Animal antibiotic sales down
Total sales of veterinary and horticultural antibiotics in New Zealand have decreased for a fifth year in a row, dropping by 23% in 2022.
Agcarm supports the World Health Organisation's first World Antibiotic Awareness Week, held next week from November 16 to 22.
The campaign aims to increase awareness of global antibiotic resistance by encouraging best practices among health, public and agricultural sectors to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Agcarm is an industry association for companies which deal in products which promote animal and crop health. It says it supports the responsible use of antibiotics to protect the health and wellbeing of animals and people.
Agcarm members are working alongside veterinarians, government and other stakeholders to manage antibiotic resistance issues that may occur in New Zealand. This includes coordinating surveillance to detect resistance, along with research to identify where and when it is most likely to occur.
Agcarm chief executive, Mark Ross says, "Progress on responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine requires a combined effort among veterinarians, animal owners and government as well as investments in research and monitoring."
To reduce reliance on antibiotics, animal health manufacturers are committed to researching and developing new medicines, vaccines and new strategies to help veterinary professionals identify and treat illness in animals. They also help veterinarians and farmers protect the health and wellness of livestock animals, resulting in safe food.
"We are fortunate that our animal health manufacturers are committed to supporting our vets and farmers to use antibiotic medicines responsibly and properly.
"Antibiotics should be part of a broader approach to disease management. This includes good animal husbandry, biosecurity and taking preventative measures, such as using vaccinations," adds Ross.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.