The march of fall armyworm detections as far south as Hokitika has dismayed arable and vegetable growers. Early detection, spraying at the right time and reporting remain the best weapons […]
Pest Control
Battle to combat fall armyworm steps up
By Lauren Hale, Federated Farmers Policy Advisor Federated Farmers is keen to see awareness of the fall armyworm threat step up another notch, amid concerns about feed shortages if the […]
Landowner covenant willingness is outpacing QEII Trust resources
By Simon Edwards An 8.9 hectare forest on Toby and Charlotte McDonald’s farm in the Wairarapa recently became the 5000th area to be protected under an Open Space Covenant in […]
Ease of use pivotal to success of firearms register
If the new firearms register is to be effective, it needs to be robust and easy to use, and there needs to be clear information about privacy and security. “It’s […]
EPA seeks views on nipping stink bug in the bud
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is seeking views on whether the rules around the use of a neonicotinoid insecticide to stop brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) invading New Zealand should […]
South Westland rivers are pristine - told you so says Feds
University of Otago research describing the water quality of South Westland rivers as pristine, despite 160 years of river flats farming, is no surprise to Federated Farmers. Feds freshwater spokesperson […]
Spray tool helps farmers comply with air quality plans
A free online tool that helps farmers and growers manage spray use on their land has been upgraded with a mapping system to identify environmentally sensitive areas. Developed by New […]
Animal and plant health industry association name change
The industry association representing more than 90 percent of New Zealand’s crop protection and animal health industries has a new name. Animal and Plant Health New Zealand was previously called […]
Revisiting the great exploding trousers epidemic of the 1930s
By Laura Williamson, editor/co-founder of 1964: mountain culture/Aotearoa It was strange behaviour for a “quite respectable garment”, according to the Hutt News, “Not long ago, in a country township, a […]
AI solutions on the way for war on pest species
by Simon Edwards Traps and surveillance cameras using artificial intelligence (AI) will soon be joining the arsenal of tools available to achieve New Zealand’s ‘predator-free by 2050’ ambitions. In a […]
