The Vet Clinic Wairarapa Production Animal

09/06/2026

Let's talk about something we've all seen...

You know, that bale wrap and netting that's been carefully "stored" on a fence post, only to end up decorating half the district after the first decent southerly? 🎏

While it's easy to put dealing with used plastic in the "I'll get to it later" pile, those bits of wrap and netting can quickly become a headache—for stock, waterways, neighbours, and the environment.

The good news is there are a number of organisations around New Zealand that offer collection and recycling programmes for used bale wrap and netting. Instead of ending up on fence lines or in landfill, that plastic can be transformed into useful products such as fence posts and other recycled plastic products.

Taking a few extra minutes to collect and store wrap and netting properly can make all the difference. Not only does it make recycling easier, but it helps keep our farms looking tidy and prevents stock from eating it - which is NEVER a good thing!!

A good farming operation is about more than what's happening in the paddock—it's also about looking after the land we're passing on to the next generation.
And let's be honest, the only thing that should be flapping in the wind after a southerly is your raincoat.

How do you manage your bale wrap and netting on-farm? Have you used one of the recycling programmes available - we'd love to hear your comments below on what worked, or didn't work, for your place.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

04/06/2026

Ⓕⓤⓝ Ⓕⓐⓒⓣ Ⓕⓡⓘⓓⓐⓨ

Alpacas are a unique and increasingly popular livestock choice in New Zealand, valued for their luxurious fiber and gentle nature. Here are some fun facts about alpacas in New Zealand:

⚠10% of NZ’s Herd are Rare Suris: While Huacaya (fluffy) alpacas are common, NZ holds a relatively high population of the rare, dreadlocked-style Suri alpacas, making up 10% of the national herd compared to only 3% worldwide.
⚠The "Sit or Spit" Routine: Female alpacas are known to tell males if they are pregnant by either sitting down or spitting at them to stop unwanted advances, a common herd management observation known as 'sit or spit'.
⚠Highly Efficient "Lawnmowers": They are considered excellent, eco-friendly pets because they have soft padded feet that don't destroy soil, and they tend to nip the tops of grass rather than pulling it out by the root.
⚠Communal Bathrooms: Alpacas are remarkably tidy and use a communal dung pile in their pasture, making it easy for lifestyle block owners to collect waste for composting.
⚠"Fibre of the Gods" in 22 Colours: Alpaca fiber, sometimes called "Fibre of the Gods" by the Incas, comes in 22 basic natural colours, ranging from white to black and various greys and browns.
⚠Introduced into NZ: While they seem modern, the first alpacas were actually imported to New Zealand in the 1840s (from Chile).
⚠Daylight Birthing: Almost 99% of cria (baby alpacas) in New Zealand are born in the daytime, typically between 10 AM and 2 PM, often on sunny days, allowing for easy management.
⚠Perfect Protectors: Alpacas are sometimes used as guardians to protect free-range chickens from hawks.
⚠Can Swim: Alpacas generally love water, and it is a known fun fact that they can paddle along the water's edge.
⚠Oldest Living Alpaca: As of 2025, the world's oldest living alpaca in captivity was reported to be living in Wainuiomata, Wellington, named Hawthornden Wainui.
⚠250+ Shades: While there are 22 basic colors, they come in over 250 different shades, making them a diverse and colorful part of the NZ landscape.

Who knew that Alpacas were so interesting!

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

04/06/2026

Does my grass look minerally? 🤔 Is that even a word I hear you ask?
The truth is, no matter how good your paddocks look, you can't tell whether they contain the trace minerals your stock need to thrive. Today Dr Sara gives us a quick rundown on trace element testing.

Pre-scanning is the perfect time to take blood samples and check your flocks trace element status. Identifying any deficiencies early means you can put a plan in place and rectify them when your stock come back in for scanning.

A simple blood 🩸 test can provide valuable insights into what's happening beneath the surface, helping support animal health, productivity and performance moving into the season ahead.

Don't guess 🤷 test. Your stock will thank you for it and at the end of the day so will your bank manager 🏦.

