Hort urged to back controversial emissions plan
The country's horticulturalists have been urged to get in behind the controversial He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) agricultural emissions plan.
IN PREPARING for the 'Young Horticulturist of the Year' competition next week, the six finalists will stretch beyond the boundaries of horticulture.
In the lead up to the grand final the finalisits must complete the AGMARDT Market Innovation project. This written project, completed in their own time, will show that the competitors can develop an innovative product or service suitable for market.
"Finalists are encouraged to develop understanding of what is required to identify and analyse market innovation opportunities," says AGMARDT general manager Malcolm Nitschke.
This year's finalists' projects include a lateral attack on the wine industry's leafroller virus, traceability technology for kiwifruit, and gloves lined with titanium for winter warmth.
Paul Robinson is tackling the wine industry's problem of Leafroller Virus. 'Nip it in the Bud' Leafroller Virus indicator helps cuts out the time and cost of detecting the virus by grafting a bud of a red grape vine onto a white grape vine. Unlike the white, the red grape variety displays symptoms of the virus. As soon as leaf roller virus symptoms are detected the vine can be removed, limiting costly vine losses.
Horticulture NZ's Patrick Malley, has developed a project on traceability technology for kiwifruit. Through his project a consumer anywhere in the world will be able to scan kiwifruit packing cases to identify the orchard where the fruit grew.
Young Amenity winner Sarah Fenwick is taking on Southland's freezing conditions with her lightweight glove design. The durable, cost effective glove inner is made of titanium lined limestone neoprene to keep gardeners' fingers warm and nimble.
Other finalist projects include a nursery marketing campaign, a 'Guide Pro' for measuring sightlines and a reality television show aiming to increase flower sales in New Zealand.
The 10th annual 'Young Horticulturist of the Year' competition takes place in Auckland on November 12 – 13. The winner will receive a $7,500 travel and accommodation package, with second place getting a $5,500 Massey University study scholarship. The winners are announced during the grand final awards dinner on Thursday 13 November.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
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.
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