IN PREPARING for the 'Young Horticulturist of the Year' competition next week, the six finalists will stretch beyond the boundaries of horticulture.

INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER demand for organic food is continuing to grow, says organic certifier Biogro.

LET FODDER beet grow out rather than raid it for a summer feed if at all possible, says Agricom’s Northland North Island sales manager Ben Trotter.

I READ with interest in the last issue of Rural News about John Key’s visit to a large asparagus growing operation in Horowhenua where he commented that his Government is a strong supporter of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

THE TIDE appears to be running in on the numbers of students choosing studies that may lead to agri sector careers. We may be witnessing the end of schools careers advisors nudging only their less able students towards the industry.

LIC’S $11M spend on R&D is high by NZ primary industry standards, says chief executive Wayne McNee. The core business of sire proving and getting the best bulls, the development of new IT products and longer-term R&D took most of the money. Some research is government supported through Primary Growth Partnership and other funding.

DAIRY FARM running costs haven’t abated after increasing a lot in 2007-08 and they are now out of kilter with the consumer price index, LIC chairman Murray King says.

THE AGRICULTURE-BASED degree courses at Massey have changed and kept pace with the changing demands of the primary sector. If you are bright enough then maybe a career in the agribusiness sector is for you.

FARM SOURCE/RD1 managing director Jason Minkhorst admits you wouldn’t plan to rebrand and reposition Fonterra’s RD1 stores to Farm Source when you have a $5/kgMS payout.

NORTHERN TERRITORY cattle producers have launched a class action over the former Federal Government’s ban on live exports to Indonesia in 2011.