Developments

Kiwis prepared to consider genetic technologies in food production

New Zealanders are cautiously open to the use of genetic technologies in the country’s food production systems, according to new research. More than a third of respondents (34%) to the survey by Primary Purpose were supportive of genetic technologies in food production and 34% were unsure. Less than a third of respondents (31%) were outrightly opposed. The study reveals only 29% of New Zealanders indicate they want their food production to be entirely free of genetic technologies. However, the research shows that for many New Zealanders, genetic technologies is not an area that is well understood. Only 31% of respondents indicate they know ‘a lot’ or ‘a fair amount’ about the use of genetic technologies in food production. Meanwhile, the survey showed strong support for genetic technologies to help control pests and diseases that damage the natural environment (69%) and to help crops resist pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemicals and pesticides (68%). “The combination of support for specific uses and the minority of outright opposition indicates that the public is at least cautiously open to considering genetic technologies in food production and there is a clear need to support the public’s understanding of the area,” says Dr. Scott Champion, Founding Partner of Primary Purpose. “New Zealanders generally favour a cautious approach, with 45% advocating for gradual steps towards any adoption of genetic technologies. Men are generally more supportive, while Māori respondents tend to be less supportive.” Report Highlights Support (‘strongly support’ + ‘support’) were indicated for the following specific uses of genetic technologies: To help control pests and diseases that damage the natural environment (69% support) Help crops resist pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemicals and pesticides (68%) Help to lower farm costs and potentially reduce prices to consumers (66%) Improve drought resistance of crops, […]

Canterbury young plant producer named the best in NZ!

Anna England from Elliot’s Wholesale Nursery in Amberley has been named as the 2024 Young Plant Producer of the Year. This prestigious award, presented at the awards dinner in Christchurch last night, celebrates Anna’s dedication and innovation in the plant production industry. The Young Plant Producer event competitors on the skills needed to run a successful plant production. It is organised by NZ Plant Producers (NZPPI), hosted by IPPS (International Plant Propagators’ Society) and supported by the Horticentre Charitable Trust. Young Plant Producers 2024 finalists l to r Ellen Ballentine Anna England (winner) Jessica Jack and Joannes Andresen. The four finalists undertook two days of challenges at Lincoln University, where they were tested on their skills in finance and dispatch, biosecurity, plant propagation and identification, tool maintenance, agrichemical use and irrigation. The judges looked for individuals who could make a difference in the industry, going beyond great skills to also include leadership, attitude and personality. Anna England is Sales Coordinator at Elliotts Wholesale Nursery. Along with her trophy, Anna has won a 12-month programme of mentorship support plus a $3000 fund to advance her career in plant production. She will also take part in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year award in November where she will compete against finalists from the entire horticulture sector, vying for a prize pool worth more than $20,000. Anna moved to Christchurch from Taranaki four years ago to study horticulture at Lincoln University then joined the team at Elliot’s in a role she loves as it “offers with both incredible plants and fantastic people.” “My time in horticulture so far has been a rewarding journey, and I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive industry. I saw the young plant producer competition as an opportunity to challenge myself to develop new skills and knowledge, as well as a great chance […]

