As farmers strive to maximise their lamb survival, interest in orphan lamb rearing systems has been steadily growing.

North Otago calf rearer Jared Ovens believes the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak has led to more farmers embracing animal traceability.

Collection of dead calves from farms around the country has stopped with farmers and the recycling company blaming each other for the impasse.

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the joint decision three years ago to eradicate Mycoplamsa bovis was a difficult call.

Severe feed shortages in parts of the country mean many ewes are on a nutritional knife-edge heading into lambing and could be at risk of developing metabolic disorders.

Cases of nitrate poisoning are being reported in the Hawke’s Bay region after recent rain.

Successful calf rearing starts at the beginning and getting it right will always be important in setting them up for the future, says calf feeder maker Stallion Ltd.

The better start a calf has in life, the better animal they will be in years to come.

The most common cause of scouring is nutritional scours, which happens when there is a change in diet or a diet that is inappropriate for the age group of calves.

Calves that are cared for well have a reduced risk of disease and cost less to rear, says DairyNZ.