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Dairy farmer’s gym is no ordinary bootcamp

Bootcamp farmers – Kane and Nicole Brisco pictured with their son Parker and daughter Ahli. They named their children after boxers Joseph Parker and Muhammad Ali, but in their daughter’s case spelt Ahli to ensure her name was not mispronounced Ali. In the vast swathe of green pastures that make up much of South Taranaki there’s a bootcamp gym on a dairy farm that cares for more than buff bodies. It is where the heavy lifting can involve helping a mate to de-stress, just as much as heft a fence post. Welcome to dairy farmer Kane Brisco’s unique approach to not only keeping himself farming fit, but also helping others in his remote close-knit community of Ohangai to build their fitness – and overall wellbeing. “I’m a believer that you grow in mind and body when you face a few physical challenges and put yourself through a bit of discomfort,” he says. “This means when life throws one at you, you can dig a couple of tools out of the box to deal with the issue.” This 32-year-old sharemilker, husband and father of two knows about physical fitness, having spent his late teens and early 20s in the boxing ring and playing rugby, both for the Taranaki Under 20s and 100-plus senior games for the Border Rugby Club in Waverley. But what about mental wellbeing – something farming strong men and women are today only just learning to talk about? Kane Brisco sees that physical fitness and mental fitness are inextricably intertwined. He realised this during his sporting years when the training and mentoring he received made him feel good, both physically and mentally. Today, the exercise programmes he develops for people attending his bootcamp sessions aim to condition minds as well as bodies. While he had a fair idea […]

Dairy farmers go bananas

Northland dairy farmer Graeme Edwards with his banana plantation one year on from planting. The expression ‘you’re driving me bananas’ has nothing to do with being frustrated or driven crazy for some forward-thinking Northland dairy farmers. Rather, they find the idea of bananas – or banana plants, to be specific – pretty appealing, either planted in stock excluded riparian zones between waterways and the fence, or plantation-style on the farm where they can be grown for harvest, or for fodder for their cows. Graeme Edwards and Alec Jack are two of the Northland dairy farmers putting bananas to the test to see whether the plant can utilise dairy effluent. While the trials are informal at present, and very much in the early days, DairyNZ’s land and water management specialist Dr Electra Kalaugher says banana plants have potential for ‘mopping up’ nutrients in largely frost-free regions like Northland. “Dairy farmers are always looking to step more lightly on the land, and they’re enthusiastic and innovative in seeking solutions. “The banana plant’s appetite for nitrogen and potassium is well-known in traditional banana growing countries. We’re very keen to see how these plantings progress.” She adds that harvested fruit might eventually make for an additional revenue stream for some farmers, and the banana plant foliage may also provide another source of supplementary feed that is palatable to cows. Mr Edwards, who has farmed for nearly 40 years at Pakotai, just off SH 15 on the way from Whangarei to Kaikohe, planted 70 Misi Luki bananas a year ago. Already some of the plants are over two metres tall. This variety is especially disease resistant, grows to between three and four metres tall, producing a smaller fruit that is reported to be particularly tasty. “We are now looking for some funding and expert assistance […]

Milk from NZ dairy cows: sustainable, nutrient-dense, tasty too

By Dr Tim Mackle Chief Executive, DairyNZ As Kiwi families and friends sit down at the table this summer and plan picnics at the beach, they can be confident the dairy products from our New Zealand cows are both highly sustainable and one of the best sources of human nutrition on the planet. When deciding what food to eat, I’m a firm believer people need accurate, science-based information grounded in the New Zealand context, and aimed at ensuring we know what’s healthy – and sustainable. To mark the holidays when most of us will be celebrating with delicious food, I’m plating up some of the wealth of evidence being offered independently by scientists that New Zealand cows’ milk is both highly sustainable and nutritious – and, of course, makes for some tasty tucker too. My intent is to help you with informed decision-making about what to eat that’s best for human health and wellbeing, as well as what’s best for the planet – and equip anyone wishing to get involved in conversation about food and the environment. New Zealand is already world-leading in sustainable nutrient-dense dairy products. As identified by the International Dairy Federation New Zealand Committee, if all dairy producers were as efficient as we are, more than half the global emissions from dairy production could be eliminated. The sustainability and nutritional value of the food we’re eating is on the minds of many people, an ongoing topic of conversation on social media feeds, and hitting the headlines in mainstream media. Among recent coverage are in depth articles in two notable New Zealand magazines – North & South (December 2019) and NZ Listener (October 5-11 2019). With due recognition of these publications, their writers and the food scientists they interviewed – and to avoid any risk of the more […]

