Field Notes Issue 741

In Aotearoa…

Movement controls on fruit and vegetables in an Auckland suburb have been lifted after a successful response to pest detection. Horticulture New Zealand has praised the swift action by Biosecurity New Zealand and the cooperation from Papatoetoe residents following detection of a single Oriental fruit fly.

Kiwifruit marketer, Zespri Group Limited’s final forecast for the 2024/25 season is projected to exceed their NZ $4.5 billion global revenue target. Strong demand and a significantly higher crop volume than the previous year has allowed Zespri to sell a record 190 million trays at strong value for growers.

Fonterra Co-operative Group are updating their incentive payment scheme, Co-operative Difference, to further incentivise farmers to reduce on-farm emissions. New incentives for the 2025-2026 season will offer eligible farms an extra 1-5 cents per kg MS for meeting certain criteria. This is in addition to the $0.10/kg MS currently possible for meeting existing achievements within the framework.

Farmers in parts of the North Island have met to discuss applying for an adverse weather event declaration from the Ministry of Primary Industries due to prolonged dry conditions. Meetings in South Auckland, Waikato, and Taranaki highlighted the severe impact on production and the urgent need for funding support to help farmers manage the ongoing challenge.

In international news...

The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a conditional license for an avian influenza vaccine for use in chickens. The Zoetis-developed vaccine was approved based on safety and efficacy. The US approach to avian flu outbreaks to date has been focused on eradication, rather than vaccination of chickens.

The Japanese government’s food and export promoter, JFOODO, has launched a campaign in New York City, showcasing Japanese seafood at nine restaurants. Their campaign aims to highlight the exceptional quality and versatility of Japanese seafood, with a particular focus on Japanese scallops and buri (yellowtail fish).

In the United Kingdom, sheep meat production is expected to rise by 2% in 2025 due to a higher carryover of lambs from 2024 boosting slaughter numbers. However, a 2% decline is predicted in the lamb crop for 2025/2026, driven by a shrinking female breeding flock, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the sector.

In Australia, the Japanese encephalitis virus has been detected at two piggeries in southern Queensland. This is the first outbreak of the rare mosquito-borne virus since 2022; the virus causes reproductive issues in pigs and is passed to humans through mosquitos, where it can be deadly.

From fertilizer to machinery, how might tariffs impact the agtech sector? [AgFunders News, 13 February]

According to a new report, tariffs imposed by the new United States (US) administration are predicted to significantly impact the US agritech sector. The report by research and insights company, Pitchbook, suggests potential impacts for US agritech companies could include higher operating costs, disrupted supply chains and force price adjustments. It does however also recognise opportunities for agritech firms that offer real-time data, AI risk modelling solutions as food and agriculture companies may seek to optimise their supply chains in a regime with increased tariffs. Original full article here

Tags: tariff schedules, operational costs, agritech

Groundbreaking seed germination model developed at Rothamsted [Agriland, 13 February]

Scientists in the United Kingdom have developed a groundbreaking seed germination model that accurately predicts the optimal conditions for seed sprouting. Traditional germination models primarily use water potential and temperature as the main drivers of seed activity. The new model developed by Rothamsted Research measures water content directly in situ, making it far more accurate in predicting germination times in field conditions. Original full article here

Tags: seed germination, water content, seed tillering

Agnition Ventures announces startup accelerator in partnership with Singapore-based Agrifood Futures [AgriTech Tomorrow, 18 February]

Agnition Ventures, the corporate innovation and investment arm of Ravensdown Limited New Zealand, has announced the launch of a new startup accelerator in partnership with Singapore-based AgriFood Futures. The accelerator programme, Land x Launch, will connect agritech startups with New Zealand farmers to test their products. Original full article here

Tags: Agnition Ventures, AgriFood Futures' , Singapore, startup accelerator 

Geothermal water plan: Bay of Plenty growers seek fair access  [NZ Herald, 13 February]

The Bay of Plenty regional council are developing draft changes to their regional plan including a geothermal water management plan. The Tauranga Geothermal System Management Plan aims to ensure sustainable use of water heated to 30°C and above. The changes could impact local horticultural growers. There are 172 consented geothermal takes in the Tauranga geothermal system, 73 of which are for irrigation and/or frost protection. Local kiwifruit and avocado growers have voiced the importance of this resource for their operations, and industry groups are supporting feedback to ensure equitable water access for growers. Original full article here

Tags: geothermal water, Bay of Plenty, growers

Canterbury wasabi grower sees big opportunities: 'Pukeko love it' | RNZ News [RNZ, 12 February]

A Canterbury wasabi grower suggests there is a substantial opportunity for the crop in New Zealand. Despite challenges such as replicating the cold, fresh conditions of Japanese high mountain streams and managing pests like pukekos and wekas, the climatic similarities to Japan mean wasabi could be an exciting new crop for the country. From starting as a hobby, Canterbury grower Coppersfolly, have increased their operations to over a thousand crops which are harvested every two to three weeks. Original full article here

Tags: wasabi, Canterbury, new opportunities