Calf Rearing Facilities: Housing, Spacing & Hygiene Guide
Rearing facilities should be set up and maintained well to ensure calves stay healthy.
The Ministry of Primary Industries has begun an advertising campaign encouraging people to let it know if they come across the mis-treatment of livestock.
"The vast majority of livestock owners care for their animals, but there is a very small minority who don't, and they let the rest down," says MPI's Deputy Director General of Regulation and Assurance, Scott Gallacher.
"We saw from the response to last year's allegations of bobby calf abuse just how much farmers care. There was a pretty clear voice from the farming community that animal abuse is not on. We agree, and we want to work with farmers and other livestock owners to do something about it to ensure that any abuse is identified and acted on."
"The advertisements encourage people to let us know if they see things that don't look right, and how to do that."
"MPI places a high priority on animal welfare. We know it's important to people, it's clearly important to the animals and it's important to New Zealand's reputation. When we get information about mistreatment of animals, we investigate. When there is offending, people are held to account."
People who become aware of potential livestock abuse can call MPI confidentially on 0800 00 83 33.
MPI has broad responsibility for managing animal welfare compliance in relation to livestock and other animals used for commercial purposes. The SPCA manages compliance in relation to companion (pet) animals.
Potatoes New Zealand has congratulated Peter Reynolds of TA Reynolds Ltd in Pukekohe on being awarded the Horticulture New Zealand Bledisloe Cup, recognising a lifetime of service and contribution to New Zealand horticulture.
Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during his recent trip here.
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
The Southern Dairy Hub (SDH), which runs a demonstration farm for South Island farmers, has a new general manager.
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.
OPINION: Could beef cows play an increasingly important role in improving profitability and resilience on hill country farms?