Roadmap set to double hort exports by 2035
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that discovery of a male Oriental fruit fly on Auckland’s North Shore is a cause for concern for growers.
The fruit fly was detected in a suburban backyard in Birkdale during routine surveillance.
The discovery follows an end to increased surveillance in Papatoetoe after an Oriental fruit fly was found in the suburb in early January.
Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north, Mike Inglis says it’s too early to tell whether the two finds are linked.
“Our lab will do further DNA analysis of the fly over the coming days,” Inglis says.
He says trapping and inspection in the area will be increased.
“The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak,” Inglis says. “However, while we do our checks for any other fruit flies, we need community help to prevent any possible spread.”
“As a precautionary measure, we’ll be putting legal restrictions in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found,” he adds.
Meanwhile, HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says her organisation fully supports the increased trapping, inspection efforts, and the legal restrictions on the area.
“Protecting New Zealand’s horticulture sector from biosecurity threats like the fruit fly is critical to our economy and our reputation for producing high-quality fruit and vegetables,” says Scott.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.
ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.
When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.
Two rural data organisations - DairyNZ’s DairyBase and Farm Focus - have formed a new partnership that aims to remove data duplication and help provide more timely, useful benchmarking insights for farmers.
BNZ says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through an innovative new initiative that helps make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier.

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