Benefits are already flowing from Ravensdown's Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme focused on transforming hill country farms through the precision application of fertiliser.

Two students at Massey University are completing their PhD's with part of the research associated with the programme and a further two PhD students are to be appointed. A third student completing a Masters of Philosophy (Science) is associated with a research project funded by Ravensdown.

The Pioneering to Precision PGP programme is a partnership between Ravensdown and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) with research carried out by Massey University and AgResearch. It is a seven-year programme that aims to improve hill country sheep and beef farming productivity, while protecting the environment through more efficient application of fertiliser.

The globally-recognised Precision Agriculture Group at Massey University is helping define the science which will allow the aerial scanning of farms to flow through to improved accuracy in applying fertiliser.

Among the students working on the project is born-and-raised Kiwi, Pip McVeagh, who is completing her PhD research topic on site specific pasture production in New Zealand hill country.

Her aim is to develop a detailed understanding of pasture production and pasture ecology, and how a range of spatial factors can determine nutrient needs and impact on pasture production in a hill country farming system.

"Fertiliser is a big financial investment for hill country farmers, and many sheep and beef farmers are struggling to sustain a reasonable profit - hill country farming is typically low profit," she said.

"The research we are doing will help to improve grazing and stock management strategies of hill country farmers because this research will provide them with a more in-depth understanding of the spatial variation in pasture production over the landscape."

McVeagh has been working on the PGP programme for the past five months and is part of the fieldwork team who collect site-specific data and develop ways to use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to store, analyse and display that data.

The information collected includes sensed data, pasture and soil samples which will be used to evaluate how remote sensing technology can be used to direct fertiliser applications.

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Massey PhD students contributing to hill country PGP

Even though they knew it was likely coming, Ed and Debbie Sands were devastated by the eight-year prison sentence minus time already served for the man who pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter in the shooting death of their daughter Amy Sands more than two years ago.

We were hoping it would be higher, but its not enough to have to serve just four years and nine months for taking a life. Thats not justice, Okotoks councillor Ed Sands said outside court.

Its inadequate. Our daughter dies and he could be out in less than five years, added Debbie Sands.

Jesse George Hill, 28, faced a lengthy second-degree murder trial in the shooting death of Amy Sands at a southeast garage party on Aug. 31, 2012, but as part of a plea bargain pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter with a firearm.

Hill had always maintained he was not the shooter, but rather a party to the incident in which Sands, 27, was struck by a stray bullet intended for another person inside the garage of an admitted drug dealer.

It is believed that Sands boyfriend, Robert Rollins, was the intended target. He had got into a heated argument with Hill, in which derogatory comments were made to Hill, who left and returned with someone else just after 6 a.m., when two shots were fired.

The accomplice with Hill is believed to have fired the two bullets, including the one that struck the victim in the spinal cord and exited out her throat.

Court of Queens Bench Justice Earl Wilson, who accepted a joint sentencing submission presented by Crown prosecutor Deven Singhal and defence lawyer Adriano Iovinelli, gave Hill a stern lecture before sending him to prison.

That this started as a war of words and insults is mind-boggling, said Wilson. I only hope to God it has sunk in.

Mr. Hill, you have heard the victims familys statements and you heard their pain. You caused what you did to their daughter and I hope you remember it every waking moment for every day for the rest of your life.

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'That's not justice,' says father, after daughter's killer given eight-year manslaughter sentence | Video

ROCKY HILL, CT (WFSB) -

Since childhood, my love of the outdoors has always been a part of me. And as an adult, I hope to share that passion with my own children.

So, I offered this challenge to my family, to join me in exploring the hidden treasures and more popular gems Connecticut and the surrounding region have to offer.

From hiking to biking to kayaking, I hope my window into the outside world inspires you to explore as well.

DIVIDEND POND TRAILS

Rocky Hill

Connecticut is steeped in history and there is no clearer vision of this than at Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District in Rocky Hill. Located off of Old Forge Road, it is an ideal spot to explore the wooded 68-acre parcel which includes two ponds, trails, and industrial relics harkening as far back as the 1600s.

