Livestock

Te Akau sheep and beef farmers Alastair and Ann Reeves were the Supreme Winners in this year’s Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Beef + Lamb New Zealand talk to them about their use of genetics to address animal health and environmental challenges, their farm system and community leadership. Photos Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

If you follow good genetic principles, you make good progress. Words Dr Mark Ferguson.

If you discover drench resistance on your farm, a parasite management plan, specific to your farm, can be an important piece of the puzzle to ensure you have the tools and strategies to help tackle the problem with confidence. Words Sara Sutherland.

As the drench resistance train continues at speed through the New Zealand sheep industry it is leaving many lamb purchasers asking ‘why can’t drench resistance be included on the Animal Status Declaration (ASD)?’ Words Ginny Dodunski.

The ewes in a sheep business are its engine room. There aren’t too many days in the year when you shouldn’t be thinking about whether they are getting what they need. Senior Genetics Consultant and CEO at neXtgen Agri, Dr Mark Ferguson offers some expert advice.

A bit of money spent on a conversation with your vet can save you more than you might think - don’t look at what free giveaways you get and forget about the free ham for Christmas, look at how you can use necessary products most effectively. Words Sara Sutherland

Veterinarian Sara Sutherland reports on the financial impact of farm management changes in response to drench resistance.

In light of a rapid rise in levels of drench resistance, Ginny Dodunski of Wormwise investigates alternatives to help light breeding ewes.

For decades hill country sheep farmers have just accepted that dagging, treating for flystrike and drenching for worms is a part of successful farming, vet Trevor Cook writes.

A fine-wool sheep breeding programme is following in the tracks of established, successful research. Sarah Horrocks reports.