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TWO OF LIC bulls have taken out this year's sire of the season awards from Jersey and Holstein-Friesian breed societies.
William SIA Duetto was named Jersey New Zealand's JT Thwaites Sire of the Season and Hazael Dauntless Freedom was awarded Holstein-Friesian New Zealand's Mahoe Trophy at the respective annual conferences put on by the societies this month, attended by LIC bull acquisition managers.
LIC's general manager of biological systems, Geoff Corbett, says it is an honour to see the sires recognised in this way, and for the breeders too.
"These are prestigious awards that many breeders strive for and it's fantastic that two of our top sires have been recognised as the best in their breeds.
"Congratulations to the Flemings (Otorohanga) and the Schoutens (Invercargill), for breeding these elite bulls and having your expertise in this field recognised too," Corbett says.
Corbett says Duetto and Freedom were popular with farmers this season, both sitting high on the Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list for their breeds and known for producing high quality daughters.
"Duetto is currently third on the Jersey RAS list, with BW of 249, known for daughters that exhibit outstanding production traits with good capacity.
"Freedom was sired by the famous MacFarlanes Dauntless, and is currently eighth on the Holstein-Friesian RAS list with BW of 272.
"He's a fully registered Holstein-Friesian, and is well known for producing daughters that are very well-liked by farmers for strong udders, good capacity and phenomenal milking performance."
The Mahoe Trophy is awarded to the NZ bred bull whose proof has earned the most points for traits, daughter production, conformation and management. The JT Thwaites Sire of the Season award is given to the bull that meets criteria in production and traits other than production, and has the highest BW after the May Animal Evaluation run.
310034 Willand SIA Duetto
• BW: $249
• Sire: Shalendy Ideal Ascent S3J
• Breeders: Gavin and Rosemary Fleming from Otorohanga.
109230 Hazael Dauntless Freedom
• BW $272
• Sire: MacFarlanes Dauntless
• Breeders: Hans and Margaret Schouten (Hazael Farms) from Invercargill.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
Academic and former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt has been elected as LIC director.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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