Ingredients

NSW Wine imbibes tech solution to tell the story of the region’s wines

Australia -Leading Australasian TradeTech company TradeWindow (NZX: TWL) is working with the New South Wales Wine Industry Association (NSW Wine) to transform how its members share the unique story behind every bottle with buyers around the world. New South Wales is Australia’s second largest wine producing state after South Australia, accounting for 32% of Australia’s $44 billion wine industry. TradeWindow’s US FDA award-winning Assure+ platform, (formerly known as Rfider), allows producers and exporters alike to engage their customers digitally by instantly connecting buyers to the information they need to make more informed purchasing decisions. John Pennington, Executive Manager at TradeWindow, says that Assure+ provides a mechanism for businesses to share their stories and prove provenance and sustainability claims. “Today’s resellers and consumers demand greater transparency and digital age convenience from the brands they choose. The Assure+ platform has been designed from the ground up to help producers capture, store, manage, and share the types of information needed to meet their transparency objectives, be they related to ESG, provenance or quality,” said Mr Pennington. The ‘catalogue’ function of Assure+ allows event organisers to select the wines they’d like to showcase at an event and make them instantly available via a unique QR Code. Wine producers control exactly what information they would like to make available and retain full control of the brand experience. NSW Wine was able to onboard 17 wineries onto the Assure+ platform in a matter of days and create its first industry event catalogue in a few seconds. Behind the scenes, the platform ensures product information is presented in the user’s chosen language and that any region-specific content is displayed accordingly. Fullglass Management Director, Simon West, says the platform has lifted the brand experience and story-telling game for its customers. “Assure+ enables our […]

Nelson manufacturer wins Supplier of the Year award for 3rd Year Running

A Nelson-based contract manufacturer for products made from high-quality natural ingredients has for the third year running won the Supplier of the Year Award for New Zealand’s natural health products industry. Industry body Natural Health Products NZ recently announced Alaron Products as the 2021 winner. The award, which was decided by popular vote among Natural Health Products NZ’s members, recognises a supplier that has made a significant contribution to businesses within the sector. Natural Health Products NZ’s General Manager Kerry Warn says Alaron Products has developed an excellent reputation during nearly 30 years of custom manufacturing nutraceutical products. “Alaron has a high standard for quality control, and continuously strives for success and supports clients to deliver premium quality products to worldwide consumers. They have developed a reputation for providing exemplary customer service and high-quality products. “Alaron’s ongoing success in our Supplier of the Year this event shows the extent to which they get it right on every level.” Alaron’s General Manager Business Development Claire Quin says the third consecutive win is a very proud moment for the company. “Everything we do is with our customers in mind and the fact that our customers recognise our team’s efforts is truly rewarding. “Our team is focused on meeting customers’ needs and it takes a big effort from all aspects of our supply chain to make that happen.”

Fonterra joins forces with DSM to lower carbon footprint

Fonterra and Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and sustainable living, are teaming up to work on reducing on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New Zealand. While the organisations have a long-standing working relationship, the new collaboration is based around DSM’s feed additive product Bovaer®, which effectively and consistently reduces methane emissions from cows by over 30 percent in non-pasture-based farming systems. The question that needs answering now is: Can it do the same in New Zealand’s pasture-based farming systems? While New Zealand dairy farms are acknowledged as having the lowest carbon footprint in the world among major milk producers, Fonterra recognises that biological emissions produced by cows are a major contributor to the country’s overall emissions and is working to do whatever it can to find ways to reduce them. Fonterra Group Director Farm Source Richard Allen says that finding a solution to the methane challenge requires more than just the hard graft farmers are putting in. “We need to find a breakthrough in reducing emissions from cows and Bovaer could provide exactly that. This work with DSM is an exciting opportunity for the Co-op.” Fonterra Chief Science & Technology Officer, Prof. Jeremy Hill, says the Co-op wants to explore and validate how Bovaer® could work here in New Zealand, where cows are predominantly fed grass. “We also see this as an opportunity to further accelerate our global leadership in low-carbon dairy products to create more value for our New Zealand milk.” “Fonterra is working closely with DSM New Zealand to ensure that any innovation is well tested and can easily be distributed and used by our farmers.” Mark van Nieuwland, global programme head for DSM Nutritional Products says they are proud to be in collaboration […]

