Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
New harrier hound puppies will potentially allow the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to breed giant biosecurity detector dogs.
MPI mainly uses beagles as detector dogs. Harrier hounds look like beagles but are much taller, making it easier to sniff travellers' backpacks and baggage stacked high on airport trolleys for biosecurity risk items.
Collectively known as "N-litter", the six new puppies will be the first harriers to undergo full training as biosecurity detector dogs, says Brett Hickman, MPI detection technology manager.
"We're excited about the prospect of putting the pups right through our puppy walking and training programme and equipping them with the full range of biosecurity detection skills."
By the end of their training, they will be able sniff 35 base odours, including fruit, vegetables, meat and plants – "items that could carry harmful pests or diseases into New Zealand".
MPI acquired the puppies from the New Zealand Hunts' Association last month and will look for potential breeding animals from the litter.
"We want to cross the harriers with beagles that have already established themselves as detector dog stars. That will increase the genetic diversity of our detector dogs, and will see the introduction of taller dogs in future generations under our breeding programme," says Hickman.
The pups are due to go to foster homes in Auckland and Hamilton in the next few weeks. This will help them get used to people and different environments.
MPI has two other harrier hounds – one working as a biosecurity detector dog and one in training. Both started their training as adolescents.
All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.
Claims that some Southland farmers were invoiced up to $4000 for winter grazing compliance checks despite not breaching rules are being rejected by Environment Southland.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
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