Reflective farming regenerates – Sandra Taylor:
Canterbury’s Inverary Station has scrutinised its beef and sheep business with outstanding results. Sandra Taylor paid a visit to find out more.
John Chapman calls it reflective farming.
The process examines every aspect of his hill country farming business, pulling it apart bit-by-bit to find the key to enabling the farm to reach its productive potential.
“If we look at our farms carefully enough, they have a lot that they are willing to tell us.” . .
Pāmu ponders restrictions for unvaccinated staff – Maja Burry:
The state owned farmer Pāmu has said it may need to look at putting in place some restrictions for unvaccinated staff in the future.
Pāmu, formerly Landcorp, owns or operates about 110 farms around New Zealand. It has 647 employees including farmers, growers, marketers, supply chain managers and business experts.
Company spokesperson Simon King told RNZ while it did not have a view on the mandating of vaccines, it was aware there could be future issues on all farms, including Pāmu’s, with unvaccinated staff.
“In particular, the ability to operate farms if unvaccinated staff become infected and have to isolate, or if suppliers start to refuse to uplift product from farms with unvaccinated workers,” King said. . .
From ewe to you – Kirwee farmers launch new sheep milk poroducts :
A child with food allergies and dairy intolerance has led a Canterbury couple to start milking sheep.
Matt and Tracey Jones were so impressed by the difference sheep milk made for their daughter they embarked on their new venture and have since created a skincare range using the milk. The farming couple are about to unveil a range of bottled pasteurised milk and farm-made cheese.
The Jones milk about 600 sheep on the property. Just across from the milking platform they have built a milk processing and cheese-making factory.
Farm manager Juan Cavallotti is also the head cheesemaker. . .
Tulip tours in doubt but beauty assured – Shawn McAvinue:
An annual tour of the tulip fields will wilt this year if Southland remains in Alert Level 2, an event organiser says.
Tulip grower Triflor NZ was set to open its colourful fields in Edendale to thousands of people on Labour Day.
However, tour co-ordinator Jean Kirby, of Seaward Downs, said the event would only proceed if the South was in Level 1.
A final decision would be made on October 18, Mrs Kirby said. . .
Kāpiti and Wairarapa sweep NZ Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards:
Kāpiti and Wairarapa Olive Oil makers have swept the annual New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards, winning all of the five major awards for Olive Oil Excellence.
The New Zealand Olive Oil Awards began in 2000 and recognise excellence in New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oils (NZ EVOO). The winners were announced tonight at the Olives NZ 2021 Award Ceremony.
The top awards were as follows: . .
Rubia Gallega, the new premium beef coming to fine-dining restaurants – Warwick Long:
Tall, strong, cinnamon to orange in colour and a “nice sexy name” are the attributes of an animal that a beef industry pioneer believes will be the latest thing on the menu at Australia’s best restaurants.
The new breed of cattle is David Blackmore’s “retirement” plan. He was the mastermind behind premium Wagyu cattle in Australia.
Mr Blackmore’s Wagyu meat, grown on farms in north-east Victoria has sold for more than $500 per kilogram and appeared on luxury menus around Australia and the world, including in the home of Wagyu, Japan.
His latest project is a breed of cattle that he has imported into Australia called, Rubia Gallega. . .
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