Agriculture

Farmers now able to estimate how much carbon their tree blocks

New Zealand farmers can now estimate how much carbon their tree blocks are sequestering thanks to a new addition to OverseerFM. The carbon stock tool in OverseerFM uses data from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Carbon Look-up Tables to estimate the carbon sequestration potential for existing and future tree blocks on a farm. The new tool adds to OverseerFM’s existing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis tool, which models the farm’s biological emissions (methane, nitrous oxide) and carbon dioxide as well as product footprint. “Farmers, rural professionals and the sector have told us they want a tool to help them make more informed decisions around the potential carbon sequestration impact of planting tree blocks on farm,” says Caroline Read, chief executive of Overseer. “The new feature provides an easy way of understanding the positive environmental impact of tree blocks and better representation of their farm systems. “The carbon stock tool is a valuable addition to our OverseerFM GHG emissions analysis suite, whichenables farmers to test different management approaches to reduce emissions on their farm and ton increase their farm sustainability. “The unique capability of OverseerFM enables a holistic approach to farm environment planning inthat you can see the impact on Nitrogen, Phosphorus and GHG at the same time and avoid pollution swapping.” Overseer is also working with Scion to understand if different forest management practices will havea material impact on carbon stocks, she says. “The addition of this tool represents the next step in our strategy to partner with the farming community and enable New Zealand farms to be more environmentally and economically sustainable. “Our software provides farmers and their advisors with better information about nutrient management so they can make better decisions to lift environmental performance. “Using OverseerFM means farmers can understand what they are emitting into the environment and […]

Robust science and partnerships crucial for freshwater

DairyNZ’s submission on the proposed Essential Freshwater package identifies the solutions needed to deliver lasting improvements for water quality and ecosystem health in New Zealand, while protecting our economy. Healthy and swimmable waterways are important to all New Zealanders, including dairy farmers, who share the same aspirations to protect our rivers, lakes and wetlands. “DairyNZ supports targeted efforts to halt further degradation of our freshwater resources, together with improved farming practices which we know will lead to meaningful outcomes,” said DairyNZ strategy and investment leader, Dr David Burger. “Under the Essential Freshwater proposal, there are policies we do and don’t support. Those we don’t support are due to a lack of robust supporting science linking the proposed policy to water quality outcomes, and we believe there are better ways to achieve similar results. “Our economic impact analysis indicates these policies we don’t support could have a very significant impact on New Zealand’s GDP and export income. Addressing New Zealand’s water quality challenges also requires a collaborative approach that goes beyond simply focusing on nutrients such as nitrogen. “We are also concerned that the Essential Freshwater package is not underpinned by a comprehensive economic assessment of impacts on the dairy sector or the broader economy, given dairy makes up nearly one-third of New Zealand’s exported goods and provides 46,000 jobs.” DairyNZ is proposing an alternative to manage ecosystem health, based on strengthening existing standards for nitrogen toxicity to further protect sensitive indigenous species. “Our current scientific understanding and economic modelling indicates this is a more pragmatic way to achieve similar environmental outcomes at less cost to the economy and communities,” said Dr Burger. “The Government and dairy farmers can work together to deliver lasting water quality gains at a more rapid pace, and at significantly less socio-economic cost than some of the current proposals.” Dr Burger said their organisation’s submission spans key elements which will deliver for freshwater – in particular, ensuring changes are based on robust science and partnerships across government, industry and community, and will deliver enduring outcomes. “We all have a shared vision. As […]

Bipartisan support for Zero Carbon Bill gives farmers certainty

DairyNZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle is welcoming todays bipartisan support of the Zero Carbon Bill as a positive step forward for New Zealand farmers. “We are pleased that the Zero Carbon Bill has managed to achieve a degree of bipartisan support that will give farmers certainty into the future” Dr Mackle said. “All the key elements of the Bill, including the establishment of a Climate Change Commission, a split gas approach for methane and the creation of carbon budgets have strong bipartisan support – and the support of the agricultural sector. “Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the methane reduction targets. “DairyNZ remain firmly opposed to the Governments methane reduction range of 24 – 47% as we believe it is out of step with what science requires and rural economies can sustain. “This is not a scientific target, but a political one” Dr Mackle added. “We are encouraged that Minister Shaw has indicated he is considering sending the methane target to the Commission to receive independent advice. DairyNZ very much welcomes this. “It is important this is done quickly. The Commission is asked to recommend the first three carbon budgets, out to 2035, by early 2022. We need clarity on the methane target before this is done. “DairyNZ has confidence that the Zero Carbon Bill puts in place the right institutional arrangements to eventually deliver a fair methane reduction target for farmers. “We will be working with the Government and other sector bodies to ensure this happens. “Farmers have never been afraid of the facts. They simply want a methane target that is fair and firmly grounded in the best available science, applied in a New Zealand context” Dr Mackle concluded.

