UV-C Treatment: Viticulture game changer
A system that combines UV-C light for disinfection could provide chemical free treatment of plant pathogens and diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis on berry, vine and tree crops.
The National Fieldays brings together farmers, innovators, industry leaders, and rural enthusiasts.
It's not only the visitors who make Fieldays an unforgettable experience, there's a community of volunteer who work closely with the wider event team to ensure that everything runs smoothly. These valued volunteers dedicate their time and effort to ensure that visitors have a memorable experience and leave Fieldays having learnt something new.
Whether they have volunteered for more than 50 years or just lent a hand once, being part of the organising team for this event is an experience that leaves an indelible mark.
Chris Kay's six-year stint as a VIP driver in the Events Team has done just that. He relishes meeting different people and ensuring they enjoy their day, whether they're farmers taking a break from the farm or city dwellers exploring rural life.
But it's the volunteer get-togethers that Kay looks forward to the most - breakfasts, lunches, and shared moments of connection. His advice to future volunteers is simple: "Enjoy what you do and know you are making a difference in your community."
Alexandra Perry joined the Fieldays Event Team as a volunteer in 2016 and has been an integral part of it ever since. Assisting visitors at the Information Booth, a crucial place for seeking guidance, Alexandra shares that her passion for Fieldays runs deep.
"Since I was young, Fieldays has always been a special place for me. When I saw the opportunity to volunteer (2016 was the first year I was old enough), I knew I had to help out," says Perry.
Last year, she had the privilege of working closely with the team's second-in-command, which was another great learning experience. What she loves most about volunteering is the camaraderie, the chance to catch up with fellow volunteers and staff she's known since her very first event.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
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