Time to flip the levy-payer industry-good body model
OPINION: Industry good organisations have long played a key role in supporting New Zealand’s primary industries.
Vertical farming will not replace traditional fruit and vegetable growing in New Zealand, reveals research released today.
The research says vertical farming, where food is grown indoors in high stacks, may only supplement traditional growing in future if technology makes it economically viable.
As part of her Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, Horticulture New Zealand environmental policy advisor Rachel McClung has published a report, "Can vertical farming replace New Zealand’s productive land to deliver high quality fruits and vegetables in the future?"
"Growing towns and cities are reducing access to some of New Zealand’s most productive land for growing fruit and vegetables," McClung says.
"There is some complacency about this because of the misconception that fruit and vegetables can be grown ‘somewhere else’. But the combination of the right soils and climate is necessary. With housing taking a lot of our prime soils and climate change impacting regional weather patterns, it seemed a good time to look at alternative growing methods, such as vertical farming.
"With an estimate that demand for fruits and vegetables in New Zealand will be 33% higher in 2043 than today, a new way of thinking is required, hence my research.
"I found it interesting that while there are many recognised benefits of vertical farming, with the most prevalent being growing independent of weather conditions, the costs of the electricity needed for artificial lighting and temperature control, combined with the high capital investment and operational costs, currently outweigh the benefits.
"I also found that the type of crops that can be grown in a vertical farm are limited to the likes of leafy greens and herbs, and that vertical farms cannot grow the full range of fruits and vegetables we enjoy in New Zealand.
"I surveyed growers to gain insight and while three respondents had investigated establishing a vertical farm in New Zealand, none had proceeded due to the economics.
"My conclusions include that the New Zealand Government should take a balanced approach to the issue of New Zealand’s diminishing productive land and food security," McClung says.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says the report is in line with industry thinking and the desire to have a food security policy for New Zealand.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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