Cyclone-hit wool scourer reopens
The world's largest wool scouring facility, WoolWorks Awatoto plant in Napier, is back operating at full capacity.
A new initiative to support North Island farmers recovering from flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle with veterinary services receiving $2.6 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Facilitated by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ), the new Vets on Farm initiative will help fund local veterinarians to provide on-farm advice and support.
This will include farm systems reviews and planning, disease sampling and testing and herd health planning. Farm planning will focus on animal health and welfare.
VCNZ chief executive Iain McLachlan says veterinary clinics contracted by VCNZ will be contacting weatheraffected animal farmers in Northland, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Tararua and Wairarapa.
“We will be trying to register as many clinics as we can and for them to then contact as many farmers as possible by the end of December. The ‘on farm’ work will then start in earnest in the new year.”
McLachlan says farmers interested in benefiting from Vets on Farm should get in touch with their local vet. He adds that results from the disease sampling and testing will be hugely beneficial in understanding the impact extreme weather events had on animal health and production and ensure farmers have healthy animals.
“Another benefit from the project is reducing the risk of humans acquiring diseases such as Leptospirosis, which has been seen to increase significantly after floods and cyclones,” McLachlan explains.
“It’s important to ensure animals in affected areas are healthy and disease free, as prevention is always better than a cure.”
A Taranaki dairy farmer received four-month home detention and was disqualified from overseeing of animals for 18 months over a lack of feed and welfare which led to some animals being euthanised.
Plans are in place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the legendary Flock House opening its doors for the first time.
The mood in horticulture is cautiously optimistic, according to the chair of Horticulture NZ, Barry O'Neil.
New Zealand’s major primary industry exporters have secured shipping capability to export $160 billion worth of products over the next 10 years.
The mood in the deer industry is very positive and on an upwards trajectory.
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Government is always working to ensure that our food exporters are treated fairly under trade agreements signed with other countries.