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.
Founder and chairman of ANZCO Foods, Sir Graeme Harrison is personally funding a professorial chair in Global Value Chains and Trade at Lincoln University.
The newly created position will contribute to the research and teaching at the university, but Harrison hopes it will also help lead change in the way New Zealand businesses engage globally throughout the value chain.
According to Lincoln University vice-chancellor Dr Andrew West, position will need a unique set of skills.
"As well as carrying core academic responsibilities, we see the appointee becoming a leading spokesperson on global trade, particularly around the challenges facing New Zealand's agricultural exports," says West.
Harrison believes that New Zealand businesses must understand global supply chains and where they can add value. This new role will aim to educate future business leaders as well as provide leadership in today's industry.
"Ideally we're looking for someone who has developed a high profile and strong reputation outside the academic world, but who has the ability to pass that knowledge on to students, conduct and lead quality research, and collaborate with industry," he says.
The new role is particularly timely with work continuing on the development of the 'Lincoln Hub' – a partnership designed to combine expertise and infrastructure within the primary sector.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.

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