Livestock

A recent Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme report by Tessa Appleby builds a clear picture of farmer and industry understanding of Bovine tuberculosis and what, if any, complacency might exist surrounding the disease. Tessa’s mission to eradicate the disease is not only forged by her work with OSPRI, but by personal experience of TB in the Hawke’s Bay region. The 2021 TB outbreak was eventually brought under control, but could this lead to a potentially dangerous complacency amongst farmers and industry? Words Tessa Appleby.

The substantial expansion of the dairy industry and the reality of stubborn reproductive performance has resulted in farmers not having as much selection pressure within arm’s reach, but there is now a huge opportunity for farmers to further focus on improving the efficiency of their herd and reduce emissions intensity. Words Sheryl Haitana.

Spotting lame cows is not one of our strong suits. If farmers can detect lameness earlier, it can benefit the cow’s recovery and can help prevent future lameness cases. Words Emma Cuttance.

Two dairy farmers have found a way around a fluctuating calf market by partnering with First Light. Words Sheryl Haitana.

No calf rearer wants to deal with a disease outbreak and see their calves fall behind through illness when they should be thriving. How do you balance regular disinfecting with reducing cost? Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

The rewards for good preparation leading into calf rearing won’t just be felt this spring, they’ll go on for years as well-grown heifers become productive, long-time members of the herd.

Practices that dramatically lower ingested worm numbers in cattle are vital if the reliance on drench is to be reduced. The rapid rise in triple drench resistance in the national sheep flock is a warning. Anne Lee reports.

Lungworm is an underestimated and often forgotten parasite in New Zealand, Dr Lisa Whitfield writes.

A barn housing 1000 Holstein Friesian cows won the 2023 Waikato Regional Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, for its commitment to productive genetic gain and precision effluent management. Sheryl Haitana visited the three siblings who are the fifth generation of the Singh family dairy farming in New Zealand.

There’s a fly that hangs around cows at milking and it’s irritating to both humans and bovines, writes vet Lisa Whitfield.