Since being contracted to manage the research and development programme for Potatoes New Zealand Inc (PNZ), FAR and PNZ have jointly worked to invest research funds and to leverage levy funding to gain as much value for potato growers as possible. This has resulted in research projects focusing on a range of issues. Three years…
Maximising the value of soil water – Findings from a potato bed trial… Key points: Trials investigated water storage capacity of flat versus raised potato beds and the effects of mulching on potato crop yield. Soil cultivation and bed architecture influenced the proportion of plant available water storage. Mulches were beneficial in increasing yields, reducing…
Potatoes New Zealand is delighted to announce Ag World Support Systems (AWSS) as their first international Associate Member. Warren Henninger (Founder/Chairman) approached Potatoes New Zealand about becoming a Trade Member with a view to entering the New Zealand market. So, let’s find out about what Ag World Support Systems (AWSS) does… Ag World Support System’s…
Potatoes New Zealand is committed to getting potatoes back into schools – both in school canteens/meals and in the home economics/food technology classroom. Our strategic partnership with the Home Economics & Technology Teachers Association of New Zealand (HETTANZ) is a key enabler for this. Their executive committee recommend resources and teaching tools to be used…
February is normally a slack month for Australian fry imports but a respectable total of 9 061 tonnes was achieved in February this year, despite being 3.2% smaller than in February last year. Average unit value of the imports has increased over the past five years, but the February average of Au$ 1 195/tonne was…
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists field-tested* a new trap last summer that is designed to disrupt the mating of Asian citrus psyllids (pictured below. These pinhead-sized invasive insects transmit citrus greening, a devastating citrus disease. Many insect traps use pheromones — chemical attractants — to control crop-damaging insects. At low concentrations, pheromones lure the pests…
The 8th Annual Potatoes NZ Charitable Trust Golf tournament was held at Methven Golf Club on Friday 26 May. It was a glorious day and a very pleasant afternoon for the golf. The event is scheduled for the end of May because by then all harvesting should be well & truly over. Well not this…
Niki Bezzant discusses her quest to make the perfect roast potatoes… Perfect roast potatoes. Few food topics I’ve posted on my Facebook page have elicited such adamant and varying opinions. It occurred to me during recent heated discussions on this that I was lucky my Facebook friends were not all in one place; people were really very exercised. I wonder:…
Rural Holidays have contacted us asking for assistance with potato farm visits for a group of Japanese tourists. They are interested in a technical visit to understand more about potato growing in New Zealand. There is a group wanting to visit potato farms in the wider Christchurch are on 14-15 August. If you are willing to…
Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) cannot be eradicated from Western Australia, according to a national management group working on the pest. Department of Agriculture and Food WA executive director of biosecurity and regulation, Kevin Chennell, said the market restrictions would remain in place for some time. Full article available here