National Pest Management Plan for TB seeks feedback
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
DairyNZ veterinary technical policy advisor Nita Harding says normally not too many cows need to be slaughtered on dairy farms.
Her statement comes following Farmwatch releasing photographs of hundreds of cow carcasses in a gully on a Northland farm.
Farmers would be expected to monitor the health of their animals and attend to their needs in a timely manner, she says. But some may need to be put down, such as the injured and those not acceptable to a meat processor.
Clear regulations govern the humane slaughter of stock on farms and these are on the websites of DairyNZ and MPI.
“We have also produced guidelines for humane onfarm slaughter and these are on our website. They tell a bit more of ‘how’ to meet the requirements which can be useful for farmers working through procedures onfarm.
“We also have a template for farmers to fill in about who has been trained, what method should be used and contact numbers of veterinarians for people who want more information.”
Harding says three procedures are recommended for slaughtering cows: first, a captive-bolt firearm followed by a secondary method such as bleeding or pithing; second, using a normal firearm is also permissible followed by bleeding the animal out; third, employ a veterinarian to either euthanise the animal with drugs or kill it with a captive bolt firearm.
She says farmers are generally well aware of their animal welfare responsibilities and requirements. Some dairy companies help farmers in this and in all cases the appropriate treatment of animals forms part of their supply agreement with the company.
“We encourage farmers with questions about onfarm slaughter to talk to their veterinarian or look at the DairyNZ website.
“The main goal is for farmers to treat animals in a proper and timely manner so that they recover and return to the herd.”
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.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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