DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ wrap up M. bovis compensation support after $161M in claims
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Mycoplasma bovis infection has now been confirmed in animals on 23 properties, MPI has announced.
All infected properties are under quarantine controls set out in Restricted Place Notices under the Biosecurity Act. These legal controls restrict the movement of stock and equipment on and off those farms to contain the disease.
The regional breakdown is:
Farmers are meeting to discuss a national testing programme to be rolled out across the country. The programme, run by DairyNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industry, involves testing nearly 11,000 herds across 7 regions. Testing involves taking three samples, including two taken by farmers 14 days apart, and having tanker drivers collect the samples and send them to the lab.
Farms that have already been tested in South Canterbury, Southland/Otago and Hastings region will not need to be re-tested.
The roll out of national testing meetings will be as follows;
Feb 7-9 - Central Districts
Feb 13-15 - Areas of Canterbury that have not been tested
Feb 14-15 - Taranaki
Feb 19-21 - West Coast and Northland
Feb 19-22 – Bay of Plenty
Feb 22-23 - Top of the South Island
Feb 26-28 – Waikato
More information: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/animal/cow-health/mycoplasma-bovis
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
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Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
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