Keep What Works Working: NZ's New Resistance Campaign
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
Kiwifruit industry regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ) has announced the appointment of Kristy McDonald QC as its new board chair.
McDonald replaces Sir Brian Elwood who has been in role 11 years. Elwood says McDonald is a highly regarded Queen’s Counsel with a wealth of legal, governance and regulatory experience and a genuine interest in primary industries.
“The industry will benefit greatly from Ms McDonald’s broad ranging skills and experience,” he says.
McDonald, a Wellington barrister, is a director of a number of boards including the Accident Compensation Corporation and Wairarapa Building Society; she chairs the Judicial Control Authority for Racing and is the former chair of the Real Estate Agents Authority.
The KNZ Board has also recently appointed Geoff Morgan as its new chief executive, replacing Richard Procter who was in the role for the past 10 years.
Morgan brings to the role a broad range of experience in export-oriented industries internationally, including seafood and meat, along with extensive regulatory and marketing experience, says KNZ.
“I believe the Kiwifruit Regulations have created a stable environment to enable growth and success in the kiwifruit industry. It is pleasing to see the industry now poised for a period of growth and substantial expansion,” says Elwood.
The board thanks Elwood for his contribution and commitment to the industry, and say they hope that the experience of the new appointments will help KNZ to develop innovative growth and cooperation across the industry.
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In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.