Mutant-calf talks on way

Federated Farmers is seeking a meeting with dairy genetics company Livestock Improvement Corporation to discuss farmer concerns over the Matrix mutantcalf issue.

Dairy section vice-chairman Kevin Robinson said the farmer group had written to LIC requesting the meeting.

‘‘We basically don’t think farmers are getting a fair deal. I don’t want to prejudice our discussion with them. I’m confident we can sit around a table and come to some sort of an agreement.’’

LIC communications manager Clare Bayly said LIC was talking with Federated Farmers. She said the conversations would take place ‘‘outside the media spotlight’’.

Some farmers affected by the Matrix mutant-calf issue have been demanding compensation, including farmers in both Waikato and Taranaki.

LIC has confirmed about 900 farmers nationwide are affected, a ‘‘naturally occurring’’ genetic mutation.

The mutation was passed to the

Some farmers affected by the Matrix mutant-calf issue are seeking compensation. calves via inseminations from their sire, the LIC commercial dairy bull Matrix, which in turn inherited the condition from its sire, the holstein-friesian bull Halcyon.

Unusual features of some of the defective female dairy calves include excessive hairiness, failure to milk properly when they get older and a lack of heat tolerance.

Some animals get into water troughs or puddles to try to cool off.

LIC, a Hamilton-based farmer co-operative, has recommended that farmers either humanely cull any calves that are carriers, or use or sell them as beef animals.

But it has said it will not pay compensation, which could involve up to $1.95 million.