Developments

Farming sector pleased visa changes provide certainty

DairyNZ and Federated Farmers are pleased to see the government announcement that it is extending employer assisted temporary work visas due to expire by the end of 2020. DairyNZ people team leader Jane Muir says the six month extension is excellent news for farmers and the estimated 3000 dairy farm employees whose temporary visas are due to expire. “The dairy sector, farm employers and our farm employees on temporary visas have been calling on the government to provide a solution. We are pleased they have listened,” said Ms Muir. “We are about to go into the busiest time of the farming year with calving and urgently sought certainty that farmers would be able to keep their existing staff.” Federated Farmers and DairyNZ have repeatedly highlighted to government the plight of migrant workers needed by the dairy sector, both those already working in the country and those stuck overseas. “We need these people. They are key to our daily business on-farm,” Federated Farmers immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis says. DairyNZ has a GoDairy campaign underway to attract and train Kiwis for the 1000 additional jobs currently up for grabs on dairy farms. “In the medium to long-term we expect to see dairy’s reliance on migrants decrease but it will take time – our migrants have skills we can’t replace quickly, they are highly valued and they can help train Kiwis,” said Ms Muir. Immigration Minister Ian Lees-Galloway announced the government is shifting a stand down period that applies to some migrants by six months to February 2021. Migrant workers who were subject to the 12-month stand-down period and were going to have to leave New Zealand this year, will now be able to stay for the duration of the extension.

Corbion appoints IMCD in Australia and New Zealand as distributor of biobased food and non-food ingredients

Corbion, supplier of biobased food ingredients and lactic acid specialties, has appointed IMCD, a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and food ingredients, as the new distributor of most of its ingredients in Australia and New Zealand. For manufacturers of confectionery, beverages, baked goods, sauces, dressings, condiments and prepared foods, IMCD will represent Corbion beginning July, 2020. For meat, poultry and seafood, The Hela & Schwarz group will continue as Corbion’s exclusive distributor partner in the region. “We’re very pleased to appoint IMCD as our exclusive partner in ANZ,” says Andrew Pearce, country manager, Australia & New Zealand at Corbion. “Corbion is uniquely positioned to anticipate and respond to the trends that are defining today’s food industry, and IMCD’s presence, growth ambition and customer-first approach are closely aligned to ours. “As a result, we see a significant opportunity to expand and improve our service levels to customers both existing and new, as we help them create and commercialise foods and beverages that set them apart on retail shelves.” Pasquale Piscopo, general manager Australia and New Zealand, food & nutrition at IMCD adds, “Corbion is an excellent fit for IMCD as we share sector expertise and growth ambitions in the region. We see Corbion’s clean label food solutions, lactic acid derivatives and emulsifiers as valuable tools for formulators throughout the industry to create healthy, convenient and sustainable foods and beverages, and we’re looking forward to working together to bring more to market.” Additionally, IMCD assumes responsibility for distributing Corbion’s lactic acid specialties and derivatives product portfolio servicing the home personal care, I&I, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors in Australia and New Zealand beginning July, 2020. “Choosing a strategic distribution partner to represent Corbion was a decision not only focused on the food industry,” says Pearce. “We are also wanting to expand our […]

Connectivity key to health and wellbeing at Fieldays Online

If you can do it at Fieldays at Mystery Creek you can do it at Fieldays Online – with the possible exception that you might have to make your own hot bacon roll. The virtual event means you can be immersed in everything you love about the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event, at the click of your fingertips. “With connectivity at the centre of the event combined with innovation and adaptability, Fieldays Online is all about bringing Fieldays to anyone, anywhere at any time. The content includes live and on-demand TV, webinars, articles, exclusive deals and much more. This is all delivered in an engaging way and is accessible on any device, so audiences can engage at a time and in a format that suits them,” says Nikki Streater, GM of Satellite, the digital agency building the Fieldays Online platform in partnership with the New Zealand National Fieldays Society. “Satellite are working with exhibitors to turn their product updates/launches, sales, promotions, news & info, activations and features into a digital site that the visitors can easily access and explore. We’ll also have live stream and on-demand videos, panel discussions and webinars bringing the latest innovation and insight for the sector.” The Fieldays Health and Wellbeing Hub, a central part of the traditional event, will be an interactive space for visitors to enjoy during Fieldays Online. Kiwi favourites Hyundai, who have been attending Fieldays since 2004, are bringing their ‘Good as Gold’ Fieldays deals as well as a unique health and wellbeing offering to the virtual event. At Fieldays Online, one of Hyundai’s ambassadors, ‘Dr Tom’ will be hosting a series of ‘talks’ on Fieldays TV, both live and on-demand, sharing with viewers some of his PGG Wrightson ‘Walk the Talk’ Wellness Tour stories from his travels meeting farmers around the countryside. […]

