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This page contains this week’s e-diary national notices.
If there’s something you want to know specific to your region, contact your local extension manager – find their details here.
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This week’s notices:
Help shape the fight against facial eczema
B+LNZ urges farmers to take part in a national survey exploring the social impacts of facial eczema – a key part of the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts programme. It’s easy, completely confidential, and takes just 15 minutes to complete. For every response, $10 will be donated to the Rural Support Trust. Complete the survey before 18 July. Read the media release here.
Have your say on the Predator Free 2050 strategy review
The Government is consulting on the next five years of Predator Free 2050, the strategy that aims to eradicate predators such as possums, rats, stoats, ferrets and weasels from New Zealand (one of the areas they’re looking at is the target species list). It’s important they hear from farmers about how important it is to fund pest eradication. All the information about making a submission is on the Department of Conservation website and feedback must be submitted before 5pm Monday 30 June.
More info on Waikato PC1 interim decision coming soon
The Environment Court’s interim decision on Waikato Regional Council (WRC) Plan Change 1 is long and highly technical. Our preliminary analysis is that many of the provisions have improved (compared with the decisions version) but there are several things the Court has queried which we are working through with WRC to ensure the provisions are workable. We know affected farmers are very keen to understand how the plan change will affect them. We’ll provide information in e-diaries in the next couple of weeks and will keep affected farmers up to date with what they’ll need to do and when.
Raw milk used for cattle feed: new requirements
From 1 July 2025, new requirements come into effect to record the movement of raw milk being used for cattle feed. Transporters (including dairy processing operators) and receivers of raw milk to be used for cattle feed must capture the following details:
- the milk’s origin
- transporter details
- delivery specifics (time, date, volume).
The new requirements are being introduced under a National Pest Management Plan for Mycoplasma bovis. As M. bovis can be spread by infected raw milk when it is fed to calves, recording movements of raw milk will allow quick tracking of any infection. The records may also help in reducing the spread of other infectious diseases. For further information and guidance, visit the OSPRI website.
Dairy Beef Progeny Test bull nominations close 30 June
B+LNZ Genetics invites stud breeders to nominate bulls for the 2025 mating of the Dairy Beef Progeny Test. Spanning five host farms across three regions, the Progeny Test aims to improve the quality of dairy beef calves in the industry by identifying bulls that add value to all stages of the dairy beef market. Nominations are open to all sires and breeds. View the nomination form here.
Up to 50% off* Primary ITO programme fees
- Level 3 Mating Parturition & Young Stock – online via Zoom 11 June 2025 and 24 June 2025.
- Level 4 Manage Feeding, Report Farm Production & Benchmark Performance – online via Zoom and face to face 26 June 2025.
- Level 3 Assist with Management of Livestock Health and Biosecurity – online via Zoom TBC August 2025.
- Level 4 Farm Environment Planning – online via Zoom TBC August/September 2025.
- Level 3 Livestock Feed Supply and Demand – online via Zoom 23 October 2025 and TBC February 2026.
- Level 4 Manage Livestock Health, Mating and Parturition Management – online via Zoom TBC February and July 2026.
- Level 4 Manage Feeding, Report Farm Production & Benchmark Performance – online via Zoom TBC March 2026.
- Level 3 Shearing Essentials – face to face Kyeburn 21 July 2025 (in partnership with Elite Wool Industry Training Ltd).
T&Cs apply, learn more at primaryito.ac.nz/halfpricefees. Vehicle and machinery micro-credentials and the NZ Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management (Level 5) are not eligible.