The Good Food Boost

The Good Food Boost is a mentorship programme for four fledging food businesses. The programme is now in its fourth year and is proven to deliver tangible benefits across distribution, production, commercialisation and strategy. Winners receive: • Five mentoring sessions from experts in food and business development (plus two group mentoring sessions). This will give the winners tips and inspiration on how to develop a tasty product that looks good, sells well and endures the test of time. • Business sustainability advice. (The Good Food Boost is free to enter.) What has the Good Food Boost enabled previous winners to achieve? • One entrant teamed up with a mentor’s distribution line and now has their product nationwide. • One entrant was approached by a mentor to help create a menu for a restaurant and the co-lab between them resulted in a new product line for the business •The mentoring programme taught one entrant that their business needed substantial changes. As a result they changed products entirely and are now hugely successful. • A mentor lined up an entrant with a food procurer for NZ’s top restaurants and now the product is in those restaurants • An entrant went back to a mentor a few months after the programme because they needed to restructure and that’s when they benefited most from the connection • Hundreds of contacts, connections and ideas are shared • The four winners help and support each other with ideas too Applications are now open. Contact: holly@sustainable.org.nz

NAIT Bill passing sends strong message to farmers

The National Animal Identification and Traceability (NAIT) Bill passed by Government yesterday sends a strong message to farmers about the importance of tracking all animal movements. DairyNZ’s biosecurity manager, Dr Liz Shackleton, says the ability to track all animal movements on and off farm is vital to protect New Zealand’s livelihood and the farming community. “It’s not something to be underestimated, and this Bill gives it a clear focus. DairyNZ worked closely with other sector groups, putting forward an aligned sector view on the NAIT Bill to the Government,” says Dr Shackleton. “Unregistered movements put not just individual farms but also the whole farming community at serious risk. Mycoplasma bovis has shown us first- hand just how critical traceability is. Slow traceability means faster disease spread and bigger impact for the farm. “Ultimately, responsibility for ensuring animals are registered, before they move, lies with the farmer and this hasn’t changed. The benefit of good traceability goes well beyond M. bovis. For any disease that comes on farm, the quicker we can find, contain and control the threat, the better,” she says. “Although many farmers are doing a good job at tracking their animal movements, every farm needs do their bit. Much like vaccination, a whole community approach is needed to ensure our defences are robust and can hold up against biosecurity threats”. New Zealand cattle can clock up significant movement across the country each year, whether it is a sharemilker moving their herd to a new farm at the start of a new season, or to sales. “All these movements carry potential risk. Farmers are ultimately responsible for ensuring animals are tagged and registered before they move, and the Bill signals stronger infringements are coming. If farms run mobs separately, farmers can consider separate biosecurity measures, such as […]

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

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand welcome today’s 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 […]