I settled on hiking the White Trail with my four-year-old, who tagged along for the 2.5-mile adventure. It begins at the parking lot and heads left down the trail past Lower Dividend Pond. But before starting, it pays to study the map at the kiosk at the park's entrance. It details the 10 archaeological gems that dot the property. All showcase the area's rich manufacturing heritage from the late 1600's to the mid 1880's.

And, as we soon discovered, the moment we strolled past the lower pond, some of these shadowy artifacts began to emerge. I found the presence of what was once a powerful industry built on factories and mills gels nicely with its natural surroundings.

As we rounded the pond and began to head uphill, the sound of the cascading waterfall soon greeted us. A dam dividing the lower pond from its upper pond neighbor is a dramatic, and worthwhile stop on this journey. Here, is where the true pieces of Rocky Hill's past come alive. Broken remnants of an 1884 manufacturing plant hugs the falls, with its looming columns and steep steps following the landscape down to the brook below.

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Dividend Pond in Rocky Hill steps hikers back in time

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October 31st, 2014 12:00 pm by Dave Ongie

The landscape beneath the feet of 6A football teams across the state of Tennessee is getting ready to shift dramatically with a new playoff system on tap for next season.

But tonight, on All Hallow's Eve, Dobyns-Bennett and Science Hill find themselves standing on familiar ground.

Week 10, Indians vs. Hilltoppers, Big 7 Conference title up for grabs.

"It's always exciting to play Science Hill, especially with a conference title on the line," D-B coach Graham Clark said. "They're obviously a very talented football team, but we're excited about our football team, too."

Both teams have plenty to be proud of this season. The Indians (8-1, 5-0) have knocked off plenty of quality opponents, as have the Hilltoppers (8-1, 5-0).

But in both Kingsport and Johnson City, one game looms larger than the rest, and after Science Hill managed to end a 19-game losing streak to Dobyns-Bennett by scoring a 35-24 victory at J. Fred Johnson Stadium a year ago, the Tribe will be looking to reassert its dominance tonight.

But Clark doesn't believe his players will be consumed with a desire for revenge when the Indians descend upon Kermit Tipton Stadium.

"Kids have very short memories," Clark said. "They have much shorter memories than we do. They're able to go to the next play, the next game and move on.

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Tribe, Hilltoppers meet with Big 7 title on the line

For an outdoor space youll love, start with our down-to-earth approach.

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From staff reports

October 29, 2014 | 8:42 p.m.

Costa Mesa City Council candidate Christopher Bunyan announced three new endorsements from Orange County-based mixed martial arts fighters: Justin McCully, Nick Moghaddam and Jason Drexel.

Moghaddam is an alumnus of Newport Harbor High School and Orange Coast College.

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Newport officials make endorsement in water board race

Newport Beach Mayor Rush Hill joined three former Newport mayors and four current and past city officials in endorsing Satoru "Sat" Tamaribuchi in his run for a spot on the Municipal Water District of Orange County board of directors. Tamaribuchi is running for the Division 5 seat, representing Newport Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods and Lake Forest.

Hill, former mayors Tod Ridgeway, Steve Rosansky and Don Webb, current City Council members Tony Petros and Nancy Gardner, former council member Jean Watt and former City Manager Robert Shelton signed a letter to Newport Beach voters recommending Tamaribuchi's election.

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Political Landscape: Costa Mesa candidate gains MMA fighters' endorsements

For many of the 12 former Arizona Wildcats players starting the season in the NBA, theres something to prove this year.

For rookie Aaron Gordon, whose Orlando Magic kicks off the season at the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 5, its about showing the potential that made him a surprise No. 4 pick. For fellow rookie Nick Johnson, its carving out a role with the Houston Rockets and staying out of the D-League.

Then theres Derrick Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft, trying to find a more solid role with Sacramento before his lucrative rookie-scale contract runs out after the season.

Theres Solomon Hill, getting a chance to play regularly with the Pacers after a rookie year firmly on the outside of the rotation. Theres Chase Budinger, finally healthy in Minnesota after years of knee issues. And journeyman Jerryd Bayless, trying to find a home in Milwaukee.

Theres also two veterans in Richard Jefferson (Dallas) and Jason Terry (Houston) trying to show what they have left.

Overall, UAs 12 representatives counting Oklahoma Citys Grant Jerrett, who is out with an ankle injury are three more than the Wildcats had last season. Thats because Jerrett moved up from the D-League, while Johnson and Gordon joined the league in their first pro years.

