Introducing Simon Fleetwood – Agronomist
Luisetti Seeds welcomes Simon Fleetwood
We’d like to welcome Simon Fleetwood as our new agronomist for Luisetti Seeds in Mid Canterbury.
Simon has been in the agronomy industry for fifteen years. He studied initially as an Ag ITO student. The focus was on practical on-farm work, supported by classroom study with a tutor every two weeks. Simon submitted his projects via correspondence to earn...
Maimai Ryecorn consistently outperforming old favourite Rahu
In 2018, our Maimai Ryecorn cultivar was described by Nelson Marlborough Farming Magazine as “a true winter-forage option” and “a compelling choice for discerning New Zealand farmers”.
Our Maimai Ryecorn is a modern, better-performing substitute for the enduring cultivar Rahu, which has been the mainstay of ryecorn forage production in New Zealand since 1976. In trials, Maimai yields 10% more...
Luisetti Seeds bids a fond farewell to Ken Townley
Ken Townley of Luisetti Seeds struggles to lift swedes grown by Jonathan Austin, Aroha Downs, Oxford. August 2018
Ken clearly remembers the exact date he began working for Luisetti Seeds: the 11th January, 1999. Ken is our Retail Manager at Luisetti Seeds. Five years ago, Ken was also asked to take up the role of Health and Safety Officer.
Now, 20 years later, we bid Ken a fond farewell and...
Orangutan dream-come-true for Luisetti Seeds Branch Manager Mark McNicholl
Many of us are likely to have seen Orangutans in zoos across the world, but very unlikely to have seen them in their natural habitat. Luisetti Seeds Branch Manager Mark McNicholl and his wife Rita went on the trip of a lifetime mid-August to Indonesia, to see critically endangered Orangutans in the wild.
In 2004, Rita was given a lonely planet day planner that had a picture of a rescued...
Virus resistant wheats being developed by the Luisetti Seeds/Plant and Food Research wheat breeding programme
Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is a disease that can cause major yield losses in wheat. However, using a genetic tool called Marker Assisted Selection, staff working in the Luisetti Seeds/Plant and Food Research (PFR) wheat breeding programme have developed virus resistant breeding lines. The selected lines contain BYDV resistance (Bdv2) from crosses between Viceroy milling wheat and a Bdv2...
Luisetti Seeds Congratulates Miss Canterbury Best Shorn Ewe Hogget
Congratulations to Dick Frahm of Oxford, who won Miss Canterbury Best Shorn Ewe Hogget at the New Zealand Agricultural show!
Dick and Ann Frahm took home the red ribbon with their Poll Dorset ewe hogget. Their winning ewe was credited as being “outstanding for her breed” – a glowing commendation for their breeding efforts! Only the top six sheep on the day are eligible for the Miss...
Luisetti Seeds Lincoln University Plant Production Systems Award
A close relationship with those who support and guide the future minds of New Zealand’s agricultural sector, is a partnership that Luisetti Seeds values.
Four years ago, Dr Derrick Moot from Lincoln University approached seed companies to support students a Lincoln by rewarding excellence in their plant science papers. Luisetti Seeds already had a relationship with this programme as a...
Luisetti Seeds are saving the trees
Pallets stacked at a landfill site
Millions of wooden pallets go to landfill each year. All too often, they are thrown away after only one use. Initiatives are kicking off all over New Zealand to keep pallets out of the landfill, and make fewer new pallets.
If it doesn’t sound like a big deal, think again! New Zealand manufactures and ships billions of single-use pallets annually – that’s...
IPM Pest Control in Fodder Brassicas
Understanding IPM and knowing your bugs, along with the selective insecticide Exirel®, can provide a lower cost, more sustainable Fodder brassica crop.
Luisetti Seeds agronomist Kerry Thomas uses a hand lens to monitor the crops and identify eggs of both pest and beneficial species, along with early juvenile stages, to help plan treatment application timing.
“IPM” stands for Integrated Pest...
Congratulations to Katie, Award of Distinction winner at the Plain English Awards!
Katie Haggath, with her Award of Distinction Finalist’s Trophy and Silver Certificate.
In September, Luisetti Seeds took on a new Communications Consultant, Katie Haggath. We’re delighted to congratulate Katie on her recent award. Katie received the silver prize in her category at the 2018 Plain English Awards.
The Plain English Awards celebrate New Zealand’s clearest communicators. The Awards...