This episode featured as part of the Livestock and Genetics segment in partnership with Carrfields Livestock.

OSPRI expects to complete its rebuild of the NAIT system by the end of 2027, funded by levy increases that took effect on 1 September. Sam McIvor, chief executive of OSPRI, says the current system is 12 years old and lets data flow only one way.

“Our existing technology is just not doing the job,” McIvor says.

“It’s a major constraint for farmers and third parties.”

The cattle tag levy rises from 97 cents to $1.35 and the slaughter levy from $1.49 to $1.91, and recent survey work found 93% of about 1,200 farmers said traceability is important for the sector.

He says it set out 500 pages of requirements and put the project through two rounds of independent quality assurance before going to market.

“We’ve done it thoroughly.

“Our business case was sound.”

He says the M. bovis levy has dropped to zero, with the last infection recorded in 2023.

This episode featured as part of the Livestock and Genetics segment in partnership with Carrfields Livestock. To learn more about buying, selling or managing livestock, or to connect with a local livestock specialist, visit carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.