Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Northern South Island Director Phil Smith and B+LNZ’s South Island manager John Ladley both attended the meeting which was organised by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
John says speakers covered a range of topics including the nature of Mycoplasma bovis (Mp.bovis), its spread and provided an update on numbers.
There was a real focus on giving farmers the information they need to put measures in place to protect their businesses, he says.
Questions and concerns were expressed around bull sales, service bulls, the risk of buying stock from sale yards and issues of disclosure.
John says Roger Smith, Head of Biosecurity New Zealand acknowledged the challenges and concerns farmers are facing as they grapple with the impact Mp.bovis is having on the industry.
The Cheviot meeting was the first of a series of meetings organised in the wake of the government’s announcement that it would try to eradicate Mp.bovis .
Further meetings
There will be two meetings in the Waikato region on Friday 8 June and one in Pukekohe on Monday 11 June.
The June 8 meetings are in Morrisonville – at the Westpac Morrinsville Events Centre, Ron Ladd Pl from 11am-2pm and at the Te Awamutu Rugby Sports and Recreation Club, 420 Albert Park Drive from 3–6pm.
The Pukekohe meeting, on June 11, is at the PIA Event Centre, 57 Ward Street between 11am–1pm.
Two measures farmers can take to prevent Mp.bovis coming onto their property
- Mp.bovis is spread through close and direct contact between cattle. Create two-metre fence, laneway and road buffer zones using electric outrigger fencing or a separate electric fence two metres back from existing fences.
- Ensure footwear, protective clothing and equipment that has been in contact with animals on other farms is either not used on your farm or is properly cleaned and disinfected before and after use.
Find out more
For the latest information and updates about Mp.bovis visit: https://beeflambnz.com/news-views/mycoplasma-bovis
