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Government supports dairy farming jobs for kiwis

The Government and dairy sector have joined forces on a new campaign to support COVID-19 affected workers into a farming career, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said. The 2020 GoDairy campaign was launched today by DairyNZ, in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry for Social Development (MSD), and with support from Federated Farmers. “We know that people have lost their jobs because of COVID-19, and we know there is significant and urgent demand for trained workers in the dairy sector,” Damien O’Connor said. “We want to continue to connect people with jobs in dairy, and more broadly in the primary industries because we know these sectors will be key to our economic recovery. “GoDairy has a crucial role to play. The programme has a history of successfully recruiting and supporting people into dairy careers, over the past 15 years. The Government and the sector are giving it a welcome boost to encourage new-found farmers, by investing $3.5 million to expand this crucial work during our economic recovery,” Damien O’Connor said. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said that although the new campaign is still in its early days, there is good interest from people wanting to pursue a dairy farming career. “Like all successful businesses, dairy farming needs good talent. Currently there are 1,000 job vacancies on dairy farms nationwide,” Tim Mackle said. “There are excellent career opportunities in farming – from doing the books, to working with machinery, caring for animals, and managing staff. Technology plays a major part in the business too. “To date, GoDairy has interest from people across a range of career backgrounds – from tourism and hospitality to engineering, finance, and truck drivers. While many people might not be familiar with the day-to-day of dairy farming, most have work and life skills that […]

Scientists warn of increasing threats of invasive species

International researchers are warning that the threats posed by invasive alien species are increasing rapidly. In a new study they say that urgent action is required to prevent, detect, and control invaders, but also point to New Zealand as showing the way forward. The research shows how climate and land-use change, alongside international trade are exacerbating the impacts of biological invasions worldwide. It highlights the role of emerging pathways such as the online trade and the transport of species across oceans on rafts of plastic. “Many countries around the world are only now waking up to the threat of invasive alien species, an issue New Zealand has been tackling for many decades,” says Distinguished Professor Philip Hulme of the Bio-Protection Research Centre, one of the lead authors of the study. “New Zealanders have led the eradication of rats across increasingly larger islands, have wiped out the salt-marsh mosquito, not once but twice, and we are making progress to be the first country to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis from its cattle herds.” Unfortunately, New Zealand is not immune to the problems of invasive alien species, with myrtle rust being a recent arrival that is here to stay, and we have a legacy of pests and weeds that were introduced in less enlightened times. “We are known as one of the weediest countries in the world and we still have much to do to restore our natural landscapes,” says Professor Hulme. Climate change and the demands of increased international trade will continue to put pressure on our borders requiring even more robust biosecurity strategies. “Our success at tackling COVID-19 has grabbed the world’s attention,” says Professor Hulme. “We should build on this to highlight our world leadership in tackling a wide range of invasive species so that we become the global one-stop-shop for […]

Tuition fees on postgraduate courses waived to meet employment needs

Lincoln University is endeavouring to meet the need of the thriving food and fibre sector for skilled and qualified workers by waiving tuition fees on a number of postgraduate courses which feed into it. The move also boosts retraining options for those who might have suffered job losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The essentially free course offering includes taught master’s degrees in areas such as agricultural systems, food innovation, pest management, accounting, and sport and recreation management, as well as graduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas in applied science, environmental management and commerce (and many more), all offered from Semester 2 in July. They range from one to three semesters long, include online options, and are only available to domestic students. Lincoln, as a specialised land-based university, has a long connection to the food and fibre sector, conducting valuable research and growing qualified work-ready graduates, as well as promoting sustainable initiatives. Over 350,000 New Zealanders work in the food and fibre sector, which includes agriculture, horticulture and viticulture, as well as agribusiness. It contributes over 11% of New Zealand’s GDP, and has an increasing need for skilled and qualified workers. Lincoln University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bruce McKenzie, said the university was well connected to industry, and aware of the need the primary sector had for the graduates Lincoln produced to keep driving the New Zealand economy, and this was particularly important in the wake of COVID-19, with other industries under pressure. “We want to do all we can to meet that need, as well as offering people from other industries the chance to train for a new career. We have removed that barrier of cost, and are offering innovative courses in many different areas that add to the knowledge and qualifications they already have to make them very employable.” […]

