Horehound Biocontrol Update 17

Posted on behalf of the Horehound Biocontrol Group Kia ora koutou, We are pleased to give you a cautiously optimistic update in time for the festive season: The new shipment of horehound plume moth has made its first public appearance. Plume moth – Take 2 A lot has happened in the year since the previous … Read more

Irrigate more less frequently

Posted on behalf of Prof Moot. Last week was hot, but not unusually so for the time of year – this is normal Canterbury summer weather. I had two experiences recently that reminded me we still have a lot to learn. The first was coffee with a prospective PhD student. She is working in the … Read more

Researcher field day at RADE

This week the Dryland Pastures Group hosted researchers from across campus at the Regenerative Agriculture Dryland Experiment (RADE). This farmlet is now fully stocked with Bohepe ewes and lambs. The summer dry is starting to show with some pasture becoming water stressed but our first draft of lambs have gone so stocking rate will decline … Read more

75th Jubilee Technician Award acknowledges a lifetime of achievement

This week DPR Group head technician Malcolm Smith was awarded the 75th Jubilee Technician Award by the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. The purpose of the Award is to recognise an outstanding contribution by an individual technician to the facilitation of quality research in New Zealand animal production and/or the Society. Many of you … Read more

Bulls on lucerne at Bonavaree and preparing for the dry

While at Bonavaree last week, Prof Moot took the opportunity to question Fraser about his current grazing management of lucerne. Fraser highlighted that they missed most of the rain the rest of the country has experienced in the last month so the land is drying out quickly. He is hopeful that he can get through … Read more

Sub clover performing in North Canterbury

Prof Moot was out on farms in North Canterbury this week. He was impressed with the contribution of sub clover to many pastures with the white flowers just starting to show. The combination of sub and cocksfoot was a revelation on Mt Benger, with a high legume component and few weeds 6 years after establishment. … Read more

Is it Genetic Engineering’s time?

Posted on behalf of Prof Derrick Moot One of the interesting things of having students from different countries visit Lincoln University is hearing how their world views differ. The visit of the Oregon State students recently highlighted the pragmatic view of Americans. They were intrigued when I explained we are not allowed to grow genetically … Read more