Can anyone remember a November so hot and dry? Whilst most Kiwis are out enjoying the sun, we acknowledge the farmers out there working through these long hot days to ensure new season potatoes are on the Christmas menus across New Zealand.
Potato Chat – In the Media
- NZ potato price almost double in a decade – Potato Pro
- Where have all the potatoes gone? – Niki Bezzant.
- Spudalicious delights – Lucy Corry – Dominion Post/The Press/Waikato Times/Stuff
- Winter of discontent for Jersey Benne lovers – Stuff
- Sizzled potatoes – all buttery, crunchy and golden – Julie Biuso
- Urban sprawl and the land that keeps on giving – NZ Herald
- Jersey Benne harvest delayed – Otago Daily Times
- Pukekohe growers our history and our future – The Post
- The secret to perfect roast potatoes – NZ Herald
- Jersey bennes – get steaming! – Julie Biuso
- Buttery New Potatoes & Asparagus – Julie Biuso
Area Planted Survey
The 2017 Area Planted Survey is now under way. This week, Area Planted Survey forms were posted out to you. These forms need to be filled in and returned by 26 January, 2018 – download the survey form.
Biosecurity & Regulation
The inaugural Pest Management and Biosecurity Preparedness Workshop was held at Plant & Food Research in Lincoln in early November. Attendees undertook a number of activities including TPP (Tomato Potato Psyllid) identification and a practical lab-based exercise of removing TPP from yellow stick traps. This was followed by a brainstorming and best practice sharing workshop about proactive biosecurity. Read all about it…
The Residue Compliance (MRL) Information book has been updated. The latest version can be downloaded here.
Chip Group – Healthy Families Invercargill supporting healthier chips
Operators from about 10 takeaway businesses attended the training, at ILT Stadium Southland, on Monday morning, to learn how to make their chips healthier.. Read all about it…
Education – Students Excel in Potato Innovation Project
Otago Polytechnic Food Design Institute (FDI) students were challenged to make pop-up food truck style dishes using potatoes in an innovative manner. The students had to create innovative dishes that could sell at pop up food stands/events. Check out the potato dishes they created.
Export Stats Reports
Great news to report… We are now exporting processed potatoes to 34 countries with YTD exports exceed $75 million for the last 10 months. This represents a 17% increase in export sales values for YTD ending October 2017. Likewise the volume of fresh potatoes exported (YTD) is higher than the previous year.
- Fresh potato export report week 48, 2017
- Fresh potato export report week 47, 2017
- Fresh potato export report week 46, 2017
- Fresh potato export report week 45, 2017
- Fresh potato export report week 44, 2017
- Processed potato export summary – October 2017
Health & Safety
We have received various requests for a sample health & safety plan. Reynolds Bros, who hosted a workshop earlier this year, has kindly shared its Health and Safety Plan with other packers.
Industry Engagement – Food Writers NZ conference
Potatoes were here, there and everywhere at the Food Writers NZ 2017 Conference in Hawkes Bay on 3-5 November. The conference was attended by 50+ leading food writers and media. As well as the usual branding exposure, Steve was invited to speak to conference delegates and to Hawkes Bay foodies at FAWC Talks about potatoes, the NZ potato industry and challenge people to feature potatoes more in their columns, recipes and on menus in cafes, restaurants, catering and at home . Find out more…
Industry Engagement – NMNP review
From the creation of four new video recipes, a television advertising campaign, Instagram photo competition, speaking at Foodwriters NZ conference and FAWC Talks, potato centric blogs and a highly successful launch event, the month of November was spudtastic, creating unprecedented industry engagement and media coverage. Read the review.
Research & Development – Potato Update 11 Quick N Strips
Potato Update 11 Quick N Strips for measuring and managing nitrogen levels, was released in November. This three-year programme of work focuses on nitrogen fertiliser decisions for potato and other crops. Read the latest potato update…
Seed Certification
Look out for the all new Seed Potato Handbook including updated seed rules for the 2017-18 season, seedlines and best practice guides. This will be posted to members in mid December.
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