AHAP Progress Report Shows NZ Horticulture Building Real Momentum
According to a progress report on the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP), New Zealand's horticulture sector is making real progress on the big issues facing growers.
More than 300 delegates from throughout the country have been attending Horticulture New Zealand's annual conference being held in Rotorua.
The delegates come from all facets of the industry including growers, packers, exporters and others who provide services to the sector.
The keynote speaker at the conference was well known Australian science writer and agricultural communicator Jullian Cribb who gave delegates an insight as to how horticulture may develop in 20 to 30 years time.
There was also a focus on good agricultural practice (GAP) which included local and international speakers discussing market trends. During the conference each of the various horticultural product groups have holding their annual general meetings.
A highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Bledisloe Cup for exceptional service to the horticulture industry to Hastings AgFirst horticulture consultant John Wilton.
Ian Greaves was awarded the presidents cup for his services to PSA grower support and Tony Ivecivich and Brian Garguilo were awarded life memberships of HortNZ.
Potatoes New Zealand has congratulated Peter Reynolds of TA Reynolds Ltd in Pukekohe on being awarded the Horticulture New Zealand Bledisloe Cup, recognising a lifetime of service and contribution to New Zealand horticulture.
Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during his recent trip here.
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
The Southern Dairy Hub (SDH), which runs a demonstration farm for South Island farmers, has a new general manager.
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).

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