A Waikato DFA branch initiative, aimed at bringing experts and farmers together for an educational event exploring the current challenges ticks cause in the deer industry.
REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN!
Kicking off with a Duncan NZ sponsored fallow and red deer venison BBQ lunch.
Facilitated by Veterinarian, Waipa Advanced Party Facilitator and Wormwise Programme Manager Ginny Dodunski.
The afternoon will include contributions from AgReseach, velvet & venison processors, Kaipara Branch experts, DINZ (Research Advisory Panel), head technical vets and senior representatives from the major tick treatment manufacturers and to round out the day an interactive Q & A session with a panel of tick experts.
Ticks are generally considered an unwelcome pest to deer causing stock discomfort, damage to velvet/coproducts and in severe cases death of young fawns.
Recently an unforeseen but significant complication has arisen from the use of some pour on treatments – positive residue levels of Flumethrin found in tissue and fat of slaughtered animals. This results in the affected farmer being put on the MPI surveillance list and prevents further processing of animals pending an investigation and subsequent clear test. Interesting given the withholding period for pour on treatments is Nil and affected farmers are strictly following the dosage instructions. Thus, the Big Tick Day Out is an ideal and timely opportunity to bring experts and farmers together to focus on how best to manage ticks without putting farmers livelihoods on hold or the industry at risk.
