Woolworks scour reopens after $50m rebuild
The world’s largest wool processing facility, badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle over one year ago, has re-opened following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project.
The recent spell of bad weather hasn’t impacted the annual feijoa crop.
However, New Zealand Feijoa Growers Association (NZFGA) says adverse weather has left this season’s fruit “more marked than usual”.
NZFGA manager Ian Turk says much of the 2023 crop escaped significant damage from flooding in January and Cyclone Gabrielle.
“Feijoas are grown commercially from Northland through to the top of the South Island. This geographical spread has helped maintain crop volumes despite a challenging season,” Turk says.
“While the weather has disrupted the usual timing of the season, and fruit is a little later this year than normal, we’re expecting a good supply of fruit this season.”
While the amount of fruit will be similar to previous years, Turk says shoppers may find the feijoas in their local stores are more marked than usual.
“The high winds and adverse weather conditions have left their mark on the skin of the 2023 crop,” he says.
“But shoppers can be assured that the taste has not been compromised, you can still expect the same delicious flavour from this year’s crop.”
Meanwhile, Plant & Food Research principal scientist and 5+ A Day Charitable Trust spokesperson, Dr Carolyn Lister says feijoas provide valuable nutrition.
“Including just two feijoas a day through the autumn months will provide 64% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, which has an important role in helping your immune system,” she says.
“Feijoas are also a source of dietary fibre which helps you feel fuller for longer and is important for digestive health,” Lister says.
Less Wellington bureucracy and more local, on-farm common sense was the focus of recent meetings held in South Canterbury as part of the Government's National Woolshed tour program.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023.
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