Press Releases and Media Statements

Arable Awards of New Zealand 2023

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

Agronomist of the Year 2023

Plant Breeder/Researcher of the Year 2023

https://issuu.com/farmersweeklynz/docs/fw_21-08_issuu

New Zealand Seed Exports Worth $221m

Thursday, August 24th, 2023

News release

3 February 2023

New Zealand Seed Exports worth $221m

The total value of New Zealand seed exports, in calendar year 2022, totalled $221m, 9% down on the previous year, according to data issued by Stats NZ this week.

New Zealand seeds were exported to over 70 countries in 2022.

The top five export markets by value were the Netherlands, Australia, USA, China and Germany. Together, they account for around 60% of total export sales.

Pasture seeds including ryegrass and clover seed, vegetable seeds namely carrot, radish and beet seed and cereal & oil seeds were our top export categories, earning $115million, $92million and $15 million respectively in 2022.

More than 80% of NZs seed production is in the Canterbury region centered in and around the Ashburton district encompassing over 44,000 hectares of certified crop.

“Our global customers select New Zealand as they know we have high integrity aided by a very good certification system which delivers a quality, consistent and unique product that they can trust,” says New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association General manager, Thomas Chin.

“The export turnover achieved emphasises the resilience of the industry, during a year that has been full of weather challenges, increasing production costs and inconsistent shipping reliability. The Government’s imminent policies and additional regulations remains a serious concern for the industry going forward”, he added.

For further information, please contact:

Thomas Chin, General Manager, NZGSTA

Ph (03) 349 8430 or 021 679 989

Thomas.chin@seedindustrynz.co.nz

Annual Golf Tournament 2023

Thursday, August 24th, 2023

2023 Annual Seed Industry Golf Tournament

At the 2023 Annual Seed Industry Golf Tournament, the foursome from Lusietti Seeds, Mark Milner, Sam McPherson, Ngaire Coote and Cameron Lepper took away the Duncan Storrier Memorial Trophy.

The Ambrose Golf Tournament took place on 18 May 2023 at the Tinwald Golf Club.

Co-hosted by the NZGSTA and the Ashburton Grain & Seed Association the day drew 75 players who braved the damp underfoot conditions.

The industry Golf Tournament is an important seed industry event bringing many friends and colleagues together said NZGSTA general manager Thomas Chin.

The tournament would not have been possible without the kind and very generous sponsorship by a number national and local organisations.

Arable Awards of New Zealand 2023

Thursday, August 24th, 2023

NEWS RELEASE – 11 August 2023

2023 Arable Awards Paul Johnston wins Agronomist of the Year

Paul Johnston was announced as the 2023 Agronomist of the Year at last night’s 2023 Arable Awards dinner, held at the Wigram Air Force Museum in Christchurch.

Paul works with Yara Fertilisers NZ Ltd and is based in Canterbury.

Ed Luisetti, chair of the NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association Grains & Pulses business group said Paul had been commended for his high level of technical abilities combined with exceptional agronomy service for his clients. Earlier in his career he helped New Zealand farmers Eric and Maxine Watson become world record holders for the highest yielding crop of wheat.

Agronomists play a key role in the success of farmers crops.

Providing expert knowledge on herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides as well as specific nutrient requirements and timings of application, agronomists help farmers maximise their financial returns, as well as ensuring crops are grown sustainably and to the best environmental practices.

Agronomists visit their crops on a regular basis throughout the growing season and build strong trusting relationships with farmers. An agronomist will take just as much satisfaction out of growing a successful crop as their farmer clients do.

The Agronomist of the Year award was sponsored by the NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association and recognises an agronomist who has up to the minute knowledge of crop options and agronomy and goes above and beyond to help their growers produce high-quality, profitable crops.

For further information, contact

Ed Luisetti – Chairperson

Grains & Pulses Business Group

NZ Grain & Seed Trade Association

Cell: 027 287 6393

Women in Seed Forum – 2023

Thursday, August 24th, 2023

News Release – 24 May 2023

Successful Women in Seed Forum

Yesterday the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association hosted another successful Women in Seed forum.

The event, attended by over 140 delegates, was an opportunity for attendees to come together to hear from high calibre speakers on a range of issues relevant to today’s female professionals as well as industry specific issues.

Association Vice President Charlotte Connoley said the event serves as an important annual networking opportunity for females within the seed industry and was also about challenging attendees around the issues of the day with the aim of resulting in personal and professional growth for those present.