Catch crops after winter forage grazing a win-win for farmers, environment

Hardy catch crops such as oats are showing major promise for mopping up excess nitrogen after winter grazing and could create a win-win for farmers in terms of their environmental footprint and profitability. Dr Peter Carey, a Lincoln Agritech Field Researcher, is leading a three-year Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) research programme, in conjunction with Plant and Food Research, to apply the use of catch crops more widely in winter forage rotations. Dr Carey, who completed a PhD at Lincoln University on the use of catch crops, found that they can reduce nitrate leaching by as much as 40%. This study looks to extend his research and apply it directly to commercial farms in Canterbury and Southland. The project aims to adapt their use to the different soils and climatic conditions of each region. “Catch crop strategies are becoming more important, with the new Action for Healthy Waterways regulations coming into effect in winter, 2021,” Dr Carey said. “These will prevent farmers from leaving paddocks bare for more than a month after winter forage grazing. Fortunately, the research is showing that catch crop strategies can be a profitable avenue. “Nitrate leaching, and nitrogen loss generally, is particularly problematic in winter as non-lactating dairy cows eat large quantities of feed over a fairly short period of time to build up their body conditioning. “Then they deposit large volumes of urine onto bare soil at a time when plant growth is minimal. “Usually, catch crops are sown in autumn between the harvesting of the previous summer crop and a new crop in spring to conserve soil nutrients over the winter but in winter forage rotations, they need to be sown at the end of the grazing period, which is often mid-winter when soil and climate conditions are at […]

Milking the Planet

How Big Dairy is heating up the planet and hollowing rural communities IATP’s latest report, Milking the Planet: How Big Dairy is heating up the planet and hollowing rural communities, reveals that the total combined greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the world’s largest 13 dairy corporations rose by 11% in just two years (2015-2017). As the global dairy industry expands and scales up into new territories, dairying is disintegrating into larger operations controlled by a handful of big dairy processors. Simultaneously, Big Dairy’s GHG emissions are increasing, and indebtedness, farm loss and bankruptcies in rural communities are on the rise. The COVID-19 crisis has compounded the dairy crisis, further revealing the fragility of the concentrated system built by corporations. “The biggest dairy companies in the world have the same combined greenhouse gas emissions as the UK, the sixth biggest economy in the world, according to a new report,” wrote the Guardian’s Damian Carrington in the June 15 coverage of our report. “More than 90% of the corporate dairy industries’ emissions are produced by the cows themselves, mostly in the form of methane.” The corporations’ increase of 32.3 million tonnes of GHGs in 2017 equated to the pollution stemming from 6.9 million passenger cars driven in one year (13.6 billion litres or 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline). The combined 2017 emissions exceeded the emissions of carbon majors BHP and ConocoPhillips, two of the top 20 fossil fuel emitters. Increased market concentration through mergers and acquisitions has contributed to the emissions rise. The French dairy corporation Le Groupe Lactalis, for example, increased its emissions by 30%. The corporations’ combined milk intake went up by 8%. Despite the climate crisis, zero of the 13 processors have explicitly committed to a clear and absolute reduction of emissions from their dairy supply chain. These are […]

Primary industries drive Covid recovery

Primary sector exports are on track to grow by $1.7 billion on last year helping underpin NZ’s Covid-19 recovery, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “Overseas consumers are now more than ever looking for healthy, New Zealand-made food. We’ve seen that with the sustained demand for fresh fruit, particularly in Europe and North America and the strong demand for red meat in China,” Damien O’Connor said. “Our farmers and growers are in a strong position to help us reboot our economy. Along with the sector, the Government is focused on creating more demand, pursuing greater market opportunities to generate higher export returns and growing rural communities with new jobs. “In lieu of the June 2020 edition of the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI), the Ministry for Primary Industries today released the Economic Update for the Primary Industries, showing for the year-to-date primary industries export revenue is tracking 4.5 per cent ($1.7 billion) higher than the previous year. Dairy exports were particularly strong since the start of March, up $512 million (12 per cent) compared to the same time last year. Chinese meat imports surged in the second half of 2019. The animal protein shortage, due to the African swine fever outbreak in China, should help support prices and demand over the next year. There was a strong start to the season for apple and kiwifruit exporters with revenue up $274 million (18 per cent) on last year since the start of March. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash said the Chinese market for rock lobster was significantly affected by Covid-19, but is now showing signs of recovery as seafood markets begin to reopen. “New Zealand kaimoana enjoys an excellent reputation around the world, built on the hard work of generations of fishing operators. The almost $2 billion in export revenue it brings into […]

