Grain Central – 2nd November 2023
NZGSTA presents its first lifetime membership awards at Conference 2023.
https://www.graincentral.com/people-on-the-move/people-on-the-move-in-the-grain-industry-8/
What's New
NZGSTA gives lifetime awards
November 2nd, 2023Seed Testing Analysts and Technicians Recognised
October 29th, 20236 October 2023
At the annual conference of the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association, held 4th and 5th October, the New Zealand Seeds Authority announced an industry-endorsed certificate recognising seed testing laboratory staff.
Pictured: Thomas Chin, Kelly Evans (Chairperson of NZSTA), Sue Cousins (AsureQuality), Maryanne McErlane (NZ Seedlab), Amanda James (Barenbrug)
Seed laboratories and their staff provide a range of essential services to the seed sector and their customers.
The laboratory teams provide a range of detailed reports ranging from plant health to seed viability and germination potential, helping farmers, and assuring customers in our domestic and overseas markets.
Extracting this and other seed test information are seed analysts and other technicians.
Their service and hard work fly under the radar and in recognition of the profession, our industry bodies, in collaboration with seed laboratory managers and the NZ Seed Testing Society, have begun awarding the certificate of experience and proficiency to nominated staff.
The awarding of an industry-recognised certificate brings a step change in thinking about the profession and will increase awareness of the profession, retain staff and attract the next generation to take up the role.
Speaking on behalf of the wider trade, Association general manager Thomas Chin said seed laboratories and technicians play a key role in providing the industry with a range of test results, including plant health, seed purity and germination data
“So, it’s very important that we have a strong recognition of seed analysts and the role they play in advancing our industry forward”, he said.
Kelly Evans, chairperson of NZSTS, agrees that recognition of seed testing professionals is hugely important and sees great benefits for increasing visibility of the seed testing field.
She said, “This industry-supported certificate of recognition is a major step towards developing the relationship between seed testing and wider industry, so that analysts and technicians may understand the context of their work and other industry professionals can deepen their understanding of the seed testing process and the results they interpret.”
For further information, please contact:
Kelly Evans
Chairperson
NZ Seed Testing Society
03 – 325 3578
Charlotte Connoley – First Female President
October 29th, 20236 October 2023
Charlotte Connoley has become the first female president of the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA).
Charlotte was elected at the association’s annual general meeting, held earlier this week in Auckland, to succeed Michael Hales as president.
Charlotte has more than 20 years of experience in the seed industry, she joined the NZGSTA executive in 2018, being the first female executive in the Association’s 100-year history, and has been chair of the Vegetable Business Group also since 2018.
Currently, Charlotte is Co-Owner and General Manager of Kings Seeds (New Zealand) Ltd an ecommerce seed company based out of the Bay of Plenty supplying home gardeners and wholesale customers nationwide.
Charlotte said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the Association. The focus will still remain firmly on member value initiatives – opportunities for education, advocacy, collaboration and trade.
Questioned on being the first female President of the Association “Personally it is important to me that females within our industry feel supported to take roles at any level throughout their organizations that they are qualified for. Demand for knowledgeable primary sector employees is always strong in NZ with an ag/hort based economy and so the challenge remains for the seed industry to be an attractive employer of diverse talent.
“The seed industry in New Zealand is recognised worldwide as a critical component in the agri-food value chain and as a leading counter-season producer, processor and exporter of high-quality seed. We have a highly motivated group of industry members who are contributing to growth and change within the industry.
“Operationally whilst we have seen some improvements in policy there still remains many uncertainties affecting the entire agriculture sector that could impose additional compliance burdens on business. Our relationship with government agencies such as the Ministry for Primary Industries remains key to clear communication to work through these challenges for our sector.
“The Association continues to evolve and ensure its relevance in modern agriculture including the soon to be launched new seed certification project which will deliver lasting change for the next generation of seed growers and merchants.
“Our focus will be to continue the good work of previous executives and to play our part in domestic and global food security whilst providing value to our members throughout the agri-food value chain”.
Charlotte paid tribute to Michael Hales, who will continue to serve on the Association’s Executive Council.
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Seed Certification System set to Launch
August 30th, 2023Seed Certification Information System
Arable Awards of New Zealand 2023
August 30th, 2023Agronomist of the Year 2023
Plant Breeder/Researcher of the Year 2023
New Zealand Seed Exports Worth $221m
August 24th, 2023News 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
