KiwiBrothersTM make their China debut
Zespri has unveiled the award-winning KiwiBrothersTM mascots in China for the first time to market its large kiwifruit crop.
Zespri chairman Peter McBride is challenging employers in the horticulture sector to do more for young people in the industry.
McBride told 400 people at the Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year competition of the need to develop young people and bring them through the industry.
It has a lot of physical assets, but the most important is people, he says.
"In developing our young people we are creating equity opportunities for them. There are models out there for encouraging our young people to become owners; [we can] and give them opportunity in our businesses either with capital or by helping them to secure loans."
McBride says with horticulture and tourism the fastest-growing industries in NZ that creates a world of opportunity for young people -- in management, post harvest, orchard management and roles in Zespri and in the horticultural services sector.
And there is also plenty of scope for people to start their own businesses, he says.
"The business environment has never been better for young people to flourish and take opportunities. Most of these come in periods of difficulty or downturn so these are also periods of high risk. But they have to take the opportunity when it comes and push the boat out and hope the water stays in the harbour."
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has revised its operating earnings guidance, saying trading conditions have deteriorated since the last market update in February.
It's been a bumper season for maize and other supplements in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Leading farmers from around New Zealand connected to share environmental stories and inspiration and build relationships at the Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) national forum in Wellington last month.
AgriZeroNZ, a joint venture fast-tracking emissions reduction tools for farmers, is pouring $5 million in a biotech company to develop a low emissions farm pasture with increased productivity gains.
Fonterra is teaming up with wealth app provider Sharesies to make it easier for its farmer shareholders to trade co-op shares among themselves.
Te Awamutu dairy farmers Doug, Penny, Josh and Bayley Storey have planted more than 25,000 native trees on the family farm, adding to a generations-old native forest.