Developments

Food Security Governance: Empowering Communities, Regulating Corporations

By Nora McKeon This book fills a gap in the literature by setting food security in the context of evolving global food governance. Today’s food system generates hunger alongside of food waste, burgeoning health problems, massive greenhouse gas emissions. Applying food system analysis to review how the international community has addressed food issues since WWII, this book proceeds to explain how actors link up in corporate global food chains and in the local food systems that feed most of the world’s population. It unpacks relevant paradigms – from productivism to food sovereignty – and highlights the significance of adopting a rights-based approach to solving food problems. The author describes how communities around the world are protecting their access to resources and building better ways of producing and accessing food, and discusses the reformed Committee on World Food Security, a uniquely inclusive global policy forum, and how it could be supportive of efforts from the base. The book concludes by identifying terrains on which work is needed to adapt the practice of the democratic public sphere and accountable governance to a global dimension and extend its authority to the world of markets and corporations. This book will be of interest to students of food security, global governance, development studies and critical security studies in general.

Industry partnerships behind move for new agribusiness

The agribusiness education partnership is crucial for the future of the industry. Success in creating a large-scale public-private partnership with the New Zealand primary industries is likely to see a new agribusiness secondary school subject created. The brainchild of St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton, agribusiness in secondary schools is being lauded as an obvious gap that once filled could have massive economic and employment benefits for New Zealand. The new secondary school agribusiness programme was launched in November by the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy. The programme has been made possible thanks to a public-private partnership. Led by St Paul’s Collegiate School, Dairy NZ and Beef + Lamb. St Paul’s has had 48 students trial a pilot curriculum this year with another 85 signed up for next year. In addition there are now seven other schools formally involved in the project and will offering the new subject in 2016. These are: Southland Boys (Southland); Southland Girls (Southland); John McGlashan College (Otago); Christchurch Boys (Christchurch); Feilding High School (Manawatu); Lindisfarne College (Hawkes Bay) and Mt Albert Grammar School (Auckland). Following the pilot, and the Ministry of Education approval, it is hoped to offer Year 12 and 13 students at participating schools an NCEA qualification in agribusiness. The agriculture industry employs an estimated 11.4% of New Zealand’s workforce while the number of university graduates in agriculture related fields has been dropping in recent years. The curriculum development has been possible through a $2 million dollar partnership investment with principal support from DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Other business partners include: BNZ, LIC, Zoetis, AGMARDT, NZ National Fieldays Society,Greenlea Premier Meats, Waikato Milking Systems, Waitomo Petroleum and Campbell Tyson. Strategy and Investment Leader for People and Business at DairyNZ, Mark Paine, says the agribusiness education partnership is crucial for […]

Farm Open Day showcases the dairy industry

Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) opened its gates on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November to more than 900 visitors, showcasing the operations of a commercial dairy farm and giving the public an opportunity to learn about the transformation of sunshine into food. Friday was a schools only day which saw approximately 350 Year 9 and 10 students from nine secondary schools arrive in a range of vans and buses (including an old double decker bus) to be immediately taken on a guided tour of the science and business of dairy farming. School finishing times meant there was a quick view of milking at 2.30pm before departing, but not before the effects of a hot nor’wester were alleviated by a round of ice-creams. Although Saturday’s general public day was met with more moderate weather, there was still a steady supply of free dairy products on hand for sampling; such as a range of cheeses, yoghurt and more ice-cream. Visitors were given an overview of the multifaceted world of modern dairy farming; such as photosynthesis, soil types, irrigation, pastures, cows, milking, and the important aspect of collecting and processing milk for export to international markets. “The purpose of the open days are to connect visitors with the transformation of ‘sunshine into food’ and answer their questions regarding the science and technology of producing milk on farm,” says Ron Pellow, Executive Director of SIDDC. “We started the LUDF Farm Open Day last year and added a specific event for secondary schools this year. Visitors often want to view cows being milked, so we’re pleased our proximity to Christchurch enables us to give this opportunity on an annual basis. At the same time we can enhance their connection to where and how our food is produced,” he says. Overall the organisers were pleased […]

