New CEO for wood processors
Mark Ross has started in his new role as chief executive of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA).
Agcarm reminds all farm and pet owners of their responsibility to care for the welfare of their animals in recognition of World Animal Day on October 4.
As part of this responsibility, farmers and pet owners can help prevent disease by keeping their animals well fed, physically comfortable, ensuring good husbandry on the farm and by following careful hygiene practices. Owners must also protect their animals by seeking early diagnosis and treatment of infectious, parasitic and metabolic diseases including lameness and traumatic injuries.
Agcarm chief executive Mark Ross says “caring for our animals is not just an ethical and moral responsibility, it’s a legal one too”.
“Prevention and early treatment of disease is crucial to the wellbeing of an animal, as it is to feed and shelter them.”
Vaccination is an effective, convenient and easy way to protect animals against many infectious diseases. By safely stimulating an animal’s immune system against a specific disease, the animal has a defence against it, if it is exposed to that disease later in life.
But because bacteria and other microbes are found everywhere, it is virtually impossible to prevent animals coming into contact with organisms that can cause disease.
Antibiotics are necessary to fight bacterial infections in farm animals. Inflammatory conditions like mastitis and lameness are extremely painful for animals.
Antibiotics also help control a range of painful bacterial conditions in pets such as ear, skin, respiratory and bladder infections.
As far back as records show, people have had strong relationships with animals and have often been dependent on them. In return, we all have a responsibility to respect and care for our animal species by preventing and treating disease. Owners now also have a legal obligation to avoid suffering.
Agcarm advocates the responsible use of all veterinary medicines to care and maintain the health and wellbeing of all animals.
Agcarm recognises World Animal Day in raising the status of animals by improving welfare standards for animals around the world.
World Animal Day presents a wonderful opportunity for everyone who cares about animals to be seen standing united with animal advocates around the globe, in order to heighten awareness of animal issues.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.