2024/25 Dairy Statistics: NZ dairy farmers boost production with fewer cows
According to the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2024/25 report, New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows.
LIC reports it has scored well in the latest Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list.
The co-op says 26 of the top 30 bulls of all breeds in New Zealand are LIC's; and the top 12 bulls across all breeds are LIC's.
"These are our farmers' bulls, developed by LIC on behalf of farmers for farmers," LIC's general manager biological systems Geoff Corbett says.
"We want to acknowledge the hard work of breeders... who have contributed to these results."
The bull acquisition team includes Simon Worth, Casey Inverarity and Taylor Connell (Holstein Friesian & KiwiCross), and Malcolm Ellis (Jersey & SGL).
RAS list-topping bulls still must measure up on other traits to make it into LIC's top bull teams, Premier Sires, Corbett says. Not all high-BW bulls that graduate through LIC are eventually marketed.
Top results from the latest RAS list (May 28) for LIC include:
Holstein Friesian
· 43 of the top 50 Holstein Friesian bulls are LIC's; and the top 10, and 19 of the top 20, Holstein Friesian bulls are LIC's.
· The No. 1 Holstein Friesian bull (also No. 1 across all breeds) is LIC's 112035 Carsons Mecca Pulse, the only current bull to beat the 300 BW barrier.
· Three full brothers are performing well: 111037 San Ray FM Beamer (3 on the Holstein Friesian list), 111036 Arkan FM Buster (5 on the same list) and Arkan FM Brilliant (10 on the Holstein Friesian list).
· Currently a few BW shy of the RAS list is 112080 Fire-Up, who has moved up 6 BW.
Jersey
· LIC's Jersey bulls continue to affirm the resurgence of this breed.
· 8 of the top 10 Jersey bulls are LIC's, including the top 6, and all 6 of those are new graduates.
· LIC's Chardonnay Frankie is the No. 1 Jersey bull in NZ.
Crossbred
· 21 of the top 25 crossbred bulls in NZ are LIC's.
· The top 9 out of 10, and 15 out of 16, crossbred bulls are LIC's.
· 511011 Priests Sierra remains at No. 1 on the crossbred list, moving up 3 BW to 289 BW. This also makes him the highest BW Mint-Edition son in the country.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.
New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
New figures show dairy farmers are not only holding on to their international workforce, but are also supporting those staff to step into higher-skilled roles on farm.