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Bayer launches three new crop protection products

Global innovation leader Bayer has launched three new crop protection products designed to increase yields and put more money in farmers’ pockets. The new products – two fungicides and one herbicide – are part of a EUR 2.4 billion (NZ$3.9 billion) global innovation investment by Bayer into safeguarding vital crops and increasing crop yields. Bayer New Zealand managing director Holger Detje, who heads the company’s local agricultural sub group, Bayer CropScience, says the new products are part of a strong innovation pipeline. “Bayer CropScience globally files 40% of all new agricultural chemistry patents around the world each year. As a result we have a tremendously strong pipeline of new products that we look forward to rolling out in New Zealand in coming years. “We believe the three products we are launching today will not only effectively combat disease and weeds, but also lead to increased yields and ultimately more money in farmers’ pockets.” Two of the new products, Aviator® Xpro and Prosaro®, are dual combination fungicides for controlling the main foliar disease in wheat – Septoria tritici – as well as other diseases. The third product, Betanal® quattro, is a four-in-one combination herbicide for controlling weeds in beet crops, including fodder beet, which is becoming an important energy-rich food source for cattle and dairy cows over winter. “These products have all been extensively trialled in New Zealand over the last three of four years and produced fantastic results,” says Detje. “For example, in the case of Aviator Xpro, we increased wheat yields by almost half-a-tonne per hectare. That equates to an extra $130 per hectare for the farmer after costs are taken into account.” Detje says interest in the three new products is already high and he expects a busy spring season for his CropScience team. The three new products […]

Hill Laboratories appoints new Food and Bioanalytical client services manager

New Zealand’s leading analytical testing laboratory, Hill Laboratories, has appointed Lorrae Taylor as client services manager for the organisation’s Food and Bioanalytical division. Lorrae Taylor has nearly four decades of nationwide experience working in laboratories, or with laboratories to provide proficiency services testing. Lorrae Taylor said Hill Laboratories’ client services teams, which are effective in all three of the company’s divisions, are what sets the organisation apart from most other analytical testing laboratories. “At Hill Laboratories we recognise that clients often have queries about the testing process, so we have strong client services teams to provide guidance on the best testing to meet client’s needs,” she said. Lorrae Taylor began her career at Bay of Plenty Cooperative Milk Producers Ltd, a Te Puke dairy laboratory where she spent 17 years first as a lab technician and eventually as lab supervisor. Following this she undertook the role of laboratory manager at multi species processing facility Affco in Rangiuru, where she remained for six years. When Affco began outsourcing its laboratory work, Lorrae Taylor relocated to Hamilton where she spent the next five years managing microbiological testing laboratory Food Scientific Ltd. Immediately prior to her new position with Hill Laboratories, Lorrae Taylor worked for 10 years as a microbiologist and then Dairy programme leader for laboratory proficiency provider Global Proficiency. Two other client service managers complete Hill Laboratories’ Food and Bioanalytical client services team. Hill Laboratories is a 100 per cent privately owned New Zealand analytical testing laboratory and has three major testing areas: Agriculture, Environmental and Food. With its main site in Hamilton, the company currently has four sites in the North Island, two in the South Island, and an office in Japan.

Foodtech Packtech underway

It’s a busy place today at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds for the first day of Foodtech Packtech 2014. If you are in the area drop in and have a look at some really innovative equipment and supplies for the food industry.

Don’t forget to blend

Supporting young calves’ diets with a blend of fibre and grain once they hit pasture is critical for their ongoing development and life-long health, according to an industry feed specialist, Michael Bell from Fiber Fresh Feeds. Mr Bell says giving calves a mix of feeds that includes meal or grain, as well as high nutritional fibre, gives them the best possible start and will see them develop to their full potential. “Feeding quality fibre is all about rumen development and creating life-long, sustainable animal health, as well as making calves pasture-ready. But calves also need fat and energy, which they get from meal-based feeds. That’s where the philosophy of blending comes in. “Feeding animals a fibre-based product, like FiberStart, as well as meal while they are newly out to pasture is important to keep the development momentum going and avoid weaning checks. The end result is bigger, healthier animals that have greater breeding potential, improved long-term milk production, reduced empty rates and better six week in-calf rates.” With the calving season currently in full force, many farmers are putting calves out to pasture as early as four weeks of age due to the recent relatively dry, warm conditions. Fiber Fresh founding director Mr Bell is encouraging farmers to continue with feeding programmes right up until 12 weeks of age. “The first 12 weeks in a calf’s life is the most crucial time in developing productive rumens and laying down the foundations of life-long gut health. Superior full stomach development enables greater efficiency and absorption of nutrients and allows calves to thrive and develop to their full potential. “Our fibre products can be blended with any meal or grain-based feed, and our research backs up why calves should be given easily digestible fibre from birth to 12 weeks. Whether calves are […]

