Applications Open for HortNZ Scholarships 2010
Every year Horticulture New Zealand offers scholarships to students and trainees who have a special interest in the fruit or vegetable industry and are undergoing significant industry training or education.
....read moreCarbon Offset Request
This week Horticulture New Zealand will be submitting a request to the Ministry of Environment that greenhouse growers become eligible for allocation of carbon units to offset the fact that they are energy intensive industries, which are also “trade exposed” by the new emissions trading scheme.
....read moreCoOL in the USA
The US Department of Agriculture says US retailers are making a “commendable” effort to comply with the new mandatory country of origin regulations, with most of the 5000 stores surveyed achieving more than 90% compliance. Read more here.
Irrigation NZ Sets Up Innovation Award
The inaugural ‘Irrigation NZ Innovation in Irrigation Award’ invites nominations from irrigators, schemes, water user groups, environmental groups, industry, university students and researchers. Go to www.irrigationnz.co.nz for more information. Nominations must be received by INZ no later than 5pm Thursday February 25.
Aussie supermarkets cut prices
According to a recent update from NZ Trade & Enterprise, Coles is set to introduce standardised pricing on approximately 97 percent of groceries at its supermarkets across Australia.
....read moreCanadian food companies going natural
Many of Canada’s largest food manufacturers are purging synthetic ingredients from products.
....read moreEntries for Rural Women NZ Award now open
The closing date for this year's Rural Women New Zealand Enterprising Rural Women Award is February 17.
....read moreHadda beetle discovery
HortNZ is in the process of seeking clarification from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand as to the range of fruit and vegetables likely to be targeted by the recently discovered Hadda Beetle.
....read moreJoin Hort NZ at Asia Fruit Logistica
HortNZ invites growers to be part of the New Zealand Stand at Asia's leading trade show for the fresh fruit and vegetable business in Hong Kong 8 – 10 Sept 2010.
....read moreMicrowave packaging heats up
A recent NZTE update reported that the demand for microwave packaging is expected to rise by 7 percent annually, according to the Asia Food Journal.
....read moreSainsbury's toms now in boxes
UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's latest attempt to go green will see it stop stocking tinned tomatoes and switch to cartons, which are apparently easier to recycle and pack better when transported.
....read moreChemicals disposal programme proves popular
The Agrecovery Chemicals Programme is gaining momentum with bookings for disposal of unwanted chemicals increasing each week, according to Programme Co-ordinator Debbie Sherwood.
....read moreKorea to amend functional and health food regulation
The Korean Food and Drug Administration is collecting ideas and suggestions to revise safety standards for functional and health foods.
In particular, the administration is to lower the lead residue level to below 2.0 mg/kg in lecithin, guar gum/hydrolysed guar gum, glocomannan, arabic gum and 0.5 mg/kg in polydextrose.
Source: Korea Health Supplement Association/NZTE
National Climate Summary – Spring 2009
Extremely dry for much of the South Island
· Rainfall: Below normal rainfall over much of the South Island, especially Otago and the Lakes District, as well as eastern parts of Northland, Auckland and Coromandel. Very wet in southern Hawkes Bay and the Tararua District. Near normal spring rainfall elsewhere.
· Temperature: Near average temperatures in Northland, Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty and the Lakes District; a cooler than usual spring in most other regions.
· Sunshine: Sunny over much of the South Island, as well as for Waikato, Taupo, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. Very cloudy in the west from Taranaki to Wellington.
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Free booklet from ACC
Get your free copy of the booklet 'Tractor Safety: Information that could save your life'.
....read moreUK Ombudsman gets green light
The British government has accepted the need for an independent enforcement body to keep an eye on the country’s new Grocery Suppliers Code of Practice. Read more here.
The new code was officially introduced on February 4. The code provides clear guidelines for retailers for dealing with suppliers.
Free maize growing event in Waikato
FAR (The Foundation for Arable Research) invites growers to its annual Maize 2010 event. Held on Tuesday 16th Februry 2010 at the FAR Waikato Arable Research Site, 82 Oaklea Lane, Tamahere, Hamilton, the organizers say that this not-to-be-missed event provides an excellent opportunity to view current maize trials and hear up-to-date research findings from around New Zealand and overseas.
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Strategy Taskforce Meets
The Horticulture Industry Strategy Taskforce met for the first time last December in Wellington. The Minister of Agriculture, David Carter, attended the opening session and engaged in a constructive round table discussion with Taskforce members.
....read moreUS chefs top trends for 2010
Sustainability and locally grown and sourced ingredients topped the list of the hottest menu trends for 2010, according to data collected by the United States’ National Restaurant Association.
....read moreCanadian university debunks ‘buy local’
An ecological economist at Canada’s Dalhousie University has debunked the belief that buying local and fresh is more environmentally friendly and sustainable than buying imported and frozen products.
....read moreMarket access - PMAC (Plants Market Access Council)
HortNZ Director Ru Collin and CEO Peter Silcock attended a meeting of PMAC.
....read moreNew pest in California
While NZ battles with psyllid in tomato crops, a new pest has been detected in California. The European grapevine moth, Lobestria Botrana, which feeds primarily on the flowers and fruits of grape plants and spruge laurels. Other hosts include blackberry, gooseberry, black and red currant, olive, cherry, prune, persimmon, kiwifruit, pomegranate, carnation, and others. So far, eight adult moths and 29 larvae have been trapped.
....read morePickNZ goes live!
The revamped www.pickNZ.co.nz website is now live! The logos and colours have been updated and the target audience widened from just overseas backpackers to include New Zealanders, looking for seasonal work or looking for a career.
....read moreUK arables tour planned
Growers of grains and other broadacre crops have the opportunity to attend Cereals 2010 in the UK, hosted by South Island-based machinery supplier, Talbot Agriculture.
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Five-Year Phase Out For Insecticide AZM
The insecticide azinphos methyl is to be phased out over five years, following a decision by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.
....read moreUPDATE - New date announced for ICE Expo
After a year's break the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association Horticultural ICE Expo is back. New Zealand’s premiere Horticultural Trade Show will be now be held on the 3rd of June 2010 at the HB A & P Showground’s and there is already a stellar line-up of associated events that will be hosted by ICE.
....read moreConference 2010
The date for next year’s conference is August 3 – 5 at Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland.