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As a nation of farmers with a proud agricultural history, New Zealand is at the forefront of the dairy industry, renowned as a global industry leader with some of the best animal welfare standards in the world.
Animal welfare is closely tied to not only improved dairy yields and therefore sustainability of the dairy industry as a whole, but also our cultural values – “do the right thing” and “duty of care” are renowned phrases that are dear to many New Zealanders’ hearts.
Recently, the New Zealand Government has undertaken steps to further improve the health of the country’s livestock through newly proposed animal welfare regulations.
But what are these changes and how do they affect Kiwi farmers? Read on to find out more.
In New Zealand, dairy cattle are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 1999 , the Dairy Cattle Code Of Welfare, and a slate of associated regulations – law-making actions made under the delegated authority of the Act. The delegated authorities referenced here are typically the Ministry For Primary Industries (MPI) and the Royal New Zealand Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals, who jointly enforce the Act. The Act clearly states that all animals in New Zealand have the right to proper and sufficient care , and provides high level legal obligations to all persons who own or interact with animals nationwide.
Beneath the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (and its associated regulations) sits the Dairy Cattle Code Of Welfare – a best practice framework laid out by MPI to give direct guidelines and minimum standards regarding the welfare and treatment of dairy cattle. ‘The Code’, as it is commonly referred to, encourages the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling in the pursuit of greater animal welfare, setting benchmarks that all personnel who are involved with, or responsible for dairy cattle must adhere to – not just farm managers and owners.
SmartShelters can help you to get ahead of the curve and stay compliant, saving you the hassle and risk of costly remedial work later down the line.
Contact our agricultural team today.
The Dairy Cattle Code Of Welfare instructs dairy farmers to follow five core principles:
Dairy cattle should be provided with adequate food , water, shelter, and space to move around freely, with allowance for natural behaviours such as grazing, resting, and socialising with other cows.
Dairy cattle should be kept in a way that minimises the risk of disease and injury, with owners ensuring they are provided with regular veterinary care and treatment as necessary.
Dairy cattle should be treated gently and with respect, and handled in a way that reduces stress and discomfort.
Dairy cattle should be milked in a way that minimises unnecessary discomfort and pain, using machines that are properly maintained and adjusted.
Dairy cattle should be transported with adequate space, ventilation, and access to food and water.
Farming requires consistency. SmartShelters can help you to future proof your farm, keeping you compliant with the changes to the dairy industry.
The proposed changes currently before the New Zealand Government for review address a number of perceived gaps in the Dairy Cattle Code Of Welfare – primarily around the following seven topics:
The following collection of collated excerpts are taken from the Proposed Code Of Welfare For Dairy Cattle And Associated Regulations document prepared by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).
Intensive winter grazing
SmartShelters composting barns are perfect for intensive winter grazing , providing cows a warm, dry environment to rest in, helping to maintain a positive body condition score while requiring less daily feed. See our winter grazing for cattle article for details.
Good animal welfare management is not just the kind and humane thing to do – it is also good business practice. Improvements to the welfare of dairy cattle have been shown to improve dairy yields , leading to greater sustainability of the industry as a whole, and providing a long-term financial incentive to those who prioritise the welfare of their herd.
SmartShelters provide a range of products suitable for dairy farming, including calf rearing shelters , feed pad barns , composting barns , free stall barns , hay storage sheds , and more, increasing the productivity and income of your farm, all the while protecting the health of your herd and keeping you compliant with the Dairy Cattle Code Of Welfare and Animal Welfare Act 1999, and the proposed upcoming changes to The Code.
Our team of dedicated agricultural industry experts are on hand to help you get and stay compliant ahead of the proposed changes to The Code, and will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.
Contact us today .
By SmartShelters | June 16th, 2023 | Cattle Management | Comments Off
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