HortNZ course gives confidence to lead
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) Leadership scholar Taurion Colquhoun says the lessons from the programme have been “eye opening” for him and he’s already putting them into action.
Horticulture NZ's kicks off in Nelson today with the industry in a buoyant mood.
The theme of the conference is 'Innovate from seed to plate' and will look at issues all the sectors have in common from research and development in robotics and technology to food safety and delivery of high end product to the consumer.
HortNZ chairman Julian Raine told Rural News horticulture is in a buoyant mood and will continue to boom.
"The horticulture industries collectively are on a high. It hasn't happened by chance. There has been a lot of work done to ensure we are in the space we are at the moment."
HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman says innovation has been a key to success, on and off the orchards and gardens. Researchers such as Plant and Food had developed varieties that gave them the edge on the world stage.
The conference would have a key focus on technologies, especially drones.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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