Induction ban no biggie – vet
Proactive farming and a stringent plan is credited for minimising the impact of the industry-wide ban on routine inductions which came into effect this season, says Canterbury veterinarian Bernice Mangnall.
“We’re very pleased with the results and they’re a credit to the industry,” Wayne Ricketts of the New Zealand Veterinary Association told Dairy News.
“We think it’s a great result.”
Nationally there was a 36% reduction in cows induced, though the proportion of herds using the practice – about 30% – is little changed, he adds. “Within herds there’s been quite a dramatic reduction which is very very pleasing.”
The results of a Ministry for Primary Industry audit of the practice and the four-way memorandum of understanding on its management are expected later this month. Ricketts says representatives of the MOU signatories – Federated Farmers, DCANZ, NZVA and DairyNZ – will reconvene in June.
While Ricketts didn’t reveal exact figures for 2012 inductions, in 2011 there were 132,778 inductions. A 36% reduction suggests 85,000 cows were induced in 2012.
The within-herd limit has been held at 4% for calving 2013. Within that inductions must be planned with a vet to comply with the code of practice (see panel).
Dispensation to exceed that 4% limit may be granted where situations beyond a farmer’s control, such as an AB failure or disease outbreak, caused more late calvers.
