Selwyn Times: December 04, 2019

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40 Wednesday December 4 2019 Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz SELWYN RURAL LIFE SELWYN TIMES Kea attacks of sheep measured Kea attacks on sheep have been measured for the first time. About 0.5 per cent of sheep at five South Island high country farms were attacked by the alpine parrots, according to research by wildlife scientist and kea specialist Clio Reid and colleagues. It was the first time “kea strike”, as these attacks are known, has been quantified, she said. “This study showed that kea strike on sheep was occurring at a low prevalence on the high country farms surveyed. Canterbury Ltd • Quotations for water system designs and water testing • Pipes, valves, fittings sales • Filtration supply and installation • Pump service, repairs and maintenance • Bore flush and development • Bore pump sales, servicing and maintenance • We also sell, service and repair most pump brands including sewage pumps NEW LOCATION 551 Halswell Junction Road 0800 GRUNDFOS / 0800 478 633 The wounds identified were survivable.” While there are millions of sheep on the South Island, there are only 3000 to 7000 kea left and they are largely confined to high alpine areas. Reid and colleagues examined 13,978 sheep on the five farms and found 76 wounds attributed to kea strike on 70 sheep. The researchers generally examined the animals immediately after shearing and looked for old and recent wounds. The guts of the study was deciding which wounds were “consistent with For sales and service or after hours service call Jason 021 649 944 or Mike 021 560 044 www.pumps-filters.co.nz kea strike” and which were shearing wounds or other types of trauma. Puncture wounds were discarded, for example. To classify the gashes or scars, the researchers relied on historical and recent photographs and descriptions of kea strike wounds. They also consulted with farmers and shepherds who were familiar with kea strike. “The majority of shearing wounds that we observed were very fresh, and older shearing wounds were easily discernible from wounds that we attributed to kea strike,” the authors wrote. Kea strike injuries were distinctive, jagged and looked like a “predator had a go at the sheep,” she said. The authors wrote that they could “confidently” distinguish these wounds from shearing wounds, puncture wounds, and dermatophilosis (bacterial infection). They also ruled out attacks by other bird species and dogs, largely because the wounds and their locations were inconsistent with attacks by those animals. Reid has been studying kea for about 15 years and was awarded a PhD for this work from Massey University. Source: Stuff WE BUILD STRUCTURES & RELATIONSHIPS TO LAST Warm & Healthy Affordable Homes TRANSPORTABLE / 8 - 10 WEEK BUILD TIME OR BUILT ON SITE DESIGNER AFFORDABLE HOUSING Firewood & Coal Direct to the public OuR PRODuCtS • Coal – 20 kg bags or 500kg bulk bags • Firewood - pick up or deliver (delivery charges apply) • Paparoa Red Rock available in three grades: -4mm, 12.25mm and 25mm plus • Railway Sleepers - 2.1m lengths • WINZ Quotes available • EFTPOS available 417 Creyke Road, Darfield | Phone 03 975 4502 Open Monday to Friday 6am-6pm, Saturday 8am-1pm or after hours by appointment NOW OPEN Selwyn Auto WHY CHOOSE US? ✓ WE LOVE WHAT WE DO ✓ WE UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS ✓ WE RESPECT DEADLINES 03 352 0252 or 027 518 1346 richard@trentbuilding.co.nz www.trentbuilding.co.nz ALL YOUR MOTORING NEEDS › WOF’s › Diagnostics › Repairs › Servicing › Batteries › Tyres › Motorbike WOF’s & Repairs › Courtesy Cars Available Phone 329 5841 | 132 Leeston Road, Springston www.selwynauto.com | office@selwynauto.com
SELWYN TIMES Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Wednesday December 4 2019 41 SELWYN RURAL LIFE New regulations on caring for cows take effect Developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) after consultations with farmers and others, the new rules address behavioural needs when cows are on hard surfaces, including feed-pads, stand-off pads, wintering pads, and loose-housed and free-stall barns. The Government agreed to amend the code of welfare for dairy cattle following a recommendation from NAWAC. Keeping cows off-paddock, especially long term, can present risks to animal welfare and the new standards address this. NAWAC chair Dr Gwyneth Verkerk says dairy cattle kept in off-paddock facilities beyond three days must now have a welldrained lying area with a compressible soft surface or bedding and shelter. It also wants dairy cattle that are housed long-term to have access to outdoors, but affected farmers have time to comply. “The minister has agreed to delayed provisions for outdoor access and his officials will be working with us to determine how to implement these,” Verkerk said. “The aim of the amendment is to encourage all those responsible for the welfare of dairy cattle to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling.” DairyNZ (DNZ) says it has worked with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) on the review. At the heart of New Zealand dairy farming is treating every animal with care and respect, DNZ says. “The freedom cows have to express their natural behaviours in our pasture-based systems is widely recognised as beneficial for the cow, however we do have challenges associated with keeping our cows outdoors. “These minimum standards help safeguard cows want to express those natural behaviours, such as lying comfortably, and they protect cow health and welfare wherever they are on farm and whatever the weather.” Off-paddock facilities can in some circumstances be good for the environment and animal health. About 40% of farms have some sort of off-paddock facility but most of these are used for feeding cows when grass is short, and cows spend a couple of hours eating on the pad, usually after milking, to top up their daily requirements. No more hard yards • If farmers are wintering cows on hard surfaces such as stones or concrete with no soft lying area they will need to offer a compressible surface for the cows to lie on, eg concrete covered with rubber • If farmers are calving cows on a hard surface such as concrete or stones they must provide a dry, non-slip covering such as straw or rubber matting and manage the effluent build-up on the surface • If farmers are calving cows on offpaddock facilities cows must have sufficient space to separate themselves to calve away from the main group. This is a stocking rate consideration and is managed through springer identification • If farmers have woodchip pads with no roof that become wet to the point of ponding or wet mud consistency, drainage must minimise the effects of wet weather to allow maximum space and comfort for cows to lie down • It will affect farmers who use concrete feedpads during wet weather to avoid pugging and when cows are kept on feedpads for most of the day for several days. In this situation some access to drier paddocks must be achieved during each day, or rubber matting may be considered if pugging management is regular and prolonged. The minimum standards have set a maximum time on hard or unsuitable surfaces as 16 hours a day, so it is possible to operate a 12 hour on 12 hour off, or between, milking strategy and remain within the standards. Source: Rural News FIVE YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT HAS ARRIVED SO Many uPGradeS! 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For more information on how I can help you call me direct on 0800 332 100 0800 332 100 | www.energyefficient.co.nz | info@energyefficient.co.nz Mon-Fri 7am-5pm Sat 8am-12pm (WOFs only) Get ready for summer Kitset Children’s Play Table Call in today for your free quote! Kitset 1.8m BBQ Table NEW ENTRANCE: 167 Manion Road, Rolleston Jason Pester P 03 347 7465 F 03 347 7032 E jason@cthl.co.nz Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm Saturday: 8am-12pm 839 Jones Road, Rolleston P.O. Box 16 Rolleston Phone Simon on 347 7110 or Mobile 027 272 9213 Canterbury C T H Timber & Hardware Kitset Planter Boxes We are here
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Selwyn Times: December 04, 2019

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