NZ gluten-free boom prompts new testing service

Hill Laboratories technologist, Sam Marengo, was appointed to develop the ELISA gluten testing methodology at Hill Laboratories. New Zealand’s largest privately owned testing laboratory, Hill Laboratories, has announced it is offering a gluten testing service with the fastest turnaround-time in the Country. The company has introduced the service in response to the rapid increase in consumer demand for gluten free products, which according to Coeliac New Zealand Incorporated, is increasing in NZ by an estimated 26% annually-1. Technologist, Sam Marengo, said Hill Laboratories developed the test to ensure those purchasing gluten-free products can correctly label their gluten free foods for the benefit of consumers. “More and more Kiwi consumers are avoiding the ingredient due to gluten intolerance or simply dietary preference,” Marengo said. “As a result of more Kiwi’s going gluten free, manufacturers and retailers across the country are feeling the pressure to respond with gluten free products. “Supermarkets now dedicate whole aisles to gluten free products and more cafes and restaurants offer gluten free food. Marengo says the turnaround time for Hill Laboratories’ gluten testing service is 5 days, which is between 2 and 5 days faster than its competitors. “This service will enable manufacturers, retailers, local cafés and restaurants to accurately label their products and check for cross-contamination. “By utilising our gluten testing service, manufacturers, retailers, local cafés and restaurants across New Zealand can label their products appropriately, for this important gluten free audience.” Marengo said According to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, manufacturers who label foods “gluten free” must not contain detectable gluten (no more than three parts per million)2. “When a manufacturer tests with us, they can find out whether their food adheres to the Code, and therefore ensure they have the correct labelling,” Marengo said. “In turn, consumers can be sure that what […]

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 […]

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcome sector-wide vision

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcomes the launch of a shared sector-wide vision to be world leaders in the sustainable production of high-quality food and fibre. “We are supportive of the Primary Sector Council’s broad vision of having a coordinated approach across sectors and Government that will help us develop our international brand and deliver more value for farmers,” Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Chair Andrew Morrison said. “New Zealand farmers are constantly having to adapt to shifting consumer demands in order to compete internationally and achieve a premium in the global marketplace. Increasingly consumers are asking for assurances that the product is both sustainably and ethically produced. “We believe that our farmers are already world leaders when it comes to the production of high-quality, pasture-based products with a low environmental impact – but that doesn’t mean we can get complacent. We are always striving to improve” DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel added. “Sustainable farming has a critical role to play in New Zealand’s future prosperity and wellbeing. If we all work together to embrace change, adapt and thrive, Kiwi farmers have a bright future ahead. The Primary Sector Council’s vision – Fit for a Better World – aligns with work that is already underway from both DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand in the form of both Dairy Tomorrow and Taste Pure Nature. Dairy Tomorrow is our dairy sector strategy to ensure dairy farming is sustainable and profitable into the future. It includes six key commitments: • We will protect and nurture the environment for future generations; • We will build the world’s most competitive and resilient dairy farming businesses; • We will produce the highest quality and most valued dairy nutrition; • We will be world leading in on-farm animal care; • We will […]

Farmer voting open for DairyNZ board

Voting closes before DairyNZ’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Hamilton on Tuesday, October 22.

