Category Archives: Dairy

Mycoplasma bovis: how long has it been here?

Posted on June 17, 2018 by

A key question for MPI and Government to address is how long has Mycoplasma bovis been in New Zealand. The answer to that question, together with MPI’s capacity to upscale their operational capacity, will largely determine whether or not eradication … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis | 5 Comments

A smorgasbord of agricultural issues

Posted on June 7, 2018 by

[For the last three years I have been writing fortnightly columns for NZFarmer, which is delivered free to all New Zealand farmers. However the agricultural press in New Zealand is undergoing major change. One part of that change is that … Continue reading →

Posted in A1 and A2 milk, Agribusiness, China, Dairy, Meat Industry, Mycoplasma bovis | 1 Comment

Mycoplasma bovis: European semen is the likely source

Posted on June 4, 2018 by

It is now increasingly evident that European-sourced semen, imported legally but containing live Mycoplasma bovis that survived the antibiotic cocktail, is the likely source of the organism in New Zealand dairy. The evidence suggests it struck first in Southland, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Mycoplasma bovis – focusing on the immediate

Posted on May 29, 2018 by

[This is an open letter to the Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor, sent on the evening of 29 May 2018, as part of an ongoing dialogue.] Dear Damien Mycoplasma bovis: focusing on the immediate This is a further open letter. … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis | 14 Comments

Mycoplasma bovis – what does ‘phased eradication’ mean?

Posted on May 28, 2018 by

Today’s decision by New Zealand’s Government to undertake a “phased eradication” of Mycoplasma bovis appears to be a useful compromise from the ‘nuclear’ slaughter option. It allows farmers to negotiate as to when their infected herds will be culled. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis | 3 Comments

Government must step back from Mycoplasma bovis

Posted on May 20, 2018 by

As I write this on 20 May 2018, New Zealand is at a crucial point in deciding how to manage Mycoplasma bovis. There are no good options. The worst option is for the Government to try and be the boss. … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis | 15 Comments

Mycoplasma bovis: the ground has shifted with a megathrust

Posted on May 13, 2018 by

Events of recent days demonstrate that eradication of Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand is no longer a realistic option. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is scrambling to get its messaging together. New strategies are now needed. As I write … Continue reading →

Posted in Agribusiness, Dairy, Mycoplasma bovis | 8 Comments