Field Notes Issue 627 Field Notes Issue 627 Field Notes Issue 627

[6^th October2022]

This week in Aotearoa New Zealand, CH4 Aotearoa’s tank-grown seaweed facility has opened where it will grow Asparagopsis species for feeding to cattle to reduce methane production (achieving greater than 90% reduction in some trials), and the Aquaculture industry has received $210,000 from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to aid in filling an estimated 500 vacancies.

Food Waste is also in the headlines as Burger Fuel launches a waste-based bread beer, the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance discusses a recent report showing over 100,000 tonnes of food is wasted in New Zealand annually, and Australia launches a new Food Rescue Sector Action Plan co-designed by the countries four biggest food rescue charities.

In other news, ASB transfers ownership of Mount Albert Grammar School farm to guarantee it’s future in agricultural education, cookie sales have grown 7.7% over the past year to reach a value of USD$8.6b in a world ‘snacking boom’, and new analysis shows interesting figures on international climate reduction targets including a headline that 35% of the world’s 50 largest meat and dairy businesses in Europe and North America have not yet publicly published their sustainability targets.

For this week’s KPMG New Zealand Field Notes Foresight article, Jack Keeys has written a LinkedIn post from the future in a world where Aotearoa takes a brave approach to biotechnology, research investment, and collaboration.

You haven't heard of the NZ Immuno-apple, our avocados that don't overripen, or our climate-friendly happy animals yet?
Instead of waiting a couple of years, you can fast-forward to Fieldays opening in June 2024 with a sneak peek into a potential future!

Linkedin | The Biotechnology Announcement You Haven't Heard Yet

Massive stockpiles as mānuka buzz fades [29 September, Farmers Weekly]

An overproduction of manuka honey domestically sees an estimated year’s worth of produce in storage as beekeepers struggle to sell their produce. At its height, mid-range manuka in 2019 fetched between NZD$65-85/kg; today selling for NZD$25/kg. Currently, New Zealand possesses a hive population of 800,000, Bee researcher Dr. Mark Goodwin recommends that 600,000 would be a sustainable figure.

Tags: Apiculture 

Alternative protein pioneers and Chinese policymakers convene at “historic” food innovation event [3 October, Food Ingredients First]

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) met with industry leaders from the alternative protein space last week to discuss the future of food security and the role China can play in ensuring food security globally. Chinese public records show significant funds are being invested into the local alternative proteins sector, similar to how China scaled up its solar panel and electric vehicle sectors. MARA Deputy director Wang Xiaohong commented that China is ideal for innovation as “Chinese people are highly receptive to new things”. 

Tags: Alternative Proteins, International 

Agribusinesses join with Government on emissions research centre [3 October, The Country]

A government-proposed research centre designed to tackle agriculture greenhouse gas emissions sees buy-in by large domestic agribusiness businesses, contributing NZD$7.75M to the initiative this year. With government backing all industry contributions, Agriculture Minister Damian O’Conner anticipates a total NZD$172M investment over the next four years as other businesses join. The research centre forms part of the government’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Tags: Environment & Emission 

NZ firm wants to help world rely less on milk protein[4 October, Stuff]

NZ Biotech start-up Daisy Lab received a multimillion prize to support the challenges of moving from research to market as the first winners of the nationwide Got Nous competition. Daisy Labs, selected from over 500 other businesses, aims to reduce the globe’s dependence on milk protein. Using precision fermentation, Daisy Lab “trains” microorganisms to create the diary proteins casein and whey, which later on can be used to produce dairy alternative products.

Tags: Alternative Proteins, Dairy

Improving Food Security in Africa with Nuclear Techniques [29 September, International Atomic Energy Agency]

Member countries of the International Atomic Energy Agency came together last week to discuss the progress of nuclear science and technologies in creating a resilient climate change agriculture sector for Africa. The discussion included case studies from successful programs, including Ugandan experts utilising plant mutations to prevent root disease in vegetables.  

Tags: Biotechnology, Food Security, International