OVERSEER’s significant contribution to New Zealand agriculture

“OVERSEER is a tool that has given a great deal to the agriculture sector and will keep giving for the foreseeable future,” says Caroline Read the General Manager of OVERSEER. “It’s a gift that keeps giving,” she says. This follows the release of an independent valuation report prepared by Hamilton-based agricultural economist Phil Journeaux entitled “Valuation of the Benefits of the OVERSEER® Nutrient Budget Model”. In his report, Journeaux points out that OVERSEER has become a vital tool for managing nutrient use by providing a picture of nutrient movement on a farm, including estimating nutrient leaching. To derive similar information to that provided by OVERSEER would involve significant costs to users, especially farmers and regional councils, and may not be as accurate or effective in predicting nutrient use for individual farms. “The already sunk cost of the agricultural sector into OVERSEER is estimated at around $12m over its 16 year history. Journeaux’s estimates of the benefit to the sector far exceed this cost,” says Read. With or without-OVERSEER scenarios were considered by a range of experts interviewed by Journeaux during the three months of field research he undertook. He focused on three areas: fertiliser application, nutrient management on-farm and research, to arrive at an average benefit of $271m per year. This value projected over a 50 year lifetime is calculated as $3.3b. “This is a very large figure. It is useful to have specified this figure using recognised valuation criteria as it confirms that there is real and solid value in OVERSEER. It demonstrates that the investment of the OVERSEER owners has been more than justified and has created substantial value for the sector,” she says. The report notes that without OVERSEER, nutrient budget assessments would be more manual, taking more time and requiring more information and calculations. Soil testing […]

Prestigious scholarship for Māori student

A Lincoln University Master’s student has been awarded a prestigious scholarship that aims to increase Māori participation in the fisheries and aquaculture industries. Roxanne Lloyd, who is studying towards a Master of Applied Science in Environmental Management, received the Rona Scholarship at the recent 2015 Ngā Whetū Hei Whai: Charting Pathways for Māori Industry Future Conference. Each year, the Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust awards up to 10 of these scholarships to Māori who are completing degrees in fisheries, aquaculture or marine sciences. “It was great to be given the opportunity to go to the Ngā Whetū Hei Whai conference,” Ms Lloyd says. “There were a number of inspiring speakers, such as Sir Mason Durie, Dr Ernesto Sirolli and the Minister of Māori Development, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell. “All the speakers encouraged and inspired us to work hard and achieve our goals as Māori. The conference was a chance to network with people from different fields. I think the people I met and the relationships I made at the conference will help me achieve my goals and future plans.” Ms Lloyd’s Master’s research involves exploring the pattern of marine farm locations throughout New Zealand and investigating how climate change can play a role in determining the best sites for such farms. “Climate change can affect a number of important resources that humans rely on,” she says. “In particular, aquaculture provides a food source, but an increase in water temperature or ocean acidification can alter the environments needed to farm certain species.” Her research involves mapping the marine farm locations using GIS and agent-based modelling. “I have always had an interest in GIS, and have been able to learn a new skill while carrying out this research.” Ms Lloyd started working towards her Master’s degree at Lincoln in April this year, after […]

Hot topics in the paddock

Over 200 farmers and rural professionals turned up for a third Farm Focus Day at Owl Farm this week to take part in sessions dealing with topics relevant right now to the struggling dairy industry. Visitors to the St Peter’s School and Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm in Cambridge heard from Demonstration Manager Doug Dibley about the farm’s season-to-date performance, and related ideas for improving performance in a poor payout year. “Like most Waikato Farms,” says Doug, “Owl Farm has felt the impact of a cold and wet July and August, which has led to much lower average pasture growth rates than anticipated. Production for the season is currently three percent down on the previous season.” Doug reported that Owl Farm is currently primed to capitalise on better growing conditions, which are expected to occur sooner rather than later, at which point managing pasture quality will become the number one priority. “The cows have recently just hit an average of 2kgMS/cow/day and we are hoping to hold them at this level longer to re-capture some of the lost production.” Farmers at the Focus Day were surveyed around their priorities in low payout seasons. Sixty percent said they focus attention on cost of production rather than increasing pasture harvested per hectare. When asked about actions undertaken on farm to reduce financial impact, indications were of slightly fewer cows being milked than last season and less spending on capital fertiliser. While half of those surveyed hadn’t reduced costs, others said they will be buying less supplement in than last season. Nearly half indicated that their summer cropping regime would remain the same this year. Others indicated it would increase as a result of less available brought-in feed. Several farm strategies were modelled against Owl Farm’s existing system to understand the financial implications. […]

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