Well-placed to weather conflicts
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
Increasing yields in all areas of agricultural production have helped farmers to maintain profitability in the face of ever-increasing input costs.
While producers of wheat, milk and other products have seen yields increase by 40% or more, yields for potatoes have remained relatively constant, at around 100 tonne per hectare.
In an attempt to understand reasons behind the lack of increase in tuber yields, potato growers are undertaking a $240,000 research project with Plant and Food to investigate the role soil fertility has played in the current situation.
The yield gap analysis is being co-funded by Potatoes New Zealand, McCain Foods, Ravensdown and Plant & Food Research.
"For some years, the yields for potatoes have not been where you would expect when compared with for example carrots or wheat," says Mike Manning, general manager R&D for Ravensdown.
"Progress has been made in the area of plant genetics and other aspects of production in most areas of agriculture but we've not seen the same positive results in potato production," he says.
"We have a proactive group of farmers in Canterbury who want to learn as much as they can about options to improve growing practice. The implications here would be of interest throughout the country, so we decided to pool our resources."
Nutrient supply and fertiliser practice will be studied as well the incidence of pest and disease and other issues such as seed quality, irrigation management and soil physical conditions.
The fertiliser trial areas consist of large replicated treatment plots, eight rows by 10m, established within existing potato crops.
Growers have applied their usual levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium – while the research team has varied the amounts of these nutrients on other plots to compare results.
Manning says the project has been a major undertaking, with all parties keen to ensure that sufficient funding and technical resources are available.
The next stage of the research, which could develop into a multi-year project, will be to analyse and review this season's results and then further consult with growers to determine which results require further research and investigation.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…