A new study shows deer farmers have dramatically improved the quality of deer velvet over the last 30 years. Codling moths and other insect pests are being dealt to with clever non-insecticide means and scientists want to extend control into urban areas. A soil nutritionist is worried NZ soils might be too degraded and is researching ways of managing them better. Former Fonterra Shareholders’ Council chairman Duncan Coull is the new chairman of Ballance Agri-Nutrients. And nervous LIC shareholders had covid-19 on their minds when they rejected a proposal to buy a half share in Israeli dairy tech company Afimilk.
Parasite killer ivermectin knocks down covid-19 cells
Monash University scientists have found a single dose of ivermectin eliminates covid-19 cells but there’s no evidence it will work on humans with the virus. Food safety expert Professor Nigel French warns against anyone trying it as a cure until further testing.
Air freight costs climb into stratosphere
About 30,000 tonnes a year of fresh products are sent by air freight but costs of delivering to major markets such as China and the United States have doubled and tripled respectively. Companies are struggling to get their products on the few flights operating.
Deer velvet quality much higher
The combo of improved genetics, welfare and nutrition has seen a big jump in lipids and proteins found in deer velvet over the last 30 years – the key ingredients which provide the health-giving properties of the product.
Boffins design ways of controlling pests without insecticides
Plant and Food researchers have successfully limited codling moth damage in Hawke’s Bay orchards by dropping sterile insects into them. They now want to try different non-spray techniques in urban gardens, which act as a reservoir for pests.
NZ soils – how good are they really?
Soil nutrition consultant Paul Smith says New Zealand has got a way to go before it can be assured it has not degraded soils. One change he’s looking at is letting grass grow long rather than continuous grazing. He says NZ’s heavier soils and rainfall mean increased soil carbon can happen quite fast.
Duncan Coull new chairman of Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Otorohanga dairy farmer Duncan Coull has been elected Ballance chairman, taking over from David Peacocke who has been in the role since 2013.
LIC shareholders reject stake in Israeli dairy tech company
A victim of the covid-19 crisis has been LIC’s proposed buyout of half of Israeli company Afimilk. A resounding 70% of shareholders turned down the $108.7m proposal, which was sunk by exchange rate volatility, difficulty in efficient transfer of governance and risk of earnings impact for the Afimilk business.
Tonight on Sarah's Country:
7.10pm – Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coopersmith joins Sarah to discuss the cancellation of the organisation's pinnacle event this year, for the first time in its history, as well as the online competitions it is hosting for TeenAg.
7.20pm – NZ Hunter Adventures host Willie Duley explains how the lockdown is affecting the hunting industry during the roar.
7.30pm – NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management chairwoman Carla Muller shares how the organisation is building the capability of rural service professionals to support farmers.
7.40pm – Irrigation NZ technical project manager Steve Berenger shares his concerns for the bottleneck of irrigation development that won't be done over the winter and how farmers are making the most of the downtime to do e-learning.
