Scientists waging war on Australia’s nastiest agricultural parasite have mapped the blowfly genome in a development that offers the potential for new drugs and vaccine.

The unusual pattern of disease and mortality that affected dairy cows grazing on swedes last winter in Southland and Otago was a topic for discussion at the recent New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) dairying conference held in Queenstown.

Deer Industry NZ says it is fielding an upsurge in the number of farmers wanting to join an Advance Party (AP).

Goats can be like pets and easier to handle than dairy cattle, says Oete Farms director Matt Bolton.