Record export highs picked for primary sector

Sustained high growth in primary industry exports looks set to continue over the next two years with strong prices predicted for farmers, fishers, growers and rural communities. Minister of Agriculture and Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor today released the latest Situation and Outlook report for the Primary Industries. “This latest report shows record results, with revenue up 3.3 per cent on the previous year, forecast to reach a record $47. 9 billion for the year to June 2020. “Our horticulture sector is set to become the third largest primary sector industry by value, overtaking forestry. Kiwifruit exports alone are expected to rise by 8.6 per cent to $2.5 billon,’’ he said. The news is good for other sectors: Meat and wool exports are forecast to reach $10.4b for the year ending June 2020 – 2.5 per cent higher than the previous year. Dairy export revenue forecast to rise 8.4 per cent to $19.6b. A faster recovery in log export prices than expected last quarter has resulted in the forestry forecast being revised upwards of $190m. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash says a significant milestone has been reached for the seafood sector. “It’s a fantastic vote of confidence to see that annual seafood export earnings are expected to pass $2 billion for the first time. The growth in this industry is underpinned by an increase in export prices and rising aquaculture production. “It’s really encouraging to see sustained growth within the seafood sector, with squid and salmon helping lead the way.” During a time of change in the primary sectors, Mr O’Connor said the positive outlook was a testament to each and every person working in the sector. “Our nation’s farmers and growers produce some of the highest quality food and fibre in the world – and […]

Helping Nutripeople combat global hunger and food waste crises

It’s an uncomfortable truth that while a third of the world’s food is wasted, one in nine people do not have enough to eat. In a bid to redress this balance, a socially conscious Spanish food producer is turning Europe’s surplus fruit and vegetables into a nutritionally enriched, easy-to-digest and 100% natural foodstuff for people in need. Thanks to equipment and support from HRS Heat Exchangers, Nutripeople can now produce 42 million pouches of its products each year, helping those in developing countries to avoid hunger and malnutrition. An alternative approach to food waste Anyone associated with the food industry is aware of the global food waste crisis. Latest figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) show that approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted every year – roughly one-third of all the food produced for human consumption. At the same time, 795 million people across the world do not have enough to eat, with those in developing countries being the most vulnerable. Established in 2015 as a social enterprise, Nutripeople has formed alliances with some of Spain’s leading fruit and vegetable producers to turn their surplus produce into a new foodstuff with a high nutritional value, thanks to the addition of natural additives such as vegetable proteins and vitamins. Its target customers are global organisations fighting hunger such as UNICEF and Oxfam, as well as food banks closer to home. A percentage of each sale also goes directly to social projects or NGOs dedicated to feeding those most in need. In addition to the social benefits, the project also aids the circular economy. It takes on average 963 litres of water to produce one kilogram of fruit, not to mention the associated labour and transport costs and carbon emissions. Recovering this […]

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 […]

Food and beverage exporters urge WTO to fix Appellate Body

Major New Zealand food and beverage exporters are urging World Trade Organisation Members to accelerate efforts to ‘fix’ its trade disputes mechanism which is currently suspended. Organisations representing New Zealand meat, dairy, horticulture, wine, and seafood exporters are deeply concerned that attempts to reach a consensus on the Appellate Body WTO have failed. This important body which adjudicates on contested rulings over disputes between member countries is now unable to function, leaving a key gap in the enforceability mechanism of the rules-based trading system. It is critical that WTO Members continue to support, but also to reform and improve, the multilateral, rules-based trade system to reflect the current and future needs of trade. A stable enforceability mechanism for the rules-based trading system provides certainty and confidence for our exporters when pursuing opportunities in global markets. New Zealand food and beverage exporters urge all WTO Members to redouble their efforts and to engage constructively in the process led by Ambassador David Walker of New Zealand to agree a pathway forward that avoids the continued suspension of the appeal process of the dispute settlement mechanism. Engaging in international trade underpins the prosperity of New Zealand food and beverage supply chains and our rural communities that produce food for the world. It has allowed our farmers access to best-practice and technology that has in turn improved the efficiency, sustainability and quality of food production. It has contributed to levelling the playing field and a more predictable trading environment. It is important to acknowledge the role this has played more broadly in promoting global food and beverage security and production. New Zealand food and beverage exporters recognise that WTO and some of its functions are not without flaws and need reform. However, WTO must also be given credit for helping to drive the prosperity […]

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