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Scholarship gives young people boost into beekeeping career

Young people interested in a beekeeping career are being encouraged to apply for the annual Ron Mossop Youth Scholarship, sponsored by Mossop’s Honey and Apiculture New Zealand. The scholarship was set up three years ago as a way of giving young people the best possible start in the apiculture industry. The scholarship includes $2000 to be put towards best practice training and/or set up costs. It also includes membership of industry body Apiculture New Zealand for a year and attendance at the industry’s national conference in the year of the award. Last year’s recipient, Bay of Plenty 18-year-old Angus Brenton-Rule, says the scholarship provided valuable support in his first year of beekeeping. As well as allowing him to buy resources to kick-start his career, Angus welcomed the opportunity to make connections with the wider industry through his membership of Apiculture New Zealand and his attendance at their June conference. “Conference was a really great opportunity to meet other beekeepers and hear about what’s happening in other parts of the country. I learnt lots.” Angus has spent the last year working for Whakatane-based Golden Grove Apiaries says the experience has him enthused about a future in the industry. “It’s such a fun and interesting job. I definitely see it as something I want to do long-term.” Angus advises other young beekeepers or young people interested in a career in apiculture to apply for the scholarship. “It’s so worth it and you’ll never know unless you try. If you win, you’ll be glad you applied,” he says. The scholarship is named after industry pioneer, Ron Mossop, who started his family beekeeping businesses in the 1940s. His business was built on values of quality and integrity, which remain at the heart of Mossop’s Honey today. Neil Mossop said his family were thrilled to […]

Picking the way to a better asparagus future with robotic harvesting

A robotic asparagus harvester project led by growers and supported by the Government is set to reinvigorate the New Zealand asparagus industry, by alleviating ongoing labour challenges. The New Zealand Asparagus Council (NZAC) and Tauranga-based Robotics Plus will work alongside New Zealand asparagus growers to develop a world-first commercial-scale autonomous robotic asparagus harvester to help address ongoing labour shortages in the industry and support growers to tap into high-value export markets. The Government’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund is contributing $2.6 million to the $5.83 million project. “We’re really excited to get this project underway as we simply don’t have enough people to do the work,” says Mangaweka Asparagus grower and NZAC Chair, Sam Rainey. “Robotic harvesting will be a game-changer for the asparagus industry that currently relies heavily on picking asparagus by hand, which is hard toil. An average picker will walk 10 kilometres per day, so it’s extremely difficult to attract people to do the work. “Having the ability to access a commercial robotic harvester will also go a long way to helping manage costs, ensuring we can continue to put locally grown fresh asparagus on our plates.” Steve Saunders, CEO of Robotics Plus, says an autonomous asparagus harvester will alleviate labour constraints, reduce and stabilise costs, and allow New Zealand asparagus to have a more competitive offering in high-value export markets. “We’re excited to be working with growers and the New Zealand Asparagus Council to ensure we develop a solution that tackles challenges head-on and creates a better future for the asparagus industry. It’s an ideal robotics project as green asparagus is conducive to automation as it grows above ground. In addition, it replaces a physically arduous job that only has a brief employment window that growers struggle to attract harvesting labour for,” says […]

Research highlights dairy cows can be part of the solution to nitrogen leaching

New Lincoln University Pastoral Livestock Production Lab research is defining how to get the maximum benefit from cows predisposed to urinate nitrogen (N), resulting in less leaching to waterways. PhD student Cameron Marshall, has just published two new articles in top scientific journals as part of his doctoral thesis, showing what cows with phenotypically lower milk urea N eat, and how they eat, is important to reduce their environmental impact. He said inefficient N use from pastoral dairy production systems has resulted in concern regarding environmental degradation “and cows are demonised for it”. “This is a result of excessive urinary N leaching into waterways and nitrous oxide emissions from urination patches into the atmosphere” “Dairy cows are demonised for it, but can be part of the solution too,” he said. His first paper* reports that cows with low milk urea N concentrations eating plantain rather than a ryegrass diet, urinate significantly less N excretion per urination event, thus reducing the potential N leaching to waterways. The second paper** found that the grazing and ruminating behaviour of cows selected for divergent milk urea N, masticate, and ruminate the pasture they eat differently, which determines their rumen function and the efficiency of N digestion and use in the rumen. This alters the N excretion patters to the environment. Cameron’s previous research has already shown that cows selected for low milk urea N had a 28% reduction in the urinary urea N loading rate per urine patch than cows with higher milk urea N breeding values. Those ‘better cows’ also yielded an increase in milk protein percentage. “The results of this new research indicate two promising tools that temperate pastoral dairy production systems can use to reduce N losses and ameliorate the negative impact on the environment.” Cameron’s research is showing promising results of using […]

Hydroxsys and NIG Nutritionals generate clean water from waste products

Clean technology company Hydroxsys has partnered with an Auckland based dairy processor to deliver novel wastewater treatment capability that delivers clean water from the processing of milk and milk products. NIG Nutritionals has been working with Hydroxsys during the past 12 months to deliver this ‘world first’ technology, and since the start of 2021 has been trialling Hydroxsys equipment at its facility at Paerata, south of Auckland. The outcome has been the confirmation of the capability of Hydroxsys’ systems in providing a genuine, commercially effective solution to one of the big issues for food processors – management of wastewater from processing operations. Hydroxsys CEO Mark Hartstone says the company has developed proprietary “world first” filtration technology that challenges current clean in place (CIP) and waste treatment systems not only in dairy, but also wider food and beverage manufacturing and industries like wastewater and mining sectors. For now, he says, Hydroxsys is focusing on food and beverage (including dairy) manufacturing. Water is a key resource in the manufacturing of all food products and especially milk products. Hydroxsys comes from the same start-up technology space in Auckland where New Zealand technology champions LanzaTech, Rocket Lab and Mint Innovation found their feet. Now it is following their developmental path by building a commercial sized plant. The plant at NIG Nutritionals will be complete in about four months and will also be used to demonstrate Hydroxsys’ technology to potential customers. “Once that plant is operating, it will prove we have scaled our technology from laboratory to mobile demonstration plant and to a commercial operating plant – this one 10 times the capacity of the mobile units we built for field trials,” Mark Hartstone says. “Proving scalability is vital. Delivering this scale within a significantly reduced real-estate footprint is an extra bonus” Chris Macbeth, CEO […]

Love bees? Plant trees (when you can)!

Beekeepers are calling on bee-lovers across New Zealand to take what actions they can to improve the health and resilience of Kiwi bee populations this September for Bee Aware Month. Apiculture New Zealand, the national body representing beekeepers and honey producers, is asking Kiwis to Feed the Bees by planting bee-friendly trees and plants this spring. “One of the best things Kiwi bee lovers can do for our bees is to grow bee-friendly trees, wildflowers or shrubs in their gardens or public spaces. This provides essential nutrition for our bee population ensuring they can be resilient in the face of the many challenges they face,” says Apiculture New Zealand chief executive Karin Kos. “We recognise that under Covid-19 Alert Level 4 bee-lovers might not be able to easily access bee-friendly plants right now, so instead we want to encourage Kiwis to get out into their gardens and find a spot for a bee tree. Once our alert levels have changed then you can get the tree in the ground,” she suggests. Throughout September, Apiculture NZ members and supporters will be sharing information about planting for bees. When choosing what to plant, Ms Kos recommends people visit the New Zealand Trees for Bees Research Trust website. “Trees for Bees has done extensive work on identifying the best plants for bees and has produced regional planting guides, individual profiles of star performing bee plants and advice on planting for home gardeners and rural property owners. They offer a wealth of knowledge to gardeners and bee lovers.” “Some of the best bee-friendly trees are many citrus and pip fruit trees, or native plants like harakeke or rewarewa. These offer bees excellent, ongoing sources of nutrition and well-nourished bees are better able to withstand threats like varroa, habitat loss, climate change and diseases.” she […]