BASF and IRRI join forces to reduce carbon footprint of rice

BASF and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have entered into a scientific collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice production. Running by the name “OPTIMA Rice” (Optimising Management for Reduction of GHG in Rice), the collaboration with IRRI supports BASF’s commitment to enable the reduction of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions by 30 percent per ton of crop produced by 2030. The joint effort is planned for multiple rice seasons in the Philippines and will take place in Laguna, where both organisations maintain research centres for rice. Rice is one of the five most widely produced cereal crops globally and is consumed by about three billion people every day. Although it is grown all over the world, Asia accounts for the largest share of its production. However, because of its geographic expansion and typical manner of wetland cultivation, worldwide paddy rice production contributes about 10 percent of total GHG emissions from the agricultural sector, mainly coming from continuously flooded wetland rice fields. Due to this large carbon footprint, it is estimated that rice production has the greatest potential within agricultural crop production to reduce GHG emissions. BASF and IRRI therefore plan to explore multiple topics related to climate smart farming in rice. These include direct-seeded rice varieties, nitrogen stabilisers, nutrient and residue management, novel chemistry tailor-made for rice farmers, and water-saving technologies such as alternate wetting and drying management (AWD). In addition, IRRI has begun further improvements to its ecophysiological model ORYZA, to include new computation algorithms for estimating GHG emissions, for application to the project. BASF will use its AgBalance™ tool to estimate the GHG emission intensity and will work with IRRI on field tests of their products to obtain high-quality agronomic and GHG data. Both BASF and IRRI aim to further develop and apply models […]

Fortifi launches as global food processing automation platform

Acquisition of MHM Automation expands solutions offering and global footprint Fortifi Food Processing Solutions is a unified platform of global leading brands and products within food processing equipment and automation solutions. Operating in more than 15 countries spanning five continents, Fortifi provides a broad range of solutions across the food industry including applications in protein, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. Fortifi’s technologies enhance productivity, maximize yield, and improve worker safety for customers around the world. “Fortifi’s strategy is centered around a relentless focus on innovation, unparalleled customer service, and expansion through continuous improvement and complementary acquisitions of other leading brands and capabilities,” said CEO Massimo Bizzi. “As a strategic partner to our customers, we strive to offer a full portfolio of solutions across the food processing value chain.” The closing of the acquisition of MHM Automation (“MHM”), a New Zealand-based provider of post-harvest processing, protein processing, and packaging solutions, further strengthens Fortifi’s capabilities with innovative, reliable systems and equipment that improve safety, optimize product quality, and extend our automation and robotics capabilities. Fortifi has also signed definitive agreements to acquire LIMA France (“LIMA”), a France-based supplier of meat-bone separators, deboners and grinders-desinewers, and Reich Thermoprozesstechnik GmbH (“Reich”), the oldest Germany-based manufacturer of thermoprocessing food systems, both of which are expected to join Fortifi in the first half of 2024 subject to customary regulatory approvals. The formation of Fortifi began in 2021 when investment funds affiliated with KKR, a leading global investment firm, acquired Bettcher Industries, a leading provider of innovative protein processing tools. The following year, Bettcher acquired Frontmatec, a global supplier of automated pork and beef processing equipment, forming an end-to-end provider of protein processing solutions. MHM adds capabilities across new food processing segments and applications, including dairy and fruits and vegetables, and further expands Fortifi’s global reach by […]

Optimise quality control with liquid process monitoring technology

Finnish deep tech company ColloidTek , has developed Collo Analyser, a new method for real–time liquid process quality monitoring, offering significant benefits for the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Based on EMF sensors and machine learning, the technology detects various contaminants and identifies potential risks in liquid processing with a single real-time measurement and instant, in-line analysis. This novel solution has the potential to revolutionize liquid quality control by providing food and beverage manufacturers with comprehensive information about the quality of their products at any stage of production, ensuring the safety, quality and correct taste of the end-product. In liquid processing, for example, in the dairy industry, efficient quality control is critical. It is essential to confirm that there are no contaminants in milk batches, such as the remains of CIP chemicals. Traditionally, collecting samples for laboratory analysis has been time-consuming, leading to delays and potential product quality risks. In addition to the logistics of transporting the sample to the laboratory, manufacturers can expect to wait days for results. Meanwhile, the milk has often already been processed into end-products. However, if a sample’s testing finds the batch to be potentially hazardous, the implications may be huge. Product recalls incur significant costs, from logistics and disposal to legal fees, fines, and refunds. Further to the immediate financial costs, the potential long-term consequences caused by damaged reputation and loss of consumer trust could be capable of crippling even a larger company. This is especially true in today’s digital age, where hazardous products can go viral in a matter of hours and cause lasting reputation damage, impacting sales and profits. “It takes years to build a great reputation, but only a day to ruin it,” says Julia Vieira, Sales Manager at Collo. “Discarding a batch even partially for quality issues […]

