Waikato farmers tackle debt as interest rates fall, says Zonderop
Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says two consecutive years of a $10 milk price is fantastic for New Zealand agriculture.
Federated Farmers are welcoming the application by Landcare Research to introduce the British weevil into New Zealand.
The beetle will act as a biological control against the invasive field horsetail weed, which affects pastoral production.
Field horsetail is now widespread in parts of the North Island, the upper South Island and on the West Coast. The British weevil has the ability to reduce the plant, control its spread and, importantly, would not pose a threat to any other plants.
"Federated Farmers is supportive of any efforts to introduce a proven biological control for a significant pest problem. We now await a final decision from the Environmental Protection Authority and hope their assessment paves the way for a green light," says Federated Farmers pest management spokesperson Chris Allen.
"This weevil gives us a chance to control a highly annoying pest. It will reduce farmers' reliance on chemical weed treatments and help improve the productivity of their pastures."
If approved by the Environment Protection Authority, the introduction of the British weevil will follow the successful use of a parasitoid wasp to control the clover root weevil, which a decade ago posed a significant threat to New Zealand's agricultural sector.
"Clover pasture is the basis of our pastoral farming system, so bringing that pest under control was – and remains – critically important. With the British weevil we now have a chance to achieve the same with the field horsetail weed," says Allen.
For the first time, all the big names in agricultural drone technology are being brought together under one marquee at the National Fieldays.
Fonterra has announced an improved third quarter performance – with a profit after tax of $1.15 billion, up $119 million on the same period last year.
The Fieldays Innovation Awards competition has attracted a diverse and impressive array of innovations from across the primary industries, highlighting the growing importance of technology shaping the future of farming.
Coming to the fore following the carnage of Cyclone Gabrielle, Starlink became well known for providing internet access even in NZ's most inaccessible places.
From this winter farmers will have a greater choice of feed types and blend options than ever before, thanks to Farmlands' purchase of animal nutrition company SealesWinslow.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
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