Mycoplasm bovis can transfer to sheep, goats, deer, pigs and poultry – Keith Woodford:
Currently, there is a fervent ‘behind-the-scenes’ debate as to whether eradication of Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand is feasible.
It is well over a month, possibly close to two months, since the international Technical Advisory Group (TAG) voted six to four in favour of eradication being feasible. This would have been based on information supplied to them by MPI and assessed over a telephone hook-up. New evidence since then provides further complexity and concerns.
First, there is extensive evidence from overseas that Mycoplasma bovis can transfer between species and that it can infect sheep, goats, pigs, deer and even poultry. Strictly speaking, this is not new evidence as it was sitting there all along in the scientific literature and easily found. However, the implications of this within the New Zealand environment have not been considered to date. . .
A killer worse than M bovis – Nigel Malthus:
A cattle disease prevalent on 100% of New Zealand farms is much more serious than Mycoplasma bovis, a veterinarian says.
Lincoln University Dairy Farm veterinarian Chris Norton told farmers at a recent focus day there that though M. bovis dominates the news, another disease — Johne’s — affects more farms and kills more cattle.
Johne’s was discovered first in Taranaki 100 years ago in one cow, Norton said. . .
DoC explains game export process – Tim Fulton:
Deer and other game animal products are getting a new export process and the Department of Conservation (DOC) is trying to ensure exports aren’t stopped at foreign ports because of it.
Japanese border authorities last month stopped a New Zealand velvet exporter’s shipment at an airport because they did not recognise DOC’s approach to certifying legally hunted and farmed game animals.
DOC has been issuing certificates of export for deer, tahr and chamois products.
A new form letter from DOC director general Lou Sanson will list seven species of introduced deer plus Himalayan tahr, chamois and possums.
They are introduced species that can be legally hunted and exported as trophies, velvet, fur and meat. . .
https://twitter.com/fedsfalloon/status/1010346563200155648
Nats out building rural bridges – Annette Scott:
Life is not going to get easier anytime soon for rural New Zealanders, National Party leader Simon Bridges told a meeting of 300 people in Ashburton.
Bridges, as part of his Connecting with Communities regional roadshow, said increased intervention in people’s everyday lives and policies that will make it harder for regional businesses to operate are becoming reality under the Labour-led Government.
And changes to industrial relations law will directly affect regional economies.
The big increase in the minimum wage and amendments to the 90-day employment trial were prompting employers to think twice about taking on new staff. . .
Nominations Documents Ready for 2018 Fonterra Board of Directors’ Election:
Nominations for the Fonterra Board of Directors’ Election open Friday, 6 July with an election to be held for three farmer-elected Directors.
This year John Wilson, Ashley Waugh and Nicola Shadbolt retire by rotation. They may all stand for re-election if they wish – none have announced their intentions at this stage. . .
Record entries for Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower competition:
Eight of Hawke’s Bay’s top young horticulturists will face off in the Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition in Napier on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 June.
This year’s entrants are:
– Lisa Arnold, orchard operations assistant at Bostock NZ
– Tom Dalziel, foreman at Mr Apple NZ
– Ryan Gittings, York Group assistant manager at Sunfruit Orchards Ltd
– Wade Miller, leading hand at Bostock NZ
– Luke Scragg, senior leading hand at T&G
– Philip Siagia, general orchard hand at Mr Apple NZ
– Anthony Taueki, foreman at Mr Apple NZ
– Lincoln Thomson, assistant manager at Sunfruit Orchards Ltd
Critical elements to maintain member loyalty in co-operatives :
To fully engage the members of co-operative and mutual enterprises, managers and directors of CME’s must understand their members wear four hats when engaging with their co-operative, according to a study conducted by researchers from The University of Western Australia.
The study analysed three Australian producer co-operatives including Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd (CBH), Murray Goulburn Co-operative (MGC), and Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative Ltd (GFC), and examined the nature of member commitment and loyalty in co-operative and mutual enterprises (CMEs).
Professor Tim Mazzarol from UWA’s Business School and Institute of Agriculture says directors and managers of CME’s should recognise that members do wear multiple hats with which they engage with the enterprise. These hats are Investor, Patron, Owner and Community Member. . .
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Homepaddock 