Federated Farmers Push to Cut Costly Vet Drug Waste on Dairy Farms
Animal welfare improvements as well as reduced costs for dairy farmers are at the heart of a new move which could help cut back on the waste of unused vet drugs.
New Zealand's primary sector is being called on to help shape the future of the country's industry by sharing views and insights about the availability and use of genetic tools.
The Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme has launched its fourth annual industry survey aimed at farmers, beef breeders and rural professionals, including agricultural consultants and facilitators, stock agents and vets. The survey closes on Monday, December 9, 5pm.
INZB programme lead Dr Gemma Jenkins says findings from the previous surveys had already been incorporated into programme activities.
The seven-year programme aims to boost the sector's profits by $460m over the next 25 years. It is developing a beef genetic evaluation system that includes traits that are important to New Zealand beef farmers, supporting a sustainable beef farming industry.
"We really encourage farmers and others involved in the sector to complete this year's survey, even if they have already taken part in previous years. This enables us to measure changes in views and the uptake of genetic tools over time," says Jenkins.
Applications for Silver Fern Farms Co-operative's next board-appointed farmer director are open.
It's our time to shine, says Deer Industry NZ chief executive Rhys Griffiths.
New Zealand needs to have "a really mature conversation" around modern gene editing technologies and synthetic biology, says the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor, Dr John Roche.
A booming agriculture sector and sold-out exhibition sites are pointing to a bumper 2026 National Fieldays at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.
Wilding pines are the wrong tree in the wrong place, and they need to go, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
According to new research, industry leaders have ranked world-class biodiversity as the number one priority for the 16th year in a row.