LIC ends year with $30.6m profit
Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.
Southland farmers Yvonne and Steven Dennis are LIC Sire Proving Scheme farmers of the year.
They milk 780 cows and have always used LIC products; they have been part of LIC’s sire proving scheme for 10 years.
Steven Dennis says the award is a result of a team effort of their farm staff, led by manager Barry Andrew. He thanked LIC farm solutions manager Meagan Colling for nominating them and LIC staff for their passion.
“We were blown away by the enthusiasm of LIC staff; everyone is passionate about their division,” he told Dairy News. “It’s nice to see people so motivated.”
LIC bull acquisition manager (Jersey and short gestation) Malcolm Ellis says the Dennis’s are successful, driven, passionate and have a real interest in herd improvement and recording.
“They have outstanding record keeping and attention to detail. With six weeks HF over the cows and KX over the yearlings, they regularly rear 25% replacements and select down to milk in the order of 22%.”
Ellis says the 50 year old sire proving scheme is the real gold. “Outstanding in its design, the scheme is also outstanding in its participation,” says Ellis.
Last year LIC sire proved 220 bulls in 273 herds; this year that number of herds will go over 300 to prove 250 bulls.
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
OPINION: Productive whole farmlands conversions into forestry are becoming a thorny issue for the Government.
Thus far in 2025, the Hawke's Bay rescue helicopter crew have completed over 220 missions, resulting in numerous positive patient outcomes.
The New Zealand Food Network's (NZFN) fifth birthday celebrations have been boosted by a whopping five tonne meat donation from meat processor ANZCO.
Pukekohe vegetable growers farewelled 101-year-old Alan Wilcox in late July, celebrating his many achievements and reflecting the widespread respect in which he was held.
A new nationwide survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but also gave them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.
OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery…
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.