Editorial: Happy days
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has paid out almost $124 million in compensation for claims related to the cattle disease, Mycoplasma bovis.
In its latest stakeholder update on the disease, MPI says almost 1500 claims were paid and completed: 126 claims are being processed with 23 working days on average to pay a new claim.
To date there have been 218 confirmed cases of M. bovis: 166 in the South Island and 52 in the North Island. Of these, 193 properties have been cleared while 25 remain active.
As at December 2019, over 130,000 animals have been culled. Over 1.1 million tests have been completed on farms.
M. bovis was first identified in New Zealand in July 2017. In May 2018, MPI announced the Government, dairy and beef industries had agreed to eradicate M. bovis from New Zealand.
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
Norwood has announced the opening of a new Tasman dealership at Richmond near Nelson next month.
Buying or building a rural or semi-rural property? Make sure you know where the wastewater goes, says Environment Canterbury.
With collars on more than seven million cows worldwide, Nedap says its standalone launch into New Zealand represents world-leading, reliable and proven smart technology solutions for dairy farmers.

OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…
OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…