Developments

Focus on New Zealand brands needed in face of trade uncertainty

Uncertainty over Brexit means New Zealand needs to urgently focus on developing brands and differentiating our agricultural exports. However, the recently announced TPP agreement – which is to be signed on 1 March – offers potential for enhancing our markets. Senior lecturer in Agribusiness Management, Dr Nic Lees, said New Zealand produces some of the best fruit, wine, meat, seafood and dairy products in the world but around 70 per cent reaches the consumer with no identification that is sourced from here. “Sudden changes such as Brexit remind us that relying on undifferentiated commodity exports leaves us vulnerable to sudden changes in government policies,” Dr Lees said. “When consumers demand a branded product, it is difficult for governments to shut it out of the market.” Forty-four years ago, Britain joined the European Common Market. At the time Britain took approximately 90 per cent of our butter, 75 per cent of our cheese and about 80 per cent of our lamb exports. Britain had to adopt the European “common agricultural policy” which imposed tariffs and quotas on non-European agricultural imports This meant New Zealand was effectively shut out of our largest agricultural export market. At the time, most of these products were being exported as commodities, frozen lamb carcasses and blocks of cheese. The only branded product was Anchor butter. For the next thirty years the New Zealand economy suffered as we searched for new markets and attempted to develop alternative industries. China has replaced Britain as our largest market. However, 70-80 per cent of our food exports are still sold as commodity products. “We need to develop differentiated and branded products that consumers demand,” he said. “We can learn a lesson from Anchor butter, as it is a brand that is still strong in the British market.” However, he said, […]

Dairy robotics success story attracts Australasian investors

The latest investment offering for inspection industry disruptor Invert Robotics has closed after attracting considerable interest from a number of high net worth and institutional investors from across Australia and New Zealand. Invert Robotics provides non-destructive inspection services using state of the art mobile climbing robots. Their climbing robots enable precise and accurate remote inspection of non-ferromagnetic surfaces such as stainless steel, carbon fibre, aluminium and glass. Patented robots are installed with high definition cameras and sensor technology to allow for equipment to be assessed for maintenance and for preventative analysis on a remote basis. Inspectors are fed real-time video during the inspection that allows for immediate and highly accurate analysis. The device is already being used by the major Australian and New Zealand dairy companies and co-operatives such as Fonterra, Synlait and Murray Goldburn, as well as a number of global food and beverage brands. It is also attracting interest across other sectors and throughout the food and beverage manufacturing industry in Europe and Asia such as FrieslandCampina and Heineken. The Company has also captured the attention of those working in the lucrative aviation inspection market and is poised to make a European partnership announcement soon regarding its successful development of further advanced robot technology. Invert Robotics is also looking at potential opportunities in the chemical industry, in addition to further work with energy, oil and gas companies. Following an almost million dollar crowdfunding campaign through the Sydney-based platform Equitise, a further NZ$6.4 million has now been raised from a limited sophisticated private investor round. Shareholders now include the former CEO of Macquarie Group Ltd, Allan Moss, and Inception Fiduciary Pty Ltd. These investments add to the considerable funding received from government and private venture capital sources soon after the company was founded by its now Chief Technical Officer, […]

