Business

Hivemind crowdfunds affordable bee surveillance technology

New Zealand’s smart hive innovation company, Hivemind, is launching a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to help beekeepers check their hives remotely, and take proactive action to keep their bees safe and happy. The “Hive Strength Monitor with WiFi” campaign aims to develop and commercialise an affordable and accessible WiFi version of Hivemind’s flagship satellite-based Hive Strength Monitor for all beekeepers. It is targeted at responsible beekeepers, commercial pollinators, and honey lovers alike around the world who are committed to keeping all bee colonies happy and strong. Remote bee monitoring saves bees The benefit of the new Hive Strength Monitor with WiFi and Smartphone App is the ability for beekeepers to see from their mobile device that their bees are happy and busy doing what they should be doing – pollination and honey. The system comes with sensors and remote monitoring software that measures bee activity and hive conditions, and alerts beekeepers of changes in, humidity, temperature, and bee numbers. With the hives connected to their own WiFi network, beekeepers can open their Hivemind app to quickly assess the condition and wellbeing of their hives. Large-scale deployments can also install a WiFi hotspot to provide intensive hive monitoring at minimal monthly fees. “Our Hive Strength Monitor can also help beekeepers pick up any early signs of trouble and to act quickly to prevent or minimise both loss of their bees and potential spread of disease,” says Hivemind Director, Berwyn Hoyt. “Any sudden changes in activity or temperature could mean the bees are swarming, or dying off due to disease or hunger, or that the honey from the hives is being robbed by wasps. Hivemind data alerts can allow beekeepers to proactively assess the situation and mitigate any risk to their hives quickly.” After two years in development, the launch of […]

Methane from food production wildcard in combating climate change

By Rob Jordan, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment A major opportunity for avoiding climate change’s worst impacts lies in reducing methane emissions, particularly from food production, according to a pair of new studies. The parallel papers, published in the journals Earth System Science Data and Environmental Research Letters, report that emissions of methane have jumped dramatically in recent years and are approaching an internationally recognised worst-case scenario for greenhouse gas emissions. Unchecked, this increase could see temperatures rise as much as 6 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), speeding sea level rise and more extreme weather. The papers also lay out recommendations for curbing methane emissions in the future, with a focus on food production, which makes up about one third of total man-made emissions. The papers were co-authored by Rob Jackson, chair of Stanford’s Earth System Science Department and head of the Global Carbon Project, which organised the work. The alarming increase in methane draws attention to managing those emissions for climate change mitigation. While most mitigation efforts have focused on carbon dioxide, the more common greenhouse gas, methane’s warming potential is about 28 times greater on a 100-year horizon, and its lifespan in the atmosphere is much shorter. In other words, it can do major damage, but getting it under control could tip the climate change equation relatively rapidly. “Methane presents the best opportunity to slow climate change quickly,” said Jackson. “Carbon dioxide has a longer reach, but methane strikes faster.” Surprising findings The paper’s findings are particularly surprising because methane concentrations were stagnant for years up until a decade ago. And unlike carbon dioxide, the bulk of methane emissions are human-driven. Chief among those, according to the analysis, are agricultural sources such as livestock, which emit methane through bodily functions and manure, and rice fields, which emit […]

Cost of marketing online set to drop for Kiwi food exporters

New Zealand food exporters are expected to benefit from access to a Google platform which makes it easier to compare prices of products according to a local marketing expert. Managing director of Pure SEO Richard Conway says the introduction of the Google Shopping platform to the New Zealand market will allow users to search for products on online shopping websites and compare prices between different retailers – ultimately making it easier to save money. “Kiwis using Google may have already started to find a ‘carousel’ of images of products and their prices at the top of the search results. “What used to be a manual process of opening each site and checking for the correct product and lowest price will now take a fraction of the time,” says Conway. “Most consumers don’t search past the first page of search engine results but this ‘prime real estate’ is often dominated by those businesses with the largest marketing budgets – not necessarily the lowest prices,” he says. Conway says recent research into New Zealand shopping habits found that more than half (53%) of shoppers compared products and pricing online before purchasing. The research also found search engine results were the most popular online source of pre-purchase information with almost four in ten (39%) consumers using them. He says in addition to businesses targeting the domestic market, many New Zealand exporters will also benefit from the introduction of Google Shopping as it makes it more cost effective to reach global markets. “What this will mean for Kiwi businesses is a levelling of the playing field against dominant larger competitors. “As the cost to reach each consumer comes down, those Kiwi businesses which sell direct to consumers will find it easier to compete with the marketing spend of larger players,” he says. Conway cites the […]

