Oz tomato seed imports banned
Biosecurity New Zealand has placed import restrictions on tomato seed imports from Australia after the detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus at two South Australian growing properties.
More locally grown tomatoes are coming to stores this month and you can thank New Zealand greenhouses for that.
Most tomatoes are now cultivated in advanced greenhouse environments and this beloved and versatile fruit is grown with minimal environmental impact.
Greenhouse-grown tomatoes require as little as six litres of water to produce one kilogramme of fruit, saving approximately 200 litres compared to traditional outdooring growing methods. To achieve this, greenhouses collect and use their own rainwater for irrigation and treat and recycle water back into their operation.
Natural pollination is another key aspect of the sustainable approach. Bumblebees, introduced in hive boxes, handle pollination within the greenhouses. Additionally, growers are increasingly adopting biological pest management techniques, minimising the need for chemical pesticides.
While many greenhouses are heated for parts of the year, an increasing number of growers don’t use heating. As an industry, tomato growers are committed to decarbonising by 2037 with many growers already turning to reusable energy sources.
The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust says that this means New Zealand consumers can enjoy tomatoes that are produced with a lower environmental footprint. These practices reflect a growing commitment by the country's tomato industry to offer products that are both high in quality and sustainability.
Tomatoes are not just eco-friendly, they are also packed with health benefits. They are a good source of vitamin C, making them a valuable addition to your 5+ A Day.
“For men, in particular, tomatoes offer an extra advantage, they are the richest natural source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to prostate health. Lycopene is also responsible for giving tomatoes their signature red hue,” it says.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.