increase font size
ProAg-Wearparts is the third major distributor of hay and silage nets to join Plasback on-farm plastics recycling scheme.
Nationwide crop packaging distributor ProAg-Wearparts has joined the Plasback on-farm plastics recycling scheme.
By doing so, it becomes the third significant distributor of hay and silage nets, twines and wraps to join the Plasback scheme in 2022.
ProAg-Wearparts development manager Nathan Wycherley says the company joined Plasback to support its customers and the wider agricultural industry as they work to establish world-leading sustainability practices.
"We have been concerned about the life cycle of agricultural plastic for some time, and today there is much more awareness of the issue among farmers and the public," Wycherley says.
Plasback is currently the only government-approved product stewarship scheme in the country that deals with silage film.
Wycherley says Plasback has invested a lot of money to build up their service.
"We hope that our support will help them continue to develop a collection service that is economically viable to our customers and provides more efficient processing of used silage wrap."
Plasback commercial manager Neal Shaw applauds the leadership shown by ProAg and the other agricultural consumables suppliers that have joined the scheme.
"Now that ProAg has joined us, we have the support of the suppliers of more than 90% of the stretch film and silage covers sold in New Zealand.
"It sends a clear message to the wider industry and government that this sector is serious about recycling and product stewardship."
Shaw says that the Ministry for the Environment has set a target date of June 2024 to have a mandatory, industry-wide product stewarship scheme in place for all agricultural plastics.
Discussion about the shape of that scheme are now underway. Plasback wants to ensure any levies applied do not significantly increase the amount that farmers have to pay to cover the cost of recycling.
"Plasback has shown that when farmers and suppliers directly cover some of the cost of collection and reprocessing, it is possible to provide an efficient, cost-effective service. We want this model to be part of any future product stewardship scheme," Shaw says.
"Now that virtually all Kiwi silage wrap distributors are part of Plasback, we can advocate on their behalf and on behalf of industry bodies, such as Fonterra, that support our service."
Bigger, Better
Former Manawatu sheep, beef and deer farmer John Wycherley established ProAg in 2010. In 2018 ProAg acquired and merged with ag machinery parts supplier Wearparts.
Today ProAg-Wearparts provides wearing parts and crop packaging throughout New Zealand from their central base in Feilding and storage and dispatch centres in Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland.
In addition to ProAg, the other companies that have become Plasback sponsors this year are Webbline and Integrated Packaging. Companies that joined the scheme prior to that are Grevilla Ag Tulloch Farm Machines, Nutritech, Donaghys and Agpac.
Shaw says as the pressure on farmers to deal with their waste plastic builds, some potential recyclers may look to cut corners by collecting loose plastic rather than use Plasback's bin and liner system. This can reduce the value of the waste plastic to manufacturers because it is dirty and more difficult to deal with.
"The bin and liner system we introduced to New Zealand almost 16 years ago works well, and the factories we sell to appreciate it. We don't want to see the New Zealand get a reputation for supplying low-quality recyclables."
While Nokia is more likely recognised for mobile devices, a major investment of €70m (NZ$126m) by global farm machinery brand AGCO at its facility in Linnavuori, in Nokia, will see the plant establish a new laboratory for testing combustion engines running on alternative fuels, alongside a range of electric solutions, including hybrids, fuel cells and high-voltage battery technology.
Evan Paxton and his family at Riverview Farms, Dargaville, are one of New Zealand’s leading suppliers of kumara.
There can't be many heavy metal fans who haven’t heard of Basildon, situated about 40km east of London and originally created in 1948 to deal with the population boom after the Second World War.
Think of a RAM 1500 or a Chevrolet Silverado and compare them to a Ranger or a Hilux: One is obviously a truck, and the other is a ute.
With effluent management never far from the thoughts of legislators and farmers becoming increasingly aware of the nutrient values of dairy effluent, innovate ideas for the convenient storage and subsequent discharge are always of interest.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.