New pastures may be future weed threat

Breeding new fast-growing grass varieties that produce more seeds and are resistant to drought, pests, grazing and disease may inadvertently be creating the next generation of invasive weeds, warns an international team of researchers. As the global demand for dairy and beef escalates, farmers are increasingly seeking ways to reap greater productivity from their pastures. The problem is that in making grass varieties more robust, they are more prone to becoming a problem for the environment. For instance, new varieties can invade adjacent areas and spread across the landscape, or they can interbreed with existing invasive weeds. That’s according to Professor of Plant Biosecurity at Lincoln University and lead researcher at the Bio-Protection Research Centre, Philip Hulme, who has co-authored a research paper published in the latest edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). “Pasture species such as ryegrass and fescue may not strike people as major threats to the environment but they are regarded by the Department of Conservation as environmental weeds,” explains Professor Hulme. The research team have highlighted the need for government and agribusiness to ensure pasture plants are of low risk to the environment. “Pasture is big business in New Zealand and a large part of our economic success arises from agribusiness developing ever more productive or persistent varieties,” says Professor Hulme. “As a result there is a clear conflict between economic and conservation outcomes.” Agribusinesses do not have to assess the environmental risk of the new grass varieties they develop, but some consideration in this area might prevent the future spread of environmental weeds. “It is probably those varieties being developed for greater persistence, especially in the face of drought, that might pose the greatest future risk,” suggests Professor Hulme. The researchers have made four biosecurity recommendations for government, industry and researchers: […]

Industrial energy efficiency a full-time job

A PhD focused on increasing the energy efficiency of milk powder production has led University of Waikato engineering graduate Tim Walmsley to a full-time job with the very research group within which he worked as a PhD candidate. “My PhD research demonstrated that steam use in a typical New Zealand milk powder factory could decrease by 10% if exhaust heat recovery for the milk dryer is installed. Lab scale tests indicated issues relating to milk powder build-up and fouling, which is a key reason why dairy companies choose not to install this energy efficient technology, can be avoided through smart heat recuperator design and purposefully not being greedy in recovering heat,” says Tim. His position as a Research Fellow came about when the University of Waikato’s Energy Research Group was awarded a three-year grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) late last year. “Fonterra, Windsor Engineering and the Energy Education Trust co-funded our research bid and a significant part of this successful proposal continues on from my PhD research.” The next step in his research is to prove his design solution at a pilot-scale level before further up-scaling to a full-size New Zealand milk spray dryer. “A milk spray dryer exhaust heat recovery project is a million dollar investment and a pilot scale installation will help de-risk and bring greater certainty around the economics of a full-scale project.” While studying towards his PhD, Tim won a University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship, the Todd Foundation Scholarship in Energy Research, and a Claude McCarthy Conference Travel scholarship. These scholarships supported him through his three years of study towards a PhD in engineering, which he completed in June 2014, and provided the opportunity for him to present his work at two international engineering conferences.

Seeka sees annual profit growth of up to 11%, planning for beefed-up capacity

Seeka Kiwifruit Industries, the country’s biggest kiwifruit grower, sees annual profit growth of up to 11 percent and is planning to expand its capacity in coming years as kiwifruit crops recover from the outbreak of the Psa-V vine disease. The Te Puke-based company forecasts net profit of between $2.6 million and $3 million in the 12 months ending Dec. 31, compared to $2.7 million in 2013, it said in stakeholder presentation slides published on the NZX. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and before the cost of the share scheme are expected to be between $10 million and $10.5 million, up from $9.9 million last year. The slides show the kiwifruit grower and coolstore and packhouse operator is predicting bigger kiwifruit volumes, primarily from the Psa-V resistant variety G3, and is evaluating options to expand capacity from 2016. “Early financial planning indicates that Seeka can expand its capacity to meet kiwifruit demand within its current resources,” the slides say. Earlier this month, Seeka came out in support of a class action to sue the Ministry for Primary Industries over the outbreak of Psa-V seeking compensation for the devastation of crops across the Bay of Plenty. Seeka estimates the Psa bacteria has cost it more than $45 million, and prompted it to slash its workforce by 40 percent to mitigate the impact of the outbreak, which is still impacting on the kiwifruit grower and coolstore owner. The company said it is open to expanding its existing business and other complementary investment opportunities. The shares fell 1 percent to $2.94 yesterday, and have gained 40 percent this year.

Agrichemical operators reminded about certification

Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) has endorsed the warnings made recently by Waikato Regional Council (WRC) that agrichemical contractors operating without certification are breaching regulations. Chief executive Roger Parton says RCNZ shares the concerns WRC – and other regional councils – have about unqualified and/or unregistered chemical applicators not been properly trained or qualified to spray agrichemicals. “RCNZ has a Chemical Applicator accreditation programme to meet the needs of both our members and the industry.” Mr Parton says 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. He says there are two levels of agrichemical applicator accreditation available through Rural Contractors New Zealand: – Basic Chemical Applicator – Registered Chemical Applicator – These are personal accreditation held by the individual. “Rural Contractors New Zealand has a strict policy in regards to any person applying agrichemicals in a public place or on private property for hire and reward,” Mr Parton explains. “He or she has either got to be the holder of a Registered Chemical Applicator accreditation or have a Basic Chemical Applicator (or equivalent) accreditation and be operating under the immediate and direct supervision of the holder of a Registered Chemical Applicator accreditation.” Mr Parton adds that all agrichemical contractors accredited through RCNZ carry wallet cards to prove their accreditation. RCNZ also supports the council’s reminder about rules requiring neighbours to be notified before any spraying takes place. “However, spraying can only take place when weather conditions are suitable and sometimes this does not permit the notification timeframes required in the rules,” he explains. Meanwhile, Mr Parton says contractors wanting information about correct agrichemical application procedures, training, certification and safety will find all the necessary information […]

