Water allocation, usage tops hort sector concerns
Water allocation and storage has been a hot topic of discussion during HortNZ’s grower meetings held recently around the country.
Horticulture NZ's kicks off in Nelson today with the industry in a buoyant mood.
The theme of the conference is 'Innovate from seed to plate' and will look at issues all the sectors have in common from research and development in robotics and technology to food safety and delivery of high end product to the consumer.
HortNZ chairman Julian Raine told Rural News horticulture is in a buoyant mood and will continue to boom.
"The horticulture industries collectively are on a high. It hasn't happened by chance. There has been a lot of work done to ensure we are in the space we are at the moment."
HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman says innovation has been a key to success, on and off the orchards and gardens. Researchers such as Plant and Food had developed varieties that gave them the edge on the world stage.
The conference would have a key focus on technologies, especially drones.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.