Talking beef, lamb, and all

Beef + Lamb New Zealand AgInnovation 2014 Conference is establishing quite a line-up for a programme of events at Manfeild on May 10-14.

The two-day conference will include Future Beef New Zealand, Steak of Origin, the AgInnovation Genetic Sales, and the Queen of Hearts heifer auction.

More than 40 speakers will cover topics from all stages of the production chain - from pasture to plate.

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Fresh speakers

From cutting-edge technology, to the trends set to shape the future of the global fresh produce industry, an unprecedented line-up of speakers from around the globe will take the stage at Fresh Connections in Auckland on June 24-26.

Among the line-up are Australian human work-performance researcher and consultant Dr Adam Fraser, University of Sydney professor Salah Sukkarieh, an international expert on field robotics and intelligent systems, and the United States' "Perishable Pundit", Jim Prevor.

Bay guns blaze again

Hawke's Bay shearers John Kirkpatrick and Rowland Smith, heading to the World Championships in Ireland in four weeks' time, have again claimed the top two placings in Shearing Sports New Zealand's open-class rankings.

Kirkpatrick topped the list for the 9th time, and 8th in a row, racking up points in 26 finals at 22 venues.

The number of finals kept him ahead, for he won just just six. His 12 second placings included being runner-up nine times to Golden Shears and New Zealand opens champion Smith, whose first of 17 finals and 11 wins was at Wairoa in mid-January.

Based on points for finals placings throughout the season, they repeated last season's one-two result, again with legendary King Country shearer David Fagan in third place.

Raupunga teenager Carlton Aranui was the only other Hawke's Bay shearer to achieve a top-five ranking, being 4th in the Junior season which culminated with his New Zealand Championships win in Te Kuiti, while Pania Piwari, of Omahu, was fifth in the senior woolhandling rankings and Creedence Culshaw, of Raupunga, was second in the junior woolhandling rankings.

Theileriosis

North Island dairy farmers are being urged to look out for Theileriosis in cattle, as reports emerge of an increase in cases.

DairyNZ chief scientist Dr Eric Hillerton says Theileriosis had a big impact on farms last spring, when more than 350 cases were confirmed across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Northland and central North Island. The disease causes anaemia in cows.

There is a heightened risk due to autumn calving, stock movements and recent rain, says Dr Hillerton.