Landcorp completes full purchase of Focus Genetics

Landcorp Farming Ltd. is now sole owner of livestock genetics business, Focus Genetics. The announcement comes after Landcorp successfully acquired the remaining 33% shareholding from Rissington Breedline. Hawkes Bay based Focus Genetics is New Zealand’s largest red meat genetics business with 17 breeding partners throughout New Zealand. Formed in 2011, Focus Genetics has since grown its market share, serving more than 750 commercial farm operations. Last year the company sold over 4,000 rams, 800 bulls and 400 stags to farmers in New Zealand and overseas. Gavin Foulsham, Focus Genetics CEO, said having one owner provided certainty for the company’s plans to invest more towards achieving greater rates of genetic improvement. It also means Focus could explore more sales opportunities offshore. “We’ve continued to build off our very strong genetic base, focusing on the traits that deliver better performance for New Zealand farmers. “This deal means we can better leverage Landcorp’s market presence to develop new partnerships and customers. It puts us in an excellent long term position to continue investing in research and development for the benefit of all New Zealand farmers. That investment will assist with generating further income from offshore markets like Britain, Australia and South America,” he said. Focus Genetics have recently introduced a new programme to better identify bulls that will produce offspring with better marbling capabilities, a feature that meat companies pay a premium for. They have also signed an agreement with UK meat processor St Merryn, where UK farmers who provide Focus Genetics sired lambs are paid a premium. Under the terms of the settlement, Focus Genetics will remain a wholly independent company and will continue running breeding programmes for all commercial farmers in New Zealand. Landcorp Chief Executive, Steven Carden, said the acquisition was vitally important to Landcorp’s strategy to boost returns from […]

Employers & Manufacturers congratulate John Key and National – seek acceleration of unfinished business

The Employers and Manufacturers Association extend hearty congratulations to the re-election of Prime Minister John Key and National. “Business will be pleased and relieved with the re-election of the government,” said EMA chief executive Kim Campbell. “We will now be looking for accelerated attention coming to bear on unfinished business,” he said. “In particular business will be seeking urgency to enact the Employment Relations Amendment Bill and speedy reform of the Resource Management Act. “As mooted we also want to see early progress on simplifying the tax system for SMEs, more emphasis on industry relevant skills, and more invested in innovation, science and R&D, plus co-ordinated action to boost exports. “New Zealanders knew what was at stake in the election and voted for retaining what they know is working to create a stable environment for business and jobs. “With the international scene so highly volatile, New Zealanders understand the need for certainty is vital for our future standards of living. “Clearly they get it. It was always about the economy, never about the background noise.”

Moving goods around the world

Secureaload, a member of The Gavan Group of companies, is appearing at Foodtech Packtech on Stand 3057. The Gavan Group commenced business in 1988 when the Directors, Gavin Condon and Andrew Corstorphine, perceived the need for a company to supply all parts and accessories required by Intermodal marine transport equipment operators, hence the formation of Gavan Container Products. Since this time the Gavan Group of Companies has expanded through the network of branches to become the world’s largest supplier of Shipping Container related products. With eighteen (18) warehouse and office operations in nine (9) countries throughout Australasia, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, South East Asia and Mainland China they will continue to expand their operation throughout Asia, providing a professional and efficient equipment service. Gavan has over 24 years expanded the product range from Shipping Container repair spare parts and accessories to include a wide range of Transport, Cargo Care / Protection products, Lifting and Safety Products, Marine Lashing, Rail and Rolling Stock Lashing systems, Military Lashing Systems, Light Engineering and Manufacturing, as well as a Plastic Pallet division. Supplying quality products sourced locally and from around the world at competitive prices Gavan Container Products use a sophisticated computer controlled stock inventory, dispatch and accounts systems providing customer tailored billing to ensure customer satisfaction. In 1998 Gavan formed a strategic alliance with two major container parts suppliers one based in Europe and one based in America; this then led to the formation of the “Intermodal Equipment Alliance” which gives the Gavan Group a truly global reach and coverage. Gavan Container Products staff has a unique blend of experience and skills in the international container/shipping, transport industry and rigging industries. This experience is invaluable when ensuring the correct parts and accessories, are supplied. The commitment of the management and staff will […]

