14 April 2026

New Zealand innovation company Techion, developer of animal diagnostics platform FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands, to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to Farmlands customers. 

The collaboration is an important step in supporting farm sustainability, helping farmers make timely and informed decisions when managing disease and slow the growing challenge of drench resistance while improving animal health, productivity and farm returns. 

Through the exclusive partnership, Farmlands customers will have easy access to FECPAK’s on‑farm and in-store diagnostic testing range — delivered through Farmlands nationwide network. 

Farmlands Group Chief Executive Officer, Tanya Houghton said the partnership reflected its ongoing commitment to innovation to support the real challenges farmers are facing now and will increasingly face in the future. 

"Drench resistance is a growing challenge that's already affecting farm productivity across New Zealand, and farmers need better tools to get ahead of it. This partnership with FECPAK gives our customers faster, independent animal health information, delivered through our network. Even in a challenging environment, Farmlands is committed to investing in our farmers' futures, and getting the right tools into their hands at the right time, and this relationship is exactly what this enables."  

Techion Founder and Managing Director, Greg Mirams said, “For more than 20 years, FECPAK has been trusted by farmers for faecal egg count testing (FEC). With FECPAK extending its test menu using its world-leading new digital and AI‑enabled technology, we’re pleased to have a partner who can work with us to give farmers access to faster, targeted, independent animal health information.” 

Farmers visiting their local Farmlands store will immediately see FECPAK’s new Animal Health Multi Test Kits in one and three sample options, allowing farmers to select multiple tests from a single sample collection. The initial tests available include: 

• Faecal Egg Count (FEC)
• Facial Eczema (pasture and faecal)
• Liver Fluke
• Worm ID — a new, cutting‑edge test that identifies parasite species within hours of sample processing 

The FECPAK Animal Health Multi Test Kits are easy to use, with video instructions and a simple phone‑based submission. Customers choose the test or tests they want and can simply have the cost of testing required added to their Farmlands account. This makes accessing professional-grade animal health diagnostics straightforward. If farmers choose to, they can instantly share their test results with their Farmlands rep, veterinarian or animal health provider. Rapid test result turnaround times will be enabled by deploying FECPAK into regional areas with backup provided by Techion’s FECPAK laboratory.  

Among the expanded FECPAK test range, Worm ID is a significant advance in parasite diagnostics. Traditionally, identifying the worm species relied on larval culture — a slow, costly and labour‑intensive process that could take up to two weeks to get results. FECPAK Worm ID uses digital images and analytical software to analyse parasite eggs to identify the worm genus in the sample. Worm ID is available now for sheep and will soon be available for cattle. 

Greg Mirams continued, explaining that faster access to detailed parasite information is critical. “Knowing exactly what worm species are present allows farmers and animal health professionals to make informed and targeted drench decisions. This precision approach is essential if we want to slow the development of drench resistance and protect the effectiveness of the products farmers rely on.” 

Farmlands will also stock FECPAK FECRT (Faecal Egg Count Reduction Testing), a practical, independent tool that helps farmers confirm whether the drench they are using is still effective. 

Delivered as a DIY on‑farm kit, FECPAK FECRT enables farmers to easily test the effectiveness of their drenches making drench resistance testing more accessible and cost‑effective. Regular FECRT testing helps identify resistance early — before it leads to significant production losses. 

As well as FECPAK Animal Health Multi Test Kits, Farmlands will be selling FECPAK’s on-farm product range, alongside the original FECPAK FEC Unit which enables on-farm FEC testing for sheep, cattle, equine and camelids. FECPAK’s new Micro-I 300 digital microscope will enable farmers to undertake Worm ID testing and Facial Eczema testing on farm.  

Greg Mirams continues, “This is just the beginning, over the next couple of years we’ll be adding a suite of new tests for farmers. First on the development list is Worm ID for cattle, which will be followed with Coccidia testing for sheep, cattle and poultry, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and Johnes to name a few.” 

The FECPAK and Farmlands partnership puts the right tools in farmers' hands, at the right time. For Farmlands, this is another demonstration of its commitment to standing alongside New Zealand farmers, investing in smarter animal health solutions even as conditions remain challenging. For FECPAK, it means reaching farmers across the country through a trusted rural partner. Together, both companies are taking a meaningful step forward for evidence-based animal health and more sustainable farm systems across New Zealand. 

For more information please contact; Nicola McConnell nicola@techiongroup.co.nz or  027 2188120