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.
Last year's winners: Annabelle and Richard Subtil, of Omarama Station, and John Young and Lyn Godsiff, of Clearwater Mussels.
Three red meat producers and a wine business will be up against each other for the finals of the Lincoln University Foundation 2016 South Island Farmer of the Year.
The four finalists are:
· James Dicey, a viticulturist and owner of Grape Vision Ltd based in Bannockburn, Central Otago.
· Lauren and Geoff Shaw, sheep and beef farmers in Central Otago, near Ranfurly.
· Lyn and Neil Campbell, Campbell Farms, Middle Valley, near Fairlie in South Canterbury farming sheep, beef, bulls and deer, and arable crops.
· Simon Lee, manager Mendip Hills Station, Parnassus, North Canterbury, farming sheep, beef and deer.
Foundation chair Ben Todhunter says he’s looking forward to a great finals night on November 16.
“The finals dinner is always one of the highlights of this competition. It’s a chance to hear directly from the finalists about what makes their business succeed; their innovations and inventions, vital points of difference, and generally just what makes a farm business, good enough to make the finals of this prestigious competition, tick.
“This event is a key part of the Foundation’s work to encourage and develop excellence and leadership in New Zealand’s primary industries and I encourage all farmers to join us to support the finalists’ presentations, and learn from them.”
The finals and dinner will be held at Lincoln University Te Kete Ika – Food and Function Centre from 5.30pm on November 16. Bookings can be made at http://www.lincolnuniversityfoundation.org.nz
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.

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