Fonterra to pay farmers more for sustainable, high value milk

Fonterra farmers producing sustainable, high quality milk will be eligible for a new payment, as Fonterra announces important changes to the way it pays farmers for their milk. From 1 June 2021, Fonterra is introducing a Co-operative Difference Payment of up to 10 cents per kilogram of milk solids (kgMS) if the farm meets the Co-op’s on-farm sustainability and value targets. It’s part of the Co-op’s strategy to add value to New Zealand milk and responds to increasing demand from customers here and around the world for sustainably-produced dairy. The payment will be funded out of the Farmgate Milk Price. “The total Farmgate Milk Price will remain the same across the Co-operative, but the amount that each individual farm is paid will vary depending on their contribution under The Co-operative Difference, in addition to the other variables, like fat and protein, which affect the amount that’s paid,” says Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell. “We’ve always paid our farmers based on the value that milk provides to the Co-operative. The reality is that the drivers of value are changing, and we need to reflect that. Our customers want to know that the products they are buying are not only safe, but also produced sustainably. “This payment helps us meet the changing needs of our customers, so they continue to choose our milk and enjoy dairy as a sustainable and nutritious choice. “We want to deliver the innovation, sustainability and efficiency needed to make the most difference to our strategy and our bottom line. It makes sense to financially reward those farmers who go the extra mile to help our Co-op differentiate its milk.” Last year Fonterra launched The Co-operative Difference – a straight-forward framework to help farmers produce high-quality, sustainable milk and prepare for any changes […]

Lincoln’s land-based legacy delivers for Government

Lincoln University’s 142-year record of delivering practical land-based courses is matching the Government’s need to encourage workers into the food and fibre sector. Lincoln is the only New Zealand university included in the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund, which is covering course costs for four sub-degree programmes from July 2020 until December 2022: the Diploma in Horticulture (you can begin studying for this diploma in July 2020), Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Farm Management and Diploma in Organic Agri-Food Production. Each has practical work requirements, rising to 44 weeks for the farm management diploma. No previous tertiary study experience is necessary and the courses enhance employability by teaching specific skills for the industry. Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bruce McKenzie, said Lincoln focused on improving New Zealand’s land-based knowledge, wealth and productivity, and was enthusiastic about being included in the scheme. “There are urgent industry demands in areas such agriculture for skilled workers, and these practical -based courses will assist with that, producing graduates who have the skills to hit the ground running and help drive the New Zealand economy.” “It’s very encouraging to know the Government values our contribution to the sector.” Lincoln is ranked in the world’s top 100 universities in agriculture and forestry, and is already waiving tuition fees for a number of postgraduate courses to feed skilled people into rewarding careers in agriculture and horticulture, essential to earning export income after the impact of Covid-19 on the economy. Practical work is a requirement of over 20 qualifications offered at Lincoln, enabled by the university’s longstanding links with industry stakeholders such as PGG Wrightson, Pioneer, Ravensdown, Anzco Foods, and Yili Dairy, as well as sector organisations such as DairyNZ and research bodies like AgResearch. Lincoln University graduates completing diplomas, certificates and degrees represent about 10% of the ‘replacement rate’ […]

Government supports dairy farming jobs for kiwis

The Government and dairy sector have joined forces on a new campaign to support COVID-19 affected workers into a farming career, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said. The 2020 GoDairy campaign was launched today by DairyNZ, in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry for Social Development (MSD), and with support from Federated Farmers. “We know that people have lost their jobs because of COVID-19, and we know there is significant and urgent demand for trained workers in the dairy sector,” Damien O’Connor said. “We want to continue to connect people with jobs in dairy, and more broadly in the primary industries because we know these sectors will be key to our economic recovery. “GoDairy has a crucial role to play. The programme has a history of successfully recruiting and supporting people into dairy careers, over the past 15 years. The Government and the sector are giving it a welcome boost to encourage new-found farmers, by investing $3.5 million to expand this crucial work during our economic recovery,” Damien O’Connor said. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said that although the new campaign is still in its early days, there is good interest from people wanting to pursue a dairy farming career. “Like all successful businesses, dairy farming needs good talent. Currently there are 1,000 job vacancies on dairy farms nationwide,” Tim Mackle said. “There are excellent career opportunities in farming – from doing the books, to working with machinery, caring for animals, and managing staff. Technology plays a major part in the business too. “To date, GoDairy has interest from people across a range of career backgrounds – from tourism and hospitality to engineering, finance, and truck drivers. While many people might not be familiar with the day-to-day of dairy farming, most have work and life skills that […]

Scientists warn of increasing threats of invasive species

International researchers are warning that the threats posed by invasive alien species are increasing rapidly. In a new study they say that urgent action is required to prevent, detect, and control invaders, but also point to New Zealand as showing the way forward. The research shows how climate and land-use change, alongside international trade are exacerbating the impacts of biological invasions worldwide. It highlights the role of emerging pathways such as the online trade and the transport of species across oceans on rafts of plastic. “Many countries around the world are only now waking up to the threat of invasive alien species, an issue New Zealand has been tackling for many decades,” says Distinguished Professor Philip Hulme of the Bio-Protection Research Centre, one of the lead authors of the study. “New Zealanders have led the eradication of rats across increasingly larger islands, have wiped out the salt-marsh mosquito, not once but twice, and we are making progress to be the first country to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis from its cattle herds.” Unfortunately, New Zealand is not immune to the problems of invasive alien species, with myrtle rust being a recent arrival that is here to stay, and we have a legacy of pests and weeds that were introduced in less enlightened times. “We are known as one of the weediest countries in the world and we still have much to do to restore our natural landscapes,” says Professor Hulme. Climate change and the demands of increased international trade will continue to put pressure on our borders requiring even more robust biosecurity strategies. “Our success at tackling COVID-19 has grabbed the world’s attention,” says Professor Hulme. “We should build on this to highlight our world leadership in tackling a wide range of invasive species so that we become the global one-stop-shop for […]