Future-focused farmers encouraged to consider DairyNZ board

Dairy farmers with a strong interest in supporting the sector’s success are encouraged to apply for a position on DairyNZ’s board. Nominations are now open for one farmer to join the board. DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says the past year has presented its own set of challenges for farmers and the sector, including workforce shortages, regulatory change and extreme weather events. “Our farmers are currently the most sustainable milk producers in the world and have made significant progress to prepare for the future, but farmers are operating in a challenging climate,” says Mr van der Poel. “DairyNZ is in a unique position to support dairy farmers with leading research and science, and to advocate on behalf of farmers to influence future policy changes.” The DairyNZ board oversees DairyNZ’s strategy, which guides future investments into a range of programmes, including industry research and development; sustainable farming; promoting careers in dairy; advocating for farmers and monitoring the strategy’s delivery. “The DairyNZ team are dedicated to helping farmers face upcoming challenges and continue improving their businesses to prosper. Our board plays a key part in this, and we encourage farmers who are future-focused, have an interest in governance and supporting the sector’s success to consider joining the DairyNZ board,” says Mr van der Poel. Appointments to DairyNZ’s Board of Directors apply for three years, with directors retiring by rotation. This year, director Jacqueline Rowarth is retiring by rotation. DairyNZ is also inviting applications from farmers for one position on the Directors’ Remuneration Committee, which independently sets the directors’ fees. Both the board and the directors’ remuneration roles are open to current levy paying dairy farmers. Two current levy payers must nominate each candidate. Nominations must be received by the Returning Officer by 12 noon on Friday, 3 September 2021.

Peter Gordon partners with KiwiHarvest as new ambassador

Aotearoa’s largest food rescue organisation, KiwiHarvest, is teaming up with internationally renowned chef and restaurateur Peter Gordon to help raise further awareness of two of New Zealand’s largest problems, food insecurity and food waste. Gordon is KiwiHarvest’s first official ambassador, and will be partnering with the organisation on its mission to reduce food waste and build food secure communities around the country. New Zealand’s food industry generates more than 103,000 tonnes of food waste per year, and it is estimated that 60% of food going to landfill is edible. Meanwhile, one in five New Zealanders are living with low to moderate food insecurity each and every day, including up to 305,000 Kiwi children. Gordon says, “It’s an absolute pleasure to step on board as KiwiHarvest’s official ambassador to shine a light on the incredible work they’re doing, helping to address Aotearoa’s dual challenges of food insecurity and food waste. “The sad reality is many Kiwis are either going hungry, or not getting access to adequate nutrition, all while perfectly good food gets thrown away. It’s my view that all New Zealanders should be able to experience the powerful nourishing and connecting benefits of food, each and every day. “I look forward to partnering with KiwiHarvest on our shared mission working towards the health and wellbeing of our communities, and our environment,” adds Gordon. Deborah Manning, KiwiHarvest Founder and Director, says, “We are truly honoured to welcome Peter to the KiwiHarvest whānau. “Throughout his career, Peter has enriched and connected communities through food, championing sustainability in the food sector. We particularly admire the work he is doing at Homeland with local food suppliers and community groups – helping Kiwis cook nourishing meals and educating them on the nutritional benefit of food and the importance of buying locally grown produce. “Like KiwiHarvest, […]

NZ Food Network calls for food surplus to be donated to those in need

Following the extension of Alert Level 4 restrictions, many food, hospitality and event businesses will be facing further disruptions to their operations – potentially leaving them with significant food surplus now set to go to waste. At the same time, demand for food support has surged across the country with food charities and community groups working overtime to meet this heightened need. The New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) is calling for affected food producers, wholesalers and other businesses to donate any food surplus, so it can be redistributed to food hubs (food rescue organisations, iwi and charities) and communities in need across the country. NZFN CEO, Gavin Findlay says with unprecedented levels of demand during lockdown, food rescue organisations and community groups can struggle to keep up with requests for food. “Many food businesses throughout Aotearoa New Zealand may have been holding onto food in the hope that lockdown restrictions would be dropped, so the extension of Alert Level 4 means there will be significant volumes of waste as a result of the continued closure of food businesses and cancellation of events. “Lockdown puts significant pressure on food businesses and producers who have to close their doors, deal with the impact of cancelled orders and resulting losses in revenue. We know how incredibly difficult it is for these businesses that face these disruptions but we ask that this excess food does not get wasted or thrown into landfill. “With businesses closed, many New Zealanders face reduced working hours and in some cases redundancies. This puts enormous financial pressure on families to continue meeting bill payments and putting food on the table. Even prior to this most recent lockdown, New Zealand’s food insecurity levels were already heightened, so food hubs are struggling to keep up with the new surge in demand […]

