Analysis

Alliance Group acquires stake in India partner

Alliance Group has acquired a stake in its India partner QualityNZ as it looks to capture more value from the world’s second most populous nation. The 100 per cent farmer-owned co-operative has purchased 10.4 per cent of QualityNZ, which supplies New Zealand’s products such as red meat, seafood and wine to India. QualityNZ’s other shareholders include New Zealand cricketing legends Sir Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum. “This investment in QualityNZ is consistent with the co-operative’s strategy of moving up the value chain and having an in-market presence in key regions,” said Alliance Group chief executive David Surveyor. “India’s fast-growing middle and upper classes have a real appetite for New Zealand lamb and value the Pure South story of grass-fed red meat produced naturally. “We are targeting the higher socio-economic category, which is represented by more than 200 million people. It is estimated this number is expected to grow strongly within the next decade and India is forecast to soon exceed China’s GDP.” The investment in QualityNZ will ensure Alliance Group is closer to its customers and can better understand their needs and expectations, said Mr Surveyor. “This will provide us with deeper connections to this important market and lift Alliance’s visibility and engagement across all steps of the supply chain. “It will also enable Alliance to effectively get in on the ‘ground floor’ of a country which one day will be the next China. For us, this is an investment for the long-term. As a co-operative, we can take an inter-generational view of investments for the benefit of our farmers. “We are looking forward to bringing our capabilities in sales and marketing and food processing to support the growth of QualityNZ. “Alliance’s world-class reputation for producing the highest quality red meat, combined with QualityNZ’s expertise and […]

Flooding impact severe for 100-plus Southland-South Otago dairy farms

With swollen rivers still rising in some areas, DairyNZ reports that more than 100 dairy farms in Southland and South Otago are being severely impacted by the extensive flooding in the region. While the scale of damage is unknown at this time, DairyNZ’s South Island manager, Tony Finch, says these farms are either under water or cut off with access roads flooded. “We’re in phone contact with many of the farmers. It’s a dire situation for many right now. Their key focus is to get their people and their animals to safety,” he says. “Farmers and their teams are moving their cows to higher ground where they can, and we know of some who have been able to relocate their herd to their neighbour’s farm out of the danger zone.” While flooding ravages Southland-South Otago, dairy farmers in other parts of the country, in particular Northland, are facing drought conditions. Dairy farms in the Southland-South Otago Oreti, Aparima and Clutha river catchments are the most severely impacted with the flooding and many areas are now also without power. With access to the farms cut off, dairy companies are not able to get tankers in to collect milk, which means many farmers will need to dispose of the uncollected milk. “Added to this, the flooding has impacted effluent management systems on many of the farms so farmers now also face the challenge of how to dispose of this in the best way,” says Mr Finch. Farmers in the affected regions are working together to accommodate animals on any dry land there is. “We’re also talking with farmers where the milk tankers can reach them, and many are sharing their milking sheds with neighbours who’re flooded.” As well as farmers helping each other, Mr Finch says impacted farmers can contact DairyNZ for […]

The advantages of cold aseptic filling

By Matt Hale, Sales & Marketing Director, HRS Heat Exchangers In recent years, aseptic technology has become well established in the food and drink sector as a filling technique. Yet some businesses are still unaware of its benefits or do not believe that it can be used with their products. As consumers have become more health conscious, the demand for food and drink products without preservatives has increased. However, traditional methods combining sterilisation with hot filling have not been suitable for products which are increasingly sold on their ‘fresh’ and ‘natural’ characteristics, due to the effect on product quality. In most cases, hot filling sterilises the container as the product (which is still hot from cooking or sterilising) is filled. However, the temperatures required often have unwanted effects on the quality of the product, and the heat imposes restrictions on the type of container which can be used: for example, hot filling of lightweight plastic drinks bottles can lead to distortion of the plastic. Consequently, cold aseptic filling has become a common technique with drinks manufacturers for products including UHT milk, fruit juices, and sports and energy drinks. Its flexibility means that it is suitable for a wide range of products from fresh fruit dices and purees to marinades and dairy products. This diversity has also seen the development of a wide range of fillers and packaging types, from pouches and lidded trays through to bulk bags and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs). Aseptic filling systems generally combine a number of elements into a single integrated production line. This integrated approach helps to ensure microbiological safety throughout the process from initial treatment through to the sealing of the finished product. The steps included in an integrated aseptic filling line (such as the HRS Asepticblock) typically include: Thermal treatment Although in theory […]

