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Weevil the answer to tackling horsetail?

Landcare research technician Lindsay Smith with pots of Field Horsetail in which he is breeding weevils for a biocontrol project. The plants naturally die down in winter but these are hosting weevil larvae in the roots and are not expected to recover in Spring. Rural News Group

A recently announced grant from MPI’s Sustainable Farming Fund will pay for the next stage of a biological control project aimed at the invasive weed field horsetail.

From cot case to showcase

Some 200 people turned out recently to a field day at Omapere Rangihamama Trust farm, near Kaikohe in the Far North.

It’s all CoOL – consumers know best

Where is your fruit and vege’s coming from?

Giving consumers what they want ensures at least two things: that they’ll pay a premium for the product, and that it will sell out.

Evidence-based science crucial in decision-making

‘The right to food’ was the focus of a special report to the United Nations general assembly at the beginning of the year.

$30m Maori investment in kiwifruit

Jamie Tuuta, Maori trustee and Te Tumu Paeroa chief executive officer.

$30 MILLION will be invested in building 10 kiwifruit orchards on Maori land in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne over the next 18 months, says entrepreneur Te Tumu Pairoa, in partnership with Quayside Holdings.

Genetics key to lamb taste

Thorough tests have found no ram lamb effect, according to SFF’s Grant Howie.

Genetic selection for taste seems to outweigh other onfarm factors such as breed, lamb gender or fat cover in the eating quality of lamb, says Grant Howie, general manager sales, Silver Fern Farms.

Champagne crop for Mid Canterbury farmers

Ashburton arable farmer Eric Watson has set a new official world record wheat yield of 16.791 tonnes per hectare. Photo: Lightworkx Photography.

About 20 years ago, when Ashburton arable farmers Eric and Maxine Watson told their son Philip of a particularly good wheat harvest, he congratulated them with a bottle of champagne – in the form of a fridge magnet.

Food origin supporters call for submissions

Submissions are now open on the Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill until May 18 – with backing from NZ Pork and Horticulture NZ.

Ploughing champs attract crowds

Fine weather brought out the crowds to this year’s national ploughing championships at Kirwee, Canterbury, last month.

Main hort crops escape damage

Zespri says the kiwifruit industry has remained relatively unscathed from the storms.

Avocado and kiwifruit industry representatives say recent storms have caused severe damage but it appears to be localised and unlikely to affect the overall national crop.