Where do your calves go? Do you know? Can you show?…

Fonterra has introduced a new clause within the Terms of Supply.  This clause requires that calves can only be euthanised on-farm when there are humane reasons for doing so.

From the 1st of June 2023, when the clause came into effect, Fonterra farmers must ensure all non-replacement calves enter a value stream - either beef, calf-veal (bobby) or pet food.  This will be audited so it is important to maintain accurate records to show the destination of all calves born on farm.

You can do this through any of the following options:

• MINDA records (don’t forget to record the still born calves when a cow calves)

• NAIT tracking

• Processing dockets or receipts

• On-farm mortality records, vet reports etc

We understand that the fate of this season’s (23-24) calves will be audited next season (24-25) so you will need either electronic records or a safe place to store any paper records.  As far as we can tell this won’t require any major changes for you other than being able to show some proof of calves going to processors (dockets), recording the fate of calves that are stillborn or are euthanised for humane reasons and of course the correct NAIT transfers for calves sold to rearers.