2002q4 (4th Quarter October..December)
- The first meeting of the Taumaranui, Taupo, Turangi Sub-Branch of Waikato and Thames-Coromandel Branch was held in November 2002. 17 people met at Don Dempsey's farm, Lower Retaruke, Owhango, near Taumarunui - Read more...
Don's farm was an excellent place for our first visit and the group look forward to a field trip to Taupo in February 2003. - New diagnostic laboratory for honey bee viruses
HortResearch wants to discover how many of the 14 known viruses of European honey bees are present in New Zealand and which of these are likely to become economically important now that the varroa mite is here [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0128.htm]. - 6 December 2002 - Hedgehogs have been confirmed as significant destroyers of native bird eggs and chicks from the many species that nest near the ground. If your Timms kill trap terminates the odd hedgehog instead if its intended bigger relative the possum, perhaps you needn't feel so badly about it. A recent study has shown that the cute spiky little immigrant, like almost every other small quadraped brought into New Zealand in recent centuries, lessens the well-being of our unique indigenous bird varieties. While the hedgehog's nocturnal munching of snails and slugs around our ground crops is probably helpful, it comes at a price that we may not be happy to learn about.
National Radio [was at www.radionz.co.nz/nr/f-nr.htm] - 15 November 2002 - Renowned Tree Cropper and Farmer, Mike Smith, has died. To many treecroppers, Mike's passion for demonstrating the benefits of combining pastoral farming with trees for fodder, nutritional supplement and drought survival - was legendary. In 1999 he was won the Don McKenzie award for his work promoting the benefits of tree cropping to the environment. Perhaps most of all, Mike will be remembered by many as a warm and sharing person with a determined and deeply enquiring nature.
- 15 October 2002 - OUR WEBSITE IS ONE YEAR YOUNG - Happy Birthday to us!
- Discussion - Genetic Moderation - Sunday, 20 October 2002 - "The Royal Commission recommendation that Genetically Modified crops might be grown safely in field trials after October 2003 remains of deep concern to many people..." [content removed]
2002q3 (3rd Quarter July..September)
- Hi-Cane® information - Between bad media publicity and perceived kiwifruit industry furtiveness, a NZ distributor has responsibly made this information available for some time...
- Wanted - Coppice Poles, especially sweet chestnut, preferably Waikato area; by experienced demonstrator of greenwood crafts with a particular interest in traditional coppice crafts - full details...
- Southern Woods Nursery, long-time NZTCA supporters, recently launched a stunning new retail web site that sets the standard for on-line tree buying. It also provides helpful data on many aspects of planning for tree cropping.
Have a look at www.southernwoods.co.nz
2002q2 (2nd Quarter April..June)
- Blacklisted weeds selling over internet. Read more...
- 27 May - The guava moth, another unwelcome insect pest from across the Tasman, is likely to spread quickly from Northland to the rest of New Zealand, causing yet another headache for fruit and nut growers... Read more...
- Organic pipfruit research goes holistic - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0105.htm]
- FRUIT-DRILLER CATERPILLAR THREATENS FRUIT HORTICULTURE
A new insect invader from across the Tasman threatens to produce widespread damage to fruit tree crops in New Zealand. The guava moth (Cosinoptycha improbana) first began to attack tree crops in Northland about 3 years ago... Read more... - Tree Crops award for Gail's huge effort. By Lesley Board
...Gail Newcomb is the first woman ever to take the unique trophy home from the association's national conference... Read more... - Honeybees in a Mite More Than Trouble - The United States has been losing 80 percent or more of its wild honeybee populations to a pair of tiny parasites. (Margaret Thomas - The Washington Post)... Read more...
- Tree Crops in Schools - an exciting new project seeks newer members!
If you are concerned that the average Tree Cropper might be tending to resemble our major award trophy, then please consider expanding this project - to interest younger souls in our goals... Read more... - Horror weed thrives in Bay of Plenty - Kudzu outbreaks
An invasive vine that is a major and costly pest in the United States has taken root in the Bay of Plenty... Read more... - Trees used as effluent sponge - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0104.htm]
- Plant Quarantine Facility - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0102.htm] HortResearch urges grower commitment
- Experimental antidote for 1080 successfully trialed - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0103.htm]
Launched May 2002