Heres a look at each of the UA players in the league:

Years at UA (age): 2007-08 (26)

Last year: 9.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.7 apg

Whats new: After playing just his freshman season at UA during the Kevin ONeill interim season Bayless has wandered through the NBA. He split last season between Memphis and Boston, starting 14 of 41 games for the Celtics because of an injury to Rajon Rondo. Then he signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Bucks, his sixth NBA team over seven seasons.

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Former Wildcats littered across NBA landscape

By Morgan Swift | Published 21 hours ago

Maggie Morgan-Smith, a graduate anthropology student, commutes from Raleigh to campus due to a lack of available housing in Chapel Hill.

When it comes to finding a place to live, UNC graduate students are left with limited options that require a choice between affordability or convenience. But local developers are suggesting a solution in the form ofa proposed new apartment complex.

The Graduate is an apartment complex geared primarily toward UNCs graduate student population. The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a special use permit for the project Monday.

The Graduate is a seven-story complex that would be located downtown at 105 Kenan St.

Maggie Morgan-Smith, a UNC Ph.D. candidate in the anthropology department, said she encountered problems when she and her husband first made the move to Chapel Hill from Atlanta in 2008.

There were options, Morgan-Smith said. But we sort of felt like the apartment complexes were geared to undergrads and the rental housing market was difficult to navigate.

Many student apartments downtown have been designed to accommodate single bedroom leases to suit undergraduate students needs, said Jay Patel, project manager of The Graduate.

In grad student settings, theyre a little older and may have families, Patel said. They may prefer some privacy.

He said The Graduate would sign leases for entire apartments instead of single bedrooms.

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The Graduate apartment complex changes the housing landscape

Take a Moment. Imagine relaxing in a comfortable chair sipping your favourite tea or exotic coffee and enjoying your outdoor space on a warm summers eve.

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Browse our site for examples of our work. Then complete the simple contact form and well discuss how we can help you take pride in your outside.

We are thrilled with the landscaping services provided by Hogan Landscaping starting with the design options to the quality and workmanship of the stone driveway, walkway, stone accents and landscaping. We found Greg to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful. JC & EB, Markham

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Hogan Landscaping | Servicing Markham Richmond Hill ...

Welsh rugby star, Gareth Thomas, in on the shortlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award the richest and longest-running prize for sports writing, it was announced today.

Celebrated sports figures feature highly on the diverse list and include rugby Gareth Thomas the first professional sportsman to come out whilst still playing for his autobiography, Proud; A biography of iconic figure skater JohnCurry, Alone, written by documentary maker Bill Jones.

Both books document personal struggles to keep their sexuality a secret whilst maintaining their public sporting personas.

Joining Thomas and Jones on the prestigious list is a biography of footballing legend Bobby Moore by The Times chief sports correspondent, Matt Dickinson; BobbyMoore: The Man in Full ,explores the dark personal story behind the sporting success of the World Cup captain.

Also in the running for the top prize is Run or Die, the autobiography of Spanish endurance athlete and 2014 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, KilianJornet, which charts his journey from an 18-month-old who regularly hiked in the mountains for five hours at a time to becoming the fastest person to run up and down Mt Kilimanjaro.

Australian author Anna Krien also makes the list with Night Games: Sex, Power and Sport, which takes the high-profile rape trial of a young Australian Rules player as the starting point for a wider examination of the darker recesses of sport.

The shortlist is completed by two histories of sport Played in London and Floodlights and Touchlines. The former, by journalist Simon Inglis has already changed the landscape of London, as his research for the book has been credited with the Grade II listing of five sporting buildings. The latter, by sports journalist and university lecturer Rob Steen, explores spectator sports intrinsic place in culture via a thematic history of professional sport.

Both Inglis and Steen as well as Jones have previously been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book ofthe Year Award.

The seven titles in the running to be crowned the winner of the 26,000 prize are as follows (alphabetically by author surname): Bobby Moore: The Man in Full by Matt Dickinson (Yellow Jersey Press)

Played in London: Charting the Heritage of a City at Play by Simon Inglis(English Heritage)

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Welsh rugby star shortlisted for William Hill Sports Book of the Year