increase font size
A farmer has been fined $3,500 after he was found to have mistreated a calf.
A Rolleston pig and cattle farmer has been fined $3,500 for failing to euthanise an extremely emaciated calf, with body sores and hundreds of maggots in its mouth.
John William McFall, 55, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court yesterday on one animal welfare charge. He incurred fees of $581.50 for veterinary costs and $130 for court costs.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) national manager animal welfare & NAIT compliance Gray Harrison says people have a responsibility to prevent animal suffering and to ensure their animals’ needs are met.
“Mr McFall caused this animal to suffer unnecessarily. It had been left to suffer for 48 hours.”
The charge relates to a visit to McFall’s property by MPI animal welfare inspectors on 3 April 2020 following a complaint from the public.
“Initially, the officers thought the calf was dead. It was extremely emaciated with body sores and hundreds of maggots in its mouth.
“A vet inspection concluded the emaciated calf had been lying down for a significant period, and it had been unable to move for at least a day.
“The calf had been suffering from severe internal parasitism which led to weight loss. This situation was totally avoidable. Mr McFall did not give the animal the care it needed,” Harrison says.
He says the cow would have been extremely stressed because of severe hunger and not being able to get up.
He says any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty should alert MPI via the animal welfare complaints freephone so that action can be taken.
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
An initiative by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to connect farmers with scientists is taking off judging by the response at recent regional field days.
Scientists from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are part of an international team working to develop a low-cost diagnostic tool that could significantly improve food crop production in developing countries.
Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg says she takes her hat off to all NZ growers for the hard yards they have put in over the last few years which have resulted in horticulture exports expected to reach the milestone of $8 billion this year.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand's trade interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely.
New Zealand's red meat sector says it is disappointed by the United States' decision to impose tariffs on New Zealand exports.
