Editorial: Support Dairy
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.
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.
Farmers have until the end of this week to help shape DairyNZ’s future focus.
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.
Milk powder prices are continuing their merry run, firming up a potential $10/kgMS farmgate price this season.
Teachers are welcoming the outgoing Government’s U-turn allowing agriculture and horticultural science to remain a standalone Year 11 subject.
Outgoing ACT MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron says Saturday’s election result reflects voters deeply impacted by the cost of living.

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