Katikati plays host to orchard tours
An innovative tourism business located in Katikati, is breaking new ground by offering tours of a working avocado orchard.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity staff are warning local landowners to check that machinery is clean and stock are empty before allowing them through their gates this Gypsy Day.
Gypsy Day (June 1) is traditionally the first day of the new dairying season when sharemilkers load their cows into stock trucks or herd stock on roads and move equipment and families to new farms.
"Velvetleaf is not just a fodder beet seed issue. The Waikato Regional Council has been working to contain a velvetleaf infestation found in Waikato maize crops and silage," says Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity manager Greg Corbett.
"Velvetleaf is just one of many pasture weeds we're working hard to keep out of the Bay of Plenty. Along with Noogoora bur and alligator weed, its seeds or plant fragments can easily be carried from one property to another in stock faeces, hooves, fur or soil attached to machinery. It's important that landowners protect their land and livelihoods by being their own border control."
Bay of Plenty farmers can keep invasive pasture weeds off their farms by checking where maize feed, stock or machinery has come from and making sure it's not bringing any unwanted pests with it when it comes onto their farm.
Corbett says key precautions landowners should take are to ask contractors and new tenants to remove all visible soil and plant matter from their machinery and stock, before they leave their last location.
"Allowing stock to empty out before transport will also reduce the risk of seed being spread through cow dung," says Corbett.
More information about pasture weeds and machinery hygiene is available at www.boprc.govt.nz/pestplants
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.