High-value wool innovation takes out top export awards

A Canterbury business creating a high-value, top-dollar future for merino wool has won the Supreme Award at the New Zealand International Business Awards 2019. Based in Christchurch, The New Zealand Merino Company Limited is an integrated sales, marketing and innovation company for merino wool, and the world’s leading supplier of ethical wool through its accreditation brand, ZQ Merino. The company aims to help transform merino wool from a commodity into a high-value fibre, working with brands to create unique design-led and R&D-based products that incorporate merino wool, and in turn helping growers to get better returns. Its partnerships include local and global brands ranging from Icebreaker, Allbirds, Mons Royale, Rodd & Gunn and Untouched World to Hugo Boss, Fjallraven and Helly Hansen. As well as apparel, they have also teamed up for novel products such as US boardmaker Firewire’s Woolight composite surfboard. Judges were impressed with how the New Zealand Merino Company Limited had worked to help shift the entire local merino industry from volume to value, investing in a design-led approach over multiple years and also helping many of their partner brands and suppliers to adopt design thinking approaches. The New Zealand Merino Company Limited won the Excellence in Design award earlier in the night, before being chosen from all category winners to receive the Supreme Award. They were also highly commended in the Excellence in Innovation and ANZ Best Large Business categories. This marks the awards’ second year running with a Canterbury business taking top honours, following a win for geological software business Seequent in 2018. The New Zealand Merino Company Limited were included in the awards process after winning a Westpac Champion Canterbury Award – one of six regional export award programmes that feed through to the New Zealand International Business Awards via a partnership with ExportNZ. […]

Applications open for 2020 Meat Industry Scholarships

Students considering a future career in New Zealand’s largest manufacturing sector are encouraged to apply for the Meat Industry Scholarships 2020 programme. Applications are now open for the awards, run by the Meat Industry Association (MIA). Six undergraduate scholarships providing $5,000 a year for each year of study and four post-graduate awards of $10,000 a year for each year of study are awarded to the successful applicants. MIA Chief Executive Tim Ritchie said the awards are aimed at scholars who are looking to contribute their skills to the sector in the future. “We welcome applications from across a wide range of fields of study, which applicants can show are relevant to meat processing, marketing or exporting. That includes food sciences and engineering, environmental science, international marketing, process design and industrial innovation. “The main purpose of the scholarship is to provide a pathway for undergraduate or graduate students into the New Zealand meat processing industry. Our scholars may also have the opportunity of part time or vacation work in the meat industry.” The meat processing sector directly employs some 25,000 people, mainly in regional New Zealand. It is also one of the biggest trainers of New Zealand workers, with approximately 4,500 people undergoing NZQA accredited courses annually. “Attracting skilled people and supporting their development is essential to the success of the industry,” said Mr Ritchie. “In turn, that is critical to the prosperity and wealth of the country. The sector is New Zealand’s second largest goods exporter and our largest manufacturing industry.” The meat industry is also investing in training systems to upskill workers, apprenticeship schemes and schools programmes. “The industry provides significant opportunities for young people in a wide range of areas. It is a productive, innovative and progressive environment, offering competitive salaries and strong career pathways.” MIA scholar Sam […]

DairyNZ welcomes immigration changes

DairyNZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle has welcomed the announcement that the Government will be streamlining the employer assisted work visa process to help businesses and farms fill skills shortages. “A clear and consistent message we are getting from our farmers is that they are struggling to get good staff on farm. Filling skill shortages is of critical importance to our agricultural sector” Dr Mackle said. “DairyNZ have engaged constructively with the Government in the consultation around these changes and are pleased with the outcome. We support most of the changes, which will make it easier for our farmers, especially those in the regions, to access much needed staff. “We will now work with dairy farmers to ensure they understand what these changes will mean for them from 2021 when the policy comes into place, and also what it might mean in the period before then. “Our existing migrant employees are both highly valued and much needed on farm, so we will be making enquiries with the government to get clarity about what this might mean for them in the interim. “DairyNZ will continue to focus on attracting and retaining New Zealanders into the agricultural sector. We look forward to continuing to work with Immigration NZ to help shape the policy detail to ensure it works for farmers” Dr Mackle concluded.

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Meat Industry Association welcomes Government sector agreement announcement

The Meat Industry Association today welcomed the announcement that the meat processing sector has been invited to negotiate with the Government for one of the first sector agreements for immigration. “Labour shortages have been an ongoing issue for the meat processing sector, which affect our ability to run our plants to the desired capacity and fully process all products,” says MIA chief executive Tim Ritchie. “That deprives processors and farmers of revenue and rural communities of income.” The sector is committed to training and employing New Zealanders first and foremost and works closely with the Ministry of Social Development and regional agencies to recruit people from local communities to work in plants. “However, we still struggle to fill roles from New Zealand’s rural communities and the meat processing sector is approximately 2,000 employees short at present, that’s about eight per cent of our workforce. To fill this immediate gap, we must recruit people from overseas.” A sector agreement is likely to include how the meat industry will attract New Zealanders, improve productivity, offer training and continue to uphold employment standards, said Mr Ritchie. “The meat processing sector, with 25,000 people, is New Zealand’s largest food manufacturer, offering modern technology, training, career progression and competitive wages.” The sector is looking forward to sector agreement negotiations with the Government to deliver benefits to the sector, the regions and ultimately, to all New Zealanders, said Mr Ritchie. “Meat processors are mainly based in the regions, so residential accommodation is available for people coming from overseas. Enabling meat processors to operate at full capacity for the season will provide additional money to the communities in which they operate.” Employing people from overseas is typically more expensive than employing New Zealanders with additional costs including visa support, travel and pastoral care, he said. “The MIA […]