Dairy farmers go bananas

Northland dairy farmer Graeme Edwards with his banana plantation one year on from planting. The expression ‘you’re driving me bananas’ has nothing to do with being frustrated or driven crazy for some forward-thinking Northland dairy farmers. Rather, they find the idea of bananas – or banana plants, to be specific – pretty appealing, either planted in stock excluded riparian zones between waterways and the fence, or plantation-style on the farm where they can be grown for harvest, or for fodder for their cows. Graeme Edwards and Alec Jack are two of the Northland dairy farmers putting bananas to the test to see whether the plant can utilise dairy effluent. While the trials are informal at present, and very much in the early days, DairyNZ’s land and water management specialist Dr Electra Kalaugher says banana plants have potential for ‘mopping up’ nutrients in largely frost-free regions like Northland. “Dairy farmers are always looking to step more lightly on the land, and they’re enthusiastic and innovative in seeking solutions. “The banana plant’s appetite for nitrogen and potassium is well-known in traditional banana growing countries. We’re very keen to see how these plantings progress.” She adds that harvested fruit might eventually make for an additional revenue stream for some farmers, and the banana plant foliage may also provide another source of supplementary feed that is palatable to cows. Mr Edwards, who has farmed for nearly 40 years at Pakotai, just off SH 15 on the way from Whangarei to Kaikohe, planted 70 Misi Luki bananas a year ago. Already some of the plants are over two metres tall. This variety is especially disease resistant, grows to between three and four metres tall, producing a smaller fruit that is reported to be particularly tasty. “We are now looking for some funding and expert assistance […]

Milk from NZ dairy cows: sustainable, nutrient-dense, tasty too

By Dr Tim Mackle Chief Executive, DairyNZ As Kiwi families and friends sit down at the table this summer and plan picnics at the beach, they can be confident the dairy products from our New Zealand cows are both highly sustainable and one of the best sources of human nutrition on the planet. When deciding what food to eat, I’m a firm believer people need accurate, science-based information grounded in the New Zealand context, and aimed at ensuring we know what’s healthy – and sustainable. To mark the holidays when most of us will be celebrating with delicious food, I’m plating up some of the wealth of evidence being offered independently by scientists that New Zealand cows’ milk is both highly sustainable and nutritious – and, of course, makes for some tasty tucker too. My intent is to help you with informed decision-making about what to eat that’s best for human health and wellbeing, as well as what’s best for the planet – and equip anyone wishing to get involved in conversation about food and the environment. New Zealand is already world-leading in sustainable nutrient-dense dairy products. As identified by the International Dairy Federation New Zealand Committee, if all dairy producers were as efficient as we are, more than half the global emissions from dairy production could be eliminated. The sustainability and nutritional value of the food we’re eating is on the minds of many people, an ongoing topic of conversation on social media feeds, and hitting the headlines in mainstream media. Among recent coverage are in depth articles in two notable New Zealand magazines – North & South (December 2019) and NZ Listener (October 5-11 2019). With due recognition of these publications, their writers and the food scientists they interviewed – and to avoid any risk of the more […]

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcome sector-wide vision

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcome today’s launch of a shared sector-wide vision to be world leaders in the sustainable production of high-quality food and fibre. “We are supportive of the Primary Sector Council’s broad vision of having a coordinated approach across sectors and Government that will help us develop our international brand and deliver more value for farmers,” Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Chair Andrew Morrison said. “New Zealand farmers are constantly having to adapt to shifting consumer demands in order to compete internationally and achieve a premium in the global marketplace. Increasingly consumers are asking for assurances that the product is both sustainably and ethically produced. “We believe that our farmers are already world leaders when it comes to the production of high-quality, pasture-based products with a low environmental impact – but that doesn’t mean we can get complacent. We are always striving to improve” DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel added. “Sustainable farming has a critical role to play in New Zealand’s future prosperity and wellbeing. If we all work together to embrace change, adapt and thrive, Kiwi farmers have a bright future ahead. The Primary Sector Council’s vision – Fit for a Better World – aligns with work that is already underway from both DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand in the form of both Dairy Tomorrow and Taste Pure Nature. Dairy Tomorrow is our dairy sector strategy to ensure dairy farming is sustainable and profitable into the future. It includes six key commitments: • We will protect and nurture the environment for future generations; • We will build the world’s most competitive and resilient dairy farming businesses; • We will produce the highest quality and most valued dairy nutrition; • We will be world leading in on-farm animal care; • We will […]

Record export highs picked for primary sector

Sustained high growth in primary industry exports looks set to continue over the next two years with strong prices predicted for farmers, fishers, growers and rural communities. Minister of Agriculture and Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor today released the latest Situation and Outlook report for the Primary Industries. “This latest report shows record results, with revenue up 3.3 per cent on the previous year, forecast to reach a record $47. 9 billion for the year to June 2020. “Our horticulture sector is set to become the third largest primary sector industry by value, overtaking forestry. Kiwifruit exports alone are expected to rise by 8.6 per cent to $2.5 billon,’’ he said. The news is good for other sectors: Meat and wool exports are forecast to reach $10.4b for the year ending June 2020 – 2.5 per cent higher than the previous year. Dairy export revenue forecast to rise 8.4 per cent to $19.6b. A faster recovery in log export prices than expected last quarter has resulted in the forestry forecast being revised upwards of $190m. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash says a significant milestone has been reached for the seafood sector. “It’s a fantastic vote of confidence to see that annual seafood export earnings are expected to pass $2 billion for the first time. The growth in this industry is underpinned by an increase in export prices and rising aquaculture production. “It’s really encouraging to see sustained growth within the seafood sector, with squid and salmon helping lead the way.” During a time of change in the primary sectors, Mr O’Connor said the positive outlook was a testament to each and every person working in the sector. “Our nation’s farmers and growers produce some of the highest quality food and fibre in the world – and […]