Anticipating a fruitful show

Exhibiting at a leading United States trade show is expected to deliver returns for fresh produce sorting and packaging specialists BBC Technologies which says the event has borne fruit for the company in the past. BBC is the world’s leading supplier of blueberry sorting and packing machinery and has growing markets for its high quality equipment to sort and track cherries, grapes, small tomatoes, cranberries and other delicate products such as olives and mushrooms. It will have an expanded presence at the 2014 Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit Convention & Expo in California, one of the largest trade shows held in the United States. The company signed a significant deal at last year’s show, says International Sales and Marketing Manager Jason Walker, with a multi-commodity packing client in Florida. “They liked the versatility of our ‘Fill by Weight’ (FBW) machine and bagger which can be used to pack multiple lines of produce,” he says. The technology has advanced in the last 12 months and a new box filler means the equipment can now fill clamshells, cups, punnets, bags and boxes. In addition to its traditional market in the blueberry sector, BBC is supplying a growing number of cherry packers and re-packers, in Europe, Asia and the Americas. With demand for BBC’s technology spiralling in the North American market, Walker is optimistic about this year’s PMA event, the third at which BBC has taken exhibition space. “We’re working on several turnkey opportunities as well as numerous enquiries from companies wanting to use our sorting and filling equipment. PMA is highly regarded and provides a forum for us to meet potential and existing customers face to face and also understand where the wider market is going.” Flexibility is central to BBC’s offering. The company has an established track record for working […]

Accreditation milestone for Synlait Milk

Synlait Milk has become a registered manufacturer of retail-ready infant milk formula for export to China. The Canterbury company announced on September 30 it had received approval from the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China. Managing director John Penno said the latest registration was a major milestone for the business. It added to its registration as a manufacturer of general dairy products and infant formula base powders for export to China, granted in May. ”Being able to manufacture and export high-quality finished infant formula products to China will help Synlait Milk deliver on its value-added strategy, and provides an important confidence boost for our China business where we see significant opportunity for future earnings,” Dr Penno said. Synlait had applied for registration after the Ministry for Primary Industries approved the risk management programme for its dry blending and consumer packaging plant. The plant could process 30,000 metric tonnes a year at the rate of 110 cans a minute. That made it ”a cost-competitive solution for large-volume customers”, the company said. ”It was our intention to build the best plant of its type in the southern hemisphere, particularly in terms of operating efficiency and product quality standards, and feedback from our multinational customers who refer to the plant as `next generation’ affirms our goal,” Dr Penno said. ”We now have an integrated facility on one site in Canterbury, New Zealand that gives us full manufacturing and packaging control, and delivers on the needs of our infant formula customers for a complete, integrated supply chain solution, from raw milk sourcing and collection through to manufacturing and retail packaging.” Automation reduced physical handling of product, and a purpose-built, in-process laboratory inspected every can processed.

Rural Contractors question machinery and parts costs

Rural Contractors New Zealand is questioning the high cost of machinery and parts that contractors and farmers are currently paying. RCNZ President, Steve Levet says with the falling forecast milk price for the coming season dairy farmers are going to be careful when making decisions this year – and cost cutting will be top of mind. “With the reality of a lower dairy payout this year, sheep and beef farmers already under the pump and arable producers also feeling the squeeze – further pressure is going to come on contractors to at least hold or reduce our costs,” he explains. “Rural contractors do not have the luxury or the ability to absorb continued cost increases and just pass them on in our pricing to clients. So while farmers are not able to wear any price increases; contractors certainly cannot afford to carry on losing money either.” Mr Levet says rural contracting is a tough business and in today’s highly competitive environment it is not easy to make a profit.“Contractors are already running pretty tight operations and there is not a lot – or in most cases any – fat to cut.” He says like their farmer clients rural contractors will have to look at reducing their costs. “For most rural contracting business; one key area of cost is that of machinery and parts. Ask anyone about the costs of parts and they will all tell you the same thing: eye-watering!” Mr Levet says this has seen many contractors – and farmers – look at sourcing parts from either non-aligned dealers and/or the internet. “Just like consumers in the other parts of the economy; many rural contractors are finding the attraction and availability of cheaper goods via the internet a genuine way for them to cut costs.” He admits there are […]

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