Herd production performance soars
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
LIC and CRV may be rivals in New Zealand but they are working together in Australia.
The farmer-co-op has entered an exclusive distribution agreement with Dutch dairy genetics supplier CRV.
As part of the agreement, LIC’s Australian subsidiary business will distribute CRV’s global genetics products to Australian farmers alongside its own genetics offering. In NZ, LIC competes with CRVAmbreed in the dairy sector.
LIC chief executive Wayne McNee says the agreement would strengthen LIC’s proposition in Australia.
“LIC has been supplying Australian dairy farmers with NZ genetics for more than 15 years, but the inclusion of genetics from CRV will allow us to cater to a wider range of farmers and grow the business in Australia,” McNee says.
CRV Oceania managing director Angus Haslett says the agreement will provide Australian dairy farmers with a range of genetics solutions while maintaining CRV’s strong reputation in the country.
“We see it as a positive move for Australia’s dairy farmers who… need quality genetics at competitive prices….”
The popularity of larger, North American and European-style Holstein-Friesian cow has limited LIC’s ability to provide genetics to a larger proportion of Australian dairy farmers, McNee says.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.