Business

Measuring the benefits of cover crops in maize

Globally there is increasing interest and research in cover crops within cropping systems. The questions New Zealand growers are asking are, ‘what benefits can they bring to our systems and how can they be practically managed’?’ Allister Holmes, FAR’s Waikato based Research and Extension Manager, says weed suppression, improved soil health and reduced erosion, nitrogen fixation, improved biodiversity and the ability to provide in situ or cut and carry animal feed are just some of the reported benefits associated with the use of cover crops. However, he says, more work is required in order to understand how any effects, either positive or negative, can be managed in individual farm systems. “Recently FAR have increased their research into cover crops, focussing on their integration with maize systems. Much of this research has been based at FAR’s Northern Crop Research Site (NCRS) at Tamahere in Waikato, where currently six cover crop trials are underway. These trials are investigating issues such weed suppression, growth and development patterns, growing cover crops under maize, intercropping, establishment techniques and the impact of cover crops on following crops.” Cover crops and weed suppression Assessing different cover crops and their weed suppressive abilities. The trial, which is looking at faba beans, gland clover, oats and annual ryegrass, builds on a trial from last season, investigating a range of pre- and post-emergent herbicides and whether the weed control provided by cover crops could be used to reduce herbicide applications. The cover crops were sown in early winter and maize will be over sown in spring, before harvest assessments are carried out in autumn. Trevor James and Mike Trolove from AgResearch’s Farm Systems are undertaking this work. Growth and development patterns Observing growth and development patterns of a range of cover crop species were sown with two sowing dates, and […]

How to get Asia-savvy

Want to break into an Asian market? New Zealand businesses need to think big but start small and get “Asian-savvy”, an expert in Asian business networks says. And that will take a shift in mind-set among some of our businesses as well as serious investment in upskilling. Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart, the new director of the New Zealand Asia Institute, says New Zealand is “behind the curve” in developing a workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in Asian markets. “We’ve increased sales to the region, but we can’t rely on the low-hanging fruit to grow in the longer term,” she says. She says the $34.5 million government funding announced in June to set up new Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence is welcome but overdue. “Australia is way ahead educating for Asia engagement, and even Singapore – which is squarely in and of the region – has recognised since the 1980s that it needs to actively develop the skills and mind-sets for expanding in the region. It won’t happen automatically.” Professor Hamilton-Hart has previously held positions at the National University of Singapore and the Australian National University. She introduced the Asia Savvy Conference at the University of Auckland Business School on Saturday 27 August. The conference, in its sixth year, is student-driven and supported by the institute. Speakers shared their experiences of doing business in Asia, emerging market trends and opportunities for New Zealand entrepreneurs. Being Asia-savvy not only helps entering a market, it means you’re less likely to be blindsided by predictable events, Professor Hamilton-Hart says. Her advice to businesses wanting to take on an Asian market: • Really get to grips with your market. Beyond standard market research, businesses need to understand the wider culture and politics at play. • Share stories of failure as well success. “There […]

Materials Handling & Logistic Show to run alongside Foodtech Packtech

With less than 8 weeks to go the countdown has begun for this year’s largest combined trade only industry event – the Materials Handling & Logistics Expo (MHL) running alongside Foodtech Packtech (FTPT). Event organisers, XPO Exhibitions have already confirmed in excess of 200 exhibiting companies across both shows and are expecting thousands of industry attendees across the three days. This is a unique industry opportunity to view latest products and cutting edge technologies across food & beverage manufacturing, food and industrial packaging as well as materials handling and logistics solutions. This year’s Materials Handling and Logistics Show already has 50 exhibiting companies – a number that’s well up on the previous event in 2013. We’ve had a great deal of interest from forklift providers right through to 3PL providers. “MHL is under new management and back alongside FTPT where it all began more than 10 years ago. Food specific materials handling and logistics solutions have always been popular exhibitor features within FTPT so the formal alignment of MHL is simply helping the combined show grow. The materials handling and logistics side of things completes our ‘New Zealand pasture (or sea) to plate’ capability story which is so important to realise our export market potential.” Says Tony Waite Events Director of XPO. “Now we’ve got MHL onboard we’ll also be cross referencing our database of close to 300,000 industry professionals registered for other successful trade shows we run – to send out relevant invites to a wide variety of industry interested in materials handling and logistics solutions. “Examples will include general engineering and manufacturing, homewares importers, retail and even the construction industry – anyone storing, moving or distributing good in New Zealand or internationally.” The organisers are quick to point out that Foodtech Packtech itself has grown a great deal […]