Australian food innovators protein to boost nutrition

Australian food manufacturer Harvest B will launch two, world-first, blended diced meat products. The great tasting product has been developed to improve the affordability and nutritional value of animal meats, while boosting sustainability and availability of protein to a greater range of customers. In a world-first, the sustainable protein manufacturer will collaborate with the animal protein industry to offer a novel, Australian-made diced meat featuring a 50:50 ratio of animal- to plant-protein. The slow cooked product, which will come pre-prepared for ease of use in the food service industry, addresses the health, inflationary, climate and geopolitical issues impacting food supply – all while retaining the taste and texture of the meats consumers know and love. The diced beef and diced lamb products will deliver 30 per cent more protein yield per serve, boost fibre, retain iron and B12 content and halve the cholesterol, total and saturated fat content, all while reducing paddock to plate emissions by up to 46 per cent when compared to traditional 100% meat products. CEO and Co-founder of Harvest B, Kristi Riordan said, “The global food industry is being influenced by a number of macro issues and at this nexus of taste, nutrition, cost and sustainability is precisely where Harvest VB has sought to provide a solution.” “Our diced meat blends do not sacrifice taste or texture. You still have the same great tasting meat product but with half the saturated fat and cholesterol, more fibre, iron and vitamin B-12 but at a cost per serve value that is 30 per cent better than current protein products – this is a win-win for consumers and the food service industry, “Historically, animal protein has been blended with other ingredients to achieve cost reductions in products like sausages, burgers and meatballs. We wanted to leap forward into […]

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Backing food product claims with evidence

Four of Australia’s peak research agencies have joined forces to develop a new isotopic data platform that will support the verification of Australian agricultural and food product claims and environmental credentials. Isotopes are unique chemical signatures or ‘fingerprints’ that can be used to tell us where our food comes from and how it was grown. Accurate isotopic data is used as evidence to verify a product’s credentials or provenance for better market access, including addressing demands for low-emission or deforestation-free commodities in Europe. The collaboration, co-invested with the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC), brings together Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the National Measurement Institute (NMI) to connect disparate and siloed data into a single national collection. Speaking at the International Conference on Food Analysis in Melbourne, CSIRO’s trusted supply chains expert Dr Nina Welti said there’s a wealth of valuable public isotopic data held within each organisation that needs to be brought together to tackle Australia’s export challenges. “Isotopes not only tell us about food production, they also help us to better understand environmental factors such as soil nutrients and groundwater flows,” Dr Welti said. “Connecting these rich databases in a way that’s trusted and shareable is key to supporting research for the public good, as well as commercial outcomes for Australia’s agriculture, food and water systems. “It’s also about ensuring the long-term utility of data so that it can be used to build further trust in supply chains well into the future.” Another key driver is enabling equitable access across industry to verification tools. The collaboration, led by CSIRO through its Trusted Agrifood Exports Mission, is connecting datasets and insights across the supply chain to improve and grow Australia’s access to overseas markets. Agricultural and food export trade […]

