MPI cuts 391 jobs
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
Recent research has found that the tiny parasitoid wasp Pauesia nigrovaria has the power to kick the invasive giant willow aphid to the curb.
The Californian wasp was released in New Zealand as a biological control agent, beginning in 2020.
After just one year it was detected up to 100km from release locations.
Steve Penno, Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) director of investment programmes says the presence of giant willow aphids has decreased each year of the trial, and the proportion of aphid-free trees has increased.
“This is an extraordinary result in such a short space of time,” Penno says.
He says the research has directly benefited beekeepers, river managers, soil conservationists, and farmers.
"Indirectly, the public also benefits as riverbanks become less prone to erosion and fewer pest wasps are drawn to the honeydew secreted by the aphids.
"This research has demonstrated that Pauesia nigrovaria are a highly cost effective, sustainable, and environmentally sound control method for controlling the giant willow aphid population."
MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund contributed $260,000 to the project in partnership with Scion, Plant & Food Research, and Apiculture NZ to deal to the exotic pest, which was first detected in New Zealand in 2013.
Project lead and forest entomologist Stephanie Sopow from Scion says she’s "blown away" by the results so far.
"Normally a biocontrol agent tends to disappear a few years while it settles in before signs of establishment are seen, followed by slow spread, so the project has gone even better than we expected,” Sopow says.
She says the parasitoid wasp lays an egg in the aphid. When the larva hatches, it eats and eventually kills the aphid host as it develops. In 2 to 3 weeks a new adult parasitoid emerges from the dead aphid.
"Pesticides aren’t an option because they would transfer into the honeydew that the aphids secrete, putting nectar feeders such as honeybees, tūī, and bellbirds at risk."
Sopow says giant willow aphid feed on willow tree sap and have a particularly devastating impact on bee colonies.
"The total impact of giant willow aphids has been estimated to be over $300 million each year.
"It’s vital that we protect our willow trees as they’re an essential part of New Zealand farming for slope stabilisation, flood protection, crop and livestock shelter, fodder, and as pollen and nectar sources for honeybees in early spring."
Monitoring and reporting on the trial will be ongoing, with assistance from scientists across New Zealand.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.