Roadmap set to double hort exports by 2035
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
Horticulture New Zealand presented its inaugural President’s Award to lifelong kiwifruit industry supporter and grower Ian Greaves last week.
HortNZ president Julian Raine presented the award at the Horticulture New Zealand conference awards dinner in Rotorua.
The new award is intended to recognise outstanding and inspiring leadership within the horticulture industry.
Greaves has spent his life in the Bay of Plenty where he has experienced the ups and downs of the horticulture industry.
In 2010, Psa disease began wiping out New Zealand kiwifruit crop and Greaves realised that growers needed support. He developed a unique framework to give rural people the opportunity to communicate about their feelings and situations.
“Ian provided life-saving pastoral support to growers during this time,” says Raine.
“He has made a positive difference to our industry by developing a system that deals with the seriousness of life during rural crisis.”
“He has helped rural people to recognise stress is something that does not have to be endured on your own.”
Other awards presented at the event were the horticulture industry’s premier award, the Bledisloe Cup, to Hawke’s Bay consultant John Wilton, and industry service awards to berry fruit scientist Geoff Langford and former HortNZ chief executive Peter Silcock.
John Wilton was recognised for his long-serving commitment to the pipfruit industry.
The industry service awards were also presented for the first time.
BNZ says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through an innovative new initiative that helps make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Lincoln University Dairy Farm will be tweaking some management practices after an animal welfare complaint laid in mid-August, despite the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) investigation into the complaint finding no cause for action.
A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

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