Innovations-at-the-heart-of-Fieldays-Online

Innovation at the heart of Fieldays Online

Fieldays Online is the New Zealand National Fieldays Society’s innovative move towards an increasingly digital and borderless future. “Innovation is part of our DNA. This is no different to the first ever Fieldays when organisers expected around 3000 people but ended up hosting 10,000. 52 years on and we have essentially been forced to adapt and try something new. In many ways this harks back to the real reason the event was started, which is why we’ve invested heavily in the online offering. It’s the most innovative thing we have ever done,” says Peter Nation, CEO of the NZNFS. Fittingly, the virtual event will see the return of the famous Fieldays Innovation Awards which has opened digital doors to international exhibitors keen to be a part of the globally renown awards. A sentiment echoed by Irish agritech exhibitors MagGrow, who are bringing their innovative crop technology to the competition. “Fieldays Innovation Awards is pretty much recognised as one of the premier agricultural award events in the world. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to connect with potential customers, investors, commercial and local research partners. It also provides MagGrow a fantastic platform to reach out to a wider audience through the various media channels. “New Zealand’s international reputation as a leader in the agritech sector is well established. In addition, the country is home to world leading agricultural research centres and universities. The country’s appetite for new technology that supports sustainable farming make it an ideal market for MagGrow’s award winning and innovative technology.” More locally, the return of 2016 entrants, Antahi, will be launching their new ‘Trusti Colostrum Management System’. A product the team have been working on since 2017. An affordable, environmentally friendly, animal friendly and highly practical pasteurising/storage/feeding system for colostrum. Antahi says their 2016 experience provided […]

Increasing demand for Greek fruit and veg amid Covid-19

Spain and Italy experience low harvest due to unfavourable weather conditions Tridge, a global sourcing and market intelligence hub for food buyers and suppliers, has reported the latest market trends affecting the food and agriculture sector. This week the biggest news relates to the increasing demand for Greek produce. Greek fruit and vegetable exporters are experiencing prolific sales as the demand for healthier produce has increased due to the impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak. Since, Greece’s measures against the pandemic have been effective, Greek products are seen as safer in comparison to other produce producing countries. Low harvest seasons in Italy and Spain due to a combination of unfavourable weather conditions and labour shortages have also contributed to the rise in demand for Greek produce. Border closures in Spain and Italy have delayed seasonal workers returning to farms – an issue that has rippled across most of Europe. Hoshik Shin, founder and CEO at Tridge said: “The effects of Covid-19 have been felt around the world, and many buyers are seeking alternative suppliers to meet the consumer demand for safer and healthier products. Aside from the impacts of the pandemic, weather conditions can also significantly impact a harvest season, meaning that buyers need more options when sourcing suppliers. Using an online trading platform such as Tridge can open up more choices for both buyers and suppliers, which is especially important when trying to find quality products and good prices”.

Govt backing horticulture to succeed

The Government is backing a new $27 million project aimed at boosting sustainable horticulture production and New Zealand’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “Our horticulture sector has long been one of New Zealand’s export star performers, contributing around $6 billion a year to our economy. During and post lockdown they’ve become a lifeline for a number of redeployed workers from industries such as tourism, forestry and hospitality,” he said. “Our growers and producers will play a critical role in our economic recovery. The Government knows this which is why in Budget 2020 we committed $38.5 million to help the sector seize further opportunities for future growth. This adds to that investment. Mr O’Connor said A Lighter Touch is a collaboration between government and industry. The aim is to create new growing methods and crop protection measures that reduce chemical use, and spur greater production. “Our high-value overseas consumers want to know the story behind their food. They want greater assurances that the food and fibre they buy is produced in a sustainable way – and they’re willing to pay a premium for it. “We have a great story to tell because our growers are among the most efficient and sustainable in the world. There is an opportunity for New Zealand to become the world’s preferred supplier of plant-based food products. This project will help us seize that opportunity, create more demand, generate higher export returns, and grow rural communities with new jobs.” Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Chapman said the importance of biological methods and increasing production was reflected in the investment from the different sectors. “Our growers want to take greater care of the environment but there are only a few viable options for pest and disease control currently. “This is why this project is […]

Turbulence in the meat industry detrimental to consumer confidence

Following the news (June 3rd) that Brazilian labor prosecutors have filed a petition with a local court demanding the closure of a JBS SA pork plant due to the outbreak of novel Coronavirus, a decision that is still pending according to news reports. Carmen Bryan, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her commentary on how this could impact consumer confidence: “The challenges JBS are currently facing from Covid-19 are shared across the entire meat sector worldwide; meat processing plants are quickly being labelled as hotspots for the virus and, should this continue, it could deter many consumers from purchasing such products. Confusion around how the virus is spread and where it came from reinforces what we are already seeing as cautionary behavior from some consumers, and may lead them to opt for alternative meat offerings. “It’s worth noting that, as of week 10 of GlobalData’s weekly Covid-19 tracker survey, published on June 3rd, 73% of Brazilian consumers are concerned about the safety of product packaging* – and such concerns will also translate to production further down in the supply chain, particularly as people demand more transparency from brands and operators. Across different sectors, Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of adapting operations to guarantee people and product safety in the face of the crisis – something that the meat industry continues to strive to achieve.”

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