Striking it right with set-stock rates
Ewe feed requirements lift markedly in the last month before lambing.
A biosecurity levy, imposed on dairy farmers to fight Mycoplasma bovis, will reduce by 66% from next month.
The Biosecurity (Response – Milksolids) Levy will reduce from 2.4c/kgMS to 0.8c/kgMS from July 1.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says the 66% reduction in the levy dairy farmers pay reflects the good progress made in response to M. bovis.
“When the sector works well together, we get results,” says van der Poel.
“While we may still see a few more cases, we are now approaching the surveillance phase and costs have reduced, thanks to a combined effort.”
The M. bovis Programme is now six years into a 10-year eradication plan with currently no active, confirmed properties.
DairyNZ is a partner in the programme, with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Beef + Lamb NZ.
DairyNZ director Chris Lewis says the decision to reduce the Biosecurity Response Levy was made with confidence.
“We’re in a good place right now and this levy reduction will be some relief to dairy farmers, ensuring they do not pay more than is required. The programme to eradicate M. bovis has been at a huge financial and emotional cost to New Zealand farmers, yet the cost of letting it spread would have been much higher.”
The M. bovis eradication programme has cost around $722 million to date. It was estimated the cost of letting it spread would have been $1.3 billion in lost productivity in the first 10 years alone.
This is an important time too to highlight that good biosecurity practices and keeping NAIT records up to date will ensure the risk of M. bovis and other livestock diseases are minimised.
The industry cost share for the M. bovis Programme is 32% of the total cost, with DairyNZ paying 94% and Beef + Lamb NZ paying 6% of the industry cost share of eradication.
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
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