"It is actually a form of enhanced plant breeding and it's used quite widely across the world, but you have to go through the regulatory process and that's more or less what we're doing now."
Further benefits include less nitrogen excreted into the environment by animals feeding on the ryegrass which could result in less nitrate leaching and lower emissions of another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide.
While New Zealand has not yet approved the release of genetically modified crops, Dr Bryan says it is important that the science keeps our options open, and there is strong scientific evidence on any benefits or risks that policy makers can draw on.
Mackay asks how long could it take before this ryegrass reaches New Zealand.
"Realistically you're looking at another, maybe six years from now," says Bryan.
Listen to the full interview above: