Katikati plays host to orchard tours
An innovative tourism business located in Katikati, is breaking new ground by offering tours of a working avocado orchard.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity staff are warning local landowners to check that machinery is clean and stock are empty before allowing them through their gates this Gypsy Day.
Gypsy Day (June 1) is traditionally the first day of the new dairying season when sharemilkers load their cows into stock trucks or herd stock on roads and move equipment and families to new farms.
"Velvetleaf is not just a fodder beet seed issue. The Waikato Regional Council has been working to contain a velvetleaf infestation found in Waikato maize crops and silage," says Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity manager Greg Corbett.
"Velvetleaf is just one of many pasture weeds we're working hard to keep out of the Bay of Plenty. Along with Noogoora bur and alligator weed, its seeds or plant fragments can easily be carried from one property to another in stock faeces, hooves, fur or soil attached to machinery. It's important that landowners protect their land and livelihoods by being their own border control."
Bay of Plenty farmers can keep invasive pasture weeds off their farms by checking where maize feed, stock or machinery has come from and making sure it's not bringing any unwanted pests with it when it comes onto their farm.
Corbett says key precautions landowners should take are to ask contractors and new tenants to remove all visible soil and plant matter from their machinery and stock, before they leave their last location.
"Allowing stock to empty out before transport will also reduce the risk of seed being spread through cow dung," says Corbett.
More information about pasture weeds and machinery hygiene is available at www.boprc.govt.nz/pestplants
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
Hunters around the country are hoping for some foul weather this weekend with the game bird season getting underway.
Farmers have been airing their concerns to the Government over changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.