Environmental Science. Ottilie has been working for the family business since the early 2000s.

Ottilie's clientele is primarily based in Japan, where they collaborate with the "Soil Research Union," a network of like-minded farmers supported with science-based tools and recommendations, including significant contributions from Brookside Labs. The company also has a strong history of working with Australian farmers, having been based in Tamworth, NSW, for many years before relocating to New Zealand in 2007. Additionally, they have been involved in projects in South America and Mongolia.


As part of Brookside Labs and the Amplify Network, Ottilie stands upon the shoulders of giants. Her main area of interest lies in promoting sustainable and regenerative farming practices, emphasizing soil health and biological diversity, with a focus on equitable economic, social, and environmental outcomes.


The company specializes in soil fertility for a diverse range of crops, including rice, beet, wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, and pasture for grazing and hay. They produce tailored “PMR” feed ration programs for pasture-based dairy systems and have developed their own system for balanced calf rations to optimize early growth and development of healthy young stock.


Ottilie has a keen interest in animal welfare and, at home on the family smallholding, breeds and trains horses for dressage, while also keeping a small flock of sheep and some chickens. She lives with her husband, Mark, and a Mini Schnauzer x Jack Russell Terrier named Pippa Potts.

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