Field Notes Issue 722

This week, we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and recognise the significant contributions of Māori to our food and fibre sector…

• In 2022, The Ministry of Primary Industries estimated the Māori food and fibre economy contributed $2.4 billion to national gross domestic product.
• In 2021, Māori businesses exported goods around the value of $755 million.
• Māori own an estimated $23 billion in food and fibre assets and manage approximately 1.4 million hectares of land.
• Māori make up just under 13% of the sector’s total workforce (this figure does not include ownership interests).

In Aotearoa…

Applications are now open for the Agri-Women’s Development Trust's (AWDT) Escalator Impact Leadership Accelerator programme for 2025. The 10-month programme aims to empower purpose-driven women with the mindsets, skills, and connections needed to drive systemic change in our sector and rural communities. For more information, please visit the AWDT’s website. Website here

Zespri and their shipping partner, ANL/CMA CGM, have launched a feasibility study to explore creating a low-emissions shipping corridor connecting Tauranga to Zeebrugge (Belgium) via the Panama Canal. Shipping accounts for 43% of kiwifruit’s overall carbon footprint and finding low emission opportunities is crucial to help exporters meet their sustainability targets.

The Tuberculosis differential slaughter levies will increase by 75c to $12.25/head for dairy animals while beef animals will see a decrease of 25c to $4.50/head. The levies are collected to fund the TBfree programme for the beef and dairy industries. The allocation of funding is adjusted annually based on changes in the size and value of each industry.

An independent review of the June Wairoa flooding found a combination of factors led to the river backing up and overflowing. The review highlighted that Wairoa completely relies on openings of the river bar as a mitigating factor and explained the need to assess other flood mitigating options as sea levels rise and storms become more intense.

In international news…

Australian fishermen are frustrated with China’s ongoing informal ban on live rock lobsters. In 2020, China’s customs agency cited excessive levels of a heavy metal in Australian rock lobsters, leading to the ban. Despite the federal government’s assurances that the ban would soon be lifted, farmers remain uncertain after four seasons. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has indicated that he will address this issue with China during his high-level talks in Beijing at the end of the month.

Pakistan’s International Innovation Park Limited and China’s National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs have signed a US $382 million (NZ $617 million) deal to cooperate in the agriculture sector. The deal will focus on financial collaboration between the two nations and digital transformation and supply chain optimisation for 200 textile factories in Pakistan.

European countries have reported delays in disbursing the European Union’s (EU) Common Agricultural Policy subsidies to farms transitioning to organics. Payments are required within a year of application, but the French government exceeded this timeframe, causing delays of 2-3 months. They cited IT failures and lack of resources for the cause of the delay.

Nebraska, the United States' largest red meat producer, is the latest state to ban its agencies from purchasing cultivated meat products. The state will also implement a rule to ensure that any cultivated meat sold in stores is properly labelled and not marketed on the same shelves as natural meat.

2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy Sheep and Beef Competition

Applications for the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition are now open. The Ahuwhenua Trophy, one of New Zealand's oldest agricultural awards, was established in 1933 by Governor General Lord Bledisloe and Māori leader Sir Apirana Ngata to grow and develop Māori in livestock and horticulture farming. The competition alternates between dairy, sheep and beef, and horticulture. The 2025 competition will showcase excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming, a sector where Māori make up 15% of the total earnings. The finalists will be revealed at Parliament House in late February, with the winner announced at an awards dinner in Palmerston North in early June. For more details on how to enter the Ahuwhenua Trophy, please visit the website. Website here

Tags: Ahuwhenua trophy; Māori; sheep and beef farming

Plants can grow in near-darkness, new research shows – here are three promising benefits [12 September, The Conversation]

A recent study published by Nature Communications found that plants can grow in near-darkness. Conducted on microalgae in Arctic waters, the study discovered that Arctic microalgae were able to perform photosynthesis at the lowest light levels ever recorded, which is 37,000-50,000 times less light than typical daylight conditions. The finding could help increase yields for crops in low-light regions with short growing seasons and support sustainable indoor farming by reducing reliance on artificial lighting. Additionally, it may improve the feasibility of growing crops during space missions with limited sunlight, aiding long-term space exploration. Original full article here

Tags: plants; microalgae; arctic water; space mission

Otago snow dump sparks feed concerns [13 September, Farmers Weekly]

Late snowfall in Central Otago has raised concerns among farmers who already have limited feed reserves after a dry winter. Some farmers have reported over seven centimetres of snow, which is unusual for spring when the grass is expected to be growing. This has left them with little feed to cope with the cold conditions, especially those who have begun lambing. Additionally, power outages in the region have disrupted shearing activities. While the area often has snow in late September and early October, this snowfall is due to weak low-pressure systems and additional moisture in the colder air. Original full article here

Tags: snow; feed reserves; spring; cold

What counts as junk food in upcoming UK advert ban [13 September, BBC]

The United Kingdom will ban online and television adverts for junk food to tackle childhood obesity and protect children from the influence of unhealthy food advertising. Over a fifth of children in England are overweight or obese by the start of primary school, increasing to over a third by the time they leave. Food and beverage items classed as less healthy according to a government scoring system, or falling into a specified list of categories, will be prohibited from advertising. Previous measures include a sugary drink tax from 2016 and product display restrictions in medium-to-large supermarkets from 2022. Other countries with similar restrictions include Norway and Portugal. The EU is considering similar measures pending approval by the European Parliament. Original full article here 

Tags: junk food; childhood obesity; adverts; government ; 

Biotech startup Number 8 Bio bags $7 million to drive methane-busting mission [10 September, Smart Company]

Australian biotech startup Number 8 Bio has secured AU $7 million (NZ $7.6 million) in seed funding to develop methane-reducing livestock feed and lower greenhouse gas emissions from global agriculture. They are developing bio-engineered yeast strains to create feed additives that enhance beef, lamb, and wool production, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The venture has commenced trials and has already tested over 3,000 product variants in the past 12 months. The funding will support ongoing trials and build manufacturing capacity. Original full article here

Tags: methane; greenhouse gas; emissions; yeast strain