Autumn drought challenge
After a dry summer, the challenge is what comes in autumn, according to Ballance Agri Nutrients science strategy manager Warwick Catto.
Farm nutrient co-operative Ballance Agri Nutrients is on the hunt for a new chief executive.
After nearly nine years in the role, current chief executive Mark Wynne has announced that he will leave the co-op at the end of September.
Ballance chair Duncan Coull says supporting and maintaining Ballance's fantastic culture will be top of mind in the board's search for a new leader.
Coull says Wynne will remain in the role until a replacement is found.
"Mark will carry on doing what he does best, leading a great team to ensure we are providing New Zealand farmers and growers with the nutrients, advice, and the tools they need to continue to be the most productive and sustainable farmers and growers in the world," says Coull.
He says Wynne is held in high regard by the Ballance board.
"When Mark informed the board of his intention to resign, he told us what a privilege it has been for him to lead such an awesome group of people serving 17,000 farmer and grower families."
Wynne says it has been an amazing and incredibly rewarding experience to lead such a diverse business and dedicated team.
Andy Caughey of Wool Impact says a lot of people in NZ have been saying it's crazy that we are not using natural fibres in our buildings and houses.
Former chief executive of Beef+Lamb New Zealand Scott Champion will head the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) from July.
Avian flu getting into New Zealand's poultry industry is the biosecurity threat that is most worrying for Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
The annual domestic utilisation of wool will double to 30,000 tonnes because of the edict that government agencies should use woollen fibre products in the construction of new and refurbished buildings.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.