Careful whom you employ

Rural Contractors New Zealand – the only national association and the leading advocate for rural contractors in New Zealand – is urging farmers to ensure their agricultural contractor is a member of the organisation. The warning comes in the wake of a recent Fair Go item that saw a Central Otago farmer lose a $60,000 linseed crop due to a mistake in the spray application to the crop. “Farmers should use a Registered Chemical Applicator and preferably a member of RCNZ to ensure –as far as possible – that the potential for mistakes like this happening are minimised,” says RCNZ chief executive Roger Parton. “This also gives farmers the back-up that a contractor — who is part of our insurance scheme –will have insurance cover in these types of circumstances.” Mr Parton says RCNZ members who are part of its Registered Chemical Applicator scheme are trained and regularly updated in the safe and expert handling of applying chemicals to crops and pastures. “RCNZ has introduced its chemical application accreditation programme to meet the needs of both our members and the industry. “The application of agrichemicals has to be carried out in a competent and professional manner to ensure the enhancement of the crop and the safety of the operator, the environment and the public. Mr Parton says there are two levels of agrichemical applicator accreditation available through Rural Contractors New Zealand: – Basic Chemical Applicator; and – Registered Chemical Applicator RCNZ promotes to central and local government, as well as industry associations, the following policy: Any person applying agrichemicals in a public place or on private property for hire and reward, shall either be: – The holder of a Registered Chemical Applicator accreditation or; – The holder of a Basic Chemical Applicator (or equivalent) accreditation operating under the immediate and […]

Agribusiness needs to budget for volatility

While volatility in business is to be expected, many of New Zealand’s primary producers have experienced a bumpy ride in recent years. Increased volatility driven by to swings in international commodity prices and the value of the NZ dollar is now the new normal according to professional services firm Crowe Horwath. In this context, Crowe Horwath says a strong case is made for agribusinesses in general to invest time and effort into careful budgeting and cash flow planning to weather unexpected difficult times. “The dairy sector witnessed the heady payout levels of 2013-14 rapidly give way to the current trough and associated uncertainty around a recovery timeframe. This has created real pressure for many,” confirms Larry Mitchell Agribusiness Advisor at Crowe Horwath. “However, while this is a case in point, it illustrates that as a globally traded commodity any agribusiness faces volatility risks where markets can and do change regularly.” That, Mitchell notes, makes a strong case for optimising cash flow through careful planning and preparation. “Getting a clear handle on budgets and cash flows is good business practice that should be undertaken in the good times as well as bad. In fact, the point of planning is to give your business the resilience to ride the lows – even though you may have little-to-no idea when they might come,” Mitchell adds. Take stock of spending habits Putting together cash flow and budgets starts with taking the time to honestly evaluate spending patterns for the business. “Once budgets are established, stick to them. Avoid the temptation to spend a little bit extra here and there; the extras quickly add up and soon you could be looking at a significant amount of unplanned expenditure over the year,” Mitchell points out. The temptation is likely to be stronger in good times; don’t […]

Training vital through the ups and downs

Michael and Susie Woodward, runners up in the Share Farmer of the Year category in the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), know that riding the ups and downs of the dairy sector is part and parcel of the industry but the key is knowing what’s truly adding value to your business. “This is not the time to take shortcuts,” Michael says. The award-winning 50/50 Share Farmers are strong believers in constantly upskilling – both themselves and their staff. The Woodward’s have four full-time staff on board at the farm in Leeston on the Canterbury Plains completing a range of qualifications through Primary ITO, the industry training organisation for the dairy sector. “We’re firm believers in continuing education. Training is crucial to ensure you don’t fall behind the times. We actively encourage our team to train, and we’re constantly upskilling ourselves,” Susie says. “The most important thing is that the right decision is made the first time. There is a cost to training but without it, it could come at a large expense to the business,” Michael says. “I believe it’s easy to get the money back and for every dollar you invest in a person’s training – you receive a whole lot more in return.” In terms of how the couple split their farm roles, Michael holds responsibility for staff engagement on farm, ensuring everything gets done. He also looks after staff training. Susie heads up accounts, payroll, HR and office admin, recruitment, legal requirements and on top of that health and safety requirements. Hailing from the USA, Susie built up her skills through Primary ITO training. “I’ve competed Rural Staff Management through the ITO,” Susie says. “It gave me better information about how to make our recruitment and employment process fluid and fail safe. I gained the […]

The world needs carbon-in not carbon-out

If we stopped releasing carbon from the soil into the atmosphere and captured it instead then the serious problem of global warming could be solved. International soil scientist, Dr John Baker, says, in relation to soil, there’s more “carbon going out than coming in” and the world has reached a stage where the process must be reversed. When it is, there won’t be a problem with climate change. Dr Baker points out we recycle bottles and plastics but not carbon and the time to start recycling carbon is long overdue. “There’s more CO2 in the atmosphere and less in the soil than ever before,” he says. “While the first crucial step is to grow more plants, it’s even more important to ensure the carbon that existing plants absorb from the atmosphere through photosynthesis remains in the soil.” At the moment carbon is squandered. About 50 percent is lost when food is harvested but Dr Baker says that’s acceptable because it’s why we grow food in the first place. But as much carbon again remains as straw, stubble and roots after harvest and, if this is removed, burnt or incorporated, then most of it gets back into the atmosphere where it contributes to global warming. “Instead we must retain the crop residue after harvest and offer the carbon to the soil microbes. They decompose it and earthworms and other fauna take it into the soil which enriches it,” he says. “The future of mankind depends on harnessing the biology in the soil and making it work for us. The impact would be massive if the uneaten carbon that food crops gather globally was transferred into the soil and stayed there.” The good news is that the world doesn’t need to invent new technologies to make it happen. New Zealand already has […]

