Damp but steady start to calving

Calving has begun on North Otago's dairy farms.

Damp, cold conditions greeted newborns at the weekend, but they were now thriving in the care of designated calf-rearers on most farms.

Federated Farmers North Otago sharemilkers' section chairman Jared Ross, who farms near Duntroon, said on Monday it was his biggest day so far, with five new calves in the morning. However, that was ''quite manageable''.

From his travels across the district, he had seen ''good set-ups'' for the provision of bobby calves under the new legislation.

Dairy farmers had a good understanding of the expectations they were to meet, and that was certainly not a problem because they were always concerned about their welfare of their livestock, Mr Ross said.

Most of the region's cows had wintered well and were ''in very good order'' thanks to crop yields and paddock conditions, he said.

It was ''wet enough'' as calving began, but the young animals were expected to be in strong health due to their mothers' state.

Mr Ross said he was looking forward to being able to take advantage of a better milk price this season.

-By Sally Brooker

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