McIvor moving to OSPRI
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive for the past eight years, Sam McIvor is heading for new pastures at Ospri, which runs NZ’s integrated animal disease management and traceability service.
BEEF + LAMB New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics is hosting its first sheep breeders' forum in Dunedin next week.
B+LNZ Genetics general manager Graham Alder says about 80 breeders are attending the forum, on Tuesday and Wednesday. "The two days are intended to provide genuine two-way communication between the B+LNZ Genetics and breeders. We value the opportunity to talk with breeders directly about where we see the organisation heading, and want their input to help guide future direction."
The forum will showcase the B+LNZ Genetics programme, including DNA SNP chip genomic selection technologies, feed efficient sheep and selecting for disease resistance. It will also discuss the genetics for profitable sheep farming, given it now mainly resides in the higher country, due to the growth of dairy farming.
The first day starts with an outline of what B+LNZ Genetics aims to address in its first five years, as well what has been happening over the past year. There will be a poster session during the afternoon, with about 20 researchers and their projects represented, as well as a question-and-answer panel discussion.
Wednesday involves a presentation from Dr Sue Denise of Zoetis on the "Global genetics view". A rural accountant will share his experience recognising the direct monetary value that can be added by selecting rams based on hard data. The afternoon will be spent at Invermay, with breeders able to choose from a selection of tours.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.