Food Safety Concerns Driving Kiwis to Buy Local

Kiwi consumers are seeking out locally made food, as concerns about product safety and levels of additives in consumer goods manufactured offshore drive purchasing behaviour – according to the findings of a new survey. The Munchkin study which investigated the attitudes and habits of Kiwi shoppers showed that more than two thirds (69%) of Kiwi consumers said country of origin for food products they ate was important to them. Interestingly, this figure jumped to 86% for parents who had children who were of school age or younger, with almost nine in 10 of this group saying it was an important factor in deciding whether or not to give the product to their children. The regional sales director for Munchkin Gary Hunter says the survey provides insights for food policy makers in this market. “The one clear message from the research is that Kiwi’s care where their food is made. It provides consumers with an important level of reassurance of quality as well as allowing them to proactively support local suppliers,” he says. More than half (54%) of Kiwis believe products sold on our supermarket shelves do not label their products adequately with enough country of origin details. The research showed the majority two thirds, (65%) of New Zealand shoppers try to buy food or beverage products made in NZ from NZ ingredients as often as possible. A fifth (19%) said they always purchase food or beverage products that are made in New Zealand with locally sourced ingredients. Respondents were also asked to provide the most important reason for knowing the country of origin of their food products, the most common response was a desire to support locally made wherever possible with more than a third (35%) giving this answer. This was closely followed by concerns over food safety standards with […]

If you buy health and safety advice, make sure it’s the right advice

Good health and safety practice is not something you can just buy off the shelf, and farmers need to build health and safety into everyday activity on farm. WorkSafe’s Agriculture Programme Manager, Al McCone, says while many farmers will want to get consultants in to give them expert advice, there is no single product or document that is a silver bullet for farm safety. Farmers should only employ competent and qualified professional health and safety advisors. “When selecting a new contractor or buying stock, farmers do their homework,” says Mr McCone. “They shop around, look online, ask other farmers and make a decision based on sound information. The same should apply to buying health and safety advice and resources. “Farmers should make sure that they’re not simply going to get a folder or piles of forms someone else has done for them. That won’t make their farm any safer. What they actually need is a way of building a health and safety culture into farm activities and constructing a really effective culture of involving everyone.” There’s no substitute for the unique knowledge the farmer, family and workers have of the land, its terrain, its facilities and day-to-day operation, says Mr McCone. “What’s most important is everyone on farm thinking about the risks and managing them so everyone stays healthy and safe. When everyone is involved there is a positive impact on other parts of the business.” Mr McCone says while there are good health and safety consultants out there, they are not all of the same quality and effectiveness. “Farmers need to make sure they are working with a competent and qualified professional safety advisor – that may not be the first health and safety advisor they get talking to at the local field day.” To help farmers buy the […]

Young fruit growers compete to be Hawke’s Bay’s best

Eight young fruit growers from orchards across the Hawke’s Bay are sharpening their secateurs in preparation for next week’s Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition. The competitors will battle it out on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 July in a series of theoretical, practical and public speaking challenges to take out the title of Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower 2016. The champion will go on to represent Hawke’s Bay at the national Young Grower of the Year competition, hosted by Horticulture New Zealand, on 19-20 July in Auckland. “The Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower competition showcases and celebrates our industry’s top young talent each year. We’re very proud to be supporting the development of our industry’s future leaders and see them putting their knowledge and skills to the test,” said Lesley Wilson, President of Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, which runs the local competition. Contestants complete a range of exercises including general knowledge and orchard husbandry, health and safety, pest control and equipment assembly. The tests are designed around the fundamental skills needed to run a successful export-focused horticulture business of the likes that operate in the Hawke’s Bay. Competitors include: • Anthony Taueki, 26, Leading Hand, Mr Apple, Napier • Balwinder Singh, 29, Senior Leading hand, T&G, Napier • Cherokee Hancox Kiri-Kiri, 23, Export Dispatch Supervisor, Mr Apple, Takapau • Adam Fulford, Orchard Hand, T&G, Mangateretere • Harry Fraser, 23, Foreman, Provident/Freshmax, Hastings • Jordan James, 25, Senior Supervisor, Mr Apple, Haumoana • Pauly Douglas, 30, Manager, Orchard Investments, Havelock North • Ryan May, 30, Senior Leading Hand, T&G, Napier The event is part of the National Horticultural Field Day which also includes the Pick a Career in Horticulture expo. More than 200 high school students from around the region will be introduced to the exciting career opportunities within the […]

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