Animal Welfare

Concerted effort from vets, farmers, and industry to thank for sustainability win.

Most Serratia bacteria cases have appeared sporadically in the past but it is becoming more common.

Reducing the use of antimicrobials can mean lowering the risk of milk contamination and having to deal with fewer cows.

Newly lame cows were given one of four different treatment regimes and assessed to identify their cure rates.

Food Safety registers 23% fall in veterinary and hort antimicrobials.

Four tails amputated after injuries found in 84 cows.

Guilty plea nets $30,000 penalty after hundreds of animals found in poor health.

Recognising mastitis as one of the primary challenges faced by farmers, Liam Kampshof put on his thinking cap, eager to find innovative solutions.

Chicken farmers, NZSO put spotlight on animal welfare with musical interlude.

Pain relief will be required of top-end Merino suppliers, and there are hints the practice might become universal.

Investment manager who helped tackle foot and mouth decades ago as a veterinarian scoops top award.

Vet Marlborough runs a farmer accreditation day to train clients in the use of pain relief for docking and castration.

The days of farmers ‘simply assuming a triple drench will work’ are gone.

The effects of Cyclone Gabrielle are still hitting farmers, with veterinarians seeing a rapid rise in leptospirosis cases in both people and animals.

A Taranaki vet has travelled around the world learning about and treating lameness in cows.

New welfare standards unlikely before election.

Bovine viral diarrhoea is a nasty disease affecting cattle worldwide. Some countries have successfully eradicated it and so can New Zealand.

Providing the right amount of the best colostrum early in life is the right thing to do for your calves.

Research has shown that a procedure like disbudding will produce an acute pain response followed by inflammatory pain that extends well beyond the reach of a local anesthetic.

Calves need to have the best possible start if they are to be well grown and productive throughout their lifetime.

Central Otago dairy farmer focuses on “prevention is the best cure” when it comes to animal welfare and looking at the long-term gains.

Recognition for helping to reduce animal involvement in research and teaching.

Concern that welfare codes don’t always further Act’s aims.

It is so hugely linked to the profitability of your farming operation that simply looking at a value like empty rate does not scratch the surface.

Early lactation presents a critical period for the cow and farmer, with cow health dictating the success of an entire season and ongoing farm profitability.

A Canterbury farmer feeding the herd with the optimal blend of feed and enough of it is seeing great results.

It is important to track changes annually to identify how and why any new tail damage occurs, if it occurs at all. 

Veterinary Council takes three-pronged approach to addressing need.

Hundreds of cattle involved in infringement of tracking rules.

The significant lifts in the rate of human infections prompted MPI's animal health endemic team to notify vets of the elevated risk of the disease spreading in livestock.

Poll says sentiment crosses all regional and party boundaries.

Supply of vets for farm and domestic needs can’t keep pace with demand.

Coccidiosis is prevalent throughout New Zealand, and thrives in warm, moist conditions.

Farmers need to make informed nutritional decisions to ensure they are meeting the needs of their herd between now and calving.

Developers looking into artificial intelligence body scoring with shed camera.

Kiwi farmers could soon have another tool to add to their animal welfare kit.