Workforce robots on the horizon

Primary sector and manufacturing employees may find themselves with some interesting new colleagues in the next few years as researchers develop robots that can be trained to work alongside people in factories and the great outdoors. A two-year, $2m project funded by the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge Board is examining how next-generation robots can work with humans in a safe and flexible manner. Researchers will focus on developing robots to work in small-scale manufacturing and unforgiving outdoor environments. Such technology could become a global specialty of New Zealand robotics businesses, with great export opportunities and long-term solutions for the country’s economic needs. The interdisciplinary research programme involves robotics experts from Lincoln Agritech and Scion, as well as researchers and PhD students from the universities of Auckland, Canterbury, Massey, Otago, Victoria and Waikato. The programme is laying the groundwork for follow-up projects over the next few years that will focus on making New Zealand a competitive country for the production and use of robots in small-scale, flexible manufacturing businesses and challenging environments such as those found in agriculture and forestry. “We will advance the science required for a new generation of industrial robotic solutions,” says Lincoln Agritech Group Manager in Precision Agriculture, Dr Armin Werner. “These robots can provide enormous benefits to the primary and manufacturing sectors. Both industries require fast adaptation to different products and markets, and constant responsiveness to changing outdoor environments. “The robots can assist with complex tasks such as pruning tree or vine crops, safely felling trees on steep slopes or assembling small batches of appliances on demand.” To develop the technology, researchers will investigate how sensors and artificial intelligence can allow robots to perceive and understand their surroundings, flexibly handle new situations through learning or training by humans or other robots, and work […]

Synlait can now make twice the amount of infant formula

Synlait Milk has opened its new Wetmix kitchen, which will enable it to simultaneously run both large-scale infant formula spray dryers. This will double the amount of infant formula powder which can be produced at the Dunsandel site, from 40,000 metric tonnes (MT) to 80,000 MT per year. “We were at the point where our current Wetmix facility was at capacity, and our consumer demand was continuing to grow. Building this new Wetmix kitchen will relieve that pressure,” says John Penno, Managing Director and CEO. Synlait has invested $37 million in the new Wetmix kitchen, which is at the core of the production process. It’s where the dry ingredients (such as dairy proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals) are mixed into the liquid milk. That mixture is then sent to the dryer, where it is dried into infant formula base powder. Mixing the dry ingredients into the liquid milk before drying ensures a superior blend quality. The project has been in planning since December 2015 and contractors began work on site in February 2017. At times there were up to 125 contractors on site per day, but the construction of the Wetmix kitchen did not disrupt the activities of other areas on site. “We’re really happy with how the build went,” says Mr Penno “it was a smooth process which was completed on time and within budget, without the need to alter our day-to-day operations.” Designed with staff in mind, some manual steps (e.g. lifting and tipping large bags of ingredients) have been reduced with the help of automation. This creates a safer environment and provides operational efficiencies. “It was really important for us to make this new facility as user-friendly as possible. We want our employees to be safe at work, and to work under the best possible conditions,” he […]

Dairy not all about milking it

A Lincoln University pilot study is backing the importance of environmental and social responsibility, as well as the bottom line, to dairy farmers. Seeing themselves as “guardians of their land” and adopting environmentally friendly ways of farming is a key component of the farmers’ personal convictions. The study, What really drives dairy production systems: economic rationale or social and environmental responsibility? surveyed owners, share milkers and managers, to format a questionnaire for much larger sample of interviews with farmers, due to take place in January. Co-author, Professor of Farm Management Alison Bailey, who teaches primary industry systems in the Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) degree, said all the study subjects recognised social and environmental responsibilities as key areas that have to be integrated into their objectives and decision making. However, profitability and financial performance remains the basis of their system and their first objective. “In the context of changing internal and external pressures on agriculture it is important to determine whether the dimensions of sustainability – economic, social, environmental – can be integrated successfully at the farm level. “Having this knowledge is critical if we are to more fully understand the social and environmental consequences of changes in agricultural management,” Professor Bailey said. One of the farmers’ objectives was to leave the land in a better shape than when they took it on themselves so that the next generation could also benefit from it as a productive resource. It was generally agreed amongst all respondents that, in the long term, equal importance should be given to all three areas, financial, social and environmental. Most of them also mentioned sustainability concerns as one of their main objectives, and they wanted a system that is productive in the long term, resilient and environmentally friendly. Key findings • The farmers interviewed were all reasonably […]

