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Jim van der Poel
No working farms in New Zealand are currently affected by bacterial disease Mycoplasma bovis.
The only infected farm is a large beef feedlot, with planning underway to start clearing it later this year.
Four years after the arrival of the disease in the country, eradication still remains the goal of the Government and the farming sector.
Last week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern thanked the primary sector for its efforts to eradicate the disease. She also acknowledged the pain and suffering endured by farmers.
"No one in the world had attempted to eradicate M. bovis before, and it we were going to try something that had never been done, we needed to do so together," Ardern said. "I want to acknowledge how tough it's been for those farmers who have lost their herds and stock genetics build up over decades. Your action has preserved our productive sectors that underpin the prosperity of all New Zealanders."
DairyNZ chairman Jim van der Poel said a lot was owed to farmers for their efforts in eradicating M. bovis and the robust biosecurity practices on-farm, which continues to be important.
"This programme has at times been challenging for farmers and it's important we acknowledge that. That work means we are now on a clear path to eradication and this transition will help maintain that status."
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairman Andrew Morrison said his organisation was committed to ensuring the pest management programme worked for farmers.
"Farmers will remain at the centre of our work because without them we can't get to the point of proven absence of the disease."
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
