Field Notes Issue 720

In Aotearoa…

The first commercial cultivation of native red New Zealand seaweed, Gigartina atropurpurea, has been trialled in the Coromandel Peninsula (Tīkapa Moana Hauraki Gulf). Led by Greenwave Aotearoa and co-funded by the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund and EnviroStat, the three-year regenerative ocean farming pilot aims to establish an economically viable seed-to-sale seaweed farming industry.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has proposed that food products without novel DNA will not be classified as genetically modified, despite potentially being processed using new breeding techniques (NBT). The regulator contends that food produced through NBTs displaying traits comparable to those of conventionally bred food is deemed to pose a low risk; FSANZ are soliciting a second round of feedback, with the deadline set for September 10th.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients has launched a fixed-price nitrogen pilot scheme to offer shareholders more stability around their input costs. A new six-month fixed price will give shareholders certainty on Nrich Urea or SustaiN, whilst allowing Ballance to better support its supply chain planning.

Palmerston North startup, Andfoods, has developed a whipping cream made from lentils using fermentation technology that resembles traditional dairy cream. The startup has been nominated as a finalist for the Breakthrough Project Award at this year's KiwiNet Awards, acknowledging its achievements in food innovation and development of dairy alternatives.

In international news…

Australian supermarket, Woolworths, has made a commitment to source deforestation-free beef from the end of 2025, as part of its revised sustainability goal. The policy will also apply to paper, pulp, timber, palm oil, cocoa, and soy sold in all Australian stores. However, the definition of "deforestation-free" for cattle producers supplying beef to Woolworths, representing approximately 7% of all beef processed in Australia, is still uncertain.

The United Kingdom government will invest £15 million (NZ $31.6 million) to build the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre. The innovation hub, located at the University of Leeds, aims to fast track the commercialisation of cultivated, plant-based, and fermentation-produced foods by developing new products and ingredients.

Ember, a UK-based non-profit organisation, published a study proposing that integrating solar panels and crop cultivation could improve food security and increase farm profitability in Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. This practice, termed agri-PV, has the potential to meet 68% of these nation’s current energy needs using just 9% of farm land for solar panels.

The Panama Canal is removing vessel restrictions as water levels stabilise following a severe drought, permitting the transit of 36 vessels per day, up from 24 at the peak of the drought. The canal intends to invest US $2 billion (NZ $3.2 billion) in expanding one of its water reservoirs to address potential future droughts, enabling the accommodation of larger vessels and designated passages for certain ships.

Locally grown fruits, veg in full supply [30 August, Rural News Group]

Due to optimal growing conditions this year, Woolworths, one of New Zealand's largest supermarket chains, has announced the full supply of locally grown fruit and vegetables, a first since the Covid disruption. At the recent Horticulture New Zealand conference, Glenn Bewly, Head of Vegetable Procurement at Woolworths, emphasised that despite the ample supply, balancing the demand and supply equation remains difficult to get right, especially with the cost of living being a major concern for consumers. Value remains crucial for consumers so delivering better value for them is essential. The enhanced yields and high-quality produce from growers have significantly contributed to this. In the effort to maximise consumer value around freshness and quality, Woolworths opened their second state-of-the-art fresh produce distribution centre earlier this year in Christchurch, ensuring nationwide coverage for fruit and vegetable delivery. Original full article here

Tags: fruit and vegetable supply; optimal growing conditions; Woolworths

Ocean heat is changing marine food webs – with far-reaching consequences for NZ fisheries and sea life [29 August, NZ City]

New Zealand experienced its highest annual temperatures in both oceanic and coastal waters from 2022 to 2023, since monitoring commenced in 1982. This has resulted in the highest number of shellfish harvest closures in a decade. The warming of the ocean accelerates the growth of microalgae that cause toxic blooms, which reduces the nutritional quality and size of microalgae species that other marine organisms depend on for food. These shifts in microalgal communities can drive ecosystems into altered states, affecting food webs and fisheries, such as the occurrence of milky flesh syndrome in snapper from the Hauraki Gulf. Local scientists say understanding the changes in microalgal communities under different climate scenarios is crucial to develop effective management strategies for ocean ecosystems. Original full article here

Tags: sea temperature; toxic algal bloom; aquaculture; food web; fisheries; ecosystem

Marine consents change to bring security to aquaculture sector, but environmental concerns remain [1 September, RNZ]

The recently passed Resource Management Amendment Bill extends marine farm permits by up to 20 years, ensuring security for about 1200 marine farm operations across New Zealand. This is despite concerns it will cement outdated environmental conditions. The industry had been frustrated by decades of bureaucratic processes along with the financial burden of reapplying for resource consents, which would have cost millions for around 300 marine farms this year. Gary Hooper, chief executive of Aquaculture NZ, clarified that while there are concerns about locking in marine farm permits for 20 years and potentially being unable to address future environmental issues, the industry has effective environmental safeguards in place. These include comprehensive and current consent conditions and a robust environmental track record that is acknowledged globally. Original full article here

Tags: coastal permits; marine farms; aquaculture; environment

New robot promises to harvest at same speed as human pickers [27 August, Farming UK]

Cambridge-based company in the United Kingdom, Fieldwork Robotics, has developed a new robotic model that can harvest fruit and vegetables at the same speed and quality as human pickers. The “Fieldworker 1” uses AI-enhanced technology to achieve more precise detection of berry ripeness by adopting spectral frequency to eliminate human bias from the analysis. It can operate in a fleet, with one operator overseeing multiple robots in the orchard, leading to reduced labour and improved efficiency. The robot allows growers to forecast by providing an accurate cost per berry, allowing farmers to augment human labour while managing operating costs and profit margins. The company is working with Costa Group, a major producer of fresh fruit and vegetables in Australia, to roll out trials in 2025. Original full article here 

Tags: robot; automation; technology; AI

Tertiary providers welcome wool education programme  [27 August, Stuff]

A new tertiary education programme, Wool Dynamics, is being trialled in six major architecture and product design schools across New Zealand. Developed by The Campaign for Wool New Zealand, the programme aims to educate students on the use of wool in building and product materials, emphasising the innovation and potential of wool in architecture and design. Some notable wool properties include moisture-wicking, insulation, temperature regulation, sound absorption and water filtration, which can be applicable in several industries. Rather than an agricultural-based course, the pilot programme will be delivered through educational modules within existing tertiary courses, emphasising research and case study material. The programme is set to run for the remainder of 2024, with plans for a nationwide roll out in 2025. Original full article here

Tags: wool; education; architecture; design; building material