Farmers pay nearly $100 million a year in levies to industry-good groups, says Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Chris Lewis. And for what value? he asks.

Oamaru vet Dr Merlyn Hay, who in 2017 outed Mycoplasma bovis on an Oamaru dairy farm, won the premier award at the Feds conference.

The chair of the Mycoplasma bovis strategic advisory group, MPI’s chief science adviser Dr John Roche, says he wouldn’t wish the disease on his worst enemy.

Feedback is positive from clients who have tried PGG Wrightson’s new bidr online auction system, says Waikato PGW livestock agent Dean Evans.

With submissions due to close this week, Beef + Lamb NZ says it is pleased with the number of responses from farmers on its proposed biosecurity levy increase.

Figures from MPI to May 24 reveal 99,805 animals had by then been culled in the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme.

Canterbury and Southland dairy farmers under active surveillance for Mycoplasma bovis should get support and work with their grazier to develop a plan as they send stock to winter grazing, says DairyNZ.

South Canterbury rural consultant Sarah Barr says there is a huge degree of anxiety on the ground over the surge in the Mycoplasma bovis eradication effort.

Farmers affected by Mycoplasma bovis need help and support, but MPI treats them as guilty parties, claims Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers dairy chair Chris Ford.

Ashburton District mayor Donna Favel says a new group is being formed to help bring together the council and local agricultural and health authorities in response to MPI’s ‘surge’ in the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme.