Developments

Leading New Zealand Grower Rebrands

One of New Zealand’s leading growers and the largest organic apple producer, Bostock New Zealand , has launched a new corporate name and brand to reflect the consolidation of the company and the positive growth. The Bostock Group’s three main brands JB Organics, JM Bostock Ltd and D M Palmer will all now become part of Bostock New Zealand. Bostock New Zealand owner and founder, John Bostock said the company had experienced significant expansion and was delighted to announce a new brand to simplify the company’s identities. “We had three different brands which all share identical ownership and cross over in many ways so we thought it was time to simplify our brand to reflect the positive growth of the company and strengthen our businesses positioning within the industry.” The Bostock group of companies has been growing healthy, sustainable, premium produce in New Zealand for export to the world for more than 30 years. JB Organics is New Zealand’s largest organic apple grower, exporting close to 90% of the country’s organic apple crop. In addition, JM Bostock Ltd grows, packs and markets high quality squash, onions and grain and also partly owns Bostock Organic Free Range Chicken. In 2003 the group purchased 100% of D M Palmer, a major exporter of primary products. The result has been a vertically integrated farmer owned growing and export business, with economies of scale and a key focus on sustainable agriculture. The change of name heralds exciting new opportunities for the company, but Mr Bostock says Bostock New Zealand core values won’t change. “Growing healthy, superior tasting produce is the priority for Bostock New Zealand, which has a proud history of sustainable production. We believe in educating the wider population about the benefits of eating well and we have opened an organic café to […]

Sustainable Foods Summit Highlights Key Industry Concerns

London – The food industry needs to take greater steps towards sustainable development. This was one of the key messages from the Sustainable Foods Summit (www.sustainablefoodssummit.com), hosted in Amsterdam in June. Soil fertility, carbon management, regulatory framework, and sustainable food production were stated as major areas of concern. The importance of soil fertility for sustainability was expressed by Professor Pablo Tittonell from Wageningen University. He showed how soil fertility has a direct impact on plant and animal health. He called for sustainable farming practices to improve nutrient quality in soil. A similar message was echoed by Tobias Bandel from Soil & More: improved soil structure produces lower water footprint, greater nutrient quality, as well as carbon sequestration. Dominic Watkins from DWF highlighted the regulatory uncertainty in the European food industry. With fears of a Grexit and the UK holding an in-out referendum, it was not clear what the EU would look like in a few years, let alone the regulatory landscape. He believes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could escalate food trade between the US and EU. However, a major challenge is harmonisation since there was ‘a huge chasm’ in regulations between the two sides. According to Wessanen, the future of the food industry lies with sustainable foods. By the use of food pyramids, Laurence Beck showed how the healthiest food has the lowest environmental impact. She stated the strategy of her company was to focus on organic and health foods. As part of this strategy, it had acquired Clipper, Alter Eco and Isola Bio in recent years, and was looking for similar such companies. The food industry needs to act if it is to avert a carbon crisis. This was the message from Craig Sams, founder and president of Green & Black’s, in his keynote. He […]

Vitafoods Asia Conference 2015: Translating Science into Good Business

New Expanded Content Programme & Exclusive Content from Frost & Sullivan Singapore, 20 Jun 2015 – Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages, and dietary supplement industries in Asia, today announces the programme for its second edition of the Vitafoods Asia Conference. Running alongside the exhibition from 2 – 3 September at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, the conference boasts a brand new format and an increase in content offering. Delegates can expect to hear from well-respected industry experts across segments and job functions during the two-day event. Speakers include professionals from A*STAR, Agence Tesla, ASEAN Food & Beverage Alliance, BrandHive, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chung Shan Medical University, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, EAS Strategies, Euromonitor International, Food Industry Asia, Frost & Sullivan, HealthBrandBuilders, The HealthyMarketingTeam Ltd, Herbalife Taiwan Inc., Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Innova Market Insights, International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Kaohsiung Medical University, National Yang-Ming University, and NSF International. Mr Chris Lee, Portfolio Director, Vitafoods Events, shared, “Building upon the success of our European event in May, the Vitafoods Asia Conference will bear a similar programme structure. We continue to highlight best practice, with market research and development in areas such as weight management and healthy ageing. The Conference also focuses more on regulatory aspects this year, in response to industry demand. Through this platform, we aim to facilitate dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and innovation within the industry, so as to facilitate the development of better and safer end-products for the consumer.” Two Streams: Connecting Science with Business With sessions that cover both commercial and science aspects of business, delegates are presented with a full picture of the production cycle from idea to retail shelves. Content is divided into two distinct, parallel streams: Your Business focuses on how […]

