M. bovis plan on track
New Zealand's world-first Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme is making great strides but this isn't the time for complacency, says Ospri.
New Zealand is ending 2021 with three active confirmed cases of Mycoplasma bovis.
This compares with 10 last year and 22 in 2019.
A Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) statement says the national surveillance programmes continue to provide confidence that M. bovis is not widespread in New Zealand.
At the same time, they have played a significant role in finding pockets of infection outside of the known network.
The national beef surveillance programme has tested over 385,500 animals to December 1, 2021. No confirmed infected properties were found through this surveillance.
The bulk tank milk screening conducted over 99,000 tests in 2021 (as the completion of November 2021 testing). This resulted in 179 detect results and three confirmed properties this year.
The average time for properties under legal restrictions has decreased significantly. In 2021, the average time for a property to be under a notice of direction was 38 days.
The Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found farmers' expectations for their own business operations had also improved, with the net reading on this measure lifting to +37% from +19% previously.
Confidence is flowing back into the farming sector on the back of higher dairy and meat prices, easing interest rates and a more farmer-friendly regulatory environment.
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) has announced real estate company Bayleys will be the naming partner for its 2025 conference.
As New Zealand enters the summer months, rural insurer FMG is reminding farmers and growers to take extra care with a new campaign.
Hato Hone St John is urging Kiwis to have a safe summer this year.
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