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!
Ticks which are becoming more widespread in NZ can cause stock discomfort, damage to velvet/coproducts and in severe cases anaemia, weakness and death of young fawns. This event brings some the country’s best tick experts together to share their knowledge, tips and tricks.
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.
Kicking off with a Duncan NZ sponsored fallow and red deer venison BBQ lunch at 12 noon and facilitated by Ginny Dodunski (veterinarian, Waipa Advanced Party Facilitator and Wormwise Programme Manager), this is shaping up to be a big day out indeed.
The afternoon will include contributions from AgReseach, velvet and venison processors, Kaipara Branch, 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.
There will be a wide range of speakers:
- Luis Carvalho Riveron (AgResearch)
- Colin McKay (Technical Services Manager)
- Richard Hilson (Research Advisory Panel)
- Velvet (CK Import) and venison (Duncan NZ) processors
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MPI – Awilda Baoumgren, Specialist Advisor Veterinary Medicines – Regulations and Residues
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Minimum Residue Levels
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National Surveillance List
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On farm investigation/clearance
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- Farmer experiences (Kaipara branch)
- Panel of experts Q & A session
- Including speakers above plus
- Ian Scott (Vet & Tick Tag supplier)
- Annika Ferris (Technical Expert, Agritrade)
- Paul Addison – Technical Specialist – Nufarm
There are also limited numbers of the 2026 Wormwise deer parasite calendar (very big and shiny!) to giveaway and a competition to guess the number of ticks on a stick of velvet.
A big thank you to Duncan NZ for lunch, Agritrade for afternoon tea and Elanco for a very exciting spot prize.