T & G Global re-commits to growing horticulture sector

T&G Global has announced it has signed an extended five-year sponsorship agreement with the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture Education Trust which runs the Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition. RNZIH Members from left to right: Leigh Cornes, Elle Anderson – Chair, Elenka Nikolof, Ben Buchanan, Andrew Keaney, Cathrine Ming, Tara McLeod, Susan Tremain, Inrid Ennis and Nicola Rochester. T&G has supported the annual competition since it started in 2005, renewing annually, as a top-tier partnering sponsor but the growing need for more talent in the industry has led T&G to double its financial support through to 2022. Andrew Keaney, T&G’s executive general manager, New Zealand produce, says T&G considers competitions like the Young Horticulturalist of the Year to be incredibly important. “They’re vital for developing and recognising the next generations’ skills and knowledge to ensure that as an industry, we are collectively supporting our future leaders.” T&G’s strengthened commitment will enable a significant step-up in gear for the competition says Young Horticulturalist of the Year organiser Susan Tremain. “Securing a five-year strategic partnership from a company of T&G’s stature is a massive vote of confidence for the growing relevance of the competition, which not only sets the bar for the industry, but horticulture’s rise as potentially the economic powerhouse of New Zealand’s future. “It also sends a strong signal that the major players in our economy are committed to taking horticulture to a bigger and better future for our sector, and for the young talented Kiwis who are building that future in horticulture,” adds Susan. “The world needs food and the planet needs it to be produced sustainably – there’s a reason we are calling horticulture ‘the new black’”. Andrew Keaney continues saying the competition also supports the growing horticulture industry which is now worth $8 billion. “As an […]

Major waste-to-energy project honored for innovation

A major waste-to-energy project incorporating GWE RAPTOR anaerobic digestion technology available throughout Australasia has been honored as a Finalist in this year’s American Biogas Council Industry Awards. The Quantum Biopower organic-waste-to-energy project in Connecticut USA began producing biogas this year that will be used to generate electricity, demonstrating financial and environmental benefits achievable locally and globally by converting up to 40,000 tons of organic waste annually into environmentally harmonious green energy and dry bio fertiliser. The RAPTOR technology is one of a suite of GWE clean water/green energy technologies represented in Australasia by CST Wastewater Solutions, which already has successful GWE technology installations operating locally in the food, beverage and agribusiness industries. including meat processing and other industries with a biological waste stream. CST Wastewater Solutions Mr Michael Bambridge says the latest award for GWE anaerobic technologies shows their effectiveness and versatility for not only many more industrial uses, but also for municipal applications. The Quantum Biopower plant, serving the central Connecticut region, incorporates its GWE RAPTOR rapid anaerobic digestion system at the heart of its process that harvests mixed organic wastes for conversion into enough biogas (primarily methane) to generate 1.2 MW of electricity and up to 5.6 tons a day of dry bio fertiliser. The Finalist award to the Quantum Biopower project in October follows other major waste-to-energy awards for technologies represented by CST Wastewater Solutions, including one earlier this year for a project incorporating GWE technologies into the world’s largest integrated pineapple operation, Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI), which won the Best Water and Wastewater Solutions Provider honor at the Asian Manufacturing Awards. RAPTOR technology has also won a global environmental engineering from the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), which represents more than 40,000 chemical engineers worldwide. This latest honor for Quantum Biopower is a major achievement, […]

