Young water science talent recognised
Third-year student Cady Burns has won the Waikato Regional Council Prize in Water Science for 2024.
The Waikato Regional Council is facing a range of environmental and production pest challenges this year following a busy 12 months controlling unwanted animals and plants.
A report to the integrated catchment management committee meeting has outlined the highlights of the council’s recent pest management operations, which cost $6.2 million in 2014-15.
The highlights include controls on 47ha of alligator weed, a plant that can significantly hurt farm production and create environmental problems. There were also extensive controls of other types of pest plants, including a new eradication programme for lantana.
The report noted excellent results in priority possum control areas thanks to a strong performance by contractors and staff. Successes were also found in the rat and possum pest controls carried out under Project Halo, a project designed to increase the numbers of native birds breeding and living in Hamilton. Elsewhere a continuation of the award-winning koi carp trap and digester trials, involved turning this pest fish into fertiliser.
Committee chair Stuart Husband says pest control work was a core part of the council’s work to support the environment, communities, businesses and farmers.
“We’ve had some good successes in the last year and we want to keep up the momentum we’ve generated,” says Husband.
“Pest animals and plants have the potential to significantly damage our native species and special places, and interfere with our economic well-being, particularly by the threat they pose to farming and cropping, as well as the marine environment.”
A further $1.3 million budgeted for last year will be applied this financial year, while the new budget for this year is $7.4 million.
This year’s funding includes an extra $250,000 to tackle Mediterranean fanworm on the Coromandel, a pest that can cause production problems on marine farms and damage the natural marine environment.
The council says the funding also allows for further controls on wallabies, which are slowly expanding their range from the Bay of Plenty into the Waikato between the Kaimai-Mamaku ranges and the Waikite Valley towards Taupo. Wallabies can damage pasture, crops and native plants.
Other challenges include keeping on top of kauri dieback after it was discovered on the Coromandel and implementing various new rules and policies.
“For its part, the council is committed to energetically staying on top of pest threats and working closely with partner agencies, iwi and the wider community to achieve our goals,” says Husband.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…