Today, 7 June, is Global Running Day. Some of you may choose to hit the trails with your dog, so we thought we’d share a few tips. Make sure your dog is well-trained and is fit and healthy enough. Take into account your dog’s breed, size, age, and personality to ensure your dog would make a suitable trail companion. Keep your dog on a leash and stick to the designated trails. In New Zealand, we have a lot of endangered...
When it comes to pests and diseases on a farm, every farm and farmer is at risk. Although diseases can be transferred indirectly on clothing, vehicles, and equipment, the main risk to stock is animal contact. SteriGENE is approved by MPI as a surface sanitiser. However, it can have more practical uses for hygiene, disinfection, and disease control and management on the farm.
It’s moving day! Traditionally known as Gypsy Day, 1 June marks the beginning of a new dairy season which brings a lot of movement around the country. On or around 1 June, we might see the following activity around the country, particularly in rural communities: Sharemilkers pack cows into stock trucks and move their families and equipment to new farms around the country. Dairy farmers, contract milkers and employees move to new farms to start their jobs for the...
With so many different cleaning, sanitising, and disinfection products on the market these days, we thought we’d clarify what a disinfectant actually is. What the differences are between cleaners, sanitisers, and disinfectants, they’re not the same and shouldn’t be used interchangeably. We also explore how a disinfectant is best used, and what a good disinfectant is, because they’re not all created equal.
This ANZAC Day, we’d like to commemorate the veterinarians who served, transporting, treating, and caring for the animals of war. The New Zealand Veterinary Corps (NZVC) was part of the New Zealand Division during the First World War (WWI), formed in 1907. During WWI, NZVC comprised a small number of qualified veterinarians as commissioned officers, along with blacksmiths and farriers, groomers, teamsters and wagoners, and were essential for military operations. They were first required to oversee the purchase of suitable horses, and...
As Easter approaches, you’re probably planning how you’re going to spend the time with your friends and family. Don’t forget to think about how you’ll keep your pets safe from the many toxins that lurk through this holiday period, even in foods that are perfectly safe for us humans to consume.
Facial Eczema is a common disease in New Zealand caused by the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. It is especially common during the humid, warm months – December to May. It costs the industry an estimated $200m annually. Infection can lead to reduced fertility as well as reduced milk and meat production. Pithomyces chartarum is a toxin that causes severe liver damage in pasture-fed animals. The toxin makes its way to the animal’s liver, causing severe damage, which presents as...
