Honey sector strategy aiming for sweet spot
While confident that the apiculture sector can meet its target of doubling honey exports by 2030, chair of ApicultureNZ, Nathan Guy, says it will be challenging.
The lush green pasture of an already irrigated sheep and cattle farm in Central Canterbury was chosen by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy as the place to announce nearly $8 million in fresh funding for three Canterbury irrigation schemes.
Noting that the excellent pasture was the result of irrigation, Guy announced $6.64 million for Stage Two of the Central Plains Water scheme, $898,000 for the Sheffield Water Scheme and $312,000 for the Hinds Managed Aquifer Recharge Pilot Study.
Guy says CPW is a significant investment in the Canterbury region which would transform the economy and help grow exports.
He says farmers had to comply with strict environment plans around water use.
"Importantly, the Central Plans water storage as it progresses into Stage Two is going to take a huge amount of pressure off the ground water aquifer," said Guy.
"As a result of that, that water is going to flow through to Lake Ellesmere and Te Waihora – I think to the benefit of that lake, by about 15% or 20% improvements in flow, which I think is significant."
The CPW funding is earmarked for engineering design for Stage Two of scheme, which aims to extend coverage by about 25,000ha, depending on shareholder uptake.
The Sheffield Water Scheme is CPW's smaller, stand-alone project aiming to irrigate about 3500ha to 4500ha with water from the Waimakariri and Kowai Rivers.
The third funding announcement was for the innovative Hinds Managed Aquifer Recharge Pilot Study. The project aims to recharge and reduce the nitrogen load in aquifers in the Hinds area by channeling clean water from the Rangitata into a 'leaky pond' near Lagmhor, inland from Ashburton.
Ecan's project leader for the study, Brett Painter, said the funds would help pay for the already completed pond and a series of monitoring wells. The project is to be officially opened next month.
Wednesday's announcement was made at Pemberley Farm, at Charing Cross, about 40km due west of Christchurch. Farm manager Valerie Walpot finishes about 15,000 sheep and 1600 cattle a year on the 440ha property, of which about 390ha is already irrigated by well water.
Owners, the Cross Brothers, have been firm supporters of the CPW scheme and the farm is expected to convert to CPW's Stage Two.
Ground water is becoming increasingly unreliable, and Walpot said converting to the scheme would be part of being a good environmental citizen and taking pressure off the aquifers.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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