Friday, March 29, 2024

M bovis claims IHC fundraiser

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IHC stands to lose more than $1 million following the decision to can its annual calf sales days this year because of Mycoplasma bovis.
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The organisation has run its annual Calf and Rural Scheme for 33 years, last year raising $1.45m but the risk of spreading the cattle disease forced a rethink.

While IHC looked at every possible way to keep the scheme running it decided, after consulting the Ministry for Primary Industries, it is too great a risk.

The decision to suspend crucial aspects of its major fundraising venture has been a tough, IHC national manager fundraising Greg Millar said.

IHC will not be picking up calves and organising IHC sales simply because it cannot be part of something that puts farmers’ livelihoods at risk, Millar said.

“IHC has had a long and important partnership with farmers, which means together we have been able to make a real difference to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, particularly those people living in rural communities.

“We’ve spoken to many farmers, many of whom were concerned about the spread of M bovis.

“Based on information provided to us we have had to make some very tough decisions.

“We also consulted experts in the rural community, including our good and old friends PGG Wrightson.”

IHC has tightened its practices over the years, picking up only animals with Nait tags and Animal Status Declaration forms.

But despite significant improvements in those systems the risk remains too high.

“We have determined there should neither be IHC-organised transportation of weaned calves to sales nor IHC calf sale days.

“This is a huge decision and one that we have not made lightly. We have a real obligation to do what is right for NZ farmers, their livelihoods and long-term sustainability.

“We are keeping up to date with the latest findings and are working to gather the best data possible to determine how the scheme will operate in the future.

“We are in ongoing talks with MPI, PGW and our supporting farmers,” Millar said.

IHC is encouraging people to take part in its virtual calf scheme, donating $300 in lieu of a calf, by visiting www.ihc.org.nz/pledge.

“We would also like to acknowledge what a tough time this has been for farmers.”

Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis said the fundraiser has been willingly supported by farmers.

“It’s a shame such a successful and important fundraising scheme has come to this this but I suspect IHC may be the leader of more to follow.”

Lewis expects similar schemes run by rural communities for schools and sporting clubs will be the next victims.

Last year 3568 farmers gave to the IHC scheme with 2863 physical calves pledged and sold, 456 virtual calf donations made and 16 cull cows donated.

Lewis encouraged farmers to continue supporting this and other fundraisers.

“This could be $300 for a calf or half the proceeds of a cull cow at $800-$1000 is a good donation.”

He challenged farmers to look at the problem and create some innovative solutions to get involved, 

“Farmers are good at solutions. It doesn’t have to be a calf. It could be a bale of silage, a tonne of grain or a lamb or two.

“Anyone can now participate so I hope rural communities will get in behind any effort and make this a true rural scheme,” Lewis said.

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