Serratia-linked Mastitis a wake-up call for Waikato farmer
Waikato farmer Craig Clausen had an unpleasant experience after an outbreak of mastitis cases on farm, suspected to be caused by the pathogen Serratia.
A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER group working on ways to protect the Waikato and Waipa rivers has begun a series of field trips to help them understand the wider community's issues and perspectives.
The Collaborative Stakeholder Group (CSG) for the Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/Wai Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai project is to develop recommendations for a regional plan change designed to manage land use affecting waterways.
The group visited the dairy farm of Tokoroa's George Moss this month. Moss is one of two dairy sector representatives on the CSG. He highlighted how operations on his farm related to water quality were managed.
Commenting on the visit, CSG chair Bill Wasley: "The key message for our group was that there is no one size fits all approach for dealing with farming's impact on water quality.
"In developing solutions, the group needs to be highly aware of the geographic, as well as the social and cultural, diversity in the Waikato and Waipa river catchments. Strong evidence-based science will be required to develop solutions for reducing impacts on water quality."
The next CSG visit will involve a trip to a King Country marae and getting an understanding of the characteristics of the Waipa catchment, while future field trips will include a sheep and beef farm, and tourism, recreation and energy facilities.
Meanwhile, the project's Technical Leaders Group of expert advisers has met for the first time and begun providing the CSG with information, including on the state of rivers and lakes in the catchments.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…