Rogers appointed New Zealand Equine Trust chair
In a move designed to advance the field of equine science, the New Zealand Equine Trust has funded a 10-year chair position.
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.”
Two years ago, Cyclone Gabrielle swept through apple and kiwifruit orchards in Hawke's Bay causing massive damage that has changed the region for ever.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith, says the growth in the kiwifruit sector is a massive bounce back.
Following several years of pain, farmers and growers are facing a decent upswing in commodity prices, say economists.
Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg says she takes her hat off to all NZ growers for the hard yards they have put in over the last few years which have resulted in horticulture exports expected to reach the milestone of $8 billion this year.
Reducing nitrogen inputs does not necessarily mean reducing profits, says DairyNZ principal scientist Ina Pinxterhuis.
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says farmers are prepared for winter grazing every year.
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