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.
Farmers who used new genomic technology from their cooperative, LIC, in 2008 and 2009 will shortly receive a credit for the premium they paid for the product in those two years.
LIC general manager genetics, Peter Gatley, says the credit is a gesture to the farmers "who came with us as early adopters of a technology poised to advance genetic gain more than any other in the history of dairying".
"Data collected from our Sire Proving herds indicates that the Breeding Worth averages of the 'DNA Proven' sire teams used in 2008 and 2009 were lower than originally estimated. This observation is very much in line with international experience, and we now have appropriate adjustments in place, but we can't turn back the clock on the estimates we provided for the 2008 and 2009 teams.
"The average of all DNA Proven inseminations has delivered a modest advantage over the traditional alternative, so the rate of genetic gain has been maintained, but the result is well short of our original prediction. The credit is a gesture of appreciation for the support of our early adopters who paid a premium for the service."
The value of the credit is estimated to total $4.7 million and will be processed in March 2012.
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.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.