Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
Farmers are now paying a smaller TB slaughter levy.
From October 1, the TB differential slaughter levy (DSL) for dairy cattle has dropped by $1 to $9 per head. Beef animals are now levied at $5.50 reduced from $6.30.
The levy has been in place since August 2016. Ospri says the TB levy rate was amended as a result of the wider review, as part of an agreement between the livestock industries (beef, dairy and deer) and government.
The new TB levy rates take into account the different financial contributions to the TBfree programme intended to be made over the life of the plan by the dairy and beef industries.
It is managed by assigning the correct animal production type, dairy or beef, which determines what levy is charged at the time of slaughter.
When farmers are tagging and registering their animals, they select the correct production type for their livestock in the NAIT system.
When purchasing animals, farmers need to make sure animal production types are correct after the movement onto their property is confirmed. If an animal's production type is dairy when it is sent to slaughter, the farmer will be charged the dairy levy for that animal. If the production type of the animal is changed from dairy to beef - and staye on a beef farm for more than 62 days - the farmer will be charged the beef levy.
When buying animals on a regular basis, a livestock agent or information provider might help with updating the production types of animals. For untagged animals, meat processors use the primary farm level (NAIT number) production type to determine what levy rate should be charged.
Key Tips
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
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.