Genetics, Efficiency and Performance: How the Burgesses are raising the bar at Te Poi
Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.
Levies are adjusted to reflect the latest industry farm gate values and slaughter volumes for dairy and beef stock.
TB differential slaughter levy rates are changing with dairy animals paying $12.25/head, an increase of 75c from next month.
Ospri says that each year, the slaughter levy rates for beef and dairy cattle are reviewed under the TBfree Funders’ Agreement to ensure that the overall funding of the TBfree programme aligns with the agreed funding levels.
Levies are adjusted to reflect the latest industry farm gate values and slaughter volumes for dairy and beef stock.
The levy for beef animals drop by 25c to $4.50/head.
Ospri says The TB differential slaughter levy is collected to support funding of the programme on behalf of beef and dairy industries. The funding shares change annually based on shifts in the relative size and value of each industry.
“We communicate any adjustments to the differential slaughter levy to DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Deer Industry New Zealand — the industry levy bodies in the TBfree Funders’ Agreement. Adjustments are made in line with the annual funding level specified.
“Adjustments in differential levy rates don’t provide an overall increase in the annual funding of the TBfree programme — but do ensure consistent funding to enable the programme to deliver.”
Ospri advises both beef and dairy farmers to keep their NAIT accounts up to date and record the correct animal type to ensure they are paying the correct TB slaughter levy.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.
A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…