Tractor and equipment sales continue to grow

The first half of 2021 has got off to a superb start for sales of farm equipment. Tractor and Machinery Association of New Zealand (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter said there had been substantial sales increases across all tractor horsepower segments and equipment compared with the same time last year. Mr Baxter said the big increases reflected a continuing catch up in on-farm vehicle investment as farmers looked again to the future. “It’s fantastic to see the confidence continue across all of the sectors, and in turn this confidence flowing into wider economy. “This significant increase isn’t an accidental one, nor a blip, it requires sustained customer and supplier confidence over a 12-month period in that the required product is ordered and arrives into the country to meet current demand.” The overall increase in actual units delivered across New Zealand was 35%. This represents an additional 450 tractor sales compared to the same period of 2020. Sales in the under lifestyle 50hp sector increased over 40% while sales numbers in the 60-80HP segment, which are predominately delivered into the horticulture sector, increased around 50%. “Not to be left out of the rising market, sales in 100-140HP segment are up more than 30%. Tractor deliveries into the larger end of the market, focused on 180-250HP cropping and contracting tractors, increased by more than 50%.” Whilst the market remained strong and looked set to remain so for the rest of 2021, there were several challenges impacting the market, Mr Baxter said. “We are hearing from our members that ongoing production stoppages in global factories due to Covid lockdowns and community outbreaks continue to affect manufacturing timeframes. Europe continues to be a rapidly changing space by the day, as one country announces a ‘return to normal’ date, another country announces new control measures to help stem the spread of the virus.” Global logistics dominated many of the discussions TAMA members were having with their suppliers and customers. With no relief in the short to medium term horizon, the increased shipping times looked set to continue well into 2022. “Almost every point of the logistics supply chain is affected. Delays of an extra 90 days in receiving a container load of equipment from Europe are not uncommon. Reduced air cargo space, due to fewer flights globally, is also adding to the cost of air freighting spare parts and causing delays in getting urgent spare parts into the country. “The cost of shipping a container here has increased drastically. This, coupled with importers of agricultural equipment generally only able to ship one to four machines per container due to their size, is driving up the freight cost of each item shipped.” Mr Baxter said while strong commodity pricing was fantastic for the New Zealand agriculture industry in terms of the export value of […]

DairyNZ supports next generation Overseer for farms and environment

Industry good organisation DairyNZ endorses further redevelopment of Overseer to continue its role helping optimise farm systems to protect water quality, farm viability and economy. DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr David Burger says science-based management and modelling reviews, such as the recent Government report into Overseer, helps improve nutrient management for the environment and farm businesses. “Overseer is vital in helping farmers, the sector and councils understand farm management, particularly nutrient and greenhouse gas losses to the environment. Therefore, we must have a high level of confidence in it as a tool,” says DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr David Burger. “It’s pleasing Government is committed to supporting Overseer and a re-development, while looking at other tools to improve nutrient management and on-farm outcomes.” Dr Burger said DairyNZ research shows nitrate leaching measurements from farm system experiments are generally well-aligned with Overseer predictions where actual climate data has been used on dairy land. “Along with this on-farm science, DairyNZ has contributed to improvements to the Overseer model, such as including plantain and updating the wetland and riparian modules. Our research and experience with farmers tells us Overseer is an important tool for helping dairy farmers manage nitrogen and reduce losses from farms. “Falling back on input controls or reliance on risk factors is not an adequate substitute for output modelling, especially when we have an increasingly sophisticated range of nitrogen management options that Overseer enables farmers to model,” says Dr Burger. “Farm systems are complex and there are a range of ways farmers can reduce their footprint. Overseer allows farmers to model different options in the context of their farm system – enabling innovation and flexibility. “Looking ahead, we support the Government’s commitment to examine a wider range of tools to support nutrient and sediment management at farm and […]

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