Moving animals, farms come with key responsibilities
Moving farms or relocating your herd to a new place comes with important responsibilities as a PICA (Person in Charge of Animals) in the NAIT system.
William McCook has been appointed chief executive of the organisation soon to be formed from the merger of the Animal Health Board and NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme).
McCook is currently chief executive of the Animal Health Board. The new role was advertised and his appointment followed a highly competitive selection process.
Jeff Grant, chairman of the new organisation's board, says while the immediate focus will be sustaining the success of the bovine TB strategy and completing implementation of the NAIT scheme, the new merged entity will be looking to a broader future.
"We recognise the opportunity to apply and extend the abilities of the two existing organisations to other programmes which will benefit and sustain New Zealand's primary industries," he says.
"William brings a proven track record of considerable success in leading the implementation of the TB strategy, together with experience in commercial and export industries. This will allow us to develop an organisation which best meets the needs of our industry stakeholders and local government, while working closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries."
The first tasks for the board and chief executive will be to plan and implement the merger of the AHB and NAIT. This is expected to be completed by July 2013.
Russell Burnard will continue in his current role as the chief executive of NAIT.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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