Media release – Ministry for Primary Industries A Bay of Plenty truffle company is sharing the secrets of the industry in a bid to get landowners growing ‘black diamonds’ across the country. Ohiwa Black Diamond Truffles is receiving more than $155,000 of Government funding over three years to share its knowledge with interested growers so […]
Horticulture
Organic medicinal cannabis a huge opportunity for NZ
“New Zealand organically grown and manufactured medicinal cannabis products will be in huge demand internationally, taking the country’s newest industry to a whole new level in the future,” says Carmen Doran, chief executive of Helius Therapeutics. Her comments follow the Government announcing a $32.2 million joint project with New Zealand’s largest and only organic certified […]
Farmers pitch in after picker plea
By Rebecca Flannery Two years ago, it was a “hail from hell” storm that decimated over 75 percent of the fruit crop. Last year a -4.5C frost destroyed the chance for a decent picking season. This year the threat of the trifecta was looming with a lack of pickers. South Canterbury’s apple harvest was looking […]
North Canterbury Wine region preparing for toughest harvest amidst pandemic
The North Canterbury wine region is marking the official start of harvest, in what has been described as the ‘toughest season ever’. Hurunui District Council mayor Marie Black picked the first grapes of harvest at one of the region’s vineyards. “The North Canterbury Wine Region is a crucial part of our district’s fabric and I […]
North Canterbury winery welcomes changes to organic wine trade agreement with China
Certified organic winery, Greystone, located in North Canterbury’s Waipara wine region, is among the New Zealand wineries now with greater access to the Chinese market. Thanks to an Organic Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), announced by the Organic Exporters Association of New Zealand this week, China now acknowledges NZ’s organic standards. Greystone marketing manager Nik Mavromatis […]
New Zealand food and fibre exports forecast to hit a record $50.8 billion
Food and fibre export revenue is projected to surge to a record $50.8 billion in the year to 30 June 2022 – an increase of 6 percent over the previous year. “This is the first time New Zealand’s annual food and fibre export revenue will crack $50 billion – a result we should all be […]
Feds backs withdrawal from government’s archaic pay agreement laws
December 9, 2021 Federated Farmers supports Business New Zealand’s decision to opt out of the government’s plans for it to be a partner in implementing so-called ‘Fair Pay’ agreements. Federated Farmers has already indicated it will not function as a mediator for the government’s flawed pay negotiation scheme. It fully supports Business New Zealand’s decision. […]
Accelerated breeding for healthy African beans
The University of Western Australia’s Institute of Agriculture and researchers from six partner countries in East Africa have shown how to accelerate breeding of healthier and faster-cooking African common beans. The study, recently published in The Plant Genome, used modern plant breeding methods to accelerate genetic gains by crossing among 358 common bean varieties. This […]
Herbicide resistance greater than expected; growing concern
Herbicide resistance is emerging as a serious and growing threat to New Zealand’s food production, with recent surveys by scientists finding half or more of arable farms and vineyards in some regions have weeds resistant to commonly used herbicides. AgResearch scientists, who are carrying out the first systematic approach to surveying for herbicide-resistant weeds in […]
Urban Kiwis and Farmers Share a Vision for Sustainable Food Production
When it comes to sustainable food, what matters more? What we’re buying. Or where, and who, we’re buying our food from? New research from @ourlandandwater suggests that urban Kiwis see supporting farmers directly with their dollar as the strongest sustainable food choice they can make. The study found that town or country, Kiwis have mostly […]