Farmers feedback will improve calf treatment

The treatment of bobby calves is being reviewed.

Improvements to the system of care for bobby calves from farm to processor will rely on feedback farmers have given key players in the industry.

The move was being welcomed in the Bay, as long as it did not impact on the majority of farmers who followed the rules, an agriculture leader said.

Dairy NZ has teamed up with the Meat Industry Association, Federated Farmers, the Road Transport Forum, the New Zealand Petfood Manufacturers Association, the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, the New Zealand Veterinary Association, and the Ministry for Primary Industries and made a joint commitment to stamp out any mistreatment of calves.

The issue caused national outrage in 2015 when secret video footage recorded by animal rights group Farmwatch that showed bobby calves being beaten to death aired on TV One's Sunday programme.

It included calves being thrown into trucks, bludgeoned to death, separated from their mothers' hours after birth and left for hours in the sun and also showed bobby calves being kicked and thrown about at a slaughterhouse.

Dairy NZ has conducted 20 face to face interviews with farm owners, sharemilkers and operational managers that represented a cross-section of farm ownership type, farm system and size.

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said the dairy industry was focused on preparing for the next calving season and giving good advice to farmers.

"Resolving these issues will depend not on words, but on actions. We are committed to working with everyone in the supply chain, including farmers, to ensure bobby calves are well cared for. We have ensured some good practice advice is already available and that farmers have forums available where they can share their own good management practices with others."

Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said the meat processing and export industry was subject to a comprehensive regulatory framework, and, together with the dairy industry was undertaking a systematic review to identify opportunities for improvement. It would be completed before the next bobby calf season, he said.

- For advice and information on bobby calf care, visit dairynz.co.nz/bobbycalves