New partnership to provide enhanced pasture management for farmers

In the picture:L-R: Brendon Cane (Precision Farming) and Wayne McNee (LIC) signing the agreement at the National Fieldays yesterday. Farmer-owned co-operative LIC has entered into a partnership with Precision Farming Ltd, supplier of GIS-based systems that manage the application of farm nutrients to optimise pasture growth including fertiliser and effluent. The two companies have signed an agreement whereby Precision will share its nutrient management functionality for integration with the co-op’s MINDA farm management system used by more than 90 per cent of NZ dairy farmers. LIC chief executive Wayne McNee said it would provide enhanced information for farmers about their pasture and feed availability. “LIC is committed to helping our farmers improve their prosperity and productivity, and with a predominantly grass-based industry we recognise that pasture management and feed optimisation is an important part of that equation. “Seamless integration of farm information like fertiliser, effluent, water, and irrigation will complement our existing pasture management tools in MINDA, providing farmers with enhanced information to improve decision making and enable superior livestock performance, and deliver the benefits of precision agriculture.” Precision Farming’s system records spreading and nutrient activity on more than 4,500 farms, based on data generated by 720 of the country’s estimated 800 commercial fertiliser spreading trucks. Precision Farming also provide fertiliser monitoring GPS equipment direct to farmers, for use on self-spreading equipment and for GPS guidance and control of tractors, sprayers and harvesters. Brendon Cane, MD of Precision Farming, said they are proud to partner with LIC and make it easier, faster and more profitable for more farmers to use integrated farm management information to support better decisions. As a contractor himself, he appreciates the benefits of reducing the time and cost, and often the guesswork, associated with improving pasture performance as part of overall farm profitability. “With the […]

Organic Grower Forks Out to Hundreds of Staff to Encourage Healthy Eating

New Zealand’s largest organic apple grower is going the extra mile to educate employees about healthy eating, serving up daily organic meals for hundreds of staff. Bostock New Zealand has significantly invested in a new purpose built organic kitchen where staff can enjoy premium organic meals. Bostock New Zealand owner, John Bostock says he has always had a vision to teach his employees about healthy eating and show them that tasty, wholesome food is better for them and just as affordable as processed, fast food. “We are strongly committed to the well-being of all our staff. We are a country that has major issues with poor diet, obesity and sugar, but we can change this giving people opportunities to learn new, exciting and interesting ways to eat healthily. “By taking away the cost barrier, we hope we will start changing eating habits,” says Mr Bostock. “We grow our own organic, premium produce and we are now using this in our organic kitchen. We need to ‘walk the walk’ and create a healthy ethos inside our company so everyone who works at Bostock New Zealand in Hastings can take this home to their families and show that ‘we are what we eat’ – that nutritious food creates a healthier lifestyle.” Bostock New Zealand employs up to 600 people in the height of the season and staff are welcome to dine at the Bostock Organic Kitchen, where a top chef has been employed to dish up wholesome cooked meals for the masses – all of which are subsidised and on occasions free. Bostock New Zealand grows, packs and markets high quality squash, onions, grain and organic apples and also partly owns Bostock Organic Free Range Chicken – all produce, which is staple on the Organic Kitchen’s daily menu. Bostock Organic Kitchen Chef, […]

Partnership reaches ‘important milestone’

