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Aussie quad safety stoush

Australian motor industry reps have quit a national quad safety panel in protest at standards proposed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Success leads to change

The DRL team (from left): Emeritus Professor Frank Griffin, director; Dr Rory O’Brien, senior researcher; and Simon Liggett, technical manager. Copyright Graham Warman.

Now in its third incarnation, DRL started life as Otago University’s deer research laboratory at a time when deer farming was establishing itself by capturing wild animals.

Feedlot lamb research wins

University of Adelaide honours student Leesa Flanagan has been named Alltech Young Scientist of the Year from an international field of peers for her work on dietary requirements of feedlot lambs.

Vet head’s challenge of change

The attraction of heading a world-rated veterinary school, a love of New Zealand and disillusionment with Brexit persuaded Professor Jon Huxley to apply to lead the School of Veterinary Science at Massey University.

OSPRI boss resigns

OSPRI Chief Executive Michelle Edge will leave the organisation in mid-September.

JD goes high-tech in SP sprayers

The JD R4050i’s boom is said to be much lighter than steel or aluminium, but at least five times stronger than a steel equivalent.

In the northern hemisphere, John Deere has released details of its new R4050i self-propelled sprayer, with a new PowrSpray control system, a larger 5000L tank and an “ultra-lightweight but extremely strong” carbon-fibre boom.

You might have heard that noise could be a problem

The recommended workplace noise average in New Zealand is under 85dB. A chainsaw typically generates noise of 119dB and is an obvious situation demanding hearing protection, however there are plenty of other less obvious examples. An angle grinder generates 98dB, irrigation pumps average 100dB and old or cab-less tractor can generate 95-100dB. [Worksafe NZ data]

There can’t be many of us who’ve got into cars, trucks or tractors that have been “borrowed” by sons, daughters, or younger staff, turned on the ignition, and promptly had all the wax blasted out of our ears.