Helping Nutripeople combat global hunger and food waste crises

It’s an uncomfortable truth that while a third of the world’s food is wasted, one in nine people do not have enough to eat. In a bid to redress this balance, a socially conscious Spanish food producer is turning Europe’s surplus fruit and vegetables into a nutritionally enriched, easy-to-digest and 100% natural foodstuff for people in need. Thanks to equipment and support from HRS Heat Exchangers, Nutripeople can now produce 42 million pouches of its products each year, helping those in developing countries to avoid hunger and malnutrition. An alternative approach to food waste Anyone associated with the food industry is aware of the global food waste crisis. Latest figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) show that approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted every year – roughly one-third of all the food produced for human consumption. At the same time, 795 million people across the world do not have enough to eat, with those in developing countries being the most vulnerable. Established in 2015 as a social enterprise, Nutripeople has formed alliances with some of Spain’s leading fruit and vegetable producers to turn their surplus produce into a new foodstuff with a high nutritional value, thanks to the addition of natural additives such as vegetable proteins and vitamins. Its target customers are global organisations fighting hunger such as UNICEF and Oxfam, as well as food banks closer to home. A percentage of each sale also goes directly to social projects or NGOs dedicated to feeding those most in need. In addition to the social benefits, the project also aids the circular economy. It takes on average 963 litres of water to produce one kilogram of fruit, not to mention the associated labour and transport costs and carbon emissions. Recovering this […]

DairyNZ to Te Papa: We’re not mad, we’re just disappointed

“It’s incredibly disappointing to see our national museum Te Papa reinforcing an overly simplistic anti-farming narrative that negatively impacts the public’s perception of New Zealand farmers and the dairy sector” DairyNZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle says. “The water in their display is not reflective of what your average farm stream in NZ would look like. If you don’t believe me, you just need to look at the countless videos and pictures farmers have posted to social media to correct the perception. “Farmers were right in demanding to know when and where this water was taken from. Te Papa have since confessed that the water wasn’t actually from a farm at all but was made up in a back room using brown dye. “It’s not just about the quality of the water in the bottle either” Dr Mackle added. “The imagery on the bottle of a cow standing in water defecating is highly deceptive and entirely out of step with the reality of dairy farming in New Zealand today where we are proud to have fenced off 98.3% of waterways in recent years. “Farmers who have done the right thing and voluntarily invested their time and their money to fence off waterways and plant riparian strips deserve better than this from their national museum. “Dairy farmers have fenced over 24,744km of waterways. Under the Sustainable Dairy Water Accord New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved some fantastic results: 98.3% of waterways have been fenced on dairy farms to keep cattle out, 100% of stock crossing points have bridges and culverts and 100% of farms have been assessed for effluent management practices. “The situation is all the more disappointing because it was only last week that we hosted our 7th annual Dairy Environment Leaders Forum dinner at Te Papa to celebrate the […]

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcome sector-wide vision

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcomes the launch of a shared sector-wide vision to be world leaders in the sustainable production of high-quality food and fibre. “We are supportive of the Primary Sector Council’s broad vision of having a coordinated approach across sectors and Government that will help us develop our international brand and deliver more value for farmers,” Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Chair Andrew Morrison said. “New Zealand farmers are constantly having to adapt to shifting consumer demands in order to compete internationally and achieve a premium in the global marketplace. Increasingly consumers are asking for assurances that the product is both sustainably and ethically produced. “We believe that our farmers are already world leaders when it comes to the production of high-quality, pasture-based products with a low environmental impact – but that doesn’t mean we can get complacent. We are always striving to improve” DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel added. “Sustainable farming has a critical role to play in New Zealand’s future prosperity and wellbeing. If we all work together to embrace change, adapt and thrive, Kiwi farmers have a bright future ahead. The Primary Sector Council’s vision – Fit for a Better World – aligns with work that is already underway from both DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand in the form of both Dairy Tomorrow and Taste Pure Nature. Dairy Tomorrow is our dairy sector strategy to ensure dairy farming is sustainable and profitable into the future. It includes six key commitments: • We will protect and nurture the environment for future generations; • We will build the world’s most competitive and resilient dairy farming businesses; • We will produce the highest quality and most valued dairy nutrition; • We will be world leading in on-farm animal care; • We will […]

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