Massey University to upskill teachers amid rising ag subject demand
There's been unprecedented demand from secondary school students across the country to study agricultural related subjects.
Digital dermatitis is the most serious infectious cause of lameness in dairy cattle worldwide.
The disease now affects New Zealand dairy herds, says Richard Laven, associate professor in production animal health at Massey University.
Typically, digital dermatitis is found on the skin just above the interdigital space, and it may also be found along the coronary band. Digital dermatitis is most commonly found on the hind feet; fewer than 3% of affected cattle have lesions on the front feet only.
The classical lesion of digital dermatitis is a moist ulcer, Laven says.
However, digital dermatitis is a cyclical disease with lesions forming, healing and then returning, so it has multiple stages. The most persistent stage (often called M4) is a chronic thickening of the skin with rapidly spreading growths which can often resemble hairs (in some countries these are called hairy hoof warts).
In NZ the most common appearance of digital dermatitis is a small lesion less than 1 cm in size.
Larger lesions, either when they develop into ulcers or when they are growing, tend to be extremely painful
Digital dermatitis was first identified in Northern Italy in 1974, and is now reported worldwide.
The first NZ case occurred in 2004, with sporadic reports until around 2011 when the number increased markedly.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.
Claims that some Southland farmers were invoiced up to $4000 for winter grazing compliance checks despite not breaching rules are being rejected by Environment Southland.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
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