The Tairāwhiti region’s economy and job prospects will be hammered if the rate of carbon-only forest conversions continue unabated and unregulated, Federated Farmers Gisborne-Wairoa President Toby Williams says. “That’s the grim outlook confirmed by the final report by accountancy and financial advisory firm BDO. “My concern is that when our authorities and residents – and […]
Biosecurity
OSPRI reduces TB slaughter levy rates for dairy and beef farmers
OSPRI who manages the TBfree programme is to reduce the TB slaughter levy rates for cattle farmers from 1 October. The Differential Slaughter Levy (DSL) is reviewed each year to ensure that industry funding aligns with that agreed under the 2016 TB Plan Funders’ Agreement, this is subject to a 15-year period. The slaughter levies […]
OSPRI refining TBfree operations at Molesworth Station
OSPRI’s TBfree programme is continuing to innovate and improve its operational effectiveness with the successful trialling of aerial low sow baiting and deer repellent bait at Molesworth National Park. This winter at Molesworth and adjoining private land, the animal disease management agency completed two 1080 aerial operations over 70,000 hectares and the outcomes were excellent […]
Safe use of agrichemicals manual updated
Disease and pest free animals and crops rely on agrichemical use. Pesticides, detergents and sanitisers are a critical component of New Zealand’s $48 billion agricultural sector. The recently released and updated ‘NZS 8409:2021 Management of agrichemicals’ provides guidance for spray operators, farmers, growers and other users to manage a range of chemicals safely, responsibly and […]
Managing pesticide resistance threat
Pesticide resistance is a serious challenge for the farming sector – decreasing its ability to manage pests and diseases such as Blackspot (apples), powdery mildew (a fungal disease affecting a wide range of plants), diamond back moth and weeds affecting ryegrass. Farmers, industry and government all have a part to play to manage it. Farmers […]
Disease detective joins TB eradication push
When you hear the word epidemiologist these days you probably might think of the experts who are figuring out how to tackle COVID-19. But the brief is wider than humans. Essentially, epidemiology is the study of disease outbreaks and plays a big part in identifying the source of an outbreak, as well as monitoring and […]
Tapping farmer knowledge, effort a key to Te Manahuna Aoraki pest control
By Simon Edwards Two or three hares can eat as much as a sheep in alpine grassland. They’ll also damage saplings and shrubs. As part of his research, Otago PhD student Nick Foster needed help to put GPS collars on hares in the nationally significant biodiversity area looked after by Te Manahuna Aoraki. Lilybank Station […]
A breath of fresh air for disease management
When you hear the word epidemiologist these days you might think of the experts who are figuring out how to tackle COVID-19. Essentially, epidemiology is the study of disease outbreaks and plays a big part in identifying the source of an outbreak, as well as monitoring and tracking the disease. Lead Veterinary Epidemiologist Dallas New […]
Twelve wilding pines projects to share $2 million
Twelve community projects across New Zealand will receive a share of $2 million to carry out wilding pine control, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor announced as part of Biosecurity Week. “Wilding pines are a serious problem that threaten many of the unique landscapes that New Zealanders value. Community groups and trusts on the ground can play […]
Latest M. bovis TAG report released
The latest report from the independent Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) response shows New Zealand is on track to eradicate the disease. “The TAG report acknowledges the improvements to our work, which aim to lessen the impact on affected farmers, their whanau, workers and rural communities,” says M. bovis […]