Farm under investigation after alarm raised over dead calves
Saturday, 20 July 2024
WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS IMAGES THAT MAY DISTRESS SOME READERS
A wagyu farm in Cave formerly managed by a liquidated cattle management company in Canterbury is under investigation for animal welfare concerns.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) undertook a search warrant on the farm near Timaru earlier this month, MPI animal welfare manager Peter Hyde said.
“This included a search warrant being executed at one of the company’s former farms in Cave near Timaru, which a team of Animal Welfare inspectors along with veterinarians attended.
“Their work included inspecting a barn with pregnant cows, including some that were calving,” said Hyde.
The farm houses cows in a large barn for “finishing” before they are sent to meat processors for beef.
Hyde said the welfare of the animals was their “number one priority” and because the barn and yards were in “poor conditions” they had required the cows to be relocated to another farm.
“This process is underway, and we have prioritised the cows that require the most attention.
“Grazing cows at the Cave property have also been provided with supplementary feed and their outlook has improved.”
The liquidated company, New Zealand Wagyu Co, leased the farm from a Cave landowner. The owner did not respond to questions from The Press before deadline.
New Zealand Wagyu Co went into liquidation on June 28, owing up to $11 million to farmers and suppliers. It was ran by businessman Canterbury man Arato Tsujino who had diverted funds from the company to other business projects according to a liquidator’s report.
A local farmer, who asked not to be named, visited the farm numerous times and said the cattle were in a distressing condition.
“I’ve been farming 20 years … and this is the worst I’ve ever seen.”
He said calves were being born daily, despite the cattle being intended for beef, not breeding. The male and females were not separated which resulted in unintentional births.
“There was no intention for any of those calves to be born on that property, they have no facility to do that.”
As a result, newborn calves were neglected by their mothers and risked being trampled in the barn, the farmer said.
He said some of the pregnant cows appeared to be overweight so struggled to give birth. He said he saw at least three cows euthanised.
He said the Cave landowner wasn’t involved in the operation and the farm’s manager, who was employed by the now liquidated company, had done all he could to improve the conditions.
He believed the cattle arrived at the Cave property from another South Canterbury farm that had not looked after them adequately.
“It’s disgusting what a large operator in South Canterbury has done to these animals and the farm manager that took over, poor bugger, he was trying his best to turn these animals around.”
The farm manager declined to comment when contacted by The Press.
Several other South Canterbury farms that were either owned or managed by the liquidated company were also inspected and found to have adequate standards of animal welfare.
Hyde said he could not provide specific details about the inspections as they were part of a wider investigation, but they would continue to take action where necessary.
MPI was in communication with the liquidator and the company - which was not New Zealand Wagyu - that owns the animals.
“MPI will continue to monitor this farm and the welfare of the animals which is our primary concern,” Hyde said.
“If any farmer is experiencing animal welfare issues as result of the liquidation, we encourage them to contact MPI on 0800 00 83 33,” Hyde said.