OrganicAg News issue # 14 10 May 2014
The days are closing in and the nights drawing out. Most in the pastoral sector are seeing grass growth again, with many still needing more rain before the cold sets in and slows growth to much. There is certified feed available however.
The horticultural and arable sectors are well into or concluding harvest, with some regions having real issues with too much moisture.
If you find the OrganicAg News interesting circulate it to your networks--get them to join up--there is plenty happening on the nation and international organic stage and we DO need to be aware of it. Failure to do so will lead us into complacencey and the dismise of the organic future we stive for NZ and our complete sustainability.
Organic Sector Forum 2014;
The Forum is not about how to farm says Quinn; it is about understanding the wider market place and influences. The main session is titled "The Right to Farm". Here Andre Leu, along with Dr William Rolleston (Federated Farmers), a spokesperson from the insurance sector and others will explore each land owners right to operate without impact, or at least undue impact, from other operators in the district. This may apply to irrigation, weed management, your neighbour scrub bull/ram visiting, G.E.,etc.. The base question is hugely important as two West Australian farmers (Marsh Vs. Baxter) are finding out in the Australian courts at present.
Rolleston commented "Congratulations on tackling this topic. It is important for all farmers."
http://www.organicag.co.nz/newsletters-press-releases
(at base of page)
Organic farms faced with competition from imported produce
23,000 German organic farmers are too few to be both competitive and fulfil the rising demand for organic produce. They are faced with competition from low-priced imported produce from Poland and outside of the EU.
http://www.freshplaza.com/article/120554/Organic-farms-faced-with-competition-from-imported-produce
IFOAM Highlights the Plight of Smallholder Farmers on Earth Day
Organic systems offer a solution by contributing to climate change mitigation through their higher carbon sequestration potential than conventional farming systems.
http://www.ifoam.org/sites/default/files/pr_earth_day_0.pdf
Organic sector concludes organic regulation proposal is inadequate
The organic sector discussed the legislative proposal for a new organic EU regulation during a stakeholder conference jointly organised by IFOAM EU and the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg, to the EU on 29 April. An overwhelming majority of the 140 participants from the organic sector, NGOs and Member states agreed that the proposal, in its current form, is inadequate.
Functional foods resist recession but failure rate stays high: Analyst
By Shane Starling+, 30-Apr-2014
Functional foods weathered the global economic recession better than most food categories despite a high product failure rate (80%) according to a US-based branding and market expert.
Stonyfield recalls potentially tainted organic YoBaby yogurt across US
By Mark Astley+ , 28-Apr-2014
Organic yogurt giant Stonyfield is recalling cups of its YoBaby brand yogurt from 122 stores across the US over fears the products may be contaminated with coliform bacteria.
Glyphosate is a disaster for human health
Extensive, long running evidence for the cancer-causing effects of glyphosate, and other toxic impacts, have been ignored by regulators. Indeed as the evidence has built up, permitted levels in food have been hugely increased, writes Dr Mae Wan Ho.
Organic Sector Forum 2014 announces sponsors and speakers;
The organic Sector Forum 2014 is pleased to acknowledge the support of it's CARBON sponsors; AgriSea Ltd, Pacific Biofert Ltd and Natural Sugar NZ Ltd.
The list of speakers is now firming up with André Leu (IFOAM) being joined by Dr William Rolleston (Federated Farmers), Malcolm Rands (Eco Store), Dr Mike Joy (Massey University), Ministry for Primary Industry staff, .................................
http://www.organicag.co.nz/calculators
Organic Surge: Why and What's Next?
Experts suggest that the trend will continue into 2014, judging by the first four weeks of the year seeing a growth of 2.5 per cent. This contrasts with overall grocery sales figures, which decreased by 3.2 per cent.
http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/content/news/organic_surge_why_and_whats_next
Earth is about to reach another terrible CO2 milestone
Last year, carbon dioxide in Earth's air hit 400 parts per million for the first time in human history. Now it's poised to average 400 ppm for a month, hinting at how quickly our planet is changing around us.
'Can healthy soil feed the world?' Seven scientists give their opinion
By Charles Merfield
The FFC considers the soil to be the most valuable asset humanity owns and has thus made soil management (or husbandry to use the old term) a core focus. This was highlighted in the presentation
Going organic for one week cuts pesticide exposure: study
Eating a mainly organic diet for just seven days can reduce pesticide exposure in adults by almost 90 per cent, a world-first RMIT University study has found.
Events;
Biodynamic Conference,
23 - 25 May 2014 in Palmerston North
All who are interested in biodynamics are welcome at this conference. We have aimed to make this conference practically orientated and relevant to a wide spectrum of people. Whether you have been using biodynamics for a long time or know little about it, there should be plenty to interest you.
http://www.biodynamic.org.nz/conf.html
Organic Sector Forum 2014;
June 16-18th 2014.
For all Primary Producers and support services.
The program update will be released next week.
Major sponsors are Pacific BioFert Ltd, AgriSea Ltd and Natural Sugars Ltd.
http://www.organicag.co.nz/calculators
National Agricultural Fieldays.
June 11 –14th Hamilton.
Some 16 companies are listed as organic for this event...............
http://www.fieldays.co.nz/findinfo_sbt_st=224_.html
Organic Expo.
Auckland July 5th & 6th.
New Zealand's Consumer and Trade Sustainability Show, 4th year in 2014, unveils "4 shows under 1 roof". It will showcase the range of creative and responsible products, organic, services and innovation already available and soon to be, which can help us all live a healthier lifestyle and achieve a healthier planet. -
Website of Issue;
The Biological Husbandry Unit (BHU) was established in 1976 by Bob Crowder, an academic working at Lincoln University (LU). After Bob's retirement at the end of the 1990s the BHU was re-launched in 2001 as a charitable trust as a joint venture between Lincoln University and the New Zealand Organic Movement.
http://www.bhu.org.nz/newsite/
Video of issue;
Organic Rising.
Anthony Suau, a Pulitzer Prize recipient and Emmy award winner, lived in Europe for 20 years. When he moved back to the U.S., he wondered why the meat here was such poor quality, compared with what he was used to in Europe.
Suau decided to find out. He researched the reasons behind the poor quality of meat in the U.S. And that led him to look at the bigger picture—why is poor-quality food the norm in this country? And what can be done to change that? https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/organic-rising?show_todos=true#home
Celebrating the International Year of the Family Farm.
The celebration of the family farm also needs to recognise the input and service sector, especially the family based firms that support the very core principles of the 'family farm'.
Jill Bradley and Keith Attwood have setup and operate such a company, AgriSea Ltd. From small (tiny) beginnings to a nationally recognised on farm name in 15 years.
What makes this company fit the Celebration of the international Year of the Family Farm, could it be the extended family involved in the business, intergenerational, the fact that the family own and operate it, they support independent family based contractors, they sponsor school calf clubs and any number of other events,they operate a family friendly employment policy, support family based farms in times of drought or animal crisis,..........take a look at their website and decide if they belong in this category of 'Family Farm',
TV one's Country Calendar has some of their story on the 10 May.
http://www.agrisea.co.nz/about.html
http://www.agrisea.co.nz/sponsors.html
http://www.oceanorganics.co.nz/page.cfm?id=3
https://www.facebook.com/Agrisea
http://www.sanz.org.nz/index.html Jill is Chair of Seaweed Assn. of New Zealand.
Quote of Issue;
"We know about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot""."
Leonardo Da Vinci, circa 1500's
and not a lot has chnaged!
Regards,
Bill Quinn,
Organic Promotions.
R.D.4 Paeroa. 3674.
www.organicag.co.nz
Organics'---integrity through transparency!
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