“The new requirements for bobby calf shelter and loading come in to play on August 1 and we want to make sure everyone is well aware and prepared,” animal and animal products director Paul Dansted said.
“Calves need to be provided with shelter that keeps them warm and dry and loading facilities that allow them to walk onto trucks.”
Seven new regulations were announced last calving season. Four went in to force in August last year and for spring calving farms three more would apply this season.
From February 1 young calves have had to be slaughtered as soon as possible after arriving at slaughter premises and within 24 hours of the last feed onfarm.
From August 1 shelter must be provided for young calves before and during transportation and at points of sale or slaughter and loading and unloading facilities must be provided and used when young calves are transported for sale or slaughter or as a result of sale.
“Ultimately, the regulations are about protecting the welfare of calves.
“Last year we saw a significant reduction in problems with bobby calves and we thank everyone across the supply chain who contributed to that. We are keen to see more improvements this year once all of the regulations are in play,” Dansted said.
“The shelter and loading facility regulations don’t give specific building requirements so allow farmers, sale yard operators, processors and transporters to find a solution that works for them.
“The new regulations also require calves to be slaughtered as soon as possible on arrival at the processing plant. To meet this regulation, the Meat Industry Association has played a big part in putting systems in place to track when the calves were last fed and collected from the farm.”
Communicating the new regulations had been a considerable industry wide effort.
MPI was working with stakeholders across the bobby calf supply chain to reach as many affected people as possible.
That included working with DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, Meat Industry Association, dairy companies, transport companies, stock agents, sale yard managers and veterinarians.
“Collectively, we have pushed out information through field days, workshop events across the country, training, rural and professional publications and newspapers, newsletters and emails, onfarm resources, web and social media content,” Dansted said.
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