increase font size
Kevin Forward says poor NAIT record keeping can lead to delays in the response and increased spread of the disease.
OSPRI New Zealand says - following the resurgence of M. bovis in Mid Canterbury in late 2022, and concerns raised over poor NAIT record keeping and non-compliance - it is increasing its level of education and support to farmers in the region.
OSPRI's head of traceability, Kevin Forward says the organisation is committed to supporting farmers to understand their NAIT obligations and the importance of adopting good on-farm traceability practices as part of their overall biosecurity preparedness.
"The ability to manage a disease outbreak, contain it, and work towards its eradication relies on accurate traceabilit records," he explains. "Simply put, we all have a role to play when talking traceability and biosecurity, everyone must do their part for the system to work and for the industry to be protected."
He points out that poor NAIT record keeping can lead to delays in the response, increased spread of the disease and increased cost to farmers and the country.
Forward says OSPRI had launched a targeted support campaign to farmers in the Wakanui area.
It aims to help farmers get their NAIT accounts sorted and OSPRI is launching a NAIT education campaign in the greater Ashburton district.
OSPRI's local regional partner, Fiona Caldwell will be running a series of NAIT workshops, drop-in centres, and webinars for farmers to help them understand their NAIT obligations and why traceability is important.
In addition to this, OSPRI and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be piloting an early intervention programme for those farmers in the region who are identified as not meeting their NAIT obligations.
The purpos of the early intervention programme is to reach out to farmers to offer support and education, so they understand what their NAIT obligations are, as a person in charge of animals, and know where to get help.
"We're trying to support farmers so they can avoid getting to the point where they're receiving infringements or being prosecuted for non-compliance with NAIT," Forward says.
"Now is not the time to be getting complacent, we need to be thinking not only about the diseases that we are trying to eradicate currently, but also about what could potentially hit us next. We've spent over five years working to eradicate M. bovis from New Zealand, that's a lot of hard work that the industry and individual farmers have all put in. The same applies for bovine TB, except over a longer period."
For more information: https://www.ospri.co.nz/news/lets-protect-our-industry-mid-canterbury/
In New Zealand, every dairy farmer worth their salt knows just how important it is to look after the welfare of their animals. The health of the herd directly impacts profit margins, which, in turn, determines the viability and sustainability of the farm.
Understanding the nutritional needs of springer cows is crucial for ensuring a successful transition resulting in improved cow health, productivity, and reproductive performance.
In my role as the head of sales & service at GEA Farm Technologies New Zealand, I genuinely believe that the future of dairy farming is happening right now in our backyard.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Dairy farmers can easily track the performance of their replacement heifers and ensure they reach their genetic potential.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…
