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.
The Hound notes that Lincoln University’s vice-chancellor Andrew West has suddenly resigned. This old mutt hopes West’s replacement is not serial bow-tie wearer and rent-a-quote Lincoln academic Keith Woodford.
The latter’s credibility has been called into question after he claimed the sheep being shipped live to Mexico would “quickly be killed and end up on the barbeque at village festivals”. As agent Peter Walsh curtly pointed out, with these sheep being landed in Mexico at around US$360 a head “that makes it a very expensive lamb chop for financially struggling Mexicans”. The Hound suggests Woodford better stick to producing dour and unreadable columns about Fonterra, because his understanding of the economics and spending power of Mexican peasants is way off beam!
OPINION: Trade Minister Todd McClay and the trade negotiator in government have presented Kiwis with an amazing gift for 2026 - a long awaited and critical free trade deal with India.
Former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy says he's excited about his new role as NZ's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
A pillar of New Zealand's horticultural industry, Dr Stuart Davis, was farewelled at a well-attended funeral service in Tuakau, South Auckland, on December 18.
A stable but uncertain year lies ahead for New Zealand primary products, says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith.
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.

OPINION: If the hand-wringing, cravat and bow-tie wearing commentariat of a left-leaning persuasion had any influence on global markets, we'd…
OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the…