New Broom
OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
Once again, the sharp minds at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton were the 2023 Young Innovator of the Year Winner at Fieldays.
As part of the curriculum, the winning student group were placed in the top three of the school’s version of the Shark Tank TV series. The St Paul’s 2023 Crocodile Pit sees students put to the test to create a new agri-business product and service and learn the process of pitching innovation and business strategy.
CAPRA Skin, conceived, designed and manufactured by Lucy, Emma, Mackenzie and Lochie, is a specially formulated goat’s milk lip balm. Early in the process, the group realised that the core ingredient offered many natural benefits including vitamin A, fatty acids and moisturising agents, alongside the other main ingredients of kawakawa oil and bee venom which have cell regeneration qualities.
Looking at the broader reasons for developing the lip balm, the team recognised that many teenagers suffer from acne and use medication to clear up the problem. Unfortunately, a major side effect is drying out and eventually cracking of the lips. The youngsters looked at the current lip balm market and couldn’t find a lip balm that was targeted specifically targeted towards teenagers with dry and cracked lips.
From a development perspective and wanting to incorporate New Zealand ingredients, the group have decided to use kawakawa oil which is a native to New Zealand. The ingredient is non-greasy, helps heal skin conditions and seals wounds, while also restoring hydration, and reducing itching and redness.
On the marketing front, they decided to call the product Capra Skin, the name originating from the Latin word for goat, which in turn is a more recently used acronym for the greatest of all time (GOAT), which is the impression they want customers to feel after using the product.
Federated Farmers says the Government’s latest investment in road resilience is a positive step toward protecting rural communities and freight routes from increasing severe weather events.
The stockfood storage capacity of J Swap Stockfoods continues to grow in the South Island with the opening of a new store that boosts its capacity in Christchurch and work starting on another store in Southland.
Fonterra has lifted and narrowed its full year forecast earnings range to 60-70 cents per share after a strong quarter, supported by robust milk production, strong shipment volumes and continued demand across its Ingredients and Foodservice businesses.
Fonterra has announced it will continue with the planned expansion of its organic business into the South Island.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.