A networking breakfast opened the event promoting much greater collaboration between industry professionals for the betterment of the industry before delegates heard from an outstanding line up of speakers from within the seed trade, business sector and health and wellbeing. Bringing a variety of perspectives presenters included Alison Stewart – FAR CEO, Mel Poulton, Athlete and Ambassador Gemma McCaw and Gabrielle O’Brien of Rural New Zealand.

In the afternoon session, speakers included Maury Leyland Penno – Leaft Food Director, Julia Jones – thought leader in the primary sector, ANZ Rural Economist Susan Kilsby and Dr Lucy Hone.

“The success of the forum just continues to grow” says Association Vice President, Charlotte Connoley.

“It is challenging times for the primary sector at the moment as a result of the earlier weather events and ongoing legislative pressures, now more than ever it is crucial our delegates are given opportunities to expand their technical and industry knowledge to support growers and farmers with the challenges ahead.

“Providing tools for better mental resilience as we heard here today from one of our keynote speakers Dr Lucy Hone is also critical for our own health and wellbeing but also so we can provide support to the farming community.

“With attendee numbers surpassing the organisation’s annual conference it is clear there is demand for an opportunity such as this forum for females in the industry.

“We were absolutely delighted with the turnout and support from our many industry members ranging from administrators, plant breeders, plant researchers, agronomists, traders to lab and technical experts”.

“We will definitely ensure that the forum remains an annual flagship event for the association and our membership,” added Sharon Dawe the association’s Business Manager.

Contact details:

Charlotte Connoley – Vice President

NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association

021 301 677

TourismNZ 2022 Business Events Awards

Monday, October 3rd, 2022

News Release

30 September 2022

Tourism NZ 2022 Business Events Awards:

NZGSTA congratulated for winning an international conference for NZ

 The New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association, the body that advocates on behalf of the sector, was recognised at the Tourism New Zealand Business Events National Awards.

Held in Wellington earlier this week, the Association received the award for winning the hosting rights for an international conference for New Zealand – the Asian Seed Congress 2023.

Association General Manager Thomas Chin said he was absolutely delighted to accept the award and the success was only possible with the kind assistance provided by a number of different parties including member companies, ChristchurchNZ, Tourism NZ and NZ Trade & Enterprise.

“A Congress organising committee has been formed and we now look forward to pulling together an exciting program with our partners for around 1,000 overseas delegates expected from across the Asia Pacific region.

“Playing host of the Congress will be a tremendous opportunity to raise New Zealand’s international profile, showcase the New Zealand seed industry and generate opportunities for new trade and investment.

“Seed production spans pastoral and forage, cereals and pulses and a range of vegetable crops.

“New Zealand are world leaders in seed production supplying 60% of the world’s radish seed, 50% of white clover seed and 40% of global carrot seed. We are also producers of high value specialist vegetable seed such as spinach, beetroot, peas, cauliflower, cabbage, chard seed and more. The majority are productions destined for Asia”, Chin added.

The Asia Seed Congress will be held at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in November 2023.

               

 

For further information, please contact:

Thomas Chin, General Manager, NZGSTA

Ph 021 679 989

Thomas.chin@seedindustrynz.co.nz

Arable Awards 2022

Tuesday, August 9th, 2022

The Inaugural Arable Awards of New Zealand held at Te Pae, Christchurch, 4th August was a fantastic night bought together by industry celebrating industry.

https://www.fedsnews.co.nz/whisky-in-the-jar-at-new-zealands-arable-awards/

http://• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/arable-awards-of-nz-title-winner-says-event-a-morale-boost-for-the-industry/S6NVHUT3X356IFN7OGENLM7NXM/

https://omny.fm/shows/rural-exchange/rex-podcast-saturday-6th-august

 

                      

How to gain the value of grain

Thursday, July 7th, 2022

Angela Clifford spoke at the 2022 Grains & Pulses Forum.

https://issuu.com/farmersweeklynz/docs/fw_04-07_issuu/36

Right regulation, right place

Thursday, July 7th, 2022

Mark Ross chief executive Animal and Plant Health New Zealand spoke at the 2022 Grains & Pulses Forum.

Read the full article below:

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/food-security-must-lead-political-agenda-for-ag/

Arable Needs to Work Together

Thursday, July 7th, 2022

At the recent NZGSTA Women in Seed Forum Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) chief executive Alison Stewart spoke about the industry needing to work together.

For the full article click the following link:

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/far-calls-for-industry-wide-collaboration/