Farm environmental awards highlight sustainability

Sustainable farming across the Horizons Region has been highlighted at the Ballance Farm Environmental Awards (BFEAs) this month. The BFEAs are an annual awards programme which recognise and celebrate farm practices that promote sustainable land management in 11 regions throughout the country. Horizons Regional Council sponsors an award at the BFEAs each year as they align well with the Council’s land management goals. “On behalf of Horizons I’d like to congratulate all of the farmers who achieved awards in their respective categories,” says Grant Cooper, Horizons land manager. “As a member of the judging panel I’m always impressed with the standard of applicants. It’s really satisfying to see so many landowners thinking about how they can apply sustainable practices that benefit not only the environment, but also their production.” Horizons councillor Pat Kelly presented the Horizons Regional Council Award for the Integration of Trees on the night. This was won by Ross Collier of Pentwyn Farms, Rangiwaea. “This award recognises a farmer who has planted trees to improve the sustainability of their property and encompasses soil erosion prevention, biodiversity, stock well-being, and aesthetics,” says Cr Kelly. “The judges were impressed with Ross’ awareness of soil types, conservation and erosion risk. His acknowledgement of these possible environmental impacts has lead to an extensive pole planting and riparian fencing programme to protect water quality.” Ross Collier says he considers soil and people to be “the two most important assets” on his farm. “My parents started planting when they moved here not long after I was born and I’ve just carried on. It’s a harsh climate at times but planning ahead, such as planting crops to combat zero winter growth, minimises soil damage and maximises production possibility.” The BFEAs were held on 16 March in Palmerston North and Pongaroa sheep and beef farmers […]

Dairy – The new cream of choice in China

For chefs across China, it’s out with the old mock cream and in with the UHT cream as Fonterra ups capacity to meet growing demand. UHT cream, one of Anchor Food Professionals top selling products, is fast becoming the cream of choice for chefs in China and other parts of the world as they look for a product that has the freshness of pure dairy, won’t over whip and holds its shape for longer. In the picture: Chief Director Anchor Food Professionals China Chef team, Teoh Joo Cheong, using more dairy every day. Fonterra has recently completed a new one litre UHT line at its Waitoa site. However, with continued growth, the Co-operative has already begun construction on a second line which will produce an additional 45 million litres each year for consumers across Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Fonterra Director Global Foodservice, Grant Watson says it’s an exciting time for Fonterra as more people – particularly in China ¬– dine out on Western style cuisines. “People can taste freshness, and that’s what people are developing a preference for, particularly in China where dairy is really starting to take off. What our customers experience when they buy our products is a taste of pure New Zealand dairy – grass-fed and nutritious.” Fonterra grew its combined consumer and foodservice volumes in Greater China by 48 per cent in FY16, a figure Mr Watson says makes Fonterra an industry leader. “Our global foodservice business is growing at three times the rate of the rest of the global foodservice industry, which is testament to the popularity of New Zealand dairy in some of our biggest markets,” Mr Watson says. Fonterra Chief Operating Officer Global Operations Robert Spurway says the two new lines will more than triple the site’s capacity of […]

Alibaba and blockchain technology to drive food safety and quality

Alibaba (Australia) Company Pty. Ltd. will engage PwC firms in New Zealand, Australia and China to provide services and advice relating to Alibaba’s intention to build greater trust in food—right across the supply chain. A memorandum of understanding was signed today setting out Alibaba’s intentions and the involvement of Fonterra and NZ Post. The signing of the agreement took place at a ceremony at PwC Tower in Auckland. The aim of the partnership is to develop a framework to lead food quality and safety standards and provide the basis for improvement in food trust practices and integrity. It is envisaged that this framework will be piloted in Australia and New Zealand and form the basis of a global supply chain model that will be applied across all of Alibaba Group’s markets. The project will enhance traceability models and introduce new technologies to stop the production of counterfeit and fraudulent food products. This will include the development of a pilot blockchain technologies solution model to be used by participants across the supply chain. Blockchain technologies, often referred to as the “internet of trust”, were originally developed to publicly and irrefutably track the transfer of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. These technologies authenticate, verify, permanently record and provide ongoing reporting in relation to the transfer of ownership and providence of goods, and are now finding much wider application in many different industries. Speaking at the signing of the ceremony, Maggie Zhou, Managing Director of Alibaba Group Australia and New Zealand, said: “Food safety and quality is a serious global issue that not only costs the food industry billions every year, but puts consumers’ health at risk. The signing of today’s memorandum is the first step in creating a globally respected framework that protects the reputation of food merchants and gives consumers further confidence to […]

