Tributes are flowing as the agricultural world mourns the loss of internationally respected agricultural scientist Dr. William (Bill) Kain who died suddenly on Friday.

Dr. Kain collapsed while chairing the final session of the International Farmers Conference in Methven. He was 71 years old.

Dr. Kain was chief executive of AgResearch from 1992 – 1997 and also ran his own company, Kain Associates, with a worldwide client base.

Described as a ‘high energy leader and a significant achiever’, Dr. Kain was a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, and Director of Lincoln University’s Postgraduate and Research School.

A fellow scientist and close friend, AgResearch Chief Scientist Dr. Stephen Goldson, says he was a great mentor, a man of business and of pleasure.

“He was a really, really nice person. He really did care about how people were and how they felt. Throughout his life he made every effort to make sure people were ok.

"He also had what would seem to be gruff and gungho exterior but he was well known for his compassion and support for people.”

Dr. Goldson says Dr. Kain was highly passionate about developing New Zealand’s agricultural sector.

“Bills action, his commercial work, his business work, his business development and his passion for New Zealand agriculture overlapped hugely with AgResearch’s mission and what AgResearch is set up to do.

“He was very supportive to staff wherever he went and he took a lot of time, of his own time, to help people out and give them advice. And as his role became more senior he did more and more of that.”

Dr. Kain is survived by his wife Lesley, three children and six grandchildren.