New investigation into native honey

from HB Today - Farming Outlook April 2022

Clean sweep for NBHS students

Plant & Food Research will be leading a national team of researchers looking at native honey composition and the characteristics that appeal most to consumers, thanks to new funding from the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge. The new two-year project focuses on prominent native monofloral (single flower nectar) honey – predominantly from ka¯ nuka, rata, rewarewa and kamahi - produced by Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa (TPT) beekeeping activities on Department of Conservation areas in the Rotorua region. The project will analyse examples of honeys from across the different geographical regions of the TPT rohe (territory/boundary) to search for specific chemical signatures and potential unique biomarkers. It will also determine the consistency and flavours of honey that consumers prefer, as well as consumer perceptions of Ma¯ ori values and provenance. “Honey and honey-related products account for more than $400 million of New Zealand’s export earnings each year,” says project co-lead Aaron McCallion from Waka Digital. “Ma¯ nuka honey is the primary honey export, valued for its unique bioactive properties. However, we believe that other native species may also produce honey with great taste and bioactives that will also appeal to consumers.” “Ma¯ nuka honey has scientificallyvalidated bioactive properties that consumers will pay a premium for,” says Dr John van Klink, project co-lead from Plant & Food Research. “In this project we will analyse different monofloral honeys with the aim of identifying scientifically validated factors that will differentiate some of our other important, but lesser-known, native honeys.”

Manuka honey is the primary honey export.

Combined with advanced consumer insights, the new knowledge gleaned from the project will provide further awareness of the unique properties and consumer value of our lesser-known honeys, and support the development of new monofloral honeys. “This investment of over $980,000 from the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge fits well with our objective of supporting industries with their growth aspirations through the application of science” says Joanne Todd, Challenge Director at High Value Nutrition at The University of Auckland. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts and scientists from Te Arawa and other iwi/ hapu entities, Plant & Food Research, AgResearch, Massey University and Apiculture NZ to employ a collaborative bicultural approach. Source Plant & Food Research, 30 Mar 2022

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WEATHER BOMBS, FORESTRY & FARMING

When it rains in Biblical portions, bad things happen – Noah knows! More so, when your underlying rock is soft and unstable - a metre of rain in one month will inevitably create casualties. And that’s about the sum of March in Northern Hawkes Bay and Tairawhiti. All on the heels of the outrage which dominated headlines when a similar deluge two years back caused Tolaga Bay to be hit by logs and forestry debris. Then, no question about it, forestry was culpable and so the industry apologised and backed this by cleaning the beaches. This time, the picture is not so simple. It is not so much wood that is coming off the hills but rather the soil. And for the most part it is not coming from forestry land. While any mobile debris is bad debris, the latest extreme weather has provided us with confidence that we are on the right track, that the changes we are implementing are helping. What is noticeable here is that much of the woody debris is poplar, willow and other species of trees not associated with pine forests. And again, while not always visibly confronting, everywhere there are rivers of silt, the productive and environmental cost of which is massive. Perversely, much of the problem identified with forestry is from forests created under the ‘East Coast Project’ back in the 1970’s. When a zealous government asked its forest service to acquire whole farms and blanket plant them - pine being the obvious choice as it establishes easily, grows well, and provides a versatile and valued commodity. Besides stemming soil loss another objective was to use forestry as a vector for regional development in an otherwise lagging East Coast. We knew then that once established, pines would look after the soil, in all but the wettest times when everything is vulnerable. And we are working hard to reduce the chances of immediate postharvest debris flows too. Obviously, with the wisdom of hindsight some areas should not have been planted with commercial intent. This has been taken on board by forestry companies who now are viewing smaller harvesting coups, not replanting at all on very unstable areas and leaving riparian strips everywhere. We also expect less soil disturbance in a second rotation forest as much of the roading and harvesting infrastructure was developed the first-time round.

But that’s all ahead of us and in the meantime, we will work with what we have got. The forests have a finite life span; weather keeps on getting more erratic and to do nothing is foolish. That given, it is not reasonable to expect the industry to completely plug the debris leaks. But we can and are always looking to do better. One can only hope that farming in Northern Hawkes Bay and Tairawhiti is on a similar trajectory with siltation, because that matters too.

Keith Dolman, CEO

Health for r ural folks

Remember to look after the most important piece of farm equipment - YOU! Managing people, land, production, finances, juggling time with the family, working long days in unpredictable weather - it’s easy to forget to look after ourselves.

Farming is tough. It can be both physically and emotionally demanding, so becoming unwell, or being unfit for work is just not an option. Here are some ideas to keep you in top condition year round.

Stay Well

STAY HYDRATED Many of us don’t drink enough water, which can result in headaches and cause damage to our kidneys and heart. Have a glass of water first thing in the morning, and carry a water bottle on farm. Avoid sugary fruit juice and fizzy drinks. GET OFF YOUR QUAD BIKE Advances in farming equipment mean we get less exercise than we used to. Make an effort to make an effort – get off your bike to open gates. More time on your feet exercises your hip joints and strengthens your actual quads. BE SUN SMART Getting sunburnt is the number one cause of skin cancers. Wear sunscreen and a hat and dark glasses whenever the sun is out and stop to re-apply sunscreen during the day. EAT WELL Our body’s energy needs changes through the farming seasons so adjust your diet to avoid gradual weight gain and rapid weight loss. REST WELL Aim to get eight hours sleep a night. Set yourself a routine and have an hour of downtime before bed. Write down your to-do list for the next day to get it off your mind, and get up ten minutes earlier to review and plan your day.

Reduce Your Stress

Getting momentum to keep the farm going day after day, prioritising work and decision making are all harder if you are operating with a high level of stress. But reducing that stress is easier said than done, right? Here are some ideas:

GET OFF THE FARM When we go for long stretches without getting off the farm, it can take its toll. Decision making gets harder, we can get overwhelmed and become less logical and more emotional. Getting away and being with other people can recharge your batteries and help give you perspective. If you can’t get away for a few days, even a few hours a week doing something you enjoy off the farm can help. KEEP A WORK DIARY Record not only what you need to do but also what you have achieved which is always encouraging. START TALKING When things are not going well, we can be too embarrassed about our decisions or the situation we are in to want to talk about them. It’s good to talk about what’s going on with the farm and how we’re feeling. Talk to your partner, your friends, or others in your community. Getting it out in the open can lift a weight off your shoulders. If you are after confidential advice on farming matters, assistance with emergency planning, financial help, or just need help getting on track, contact your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 or visit rural-support.org.nz. Courtesy Men’s Health Trust