NZ avocado growers gain FernMark export licence
New Zealand avocado growers have received a major boost by securing a collective FernMark Licence for their exports.
PATRICK MALLEY from Northland was the big winner at last night's Young Horticulturist of the Year awards, taking home the top prize and three other awards.
The kiwifruit and avocado grower was one of five finalists, all under the age of 30 to compete in the grand final competition. Over two days contestants were expected to complete a range of activities including practical activities, computer management skills, presentation skills, and an interview by a panel of judges.
Leading up to the competition, they also had to complete a written business project known as the AGMARDT Market Innovation Project.
The final challenge was a three-minute speech outlining their vision for attracting extra people to horticulture to meet the government's goal of increasing qualified staff in the industry by 2025.
This is the first time most finalists have had to manage a project from beginning to end, requiring motivation and discipline along the way. Presenting their AGMARDT Market Innovation Project to a panel of judges was also new for them.
Malley took home a grand prize of $7,500 worth of travel and accommodation, the Primary ITO Career Development Award, as well as the Fruitfed Supplies Leadership Award. He also took first prize for the AGMARDT Market Innovation Project, with his traceability technology for kiwifruit.
Organisers said the aim of the competition was to nurture the interest and passion of the younger generations as well as showcase the industry.
"We want to encourage that passion from primary school all the way through to university and beyond, as it's an incredibly rewarding industry to be part of," says T&G executive general manager NZ, Andrew Keaney.
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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