Bird Watcher: Costs & benefits of birds in vines
A new research project is studying the influence of vineyard biodiversity on bird populations, and the impact of those birds on surrounding vineyards in different seasons.
The risk of tractor fires caused by birds is very real and totally preventable, yet it continues to plague farmers and contractors on an annual basis.
As we enter a period of tight finances it will be prudent to ensure that plant and machinery is kept in good order to make sure it doesn't happen to you.
A key culprit is the starling, known to build nests in the dark recesses under a tractor hood or in the nooks behind the work-lights up on the cab roof, providing a ready fuel source easily ignited by hot exhaust pipes or shorting electrical cables.
Addressing this problem, Shoof International, Cambridge, markets Wingo, for applying to areas of tractors or machinery that are favoured by birds as roosting points. The formula contains a vegetable based gel oil with pepper and cinnamon; the birds don't like the feel of the gel on their claws, the astringency of the pepper triggers an alert reaction, and the scent of the cinnamon serves as a reminder, deterring the birds for up to two years.
The gel is supplied in a standard caulking gun cartridge for applying to favourite spots such as mirror stalks, work lights, hydraulic hoses and along the crest of the tractor's hood.
The product maker, farmer Tony Overbeek, applies it as necessary, taking extra care to replenish areas that have been cleaned off, for maximum efficacy.
The product has the added advantage of reducing bird droppings that pose a health risk to people and animals and that have a fierce paint stripping action on a vehicles' tin-work.
The scale of the problem caused by nesting birds is cited by rural insurance specialist FMG, which has had at least 170 claims relating to tractor fires in four years. The firm's current 'Stop and Pop' campaign encourages customers to look under tractor hoods.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters is ratcheting up pressure on Fonterra farmers as they vote on divesting the co-operative’s consumer and related businesses.
Alliance Group's Pure South Handpicked 55 Day Aged Beef has been recognised on the world stage, securing top honours at the World Steak Challenge in the Netherlands.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.