Make vets part of your management team
Farmers are being urged to make their veterinarians an integral part of their farm management team.
A former contract milker has been banned from working in the dairy industry for 12 months for ramming a dairy cow with a quad bike, causing it severe pain and distress.
Christopher Mark Bennett, 56, was working on a farm in Raglan when the abuse occurred in November 2014.
Bennett had been rounding up stock when he rammed a difficult cow that was in full milk, with his quad bike at least twice.
The Ministry for Primary Industries began an investigation after witnesses, who were horse-riding on the farm, reported the incident.
MPI investigations manager, Simon Anderson, says offending of this nature is unacceptable.
"The Animal Welfare Act exists to protect animals from this sort of abuse.
"There is never an excuse for ill-treatment of animals. MPI takes any reports of abuse very seriously. If we find evidence that warrants charges being laid, we will prosecute."
Bennett was convicted and sentenced to 125 hours community work and disqualified from working in the dairy industry for 12 months when he appeared in the Hamilton District Court on July 29.
James and Debbie Stewart from Dairylands in Manawatu impressed judges and took out the 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award.
Manawatu farmers Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha have scooped the 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year.
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Females are dominating the veterinary profession worldwide and many farmers are welcoming this change in the composition of the profession, says Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Professor Christine Middlemiss.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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