Field Notes Issue 731

In Aotearoa…

A new trade agreement has been signed with Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland prioritising New Zealand’s sustainable exports. The Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability introduces the first international eco-labelling guidelines to prevent them from becoming Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs).

Livestock Improvement Corporation Limited (LIC) and United States company, Sexing Technologies, have announced a collaboration to enhance New Zealand’s dairy herd genetics. The initiative aims to improve the national herd by bringing in genetic diversity and traits of interest, such as improved udder conformation. The genetics will be available for New Zealand LIC farmers in 2026.

Almost 9000 hectares has been set aside by the government for Ngāi Tahu and the Crown to assess for offshore aquaculture in Southland. The proposed areas are suitable for mussel, salmon and seaweed farming. All current fishing in these zones can continue during exploration phases, and any areas that Ngāi Tahu want to develop into aquaculture ventures will be subject to resource consent processes.

A South Island forestry company, One-Forty-One New Zealand Forests, is creating biofuel from its forestry operations wood. The company had about 80,000 hectares of forest in northern South Island, harvesting one million cubic metres annually. They have invested over $1 million in the biofuel project over the past two years for their harvesting crews to collect as much leftover wood waste as possible from their forest sites.

In international news...

The United States Forest Service are proposing to allow increased logging on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest to fight wildfires and boost rural economies. The proposal aims to change the Northwest Forest Plan, increasing timber harvests by at least 33% and allowing the removal of trees up to 120 years old in certain areas to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Elsewhere in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is recalling various brands of organic carrots due to E. Coli contamination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the contaminated carrots could be the cause of a multi-state E. Coli outbreak, causing 39 illnesses, 15 hospitalisations, and one death in California.

Ukrainian exports of grain, oilseeds, meal, and oil grew by US$1.6 billion (NZ$2.7 billion) in the 2024/2025 July-October season compared to the previous season. Farmers generated significantly higher earnings from exporting wheat, barley, rapeseed, and soybeans. However, corn exports are predicted to decline due to reduced demand from China, prompting exporters to diversify their markets.

The European Union (EU) has launched the "Garden of Europe" campaign to boost the market presence and consumer awareness of European agri-food products. The initiative emphasises the high quality, safety standards, and nutritional benefits of EU products, ensuring consumers receive premium goods. It is currently targeting Greek kiwifruits and Polish apples in Indonesia, India, and other markets to boost exports.

Coles targets shopping consciousness with AI-powered trolleys [Inside Retail, 13 November]

An artificial intelligence-powered Smart Trolley (Caper Cart) will be trialled in Melbourne, Australia early next year. The technology is a collaboration between Australian supermarket chain, Coles and United States supermarket tech company, Instacart. The trolley employs AI technology, sensors, and an integrated scale to scan groceries directly into shopping bags. These features streamline the checkout process, enabling customers to pay and leave. The Smart Trolley also aims to improve in-store shopping experiences with an interactive digital display showing in-store deals and product aisle locations. Original full article here

Tags: artificial intelligence; shopping; trolley; technology

Farmers ‘more inclined than ever’ to repurchase trusted tech instead of chancing it on ‘something new’: report [Ag Funder News, 18 November]

A new report reveals that farmers in the United States are more likely to repurchase the same agricultural technology than investing in new ones. The Boston Consulting Group report found that as farmers continue to deal with weak commodity prices and high interest rates, they are in favour of familiar and reliable technology they trust, such as steer systems, farm management systems, and slow-release inputs. The report, aimed at agribusinesses developing new technologies for farmers, advises that these businesses should consider factors beyond farm size and crop type, to encourage growers towards adopting newer technologies. Original full article here

Tags: agriculture; technology; purchasing decisions; farmer behaviour

Tulips an unlikely gas crop in Thailand [Farmers Weekly, 18 November]

In Thailand, the local energy sector has found an upside for horticultural operations. An industrial process to super chill offshore gas supplies into more storable liquid natural gas (LNG) has created an optimal environment for tulip production. This process releases cold energy, maintaining a coolhouse at 15°C, ideal for growing tulips and lilies year-round. The operation produces an annual harvest of approximately 2.5 million stems, most of which are sold either locally or at flower markets in Bangkok. Trials are being conducted for wasabi and strawberries while research is underway on antioxidant extraction from tulips for health uses. Original full article here

Tags: liquid natural gas; coolhouse; tulips; lilies

Farmers burn thousands of avocado trees amid grower exodus in Far North Qld [ABC, 14 November]

In Queensland, Australia, thousands of avocado trees are being ripped out as growers leave the industry. Avocados in Australia were once seen as a lucrative cash crop, but growers now face low prices due to an oversupply in the market while also dealing with high costs. Some farmers are switching to alternatives such as bananas and cattle while many have left the industry entirely. According to Avocados Australia chief executive John Tyas, the planting area in North Queensland increased by 160 percent over the past eight years. Despite the removal of many trees, it is expected that the North Queensland avocado crop will still grow by 20-25% over the next two years. The need for new export markets is required to balance the oversupply. Original full article here

Tags: avocado; oversupply; trees; export

SuperMeat: Cultivated meat can be produced at scale for $11.79/lb [Ag Funder News, 7 November]

A report released by cultivated meat company, SuperMeat, indicates that its cultivated meat can be produced at scale for around US$11.8 per pound (NZ$44.3 per kilogram). SuperMeat’s process cultivates embryonic avian stem cells, which can replicate indefinitely, capable of differentiating into various cell types, to produce muscle and fat tissue. SuperMeat’s report suggests that scaling their current 10-litre production to 25,000-litre bioreactors would reduce production costs to US$11.8 per pound (NZ$44.3 per kilogram) without depreciation; and yield an annual output of three million kilograms of cultivated chicken meat. The company hopes to secure regulatory clearance in the United States market by the end of next year. Original full article here

Tags: cell culture; cultivated meat; chicken; regulation; production