New rules on calves

Taranaki Federated Farmers dairy vice-chair, Janet Schultz.

New regulations for transportation of bobby calves comes into effect this year and a Taranaki group is hoping to shed some light on the new rules.

The Taranaki Bobby Calf Action group has organised 10 roadshows across the region after hearing from a number of farmers who were unaware of their responsibilities come August 1, 2017.

The group was created in October of last year by Taranaki Federated Farmers dairy vice-chair, Janet Schultz, who says the aim of the group is to ensure everyone is on the same page.

"We are all stakeholders in our industry, so it's important that we are working together on this."

The new regulations will require loading and unloading facilities to be provided and used as well as suitable shelter before and during transportation and at point of sale or slaughter.

The regulations also state that a trucking company is liable for a fine if they pick up calves from a non-compliant holding pen.

The action group is made up of local procurement companies, trucking companies, Ministry of Primary Industries, Taranaki Federated Farmers, Fonterra and Dairy NZ.

They have collaboratively created a Best Practice Guidelines for Bobby Calves in holding pens for transportation.

Janet said these guidelines were specific to Taranaki.

"We've made sure the guidelines are relevant to the region and work-able."

Other regulations that will come into effect include calves must be at least four days of age, and physically fit, it will prohibit the transport of calves by sea across the Cook Strait and it will also prohibit the killing of any calves by use of blunt force to the head, except in an emergency.

From February 1, the maximum time off feed before slaughter must be no more than 24 hours after the calf was last fed on farm.

Procurement companies have communicated that this is more than do-able.

Janet said the group has received a number of phone calls from farmers who feel they have been left in the dark about the regulations.

"We are hoping to have good numbers along at these events so any questions farmers might have can be answered and farmers can go away feeling confident about the changes."

The roadshows begin on February 15 in Tariki and will run through until March 2 in Kaponga, with procurement and transport representatives present to answer any questions.

- For more information on the roadshows, contact Taranaki Federated Farmers on 06 757 3423.

- Supplied by Taranaki Federated Farmers