by Mark Ross, CEO Agcarm A nation of intense manufacturing activities combined with ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions has forced China to make drastic policy changes, resulting in strict measures to control energy supply. The global market will be caught in the crossfire of China’s measures to reduce its environmental footprint, with ambitious goals […]
Pest Control
OSPRI on track for a TBfree future in Hawke’s Bay
OSPRI is getting Hawke’s Bay back on track to a TBfree future after delivering multiple aerial operations in the past six months. OSPRI’s Disease Control GM Simon Andrew says that it is essential to reduce the possum population in these problem areas to a low level and to maintain this long enough to break the […]
New app to help manage invasive tussock
A new free web app has been designed to help farmers, landowners and regional councils manage a costly weed that has resisted eradication efforts in New Zealand for over a century. Nassella tussock (Nassella trichotoma) occurs in drought-prone grasslands, mainly in the Canterbury and Marlborough regions. It is unique in that it is the only […]
Tairāwhiti region’s ‘death by a thousand cuts’
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
War on Westland pests hailed by former Feds President
The $45 million predator-free project announced for South Westland today is a “massive” win for biodiversity and the local economy, Katie Milne says. The former Federated Farmers President, who has taken on the role of chairing Predator Free South Westland, said the 50 jobs expected to be created during the five-year assault on possum, rat […]