Just like humans, our dairy cows need their sleep; but AgResearch scientists have had to get innovative with new technologies to better understand the quality of shut-eye the animals are getting. Research into the sleep of cows is seen by researchers as one way of assessing their welfare, which is important to farmers and to […]
animal welfare
New Zealand pig farmers demand imported pork measure up to NZ’s animal welfare standards
New Zealand pig farmers are supporting a petition calling for imported pork to be required to meet the same animal welfare standards as New Zealand pork. Approximately 60 per cent of pork consumed in New Zealand is imported with most of it being produced in countries that farm pigs using practices that are illegal in […]
Husky health, dogsled tours and frostbite checking central to vet student’s win
Working 12+ hour shifts outdoors in bitter Northern winter temperatures of minus 45 degrees, would send most school leavers shuddering under their duvets, but not Agcarm’s most recent scholarship winner, Gemma Neve. The Massey University student, originally from Australia’s iconic Bondi beach, not only embraced the challenge of working with huskies in Finland but thrived […]
Checklist will help get winter grazing right
The pressure to take more care when preparing for winter grazing is on farmers nationwide, most notably in Southland and Otago. To try and make it easier to avoid problems early, the primary industry groups have collaborated to produce a checklist for farmers, to help everyone work their way through what can always be a […]
Farmers encouraged to tick off new wintering checklist
Farmers preparing to graze livestock on fodder crops this winter are being encouraged to use a new checklist and other practical resources now available sector-wide. The farming sector is focused on improving winter grazing and eliminating practices that impact on the environment and animal welfare. A new wintering checklist and winter grazing plans designed to help […]
Mounting concerns as dry conditions start to bite across Canterbury
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in collaboration with a number of agricultural industry groups are closely monitoring dry conditions across Canterbury. While North Canterbury (Clarence River to the Rakaia River) is covered by the current large-scale drought classification, there is also significant existing support available for all farmers and growers across wider Canterbury who […]
Pig farmers worried by High Court ruling
A High Court ruling around the use of mating stalls and farrowing crates has the potential to significantly impact New Zealand pig farming, says NZ Pork. In November, the High Court ruled regulations and minimum standards regarding use of the stalls and crates were unlawful and invalid. The Court directed the Animal Welfare Minister to […]
Animal welfare clock ticking on shearer border decision
Federated Farmers and the Shearing Contractors Association are looking for an urgent decision from the government to allow experienced sheep shearers into the country. “We’ve been reminding the government since late winter we are going to have increasing urgency around the need for shearers this summer,” Federated Farmers immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis says. As the […]