Would price declines at last week’s Global Dairy Trade auction have been bigger had there not been a downside risk to future NZ production from Mycoplasma bovis and the plan to eradicate it, wonders BNZ senior economist Doug Steel.

Going for eradication of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is “absolutely” the sensible choice, says Professor Frank Griffin, founder of the Otago veterinary diseases laboratory Disease Research Ltd.

With the Mycoplasma bovis decision there comes some certainty and the need to make the eradication programme work.

The Rural Support Trust will be gearing up as the Mycoplasma bovis eradication plan moves into action, says Neil Bateup, chairman of the Rural Support Trust national council.

Opinion is divided on the Mycoplasma bovis decision in favour of phased eradication.

One person describes eradicating Mycoplasma bovis as like “trying to build an aeroplane while it is still flying” and there is some truth in that. 

ANZ says it will provide an assistance package to help Mycoplasma bovis-affected cattle farmers.

With Mycoplasma bovis confirmed as having arrived in Waikato’s dairy heartland, the time has come for the region’s farmers to look hard at how it might affect their businesses. 

A government decision on on how to deal with Mycoplasma bovis in the future should be known early this week.

The Government has just announced that it will attempt to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis from NZ herds.