Wired for Science: Understanding the feeding habits of mealybug
Fussy children might be frustrating, but fussy mealybugs could help protect the New Zealand wine industry from grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3.
Max Tweedie takes up his role as Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics North Island extension officer this month.
Tweedie recently completed his Bachelor of Agriculture degree at Lincoln University. This included a semester at the University of New England in Armidale, where he studied breeding programme design and had exposure to Breedplan and the Australian Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit.
Tweedie originates from a sheep and beef farm in Northern Hawke’s Bay and has worked on several sheep and beef studs during his degree, to grow his skills and knowledge in animal breeding and genetics.
Based in Hastings, his role focuses on helping commercial farmers and breeders apply genetics to their business objectives. He joins South Island extension officer Annie O’Connell, who joined B+LNZ Genetics in August and works out of Dunedin.
Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.