Changing Drains Into Ecosystems
A drain is sometimes considered a negative word associated with depletion, exhaustion and loss of resources.
Time is closing in on the search to find the best innovation in the New Zealand irrigation industry.
Innovation, discovery and achievement making a positive contribution to irrigation and efficient water management are set to be rewarded by the industry's national body with an award that aims to uncover the industry's progressive and exciting happenings.
Entries are due to close for the 'Innovation in Irrigation' award coordinated by Irrigation New Zealand in association with Aqualinc.
The 2012 award is run in conjunction with the association's conference and expo to be held in Timaru in April. Sponsored by Aqualinc the award carries a cash first prize of $2500, as well as recognition and kudos, not only for the award winner but also those entrants selected as finalists.
The award promotes innovation and the benefit irrigation provides to communities throughout New Zealand. This second biennial award is IrrigationNZ's way to recognise new invention, ideas, systems or gadgets.
"There are a lot of good things happening in the irrigation space and IrrigationNZ is looking to recognise and reward those positive initiatives being undertaken within the industry, also identifying the wider community benefits as a result of irrigation," IrrigationNZ business manager Chris Coughlan says.
Nominations from irrigators, schemes, water user groups, environmental groups, industry, university students and researcher close on February 15.
Finalist entries will be showcased, and the official award presentation held at the IrrigationNZ conference in Timaru from April 2-4.
Dougal Morrison has been elected as the new President of the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA).
Perrin Ag has appointed Vicky Ferris as its new Hawke's Bay consultant.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society is encouraging teachers to register school groups for the 2026 National Fieldays, set to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre from 10-13 June.
The appointment of Richard Allen as Fonterra's new chief executive signals execution, not strategy, according to agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
Potatoes New Zealand has become much more than a grower body, according to Pukekohe grower Bharat Bhana.
The country's kiwifruit growers seem to have escaped much of the predicted wrath of Cyclone Vaianu which hit the east coast of the North Island this month.

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