How to make raw milk reliable for calves
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
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.
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.

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