Republished with permission from www.stuff.co.nz Calling all carb fans – here’s your chance to chow down in the name of science. Massey University student Sarah Ross is on the hunt for 120 potato connoisseurs to sample spuds as part of her masters project. The project requires volunteers who regularly buy and eat potatoes to taste test the steamed vegetables…
by Gemma Carroll [columns] [span6] [/span6][span6] [/span6][/columns] The most recent biosecurity incursion has been a timely reminder of the importance of on farm biosecurity. On farm best practice involves steps or processes that are a part of everyday activity. These sensible precautions should not just be employed in response to a new pest or disease,…
By Gemma Carroll, Communications and Engagement Officer PNZ February heralded my first foray into managing field walk events and it was a rewarding and fun exercise. The scientists we align with at Plant and Food and Landwise, are brilliantly passionate about their work. The supporting organisations and businesses like Teralytic, Balance Agri-Nutrients, regional and district councils, Cleanboots, Leicesters and FAR, add just the…
Biosecurity on the Farm. A useful reminder for potential vectors of pests and diseases on your farm. Display in your staff room or office, clearly visible to visitors and crew.
By Gemma Carroll PNZ Communications & Engagement Officer Dan Bloomer joins our 2019 Field Walks and is talking through the Page Bloomer/LandWISE project, FUTURE PROOFING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION, which covers the effectiveness of fertiliser and water application techniques. As public and government concern grows about nitrate leaching, this project will be an invaluable resource for farmers and the accountability that may arise…
Article provided by Indrawati Oey, PhD Professor of Food Science Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) processing technology applies very short (microseconds) pulses of high voltage electricity to plant material placed between two electrodes (Oey, Roohinejad, Leong, Faridnia, Lee, & Kethireddy, 2016). In the deep-fried potato industry, potatoes can be subjected to PEF immediately after the sorting, washing and peeling step prior to cutting/slicing. The delivery of short electric pulses through the uncut (whole) potatoes during PEF processing alters the structural integrity of their tissues, which results…
Health Promotion is the way forward by Gemma Carroll, Communications & Engagement Officer I was very interested to read the latest U.K. media on hot chips and takeaways. Advice has been given to U.K. fast food outlets, encouraging smaller portions, with reduced calories, in order to drastically reduce obesity levels. It’s the first step towards stricter requirements for traders. People can still enjoy their favourite takeaway…
Modern technology put to practical use for potato growers: A smartphone app developed by The James Hutton Institute in Scotland can help with disease identification in the field. Identifying plant diseases can be complex and difficult, as potato growers and even experienced agronomists know very well. Accurate identification and diagnosis require knowledge of the symptoms…
Recent extreme weather events such as heat and drought, and unprecedented heavy rain have resulted in reduced bulking and encouraged rotting of tubers in major potato production areas in New Zealand. These have contributed to an estimated 25% loss in production by the New Zealand potato sector last season. This agrees with results from simulation models by the International Potato Centre that global potato production…
Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology has become a buzz term in the potato processing industry the past few years. This new technology is said to improve the overall quality and safety of processed potato products, and to optimise process efficiency, whilst reducing energy costs associated with the processing of potatoes. But what exactly is PEF? According to Mark de Boevere, Managing Director of European based Pulsemaster, “pulsed electric field technology involves the application of micro-second, high voltage pulses in the order of 10 to…
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