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Japan number one market for New Zealand chilled beef

Japan is now New Zealand’s number one market for chilled beef driven by tariff cuts under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). However the gains may be eroded following a US-Japan agreement, according to the Meat Industry Association. In the eight months up until the end of August 2019, NZ beef exports to Japan have increased 22% and 15% by value. In August alone, New Zealand dispatched 679 tonnes of chilled beef to Japan, 26% of the total and a 19% increase compared to August 2018. Sirma Karapeeva, Trade and Economic Manager at the Meat Industry Association, says since the CPTPP came in effect in December last year, overall beef exports to Japan have increased 22% by volume and 15% by value. “So far, we have seen two rounds of tariff cuts on beef into Japan. Pre-CPTPP, our beef exports faced a 38.5% tariff that has now been reduced to 26.6% and will continue to decrease to 9% over the next 15 years. “Effectively, the CPTPP has already saved around $14 million in tariff costs on New Zealand beef exports into Japan.” Prior to CPTPP, New Zealand’s beef market share had been dropping. Across the Tasman, Australia’s 2015 trade agreement with Japan saw its beef exports to Japan soar by $NZ1 billion, while New Zealand’s fell by $NZ25 million. “Under the CPTPP we have now achieved parity with Australia in the market and we are already seeing a rebalance of market share as New Zealand beef has become more competitive.” However, the announcement of a US/Japan trade deal is a cause for concern, says Ms Karapeeva. “Despite the US not being part of the CPTPP and their beef exports to Japan attracting a 38.5% tariff, US exports remain strong. “We are keeping a close eye on the […]

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Robotics Plus wins ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award

Robotics Plus, a world-leading robotics and automation company developing innovation to unlock new levels of productivity in some of the world’s most labour-intensive food and fibre value chains, has won an ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award. The awards celebrate innovation, growth and impact of emerging businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Robotics Plus was founded in 2013 by Steve Saunders and Dr Alistair Scarfe with a simple goal in mind: to improving the quality, productivity and sustainability of the horticultural and other primary industry supply chains. The company’s R&D efforts focus on automation, vision, robotics and AI, to solve the growing challenges in the primary industry globally such as: labour shortages, sustainability for growers and producers, pollination gaps and yield security. Steve Saunders, Chairman and Founder of Robotics Plus, says: “It’s an absolute honour for the team to receive an ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award. It is validation of the hard work of a lot of people over a number of years and celebrates our innovation, culture and diversity. “Receiving such a prestigious award provides a valuable opportunity to showcase Robotics Plus to the world. We would like to recognise our fantastic partners and collaborators in the commercial, research and Government sectors, without them this would not be possible.” Robotics Plus CEO Dr Matt Glenn says the company is experiencing strong growth on the back of increasing demand for its world-first platform technologies. “Over the last 18 months Robotics Plus has launched two commercial products, entered the US and European markets, completed a US$10M Series A investment with Yamaha Motor Company and grown from a team of 12 to over 50. We also have a number of new products in the pipeline and expect our growth to continue at the same rate for the foreseeable future. “We’ve been able to […]

Climate explained: regenerative farming can help grow food with less impact

Troy Baisden Professor and Chair in Lake and Freshwater Sciences, University of Waikato Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz I would like to know to what extent regenerative agriculture practices could play a role in reducing carbon emissions and producing food, including meat, in the future. From what I have read it seems to offer much, but I am curious about how much difference it would make if all our farmers moved to this kind of land management practice. Or even most of them. – a question from Virginia To identify and quantify the potential of regenerative agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we first must define what it means. If regenerative practices maintain or improve production, and reduce wasteful losses on the farm, then the answer tends to be yes. But to what degree is it better, and can we verify this yet? Let’s first define how regenerative farming differs from other ways of farming. For example, North Americans listening to environmentally conscious media would be likely to define most of New Zealand pastoral agriculture systems as regenerative, when compared to the tilled fields of crops they see across most of their continent. If milk and meat-producing animals are not farmed on pasture, farmers must grow grains to feed them and transport the fodder to the animals, often over long distances. It’s hard to miss that the transport is inefficient, but easier to miss that nutrients excreted by the animals as manure or urine can’t go back to the land that fed them. Healthy soils Returning nutrients to the land really matters because these build up soil and grow […]

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