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.
Max Tweedie takes up his role as Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics North Island extension officer this month.
Tweedie recently completed his Bachelor of Agriculture degree at Lincoln University. This included a semester at the University of New England in Armidale, where he studied breeding programme design and had exposure to Breedplan and the Australian Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit.
Tweedie originates from a sheep and beef farm in Northern Hawke’s Bay and has worked on several sheep and beef studs during his degree, to grow his skills and knowledge in animal breeding and genetics.
Based in Hastings, his role focuses on helping commercial farmers and breeders apply genetics to their business objectives. He joins South Island extension officer Annie O’Connell, who joined B+LNZ Genetics in August and works out of Dunedin.
Bradley Wadsworth lives on the family farm – Omega Station – in the Wairarapa about 30 minutes’ drive east from Masterton.
With global milk prices falling, the question is when will key exporting countries reach a tipping point where production starts to dip.
Rural contractors want the Government to include a national standard for air plans as part of its Resource Management Act reforms.
The biggest reform of local government in more than 35 years is underway.
An industry-wide project led by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is underway to deal with the rising number of feral pests, in particular, browsing pests such as deer and pigs.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.

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