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.
An animal health academic is urging best practice as a means of precluding the spread of disease.
The dean of Massey University’s Veterinary School, associate professor Jenny Weston, has spoken out in light of an outbreak of disease due to Mycoplasma bovis on a large South Canterbury farm.
Weston says while the outbreak is being contained and investigated, it is important for all farmers to be thinking about biosecurity and what animals, people and vehicles coming onto their farms might be carrying
“Nearly all farmers will buy in breeding bulls/rams, meaning they could also be bringing in infectious diseases like BVD [bovine viral diarrhoea] and Johne’s disease, which are important to look out for, as well as drench-resistant parasites and antibiotic resistant pathogens.
“There are a few things farmers can do to ensure the health and welfare of their livestock and to maintain the smooth running of their business,” Weston says.
Movements should be minimised and preferably minimise the number of sources of livestock. Record all movements (even between your own properties with multiple farms and grazing blocks) through the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) programme.
Test all incoming animals for things that can be relatively easily tested for.
Vaccinate and quarantine drench when animals come onto the farm. Quarantine and keep new animals isolated for at least 1-2 weeks.
Other things to consider include:
Insist on cleanliness of people, vehicles and equipment coming onto your farm.
Provide good washing up facilities, e.g. for boots, aprons, etc for people coming onto or leaving your farm as many pathogens can be transmitted via blood or faeces.
Ideally, look to coordinate grazing rotations with the neighbours so that your animals aren’t “over the fence” from the neighbour’s animals.
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.
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