Listen: Farmer affected by M. bovis supportive of cattle cull

Photo / Supplied to NZ Herald by DairyNZ

A farmer directly affected by Mycoplasma bovis is applauding the Ministry for Primary Industry's decision to cull over 22,000 cows to stop the cattle disease from spreading.

"It's brilliant. You've got to get rid of this bloody bug."

Southland farmer Ben Walling spoke to The Muster's Andy Thompson about his experience with Mycoplasma bovis saying the news of the cull was "like Christmas."

Walling runs a mixed business of beef, dairy grazing and contracting, and found out his property was affected by M. bovis in December. The cattle disease caused a 23 per cent mortality rate in his young stock.

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Walling has received compensation for his losses and says it was a positive experience, after initial frustrations.

"You've got to keep in mind MPI are learning their way into this as well. They haven't had to do a response like this before. They're just people and you've got to learn to work with them."

Listen below: