Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
It’s been two years since NZ decided to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis.
Agriculture and biosecurity minister Damien O’Connor believes that the latest technical data shows the programme is on track.
“Two years ago, the Government, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand and industry partners committed to a 10-year, $880 million programme to eradicate M. bovis to protect our most important sector and the economy.”
O’Connor claims if the disease had been left to run rampant, he’s unsure whether the dairy and beef sectors would have been able to weather the economic storm of COVID-19 and the challenges of drought conditions.
“These sectors are now well-placed to lead us out of this economic crisis.”
O’Connor says he is proud of the farming community and they should be proud of themselves too.
“We currently have 17 active properties and 232 that have been cleared of the disease. We’ve culled 154,788 cattle.
O’Connor says the priority over the next 12-18 months will be continuing to find and eliminate the disease.
“We will get another technical advisory group report in the coming months, but two years into a 10-year effort, I’m pleased by the progress made.”
To view the most recent M. bovis facts and figures visit: https://www.mbovis.govt.nz
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has revised its operating earnings guidance, saying trading conditions have deteriorated since the last market update in February.