Vitafoods Asia, Singapore 5-6 September 2017

Vitafoods Asia 5 – 6 September 2017 Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore www.vitafoodsasia.com Vitafoods Asia, now in its seventh year moves to Singapore to further broaden its appeal within the Asia Pacific region and worldwide. Singapore is actively positioning itself as the food hub of Asia and it has increasingly becoming the regional hub of R&D centres. 80% of the world’s top food manufacturers have a presence in Singapore. This global exhibition and conference is the platform for the nutraceutical industry to meet and do business in Asia. It is the only dedicated event for the growing nutraceutical, functional food & beverages, and dietary supplement market in Asia and brings together the entire nutraceutical supply chain: Ingredients & Raw Materials, Finished Products, Contract Manufacturing & Private Label and Services & Equipment. Vitafoods Asia attracts 3000+ industry professionals and 200+ global suppliers from 40+ countries to build profitable relationships in the region; plus a wide range of free visitor attractions to enrich your experience by seeing the latest innovations; gaining knowledge and meeting new and existing business partners representing all sectors of the nutraceutical industry in the region. Vitafoods Asia has been rated the ideal platform to explore new product ideas and develop new business. If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact us: Lisa Tan Marketing Manager – Vitafoods Asia T: +65 6411 7723 | E: lisa.tan@informa.com LinkedIn Vitafoods Asia, Facebook @vitafoodsasia, Twitter @VitafoodsAsia

Pressure Mounts on Parliament to Support GM Free Growing Regions

A group of exporters and growers from Pure Hawke’s Bay used the “Taniwha Dragon” summit as an opportunity to promote the economic benefits of keeping Hawke’s Bay GMO Free. Speaking at the summit, one of Hawke’s Bay’s largest growers and exporters, John Bostock spoke about positioning Hawke’s Bay produce at the premium end of the market place. “Quality branded premium products are Hawke’s Bay’s future. The government aims to double exports by 2025, but we will never do it by producing more low end commodities. We must sell at the top end,” said Mr Bostock. “GMOs have no place in that mix and are associated with low end commodities such as soya and feed maize. We are very lucky that we have not released any GMOs into the outdoor production system and we need to keep it that way.” In a speech to ministers Mr Bostock said he had just been in Europe at the world’s largest fresh produce trade show. “I have just got off a plane from Europe, but while I was there speaking to customers, it’s clear that anyone working in the market place knows that GMOs have no future for us. I have been talking to EDEKA, the largest retailer in Europe with 12,000 stores. They were stridently clear and told me anyone who gets involved with GMOs will not be allowed to supply EDEKA.” In a recent campaign launched by Pure Hawke’s Bay, GM Free growing regions are calling on the Māori Party not to support the environment minister’s bid to prevent Hawke’s Bay from protecting its GM Free growing status. GM Free Growing regions in Hastings District, Far North, Whangarei and Auckland are all under threat if the Māori Party backs National on this. The changes Environment Minister, Hon. Nick Smith wants to introduce […]

Notice of date for FY17 interim results

Synlait (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1) will announce their Interim Results for the financial year ending 31 July 2017 (FY17) on 29 March 2017. An investor relations schedule, with key dates for the current financial year, can be found online at www.synlait.com/investors/key-dates.

GMP Dairy to develop Chinese market further

The current dairy business climate is both challenging and promising, because regulations on infant formula are still very sticky and unclear. However, Evergrande Group’s investment into GMP Dairy Limited’s business has given the company more opportunities. Evergrande Dairy chairman Mr Xu Wen has mentioned before the group, which had turnover this year of 131.5 billion Chinese Yuan and has 475 billion Chinese Yuan in assets, was attracted to invest in New Zealand because of its strong reputation for food safety. Evergrande has a large team in China to provide innovative marketing and distributing strategies, which has given GMP Dairy Limited more confidence in developing the China market further. On the 12th of June, 2015, GMP introduced their premium infant formula brand, Opobaby, at the Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall. Economic Development Minister Hon Steven Joyce, MP Jami-Lee Ross, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in NZ Mr Zhang Fan, along with Evergrande Dairy Chairman Mr Xu Wen officially launched Cowala Superpremium Opobaby Infant Formula. Evergrande Group is a massive Chinese conglomerate, which started out in real estate and has diversified into a range of other businesses including fast moving consumer goods. In October, Evergrande launched its infant formula brand Cowala in China where it made its first appearance in a Chinese Super League football match when the successful Guangzhou Evergrande team, part-owned by Alibaba boss Jack Ma, wore Cowala baby formula-branded shirts. The team officially launched the new Opobaby brand in China after a match late last month. A unique competitive point of difference for Cowala Infant Formula is the world-first patented traceability technology on the cans that allows consumers to use their smartphones to scan a barcode telling them the milk powder’s history. There is even an x-ray picture of the contents. Further research and development have […]

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