Call us now 📞 06 378 2662 to talk to one of our farm vets or to book in some blood testing.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

03/06/2026

📱📱This afternoon our farm team headed out on an educational road trip 🚐to one of our clients' farms to get the lowdown on the PAC (Portable Accumulation Chamber) Trailer and learn more about the important role it plays in measuring methane emissions in sheep 🐑🐑 .
Developed by AgResearch and support by Beef+Lamb Genetics PAC trailers help breeders gather valuable methane phenotypes, calculate Methane Breeding Values, and selectively breed lower-emitting flocks. The testing process is helping drive positive change for the future of sheep farming.
The PAC trailer is equipped with 12 individual, animal-friendly chambers where sheep are placed for 30 to 60 minutes 🕒. During this time, gas analysers measure methane and carbon dioxide outputs to establish baseline emission figures. Over a two-day period, the trailer can typically test up to 168 eligible animals from 14 different sires.
It was fantastic to see this technology 📱 in action and gain a better understanding of how science, genetics, and innovation are working together to support a more sustainable future for our industry.
A huge thank you to Glenside Station for hosting us and to Jacqui for happily sharing her knowledge. We always value opportunities to learn from the people and technologies helping shape New Zealand agriculture.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

02/06/2026

Lice Happens

Most of us have had a run-in with lice at some point. Usually it was nits from the schoolyard or the odd louse after a day hunting, they're enough to make you scratch just thinking about them. Now imagine being a sheep or cow carrying thousands of the little blighters through winter.

The thing about lice is they're surprisingly loyal. Sheep lice like sheep, cattle lice like cattle, and they're not overly keen on changing addresses. They also breed pretty slowly, which means if you've got a noticeable lice problem now, it's probably been brewing away for months rather than arriving courtesy of the neighbour's stock.

Winter is when lice are at their happiest. Long wool and thick coats give them plenty of shelter, which is why we tend to see numbers peak around now. If sheep are leaving wool on fences like they're decorating the farm for Christmas, or cows are scratching every post, tree and gate in sight, lice could be the culprit.

The good news is that lice are one of those problems that's much easier to prevent than fix. Shearing removes most of them in one hit, and a well-timed treatment programme usually keeps numbers under control.

Like most things in farming, timing is everything. Deal with lice before they become obvious and life stays simple. Leave it too long and you'll have itchy stock, damaged wool, and neighbours quietly wondering if you've swapped farming for daydreaming.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

01/06/2026

❄️🐾 As the colder weather settles in, don’t forget our hardworking farm dogs can feel it too.

Winter can be tough on ageing joints, especially for older dogs and those covering big miles every day. Stiffness getting up, slowing down on runs, or lagging behind can all be signs their joints need a bit of extra support.

Keeping dogs warm, maintaining a healthy weight, and adding joint support, like BOMAZEAL early can make a huge difference to their comfort and mobility through the colder months.

They work hard for us year-round — let’s make sure we’re looking after them too. And who doesn't like a bargain - 25% OFF!🐕❤️

If you’d like advice on joint care options for your dogs, have a chat with the clinic team.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

30/05/2026

Think winter will be worm 🪱 free - think again!
Make yourself a cuppa ☕ and have a read of Marys article.
We'll worth it.
On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

B+LNZ Wormwise vet and farmer Mary Bowron busts the myth that hard frosts will kill internal parasite larvae on pastures.

29/05/2026

🐄 NAIT Tags Matter 🐄

Keeping your animals properly tagged and registered isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s an important part of protecting New Zealand’s farming industry. NAIT tags help with animal traceability, disease management, and keeping accurate farm records.

If you’ve got calves needing tagging, are running low on supplies, or need replacement tags, The Vet Clinic can order both New Birth tags and Replacement tags quickly and easily. ✔️
Call us on 📞 06 378 2662 to order your tags TODAY!

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

28/05/2026

Winters coming.... But worms 🪱 are still hanging around.
As we slowly creep towards the official start of winter, these pesky critters are still hanging around and can continue causing problems in our stock 🐑.
Today Dr Sara talks us through what's happening with worms at this time of the year, what we should be be keeping an eye on and how we can stay one step 🥾 ahead going into our colder months.
If you are having issues out on farm with your stock then give The Vet Clinic a call 📞 06 378 2662 and have a chat with one of our farm vets.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

27/05/2026