In the picture: Yili Group Chairman Mr Gang Pan and Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor Dr Andrew West. A Chinese dairy company and its New Zealand subsidiary have established a new research and development centre at Lincoln University following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing last year. Lincoln University and the Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group (Yili) signed the MoU in November in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinpeng and Prime Minister John Key. To build on this partnership, Dr Philip Wescombe – the newly-recruited Research and Development Manager of Yili and its New Zealand subsidiary, Oceania Dairy – is now based on the Lincoln University campus, some 11,000km from Yili’s headquarters in Hohhot City, China. “This is an important milestone for the partnership between Yili and Lincoln, and is very much in synchronisation with the objectives of the MoU,” says Lincoln University Business Development Manager Dr Samuel Yu. “Yili and Lincoln share similar interests, with Yili investing in areas such as food safety and production, as well as on-farm issues like effluent management, improving pasture production and sustainability.” Dr Yu says Dr Wescombe is a specialist in microbes and probiotics development, making him an excellent guest speaker at Lincoln, as he can offer students a global perspective from an international company. “Lincoln-Yili are in a unique position, as some of the research discoveries that we are embarking on will have an ability to materialise at the nearby Yili-Oceania Dairy production facilities at Glenavy in South Canterbury,” says Dr Yu. Yili also unveiled plans last year to invest around $400m in upgrading its Oceania Dairy plant at Glenavy, with extra capabilities in milk processing, powder manufacturing and packaging. Since the MoU signing, senior management from both sides have been actively engaged in discussions, with Yili Innovation Centre Deputy Director Dr […]

Hastings young fruit grower wins regional competition

Andrew Kearney has won the Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower 2015 competition, defeating eight other contenders from around the region. Andrew, 26, who works at T&G Pipfruit as Senior Leading Hand, has won the Horticentre $1,000 cash prize, a T&G Pipfruit NZ sponsored prize package trip to Nelson, including accommodation and airfares, PickMee Education Prize and Fruitfed Supplies wheelbarrow of merchandise. As a Young Grower of the Year finalist, he also wins a one-day media and presentation course in Auckland and an all-expenses paid trip to Christchurch to compete for the national 2015 National Young Grower of the Year title, run by Horticulture New Zealand, in August. “The competition was a real test of the experience I have gained throughout my career so far. The other guys put up some real stiff competition and really knew what they were doing so I had to be on the front foot during every challenge,” said Andrew. Nine young fruit growers battled it out over a two day event. On Friday 5 June contestants went head-to-head in a series of theoretical and practical challenges at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society Showground in Hastings, which tested the skills required to run a successful fruit growing business. On Saturday 6 June they were challenged to give a speech on a unique, fruit-growing related, current affairs topic in front of an audience of 190 guests at the Awards Evening at the Mission Estate Winery. “It’s a really great feeling to have taken the top prize today against a bunch of really talented guys,” said Andrew. “These competitions are a brilliant opportunity for any young grower in New Zealand to both test their skills and prove their capabilities to the industry. I would definitely recommend it to anyone serious about progressing their career in fruit growing.” “We […]

Vitafoods Asia 2015: Asia’s Definitive Nutraceutical Event

Fifth Edition to be Held from 2 – 3 September 2015 in Hong Kong Singapore – The fifth edition of Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages, and dietary supplement industries in Asia, returns to Hong Kong from 2 – 3 September 2015 at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Pre-registration is now open at www.vitafoodsasia.com/register, and entrance is free for industry professionals. The global nutraceutical market has to-date enjoyed steady growth for more than a decade, and factors widely recognised as drivers include an increasing consumer interest and awareness in diet-disease relationships, rising healthcare costs, and a growing ageing population. According to Euromonitor International, the retail value of fortified (or functional) food and beverages across Asia Pacific is expected to grow by 50.0% from 2014 – 2019, amounting to US$153.7 billion by the end of that period. Within the region, the top five performing markets are China, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and Hong Kong respectively, with China accounting for nearly 60% of the territory’s total sales.VFA PIC Catering to the varied needs of manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, scientists, R&D personnel, and marketing professionals, Vitafoods Asia features over 170 international exhibiting companies, who will present their latest ingredients and raw materials to upwards of 3,000 visitors from across Asia. Mr Chris Lee, Portfolio Director, Vitafoods Events, said, “Building upon the success of our last event, the team is working to enhance some of the best-loved visitor attractions of the show, as well as introduce fresh elements that will improve the experience for exhibitors and visitors alike. Ultimately, we aim to create a platform that promotes knowledge-sharing and networking, both of which facilitate business deals for the industry.” A Showcase of the Finest & Hottest Innovations Since its inception, Vitafoods Asia has been lauded by industry experts as a professional […]

