Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
Perfect growing conditions have led to the further spread of the problem weed velvetleaf in various parts of New Zealand over the summer and autumn.
Rural Contractors NZ vice-president Helen Slattery says there have been new finds of velvetleaf in mid-Canterbury, Auckland and Waikato and there are incursions in nearly every region.
“There are small blocks in Auckland with absentee owners that were previously in maize that are riddled with it.”
A member of the mallow family, velvetleaf is notoriously hard to control; each plant can produce over 30,000 seeds which survive for a long time. If allowed to germinate it could mean 70% reductions in crops.
Slattery is a member of MPI’s Velvetleaf Steering group, representing rural contractors.
“As contractors we have particular concerns because we work on a variety of properties and the last thing we want to do is help spread this pest.”
She says contractors should report any velvetleaf and clean down machinery between farms.
Thousands of velvetleaf plants can appear on infested properties – particularly after land is cultivated. Seeds can be produced from plants at 15cm tall, but these plants can grow to 2m. Stock eating velvetleaf seeds in maize provide a source of spread as seeds are not killed after being digested. Seeds also survive the ensiling process.
The South Island has a different strain of velvetleaf and appears to produce less seeds and appears that it is less invasive than the one found in the North Island. However, it is still a concern,
Slattery continues reminding rural contractors to be alert to velvetleaf and to maintain machinery hygiene and biosecurity practices, especially at this time of the year when it presents most risk of being spread. Some sprays are effective but have to be applied at the right time of year when the weed is immature.
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…