Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has complimented farmers on their animal welfare management during the lengthy North Canterbury drought.
Canterbury-based MPI animal welfare manager Peter Hyde says there have been very few animal welfare issues to deal with in North Canterbury.
“Sheep are a bit lighter than ideal but not to the extent where they are below the minimum standard that breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.”
Hyde says farmers have adopted different management strategies to maintain the condition of their animals.
“Many farmers have been feeding out since January. Some farmers have found grazing outside the drought affected areas. Most farmers would have reduced their stock numbers, which has included selling off capital stock. No matter which strategy has been used, it has resulted in a significant loss of income to many North Canterbury farmers.”
Hyde says he is impressed with the support provided by many organisations.
“North Canterbury veterinarians and NZ Beef + Lamb have run very well attended field days to assist farmers with their tactics to manage through the drought,” he says.
“Federated Farmers have organised the supply of donated feed. The Rural Support Trust has visited 530 farms to check how farming families are coping with the difficult situation. Many people have also been involved with organising social events.”
In June, these groups came together to form the North Canterbury Drought Committee, chaired by Hurunui Mayor, Winton Dalley, who is himself a farmer in North Canterbury.
MPI says while they do not provide financial assistance to farmers, some funding has been provided to the Rural Support Trust to support its work and to fund a coordinator for the North Canterbury Drought Committee.
There has been little significant rainfall in North Canterbury and the drought continues. The North Canterbury Drought Committee will need to continue to monitor the welfare of both stock and farmers into the future, says Hyde.
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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