Field Notes Issue 743

In Aotearoa…

The Government will invest $11.7 million in salmon farming over the next five years. The investment is part of a $29.3 million programme, led by Salmon King, to expand aquaculture further into the open ocean.

The Meat Industry Association has reported a 28% increase in the export value of red meat, reaching $927 million in January. The United States led the growth in exports, with a 64% year-on-year increase, reaching $277 million of lamb and beef exports for January, just surpassing China’s $276 million for the same period.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited has discontinued its "carbon zero milk" range, Simply Milk, after it failed to meet the 2024 emissions reduction targets of 2.2.% per bottle. Launched in 2020 as part of its carbon neutral certification, the range has been rebranded to focus on a 10-cent donation to social supermarkets instead.

In international news...

Canadian multinational food company McCain has introduced limited-release "regen fries," made from potatoes grown using regenerative agriculture. The campaign aims to educate consumers on sustainable farming practices and aligns with McCain’s goal to implement regenerative practices across 100% of the potato acreage used to grow McCain potatoes by 2030.

The French Government has announced a €40 million (NZ $75 million) fund to help young farmers gain access to farmland. The fund will allow young farmers to rent land for up to 25 years, enabling them to invest in the operational capital of their farms over time before buying the land, and have control over when they want to buy.

Farmers from Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria, are protesting against the European Union-Mercosur agreement and non-EU food imports by blocking roads and border crossings. They are calling for the cancellation of the EU-Mercosur agreement, or the exclusion of agriculture from it, citing unfair standards. They are also advocating for a new EU-Ukraine deal to ensure fair competition.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, food import costs have surged due to poor harvests, a weakening yen, and increased competition. Total food imports exceeded 10 trillion yen (NZ $110 billion) for the third consecutive year, with agricultural imports, including meat, increasing by 5% to 9.54 trillion yen (NZ $104 billion), and seafood imports rising by 2% to 2.06 trillion yen ($22.66 billion).

Wide Open Agriculture’s Lupin Protein Isolate Gains Chinese Market Approval [Vegconmist, 26 February]

An Australian regenerative food and agriculture company, Wide Open Agriculture (WOA), has received approval to export its lupin protein isolate to the Chinese market. The isolate has several proven commercial applications including protein powders, plant-based milks and ice creams. WOA’s lupin protein is non-GMO and made using a patented, non-chemical process, which appeals to consumers concerned about GMO soybeans. Supported by a local distributor, WOA plans to target the Chinese protein powder and dairy alternative sectors and will also market a tofu alternative made from lupins. Original full article here

Tags: China, lupin protein, China's Healthy China 2030 strategy

Dog Food Made from Fermented Gas Protein Lands on European Shelves [Green Queen, 4 March]

German pet food company Marsapet has introduced MicroBell, a dry dog kibble made using a fermentation-derived protein. The protein is created from a gas fermentation process utilising methane. MicroBell combines the fermented protein with sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes for a grain-free and hypoallergenic option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The protein is highly sustainable, utilising no agricultural land and minimal water, and has been certified vegan. Original full article here

Tags: dog kibble, fermentation-derived protein

Canadian-Kiwi programme aims to boost exports [Farmers Weekly, 3 March]

The Canadian Food Innovation Network and the New Zealand Food Innovation Network have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The collaboration will provide New Zealand businesses with access to emerging technologies, market intelligence, and R&D to accelerate the commercialisation of New Zealand’s food innovations. The initiative is designed to create an international ecosystem that supports the entire process from conceptual research to export, enhancing the ability of New Zealand food innovators to compete globally. Original full article here

Tags: Canadian Food Innovation Network, New Zealand Food Innovation Network, partnerships 

Wine grape growers seek mandatory code for industry in 'crisis' [ABC News, 28 February]

Growers in Australia's largest wine grape regions are urging the federal government to implement a mandatory purchasing code of conduct. For the past four years, grape prices have been hundreds of dollars per tonne below production costs, leading to financial strain and a potential exodus of growers from the industry. While vintage usually starts in January, growers have struggled to get finalised prices from wineries, sometimes only receiving these during the harvest. The final report from a Senate inquiry recommended earlier pricing indications and a binding dispute resolution process, to be enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Original full article here

Tags: wine, grapes, Australia, Senate inquiry 

New ear tag tech can send a ‘calf SOS’ [Farmers Weekly, 3 March]

A new ear tag technology called Youngstock, has been launched in New Zealand to monitor the welfare of heifer replacements from birth. Already used in 29 countries and soon to be introduced in Ireland, Youngstock tracks heifer calves' movement, suckling time, and rumination, alerting farmers to any abnormal behaviour. The tool helps dairy farmers quickly identify and address health issues, improving calf-rearing efficiency and reducing stress, ultimately enhancing the lifetime milk production and overall herd health. Original full article here

Tags: ear tag, Youngstock, herd health