Packaging House on Stand 3131 at Foodtech Packtech 2014

Packaging House is a major distributor of food service packaging, cleaning, hygiene and industrial consumables in New Zealand. In fact, they deliver more products to more industries through more branches than anyone else. Whether they’re supplying coffee cups for cafes or latex gloves for surgeries, Packaging House take care of the everyday essentials needed to keep business running smoothly and efficiently. Their wide-ranging expertise also extends to the food processing industry – and Packaging House can deliver a healthy menu of options to ensure food production is safe and risk-free. This includes the ability to supply you with the expertise needed to make HACCP part of your business. Serving Up Food Processing Expertise In addition to HACCP compliant hygiene consumables, to compliment and complete your Risk Management Programme, Packaging House now have new ranges available: a full range of food processor brushware, metal detectable tools and hygiene consumables, a personal safety range and a complete stretch film, tape and strap machinery, and consumables range. They also have a choice of finance options available, from outright purchase, to lease, lease to own and amortisation. Packaging House will be at Foodtech Packtech, Stand 3131, ASB Showgrounds, Auckland, 23-25 September 2014. It’s a great opportunity to find out the different ways Packaging House can work with the food industry – and see their exciting new machinery range. The Right Solutions No one knows a business like the person who runs it, that’s why a specialist from Packaging House takes the time to get to know your business and discover what it needs to operate day to day. Armed with this knowledge, they can get to work and deliver solutions to help your business run like a well-oiled machine. Collective Buying Power Thanks to Packaging House’s collective buying power, they can deliver better prices […]

APC Technology: Providing solutions for food & beverage environments

Since 1984, APC Technology has designed and manufactured specialist computer solutions for use in some of the most severe environments on earth. APC Technology’s Food and Pharmaceutical solutions are ideal for a range of environments including production & assembly lines, hose down areas, food production and livestock management applications within abattoirs & meatworks & pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. With many established clients across the food processing /manufacturing sectors, APC Technology has an extensive understanding of the industry and enjoys a proven reputation as a comprehensive, reliable solutions provider who meets the evolving needs of their clients. APC Technology has recently launched a range of ruggedised stainless steel cabinets designed for use in F&B environments where high pressure hosing is required. The enclosure size can be customised to house a range of equipment as specified by the client or fit the APC Technology range of panel PCs and displays. APC Research, the design group within APC Technology, worked with a leading food producer in South Australia to create a design which would meet the high standards demanded within an F&B environment. This includes a fully sealed unit which water cannot penetrate, corrosive resistance to chemical cleaning agents and a streamline design eliminating gaps and collection points with a specific focus on the base. The design allows water to be sprayed under the pedestal to dislodge any food products. Scott Begbie, Managing Director at APC Technology commented, “As a company we strive to meet the needs of our clients, so to this end our cabinets are designed to meet the demands of a production area whilst also offering a range of customisations. If a client needs a certain size or height cabinet, we can meet their demands. If they need a range of input options we can do that too. We offer computing […]

ESL – technology delivering packaged beverages with superior freshness

With a lot of talk in the beverage industry about non-heat pasteurisation, we are pleased to announce that there is another effective method available that is more economic, more efficient, more beneficial and more compact than other alternatives on the market. With increasing desires to process and consume beverages/food with all the nutritional components still intact, we have some improved and realistic solutions relevant to products such as fruit juices, protein drinks, isotonic drinks, milk, bottled water and RTD’s. Available are proven, non-invasive alternatives to heat-based pasteurisation, preserving the organoleptic integrity of the raw materials and the finished product. This is certainly one of the significant growth areas of innovation in the beverage industry. For more information about this technology, please contact Paul Baggio at info@fbpropak.com.

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