The number of bobby calf deaths per 10,000 has dropped by half for the second year in a row.
Last year six calves per 10,000 died, down from 68 per 10,000 in 2008, a number Associate Minister of Agriculture responsible for Animal Welfare Meka Whaitiri called "depressing".
Calling the drop in deaths between the farm gate and the works last year a "victory" for animal welfare regulation, Whaitiri congratulated the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the industry.
Welfare regulations adopted in 2016 as a result of the high number of bobby calf deaths as well as the industry's own initiatives had had an impact, she said.
"The welfare of calves is a collective responsibility so it's important that we keep up the good work to make sure calves are treated humanely."
