Science system shakeup ‘to maximise investment value’
Reaction to the Government’s major overhaul of the country’s seven crown research organisations has so far been largely positive.
NZ blueberry growers now have access to new varieties with large, tasty fruit ideal for export.
Plant & Food Research says it is making 11 new blueberry varieties available to New Zealand-based growers, threee from the organisation's own breeding programme and eight licensed from Fall Creek Farm & Nursery in the USA.
Of the new varieties, three are Southern Highbush, seven are Northern Highbush and one is Rabbiteye.
According to Plant & Food, the new varieties produce large fruit with good flavour, with a range of seasonality. It adds that all have shown good adaptabilty fo New Zealand conditions in trials to date.
"These new varieties offer a significant opportunity for New Zealand growers to improve their blueberry production and offer new, tasty blueberries to consumers at home and overseas," says Gavin Ross, group general manager marketing and innovation.
"The new varieties produce tasty berries with high consumer appeal, and grow well in New Zealand conditions," he adds. "We hope the addition of these new varieties to the suite of plants available to growers will help expand the blueberry sector and increase export opportunities over the next decade."
Ross says growers are invited to apply for a non-exclusive licence to cultivate and grow the varieties for fruit production in New Zealand and for the marketing and sale of fruit worldwide.
Growers who sign up to a licence agreement will be able to place orders with authorised nurseries.
New Zealand currently produces 3,000 tonnes of blueberries from 640 hectares of land, earning $39 million in exports.
Plant & Food Research will gain royalty payments from the licensing arrangement, which it says will be used to further research that benefits New Zealand's AgriFood industries.
More information about the varieties and how to license them can be found on the Plant & Food Research website: www.plantandfood.co.nz.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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