Tuition fees on postgraduate courses waived to meet employment needs

Lincoln University is endeavouring to meet the need of the thriving food and fibre sector for skilled and qualified workers by waiving tuition fees on a number of postgraduate courses which feed into it. The move also boosts retraining options for those who might have suffered job losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The essentially free course offering includes taught master’s degrees in areas such as agricultural systems, food innovation, pest management, accounting, and sport and recreation management, as well as graduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas in applied science, environmental management and commerce (and many more), all offered from Semester 2 in July. They range from one to three semesters long, include online options, and are only available to domestic students. Lincoln, as a specialised land-based university, has a long connection to the food and fibre sector, conducting valuable research and growing qualified work-ready graduates, as well as promoting sustainable initiatives. Over 350,000 New Zealanders work in the food and fibre sector, which includes agriculture, horticulture and viticulture, as well as agribusiness. It contributes over 11% of New Zealand’s GDP, and has an increasing need for skilled and qualified workers. Lincoln University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bruce McKenzie, said the university was well connected to industry, and aware of the need the primary sector had for the graduates Lincoln produced to keep driving the New Zealand economy, and this was particularly important in the wake of COVID-19, with other industries under pressure. “We want to do all we can to meet that need, as well as offering people from other industries the chance to train for a new career. We have removed that barrier of cost, and are offering innovative courses in many different areas that add to the knowledge and qualifications they already have to make them very employable.” […]

Catch crops after winter forage grazing a win-win for farmers, environment

Hardy catch crops such as oats are showing major promise for mopping up excess nitrogen after winter grazing and could create a win-win for farmers in terms of their environmental footprint and profitability. Dr Peter Carey, a Lincoln Agritech Field Researcher, is leading a three-year Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) research programme, in conjunction with Plant and Food Research, to apply the use of catch crops more widely in winter forage rotations. Dr Carey, who completed a PhD at Lincoln University on the use of catch crops, found that they can reduce nitrate leaching by as much as 40%. This study looks to extend his research and apply it directly to commercial farms in Canterbury and Southland. The project aims to adapt their use to the different soils and climatic conditions of each region. “Catch crop strategies are becoming more important, with the new Action for Healthy Waterways regulations coming into effect in winter, 2021,” Dr Carey said. “These will prevent farmers from leaving paddocks bare for more than a month after winter forage grazing. Fortunately, the research is showing that catch crop strategies can be a profitable avenue. “Nitrate leaching, and nitrogen loss generally, is particularly problematic in winter as non-lactating dairy cows eat large quantities of feed over a fairly short period of time to build up their body conditioning. “Then they deposit large volumes of urine onto bare soil at a time when plant growth is minimal. “Usually, catch crops are sown in autumn between the harvesting of the previous summer crop and a new crop in spring to conserve soil nutrients over the winter but in winter forage rotations, they need to be sown at the end of the grazing period, which is often mid-winter when soil and climate conditions are at […]

Milking the Planet

How Big Dairy is heating up the planet and hollowing rural communities IATP’s latest report, Milking the Planet: How Big Dairy is heating up the planet and hollowing rural communities, reveals that the total combined greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the world’s largest 13 dairy corporations rose by 11% in just two years (2015-2017). As the global dairy industry expands and scales up into new territories, dairying is disintegrating into larger operations controlled by a handful of big dairy processors. Simultaneously, Big Dairy’s GHG emissions are increasing, and indebtedness, farm loss and bankruptcies in rural communities are on the rise. The COVID-19 crisis has compounded the dairy crisis, further revealing the fragility of the concentrated system built by corporations. “The biggest dairy companies in the world have the same combined greenhouse gas emissions as the UK, the sixth biggest economy in the world, according to a new report,” wrote the Guardian’s Damian Carrington in the June 15 coverage of our report. “More than 90% of the corporate dairy industries’ emissions are produced by the cows themselves, mostly in the form of methane.” The corporations’ increase of 32.3 million tonnes of GHGs in 2017 equated to the pollution stemming from 6.9 million passenger cars driven in one year (13.6 billion litres or 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline). The combined 2017 emissions exceeded the emissions of carbon majors BHP and ConocoPhillips, two of the top 20 fossil fuel emitters. Increased market concentration through mergers and acquisitions has contributed to the emissions rise. The French dairy corporation Le Groupe Lactalis, for example, increased its emissions by 30%. The corporations’ combined milk intake went up by 8%. Despite the climate crisis, zero of the 13 processors have explicitly committed to a clear and absolute reduction of emissions from their dairy supply chain. These are […]

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