MSU-led research team receives $946K grant to study alfalfa autotoxicity

A multi-institutional research team led by Michigan State University has received a $946,349 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to explore alfalfa autotoxicity. The award is within NIFA’s Alfalfa Seed and Forage Systems program. The project is led by Kim Cassida, an associate professor in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and MSU Extension forage specialist. Other researchers include: Sarah Lebeis, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. Paige Baisley, a graduate student in Cassida’s lab. Virginia Moore, an assistant professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, alfalfa is the nation’s third most valuable field crop at roughly $8.7 billion per year. While alfalfa has many uses, it’s most often grown for animal agriculture forage due to its nutrient-rich profile. Like any other crop, alfalfa faces insect and diseases challenges, but current varieties are exceptionally hardy and able to withstand a variety of environmental pressures. Its most significant threat may be itself. Alfalfa exhibits autotoxicity, a phenomenon in which the plant inhibits germination and development of seedlings of its own species. The cause is believed to be chemical compounds released by the plants, but researchers are unsure which compounds are to blame. “We’ve known about this issue for a long time, but there haven’t been any concrete solutions generated,” said Cassida, whose work is also supported in part by MSU AgBioResearch. “Alfalfa is a tremendously valuable crop for Michigan, the U.S. and beyond, so finding answers to the problem of autotoxicity is extremely important. In my role as an MSU Extension specialist, I work directly with farmers, and I want to be able to give them more prescriptive recommendations.” Cassida said […]

Reforms needed as agricultural support reaches record highs

Total support to agriculture reached record levels of USD 851 billion per year during 2020-22 for the 54 countries covered by a new OECD report, as governments sought to shield consumers and producers from global crises and high inflation. Just under half of this government support was in the form of measures with the greatest potential for market distortions, such as border tariffs and subsidy payments based on output. The OECD’s Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2023 report shows this historically high level of support is nearly a 2.5-fold increase compared to two decades ago, though still behind the overall growth of production. Support remains highly concentrated in a few large producing economies, with China, India, the United States and the European Union representing 36%, 15%, 14% and 13% of total support provided, respectively. Individual producers received USD 630 billion per year in positive support over the 2020-22 period, up from USD 525 billion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2017-2019). More than half of it (USD 333 billion annually) was paid by consumers through border tariffs and other policies which push domestic prices above reference prices. The remainder (USD 297 billion annually) was paid by taxpayers through budgetary transfers, such as subsidies on the use of fertilisers and electricity, as well as payments based on output or land area. Most support reinforces existing production structures. The continued prominence of market price support in many countries, together with other forms of support that are potentially production and market distorting or commodity specific, discourage changes in production systems. These types of support also distort international markets, which remain a key mechanism to smoothen the impacts of shortfalls or bumper harvests. “Our annual flagship report Agricultural Policy and Monitoring Evaluation provides transparency on the nature and scale of government support provided to the agricultural sector, by measuring […]

Antipodes-Watermelon-Gin-with-glassware FI

An Australian-first set to become the drink of Summer

Summer has arrived early… Antipodes Gin Co has released Australia’s first Certified Organic, vegan-friendly and carbon neutral Watermelon Gin, just in time for Christmas. Nothing beats a cool slice of watermelon in summer. With that in mind, Antipodes Gin Co decided to give this quintessential summer melon a more adult edge by making a gin laden with its incredible flavour. Through months of experimentation and plenty of trial and error, the perfect blend of watermelon, juniper and lemon myrtle was finally developed. The resulting delicately nuanced spirit joins the tasting flight of their range of vegan friendly, certified organic gins and liqueurs. “We’ve been dreaming about summer here at Antipodes Gin Co and after years of wrestling with some huge watermelons for our kids and wondering if it is really a fruit or vegetable, we asked ourselves how we could give it a more adult edge. “We had been discussing watermelon for a while and thinking that it could help deliver the most perfect summer gin – and we weren’t wrong. We’ve created a juicily aromatic spirit with the delicate sweetness of watermelon perfectly balanced by the tartness of lemon myrtle. We cannot wait to share it with your summer,” he said. Antipodes Watermelon Gin works in a variety of cocktail expressions. It sits perfectly in a spritz, as a riff in an old fashioned or paired with some yuzu soda. It’s not precious – you can even go low-brow and splash it in with a bit of Solo and ice – just add sunshine, BBQs and the beach! Established in 2015, Antipodes Gin Co is Australia’s first certified organic, vegan friendly, carbon neutral spirits company. Their distillery in Canberra distills GMO, chemical and pesticide free spirits and liqueurs. With so many over-used slogans in the spirits category of ‘drink […]

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