Wednesday, 16 May 2018 13:54

Gypsy Day warning

Written by 

The large number of farms affected by Mycoplasma bovis has prompted the Ministry for Primary Industries to issue a warning to dairy farmers, and in particular sharemilkers planning to move stock on Gypsy Day – June 1.

The head of Biosecurity at MPI, Roger Smith says farmers moving stock should urgently check that the farm they are taking their stock to is not in lockdown because of M.bovis. He says if a farm is in lockdown, stock cannot be moved onto that property.

He says if just one farmer does not do their due diligence and checks this out there is the potential for chaos on the day. 

Smith says he asked all the organisations involved in the dairy industry to get this message out to their members. He says the last thing he wants to see is people attempting to move house and their stock and potentially nowhere to go on the day.

Meanwhile a decision is expected early next week about whether MPI will stay with its policy of eradicating M. bovis and therefore continue to slaughter affected stock, or move to controlling the disease.

Featured

Trial shows benefits of spring nitrogen use

A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.

Eric Roy: Championing the pork industry

It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.

National

Machinery & Products

JDLink Boost for NZ farms

Connectivity is widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, but it is now being overcome through the…

New generation Defender HD11

The all-new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 looks likely to raise the bar in the highly competitive side-by-side category.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Buttery prize

OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…

Gene Bill rumours

OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter