Threat from wilding pines highlighted by Biosecurity NZ images – Hamish MacLean:
Images provided by Biosecurity New Zealand show the threat wilding pines present to New Zealand landscapes.
The images show the unchecked spread of pines at Mid Dome, Upper Tomogalak catchment, in Southland from 1998 to 2015.
On Thursday, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor told the New Zealand Wilding Conifer Group annual conference at Omarama the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme would now target 150,000ha in Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Marlborough and the Central North Island. . .
Rural people need to start interacting again – April Mainland:
Rural New Zealand can get pretty isolated.
The land farmers work can get pretty intense – I mean who really enjoys sowing a hillside in gale force wind, or rescuing sheep from precarious positions in the pouring rain while avoiding certain tumbles with just one misjudged step?
It can all get a bit much – so to blow off steam and to help bring segments of the rural community together, I helped organise an outing with my team in a neighbouring province – this is something I’d like to see us roll out here in the Wairarapa. . .
Award for Northland farmer project – Pam Tipa:
A Northland farmer-led extension programme which will eventually involve 245 dairy farmers across Northland has won a national award for economic development.
Extension 350 this month won an Economic Development NZ (EDNZ) Award for Sustainable Development.
The awards celebrate best practice in economic development activity throughout New Zealand. The Extension 350 project aims to lift profitability, environmental sustainability and wellbeing on Northland farms. . .
An Environment Canterbury advisor who trained to be a Good Yarn facilitator is now better able to help a farmer who is stressed or mentally ill.
She did the training in June in Wellington.
Sarah Heddell, an ECan land management and biodiversity advisor — and a sheep and beef farmer — says the Good Yarn farmer wellness workshops are aimed chiefly at the rural community and those who interact with them. ..
It was a day for the dogs at the Hunterville Huntaway Festival – Carly Thomas:
It seemed like every man and his dog were at the Hunterville Huntaway Festival and this year the event carried a message of unity for farmers who might be struggling through tough times.
The iconic shepherds’ shemozzle in the Rangitīkei District ran for the 21st time and, as usual, proved a gruelling challenge, with high hills and gruesome obstacles for shepherds and their huntaway dogs.
Feilding’s Angus McKelvie was the first man in. It was the third time he has won the race with his dog Red and he said this year had been a tough one. “I’m pretty buggered, to be honest.” . .
Grass-fed dairy cows produce ‘superior’ milk and dairy products, according to new research by Teagasc.
It’s estimated that only 10pc of global milk production originates from grazing based systems and Teagasc research has found that milk and dairy products produced from grass-fed cows have significantly greater concentrations of fat, protein, and other beneficial nutrients and are superior in appearance and flavour to milk products derived from cows fed indoors on a total mixed ration diet.
This research supports previous findings, he told the Teagasc organised ‘Grass-Fed Dairy Conference’ in Naas. . .
Attempt to lure more women to the delights of catching trout – Nicholas Boyack:
Kathryn Vinten is on a one-woman mission to get more females trout fishing.
Like shooting deer or rabbits, angling is a Kiwi tradition but it one mostly enjoyed by men.
The Petone resident recently began fishing the Hutt River for brown trout and was struck by how few women there were on the river. . .