Field Notes Issue 715

In Aotearoa, the latest Federated Farmers Farm Confidence Survey has revealed that farmer confidence has fallen significantly, reaching its second lowest result in the history of the survey. The 1400 respondents across dairy, sheep, beef, and arable industries stated that debt, interest rates, low commodity prices, and high input costs are impacting farm confidence. A newly published study is questioning the effectiveness of the pasture species plantain in reducing nitrate leaching on farms. The study, published in the New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, reviewed 15 years of peer-reviewed research into plantain and pasture species and found that some of these projects have insufficient evidence, methodology, or data interpretation. Meanwhile, the findings of an AgResearch trial into the benefits of hay bale grazing have been published in a guide for farmers. Bale grazing has increased in popularity as a practice to improve soil outcomes, causing less soil damage and runoff compared to traditional winter cropping practices. Farmers on the Chatham Islands are relieved as the ship, the Southern Tiare, has returned to service. Farmers have been unable to move stock off the island as the ship has been out of service since April 2024, causing significant financial strain and feed shortages.

In international news, Nigerian cocoa farmers have requested a one-year extension to meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which prohibits products from entering the European Union unless they are deforestation-free and legally produced. The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria argues the lack of information from the EUDR has impacted their preparation efforts and are now concerned about the livelihoods of cocoa farmers if the extension is not granted. In Brazil, regulators have made the move to include meat in the basic food basket as part of the new consumption tax reform. Animal protein products are now on the list of tax-exempt basic food baskets. Meanwhile, an Australian consignment of 4,000 cattle bound for Israel has been waiting for a month for approval from the live export regulator to depart due to security concerns at the destination port. While the cattle are not being held on board the vessel, farmers are concerned they will miss the strong market conditions in Israel and lose market share to Brazil.

NZ’s formula labelling request denied [26 July, Farmers Weekly]

New Zealand's Minister of Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard, met with fellow Australian ministers at a Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) meeting last week to discuss health-motivated restrictions on the packaging of infant formula. Minister Hoggard requested a review of the current rules which was denied. Officials are concerned that the inability to put labels with nutritional content on infant formula may impact New Zealand exports, particularly in markets like China where nutritional labelling is important. The government has indicated that they may take unilateral action as infant formula is vital to New Zealand’s economy, worth approximately NZ $2 billion a year. Original full article here

Tags: food labelling; milk formula; food standards

Experimental vineyard launched in Marlborough [ 26 July, Stuff NZ]

An experimental vineyard has opened in Blenheim, Te Whenua Tupu will provide a more controllable environment for grapevine research. The state-of-the-art facility will focus research on sustainability, climate resilience, productivity, and carbon management with hopes of future-proofing the sector. The 600m² building, complete with walls and a clear retractable roof, will provide the grapevines with protection from rain or hail. The project was funded by multiple organisations, including NZ $750,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund, NZ $500,000 from the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, and the remaining funding from the Marlborough Research Centre, who own the building. Original full article here

Tags: climate change; vineyard; research centre

Map and Zap laser system targets weeds [29 July, Farmers Weekly]

A new technology designed by AgResearch scientists and engineers, called Map and Zap, has been put through a series of successful trials demonstrating its abilities. The technology uses artificial intelligence to identify and eliminate weeds with a precision laser. The aim is to reduce reliance on herbicides and pesticides over time by selectively targeting unwanted weeds in various agricultural systems. The technology can be installed onto a tractor or robot to suit either a vineyard, orchard, or broad-acre field. The prototype was demonstrated in a vineyard in Canterbury and is now seeking investors for potential domestic and international markets. Original full article here

Tags: weed management; laser technology 

Expand your expertise with our evidence-based online courses on mitigation actions, effective communication, and land-use diversification [Our Land and Water]

National science challenge, Our Land and Water, has launched three training modules for farm advisors. The free modules are designed to support rural professionals in identification of the most effective management practices to improve water quality, effective communication with farmers, and tools to help farm businesses make land use change decisions. Each training module provides a pathway through the tools and resources developed throughout the eight years of research funded by Our Land and Water. Original full article here

Tags: training modules; farm advisors; Our Land and Water

Tasmanian 'Eco-Milk' tests shoppers' thirst for climate-friendly dairy [22 July, Reuters]

Family-owned Tasmanian dairy producer, Ashgrove, has launched the world's first branded milk produced by cows fed seaweed, to reduce methane emissions. Ashgrove Dairy has been feeding a fifth of its herd an oil containing a seaweed extract, locally sourced from a Tasmanian seaweed company. The cows produce around 10,000 litres of milk a day, a portion of which is bottled as "Eco-Milk" and sold across Tasmania, including at Woolworths. At this stage, “Eco Milk” is testing consumer’s willingness to pay a premium for products with a lower environmental impact. Currently it is AU $0.25 (NZ $0.28) more expensive than normal full cream milk. Original full article here

Tags: methane emissions; eco milk; seaweed