Collars make mating simple, keep labour costs down
With the mating season in full swing, cow sheds and farmers across the country have been busy.
Government and the red meat sector are teaming up to help eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmed animals.
The $20 million partnership - jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector - aims to save farmers an estimated NZ$322 million per year on FE losses, as well as reduce their reliance on zinc dosing as a preventative measure.
FE can reduce animal growth rates, fertility and production while significantly impacting animal health.
At present, there is no cure for the disease, with limited management tools available.
FE causes an estimated $332 million impact annually to farmers through slower livestock growth rates and can cause the loss of a significant amount of stock during severe outbreaks.
The disease, associated with a toxin-producing fungus, not only affects the financial bottom line for farmers but is a pressing animal health issue. With climate change, the disease is expected to spread more widely across New Zealand.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the program will support multiple approaches, building on research, and bringing together many of the country's top researchers.
"Prevention solutions such as early detection, mitigation and management options are key to the programme. Decision support tools will also be collaboratively developed with farmers and rural professionals."
McClay added that this will be complemented by the FE breeding value for dairy cows recently announced by the Livestock Improvement Corporation.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) says it welcomes the Government's $8.3 million commitment to combat FE.
It says the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI) programme is valued at $20.75 million over a seven-year period and is a collaborative effort.
B+LNZ has committed $9 million, alongside the Government's $8.3 million funding commitment through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund with the remaining in-kind funding coming from contributions from 13 industry partners.
"Recognising the severe impact of this disease on farm productivity, profitability and animal health, the collaboration between B+LNZ, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and partners marks the most significant step forward in decades towards managing a disease that has been impacting sheep, beef and dairy farmers for over 100 years," the industry body says.
The funding announcement was made earlier this month by Minister for Agriculture, Todd McClay and B+LNZ board chair, Kate Acland at the Central Districts Field Days in Fielding, with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon in attendance.
“This announcement is timely, giving a confidence boost to our sector as we grapple with the impact of two years of poor returns coupled with recovery from major weather events and a challenging summer for many,” Acland says. “The EFEI programme will undoubtedly improve farm productivity and profitability overtime.”
She adds that by eliminating the impact of FE, will see improvements in both the physical health of livestock, increased productivity and better returns for our farmers.
Departing Fonterra director Leonie Guiney is urging the next generation of co-operative farmers to step up and be there to lead in future.
A work in progress is how Farmlands chair Rob Hewett describes the rural trader's 2024 annual results.
A net zero pilot dairy farm, set up in Taranaki two years ago to help reduce on-farm emissions, is showing promising results.
Chinese buyers are returning in force to replenish stocks and helping send global dairy prices higher.
New DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says bipartisan agreement among political parties on emissions pricing and freshwater regulations would greatly help farmers.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
OPINION: NIWA has long weathered complaints about alleged stifling of competition in forecasting, and more recently, claims of lack of…
OPINION: Adding to calls to get banks to 'back off', NZ Agri Brokers director Andrew Laming has revealed that the…