FedsNews

FedsNews

environment

You’ve heard of pest animals, but what about pest plants?

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These introduced species can threaten our region’s natural environment, recreational activities, and primary industries. These plants can be just as harmful to our environment as pest animals. They can outcompete or smothering native plants, dry wetlands and rivers, reduce habitats for native animals, and grow rapidly in waterways. Some of these species are also harmful […]

Indigenous fungus may help to control wilding pines

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An indigenous New Zealand fungus may help to control wilding pines – one of the country’s most ecologically damaging weed species – a student’s research project shows. Wilding pine control costs New Zealand millions of dollars a year, and involves the costly and time-consuming methods of cutting down the trees and spraying herbicide from the […]

Checklist will help get winter grazing right

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The pressure to take more care when preparing for winter grazing is on farmers nationwide, most notably in Southland and Otago. To try and make it easier to avoid problems early, the primary industry groups have collaborated to produce a checklist for farmers, to help everyone work their way through what can always be a […]

New farmer-led sustainability project launched in Waimakariri

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Annabelle and Georgie Stalker are the sixth generation on their family’s Waimakariri farm – their father Richard is now joining dozens of other local farmers in an MPI-funded project to ensure the future of farming under new regulations. The Stalkers are part of a three-year, farmer-led sustainability project launched in the Waimakariri District. The nearly […]

Farmers encouraged to tick off new wintering checklist

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Farmers preparing to graze livestock on fodder crops this winter are being encouraged to use a new checklist and other practical resources now available sector-wide. The farming sector is focused on improving winter grazing and eliminating practices that impact on the environment and animal welfare. A new wintering checklist and winter grazing plans designed to help […]

Seeking NZ’s next sustainability champion

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Nominations are now open to find a trailblazing young person who is leading the way on environmental sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is proud to partner with the Sustainable Business Network, sponsoring this year’s Change Maker category of the Sustainable Business Awards. Nominees must be aged 30 years or under, […]

Growing Kai Under Increasing Dry

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Keep your Tuesday lunchtimes free for the rest of May and save-the-date for the 31st May. ‘Growing Kai Under Increasing Dry’ is a seminar series created to encourage primary sector resilience through the impacts of climate change and, as a result of that, drought. The series has been put together by science agencies The Deep […]

Call a halt to housing eating away at our food production potential

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While the Ministry for the Environment Our Land 2021 report identifies some challenges in front of us, it also includes plenty of positives, Federated Farmers says. “The fact that 49% of New Zealand remains native land cover is something to be proud of, especially as we get ready for the release of the National Policy […]

DairyNZ events support environment and profitability

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DairyNZ events launching this week will help farmers achieve a thriving business while meeting environmental goals. The nine ‘Explore your Options’ farmer events are being held in March and April in Whangarei, Cambridge, Whakatane, Stratford, Dannevirke, Culverden, Taieri, Clydevale and Riversdale. As part of DairyNZ’s Step Change project, these events help farmers learn from other […]