No Panic Buying Please, There's Plenty of Fuel Around - Feds
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
Federated Farmers is disappointed to learn that a fourth line of fodder beet seed has been confirmed as being contaminated with velvetleaf.
To date velvetleaf has been found in 11 regions on 250 properties.
Federated Farmers biosecurity spokesperson Guy Wigley says to find yet another line contaminated with velvetleaf is something more than a coincidence.
"All confirmed contaminated lines are via the same importer, DLF," he says.
"Farmers need to look very carefully at their feed source moving forward and carry out due diligence when looking at where to source their seed for the coming season."
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have advised that the contaminated lines of fodder beet seed include Kyros 128, Bangor 126, Bangor 079 and Feldherr 16UB131.
MPI is managing a nationally co-ordinated approach to the incursion and response.
Federated Farmers is urging farmers who have planted fodder beet seed this season to check their crops for the presence of velvetleaf.
"The horrendous cost of this incursion continues to mount - we need to take the appropriate measures to contain and potentially reduce the geographical spread over time."
If you suspect you have velvetleaf in your crops, please contact MPI's Pests and Diseases hotline 0800 80 99 66.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.

OPINION: If you ask this old mutt, the choice at the next election isn't shaping up as a contest of…
OPINION: A mate of yours says we're long overdue for a reckoning on what value farmers really get for the…