Flowfresh hygiene credentials on show

Flowfresh was developed to meet a demand in the food and beverage industry for a floor that would withstand the sector’s unique challenges. Without an adequate finish underfoot, food and beverage plants were vulnerable to a long list of unwanted costs and problems. With an average life-span of approximately 15 years, food producers that have installed a Flowfresh finish know that the facility is protected for the long term against the costs and concerns of a failing floor. Lifecycle Cost Considerations The initially higher cost of installing a thicker, fit-for-purpose flooring solution can lead F&B businesses to opt for a cheaper alternative, however this logic often backfires and ends up costing the company more money over time. This point was exemplified by a formula on lifecycle cost considerations devised by Flowcrete Group Ltd.’s Technical Director, Grant Adamson. The equation takes the initial expense of a floor and adds to it annual maintenance costs, such as cleaning, repairs and upkeep as well as the price of replacing a failed floor, including the costs incurred by shutting down production. The formula is: Lifecycle Cost Considerations (LCC) Formula LCC = C + MPW + RPW The capital cost (C) of a project includes the initial capital expense for engineering, products and installation. Maintenance (M) is the sum of all yearly scheduled operation and maintenance associated with floor repairs. (R) is the replacement cost of a failed floor, including the financial impact of shutting down production. In some circumstances, the cost of a floor failure can be excessive when a food borne illness outbreak starts out as contaminant build-up in the hard to clean gaps and cracks of a deteriorating floor and from there goes on to infect produce en masse. This point was exemplified by the case of the cantaloupe producer Jensen Farms, […]

Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders reaches unprecedented success

Holstein Friesian New Zealand (HFNZ) and CRV Ambreed’s joint sire proving programme, Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders, has reached an unprecedented strike rate of bulls graduating to market with the latest addition to the CRV catalogue, Rivendell GForce Axel. With six bulls in the team annually, and at least one bull on average per team graduating to be marketed by CRV, Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders is the most successful sire proving programme in the bull industry to date. The Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders programme has been running for 22 years, with the aim of ensuring the best genetics within New Zealand’s own pedigree Holstein Friesian population are sourced and made available to the dairy industry. Over 18 HFNZ-member-owned pedigree bulls have reached market via CRV since 1995 (with at least one per year for the last 11 years), realising many and varying benefits to HFNZ, its members and the wider dairy industry. “We’ve been enjoying success with the Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders programme for 22 years now, and the ongoing, long-term nature of it has seen excellent genetics from HFNZ members’ pedigree herds enter the market,” says Doug Courtman, HFNZ Sire Proving Committee Chairperson. Danie Swart, CRV Sire Analyst, says that since the massive influence of Top Deck KO Pierre more than a decade ago, the strike rate has been consistently good with bulls like Lornlace VHA Dumpling S3F, Maire Oman Franklin, Middlevale Mint Brave, Maire Mint Richie, and Rivendell Gforce Axel more recently. “Over the last year we’ve received very positive feedback (type and production) from farmers milking Richie, Brave, and Franklin daughters.” Another benefit of the Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders programme is breeder members’ pedigrees holding pedigree status in the commercial world, increasing their relevance dramatically. “Whereas commercial bulls that have been supplementary registered have heavily dominated the market, […]

Leading scientist honoured for a career of outstanding contribution

Plant & Food Research Scientist Dr Jim Walker has been awarded the New Zealand Apple and Pear industry’s Outstanding Contribution Award. Dr Walker was presented the highly sought after accolade at the industry’s conference in Napier recently. New Zealand Apple and Pear board member, Peter Beaven, presented Dr Walker with the award and noted his long service and significant impact. Mr Beaven said Dr Walker was the brains behind the Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) programme introduced in the 1990s. IFP was a world first, and a huge departure from the then current practice around the world. “With IFP, growers started monitoring the numbers of harmful insects on orchards through pheromone trapping and introduced the use of targeted selective sprays when required. The IFP system was introduced across the entire industry in a remarkably short time due in no small measure to this man’s efforts. Today we take such systems for granted,” Mr Beaven said. Dr Walker was also instrumental in the next generation of orchard management – the Apple Futures programme, which further reduced residue levels on fruit and enabled the industry to tailor production systems of blocks within orchards to meet the phytosanitary and residue requirements for specific markets. “However, I rate Jim’s most significant contribution to our industry as making science easy to understand for non-scientists. The best science is useless if growers cannot understand it or know how to apply it in a commercial setting. Jim has always had the knack of explaining things in ways we laypeople can readily grasp”. Dr Walker was honoured to be the award recipient and said he is not yet ready to retire. “I have been really proud to serve this industry which I have been involved in one way or another since 1972. “I’ve worked in the industry for almost […]

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