New pasture guide launched to support farmers in a changing climate
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
Massey University vet Peter Wilson has been doubly honoured recently: he was awarded the Deer Farmers Association’s Premier Industry Award, and life membership of the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
Professor Wilson, from Massey ‘s Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, specialises in deer nutrition, reproduction, welfare, disease and epidemiology, health and herd profiling of farmed deer and, more recently, mixed species farming.
He received the industry award for his outstanding contribution to the deer sector for 40 years. In its citation, the Deer Farmers Association described him as a prolific researcher and author and a man engaged with industry and the community.
“Peter Wilson stands tall in the history of the development and evolution of the farmed NZ deer industry, clearly in the advancement of deer health programmes, but equally in a whole farm system view based on productivity improvement and systems analysis.”
Wilson also has a long history with the NZVA. He set up its deer branch 30 years ago and chaired it for 20 years.
The association has at least 2000 members and just seven current life members including Wilson. It says he has “done an exemplary job of leading the deer branch with vision, flair and wisdom”.
Wilson says he is humbled to receive the honours.
“It has been an exciting and challenging industry to be part of, but most satisfying is the privilege of working with outstanding colleagues, students and industry people who have contributed so much to my career, so this award recognises their contribution as much as mine.”
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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