International blackcurrant study may offer hope for diabetics
A new international clinical trial testing a molecule found in New Zealand blackcurrants may offer hope for thousands of Kiwis living with diabetes and associated metabolic disorders.
While conventional growers would aim for a yield of about 10t/ha, Tony Howey aims for about 5t/ha.
He says the ViBERi business model is all about added value.
When they started there was only a little organic blackcurrant concentrate being imported.
“No-one else was doing organics of any consequence,” he told Hort News. “We realised there wasn’t a market sitting there waiting. We had to develop the market and the brand.”
Howey leases space at a coolstore in Washdyke where all the initial destrigging, size and colour grading and packing is done with the berries in a deep frozen state.
ViBERi’s first product was a simple pack of free flow frozen berries.
The product range now includes powders, chocolate covered freeze dried berries, soft dried berries infused with organic apple juice, and a couple of white chocolate coated lines -- one dusted with the deep purple powder.
The powder is made from freeze dried berries and can be used for smoothies, yoghurt and decoration, giving both colour and flavour. The Howeys sprinkle it on their breakfast cereal.
“It’s so good,” says Afsaneh. “Because it’s raw it’s just like eating fresh or frozen so it’s convenient.”
They plan to expand online sales while continuing to develop product ideas.
The couple also take their enthusiasm for blackcurrants on the road, presenting their products directly to the public at events such as the recent Go Green expos.
Howey says a lot of collaboration arises at such shows when exhibitors meet up and explore ways to use each other’s products in combination.
Less than half their production now goes to retail. The Howeys have powders and dried or frozen berries going as ingredients in about 25 other branded products including breakfast cereals, smoothies, juices and supplements.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.