Young fruit grower from Cromwell wins first Central Otago Young Fruit Grower of the Year competition

A young fruit grower from Cromwell has secured first place at the inaugural Central Otago Young Fruit Grower of the Year 2015 competition on Wednesday 27 May. James Huffadine, who works as a site manager for Parkburn Management, battled it out against five other young fruit growers from Cromwell, Roxburgh and Alexandra for the title. “Competing against five other growers, who are at the top of their game, was tough. The tests were challenging and diverse and really put our skills to the test,” says James. James (23) won a $1,500 cash prize, and as a Young Grower of the Year finalist, he has also won a one-day media and presentation course, as well as an all-expenses paid trip to Christchurch to compete for the national 2015 Young Grower of the Year title in August. “It’s been a real privilege to win the first Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition and I’m looking forward to stepping up to compete with the other finalists in the national competition in August,” says James. The competition put contestants through a range of challenges designed to test their core skills of running a fruit growing business. These included identifying biosecurity pests and diseases, tractor skills and irrigation. Grant McKay, competition co-ordinator, said the competition was a great opportunity for young growers in the Central Otago region to demonstrate their skills and knowledge of the industry. “We’re excited to bring the competition to the region and to showcase and help foster the talent we have here. I’m impressed with the contestants and the energy and time they’ve put in preparing for the competition. All of them should be proud of their performances today,” said Mr McKay. Jack Gilchrist from Willowbrook in Roxburgh took second place and won $1,000 cash, and Jonathan Bates from CAJ Van der […]

Young fruit growers to battle for regional title

Nine top young fruit growers will vie for the title of best grower in the region at this year’s Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower competition. Competitors will be put to the test in a rigorous two day event on 5-6 June at Hawke’s Bay A&P Showgrounds in Hastings, which involves theoretical and practical activities, a speech and quiz. The winner will go head-to-head with four other contestants for the acclaimed Young Grower of the Year 2015 title at the national competition, run by Horticulture New Zealand, in Christchurch on 12-13 August. “This year we have an outstanding field of contestants. As with every year, the competition will be tough here in the Hawke’s Bay. But this is our chance to show the rest of the country that we have some of the best young fruit growers in New Zealand,” says Robyn Stallard, co-ordinator of the competition. “It gets tougher each year for the competitors because the standard is so high. But we have taken out the national prize before and this year we are optimistic about reclaiming our title,” she said. The competition puts contestants through a range of key tests with various challenges from finance and marketing exercises, designed around the fundamental skills needed to running a successful fruit-growing business. The nine competitors come from around the Hawke’s Bay region: • Andrew Kearney (26), Senior Leading Hand at T&G Pipfruit • Anthony Taueki (25), Horticulturalist at Mr Apple • Balwinder Singh (28), Senior Leading Hand at T&G Pipfruit • Dale Simpson (21), General orchard maintenance at Johnny Appleseed Group of Companies • Dillon Green (24), Assistant Manager at T&G Pipfruit • Hayden Dyer (21), Export Dispatch Officer at Mr Apple • Jordan James (24), Orchard Hand at Mr Apple • Lewis Houkamau (29), Orchard Manager at Freshmay Orchards • […]

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