How a Scholarship Helped Build a 1400-Cow Taranaki Farm
On a farm in Tikorangi, North Taranaki, Brent Stevenson is sharemilking 1,400 cows.
Primary Industries Minister David Carter has praised the primary industry chief executives' animal welfare forum for its contribution to livestock welfare.
Carter attended the biannual meeting of the forum last night and endorsed the group's 2012 work plan.
"New Zealand's major livestock production industries are taking a responsible approach to animal welfare standards through encouraging voluntary compliance and proactive initiatives," Carter says.
A key project of the forum for 2012 involves working with farmers, meat processors, transport operators, private veterinarians and MAF to ensure all transported animals are fit for transport.
The group is also focusing on the on-farm welfare and transportation of bobby calves prior to slaughter.
"While the Government plays a key role in setting animal welfare standards, we rely on the livestock production industries to help ensure these standards are met," Carter says.
"I am pleased with the progress of the forum in encouraging our livestock producers to maintain a good reputation for animal welfare."
Tayla Steele is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University in Palmerston North.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says no new cases of H5 bird flu have been detected following a case found earlier this week.
Two months after unveiling a major upgrade to its beef product, Halter says its farmers are on track for major production gains and additional grass growth.
New Zealanders are being urged to be alert following a confirmed positive case of H5 bird flu this week.
With a third of NZ dairy farmers still running outdated refrigerants, the country's largest farm refrigeration company says the opportunity for quick, meaningful emissions gains has never been clearer.
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