increase font size
COWS THAT have become ill, with some dying, after grazing on swede crops has seen veterinarians in Southland practices at the forefront of dealing with this animal health issue.
"Veterinary practices in Southland first noticed unusual signs of liver disease in autopsies of cows on swedes in July," says Dr Mark Bryan, of the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
"We then started to go back and look at unusual cases in winter prior to that, and work forward collecting more bloods and post mortem samples to complete the picture. We have been finding significant liver and sometimes kidney damage in many cases. Investigations are continuing and we have collected huge amounts of data from over 40 farms and are now helping DairyNZ to get more of the answers we need to address this problem.
"Symptoms for cows that have eaten swedes in the region include photosensitivity, weight loss and/or ill thrift. There is increased mortality and animals appear to be more susceptible to other diseases. We are monitoring farms to determine any chronic or long-term subclinical effects.
"If symptoms appear we encourage farmers to stop feeding swedes to their cows and to provide an alternative feed, along with water and shade for any animal showing signs of photosensitivity, and to contact their vet. We are also suggesting that if farmers are concerned, they get a proportion of their cows blood sampled to determine the extent, if any, of liver damage."
Information from PGGW has confirmed the veterinarians' initial suspicion that the HT variety of swedes is linked to the majority of cases.
"We will continue to work closely with Dairy NZ and other rural health professionals to further understand the cause and provide more advice to farmers."
Dr Bryan says that veterinarians have helped set up a working group to be led by DairyNZ and that Southland veterinary practices are in close contact and working together.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Halter has announced the six winners of its 2026 One Year Free competition, marking the biggest year yet for the annual award and the first time the company has expanded the field beyond its usual line-up.
The New Zealand ploughing team to the world championship in Croatia next month will be banking on borrowed equipment as they seek glory.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on household grocery budgets, new figures show pork remains one of the most affordable fresh meat options for New Zealand families.
OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.
Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.
Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.
Rural New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s recent package of rural healthcare initiatives.
Interest in agritech and production animal systems has prompted Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment to new majors to its popular animal science degree.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
