In this RaboTalk Growing our Future episode, host Katie Rodwell chats with Matt Lythe, Managing Director of Prism Earth, to discuss how geospatial technology – a combination of satellite imagery, spectral data and AI – is rapidly becoming a practical tool for New Zealand farms. This technology is moving beyond simple mapping, to measure and manage a farm’s “natural capital” like carbon, biodiversity and soil health.

Matt shares what the latest data can reveal about pasture and soil stress, how farmers can meet new EU deforestation-free requirements to protect market access, and what climate projections to 2060 mean for shifting pasture growth and rising extreme-weather risk.

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Show Notes

From navigating strict new EU deforestation rules to predicting how climate change will shift pasture growth by 2060, the conversation highlights how data-driven insights can turn environmental compliance into a competitive advantage. Matt offers a vision of a ‘mosaic landscape’, where technology empowers farmers to diversify their income streams and build long-term resilience against an increasingly volatile climate.

From Antarctica to Agriculture: Matt Lythe’s Background

Matt shares his unique journey from a ‘townie’ remote sensing scientist to a polar researcher in Antarctica, eventually applying his expertise to New Zealand’s primary sector. Through a partnership with Silver Fern Farms, his company Prism Earth now uses AI and satellite data to help farmers measure and manage their land's natural assets.

Geospatial Tech 101

Geospatial technology (or GIS) is all about location. While the tech has been around since the 70s, it’s now everywhere thanks to cloud computing and mobile devices. For a farmer, it’s about understanding the spatial relationship between soil, productive land, waterways, and animals to optimise every hectare.

The Satellite Revolution

The last five years have seen a ‘sensor explosion’, with a proliferation of commercial satellites, we can now monitor farms with finer detail than ever before. This isn't just about photos; satellites use spectral data to measure leaf health, soil moisture stress, and even the texture of the pasture canopy.

Mapping Natural Capital

Matt discusses the patterns emerging across the New Zealand landscape:

• Carbon Stocks: Steep gullies on sheep and beef farms often hold significant carbon and biodiversity value.
• Biodiversity Opportunities: Flat, lowland areas like Canterbury have high potential for new canopy and indigenous vegetation.
• The Mosaic Landscape: Moving toward a farm layout that integrates shelter, shade, and soil stability through a mix of native and exotic trees.

Climate Risks: Looking Toward 2060

The data shows significant shifts in seasonality. While warmer winters may boost early spring growth, summers are becoming drier and more drought-prone, particularly in the North and East. Matt warns that extreme events like Cyclone Gabrielle may become more frequent, requiring farmers to use data to build more resilient land-use strategies.

Meeting Global Standards: The EU Connection

With the EU demanding deforestation-free supply chains, geospatial tech has become a vital proof point. Matt explains how they use satellite data to verify that New Zealand beef hasn't been raised on deforested land, ensuring our products remain competitive in premium overseas markets.

The Future: Live Maps and AI Agents

The next decade will move toward live farm maps. Matt envisions a world where wearable tech (like Halter) and AI work together to move herds automatically based on real-time weather forecasts and pasture growth. This shifts the farmer’s role toward more strategic thinking and animal welfare.

Final Advice: Embrace the Data

Matt’s message is one of optimism: New Zealand farms are inherently nature positive. By using the data available - often for free through co-ops or agencies like NIWA - farmers can turn environmental reporting into a tool for diversification and long-term profit. Don't be scared of the tech; use it to prove your greatness.