Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
Details announced on Friday for new regulations for young calves are part of a wider programme to strengthen bobby calf welfare.
The eight organisations that formed the Bobby Calf Action Group at the end of 2015 have added to existing measures aimed best practice handling and care of bobby calves.
MPI's Deputy Director General, Scott Gallacher says there has been significant work by the group to advance initiatives to improve transporting and processing of bobby calves.
"Farmers, industry and government have been working for some years on lifting the standard of care for bobby calves and that has been effective," says Gallacher.
"Last year's footage of bobby calf mistreatment provided an impetus to accelerate the work programme."
DairyNZ's chief executive Tim Mackle says the issues go beyond the farmgate.
"There are many players in the value chain and it was important that we got together to solve these issues," says Mackle.
"We saw some unacceptable behaviour last year and we are committed to eliminating it from the industry."
Gallacher noted that MPI's investigation into potential animal mistreatment following the release of the bobby calf footage is ongoing.
A processing worker pleaded guilty to all 10 charges on bobby calf treatment when he appeared in court early June. MPI also laid a further four representative charges against a company and an individual last month on alleged animal welfare offences involving bobby calves. The first hearing for those is scheduled for late June 2016.
The Bobby Calf Action Group is made up of DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Meat Industry Association, Federated Farmers, New Zealand Petfood Manufacturers Association, Road Transport Forum, New Zealand Veterinary Association and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
People who are aware of bobby calf welfare issues should report them to the MPI's hotline – 0800 00 83 33.
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.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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.