The dirt on soil: Why healthy soil matters
OPINION: Every year, December 5 marks World Soil Day. This date wasn’t chosen at random, it’s the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a passionate advocate for soil stewardship.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has announced a nationwide programme of sponsorships for science fairs.
The sponsorships will see Ballance launch a new Sustainable Agricultural Award category at several regional science and technology fairs across New Zealand.
Ballance will sponsor the award in the Central Northland, South and East Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Canterbury-Westland and Otago science and technology fairs.
The Auckland North Harbour and Marlborough science and technology fairs will receive additional sponsorship activity from Ballance.
Ballance’s Sustainability Food and Fibres Futures programme manager Suzanne Young says that by sponsoring the science fairs, the company hopes to get students interested in the career options the food and fibre sector has to offer.
“We wanted to find an innovative and meaningful way to connect New Zealand school students with all the amazing work happening in the food and fibre sector to improve the environment for a sustainably productive future.
“For the Auckland North Harbour science fair, we are sponsoring the Living World category, which celebrates students’ understanding of the living organisms such as NZ plants and animals, their investigations into local ecosystems and understanding the interdependence of living organisms, including humans and their relationship with their physical environment.”
Young says that Ballance will be a gold sponsor for the Marlborough science fair. Ballance will also provide a local judge and help promote the science fairs through targeted and localised communications.
OPINION: After two long years of hardship, things are looking up for New Zealand red meat farmers.
A casualty of the storm that hit the Bay of Plenty recently was the cancelation of a field day at a leading Māori kiwifruit orchard at Te Puke.
Michael Wentworth has joined the team at Mission Estate Winery, filling the "big shoes" of former Chief Executive Peter Holley, who resigned in September last year, after almost 30 years running the storied Napier venue.
Some arable farmers are getting out of arable and converting to dairy in the faced of soaring fuel and fertiliser prices on top of a very poor growing season.
The New Zealand seed industry has reached a significant milestone with the completion and approval of the new seed certification system.
New Zealand's persimmon season will kick off early this year, with fruit set to hit shelves soon.
OPINION: Who will replace Miles Hurrell as Fonterra's next CEO?
OPINION: Governments all over the world are dealing with the fuel crisis.