2018/19 — The summer of fruit flies
Not long after a few BMSB post-border detections were dealt with, another familiar biosecurity threat has raised its head.
Rural land holders in three areas totalling around 900ha on the outskirts of New Plymouth are being invited to join a possum control scheme that already covers almost all the Taranaki ring plain.
The Taranaki Regional Council wants to extend its Self-Help Possum Control Programme to about 160 properties south and east of the city, stretching from the coast north of Omata to Mangorei Rd.
"Possums are a major threat to agriculture, forestry and native biodiversity, and the self-help programme has allowed Taranaki to keep them under control," says the council's animal pest manager, Steve Ellis. "The scheme's been running since 1992 and by the end of this year it will cover 231,000ha.
"It's an effective partnership between land owners and the council, and it enjoys good support from farmers."
The New Plymouth sections will be included in the programme if at least 75% of land occupiers, representing at least 75% of the land area, agree to take part. Council contractors will undertake an initial "knock-down" operation to reduce possum numbers to a very low level. All land holders in the area will then be obliged to maintain the low level by undertaking annual control.
"We provide advice, education and assistance to the land occupiers," says Ellis. "For example, we supply traps and baits at cost price, organise the training and licensing that's needed for using some types of baits, and supply lists of certified contractors if people don't want to do the maintenance work themselves."
The council is approaching land holders individually about joining the scheme. A decision is expected by early March, with the initial knock-down operation to run for six to eight weeks beginning shortly afterwards.
Land holders with questions about the programme can call the council on 0800 736 222 and ask for the Animal Pest section.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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