increase font size
TBfree Waikato Committee chair John Bubb
A bovine tuberculosis (TB) infection that has affected several herds from the same Mangakino business has so far been contained.
NAIT and LIC data has allowed OSPRI's TBfree veterinarians to trace any stock that have been moved off the infected properties and these animals will be TB tested to avoid the disease spreading.
Official have informed all immediate neighbours of the infected herds and reassured them that the disease is well contained and there is negligible risk of it spreading 'over the fence'.
Bovine TB spreads through close contact between animals and not by gumboots or tractor and truck tyres.
TBfree Waikato Committee chair John Bubb says having bovine TB in your herd can cause extreme emotional and financial stress for the affected farmer.
"They need support to help them through this difficult time. There are various avenues available to farmers with a TB-infected herd, including their local TBfree committee member who is likely to have experienced the effects of the disease first-hand, Rural Support Trusts and TBfree staff," says Bubb.
"Importantly, the farmer needs the support of their neighbours and local community. There remains an unfortunate stigma attached to herd TB infections. This can be addressed by keeping neighbours informed of the situation and organising events such as shed meetings."
As the number of infected herds has dropped from about 1700 in the mid-1990s to 51 today, the awareness of bovine TB in New Zealand has declined.
"Educating farmers about the risk of TB is vital towards keeping infected herd numbers under control. Nearly 10 million hectares of New Zealand is known to contain TB-infected wild animals, with possums being the main source of the disease in these areas," says Bubb.
Stock movement-related infections are a potential cause of the disease spreading. This can be kept in check by ensuring farmers play their part in controlling the disease.
"You must make wise stock purchasing decisions and ensure all animals are accompanied by a correctly filled out Animal Status Declaration form before they are allowed onto your farm. All animal movements, including farm-to-farm movements, must be recorded in the NAIT system to ensure lifetime traceability," Bubb says.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
Academic and former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt has been elected as LIC director.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.
