The Intricacies of Livestock Breeding
I've written a series of articles for Rural News, starting with 'The Basics of Grazing', then 'Stock Handling', followed up by 'Evaluating Stock Condition'.
LIC and CRV may be rivals in New Zealand but they are working together in Australia.
The farmer-co-op has entered an exclusive distribution agreement with Dutch dairy genetics supplier CRV.
As part of the agreement, LIC’s Australian subsidiary business will distribute CRV’s global genetics products to Australian farmers alongside its own genetics offering. In NZ, LIC competes with CRVAmbreed in the dairy sector.
LIC chief executive Wayne McNee says the agreement would strengthen LIC’s proposition in Australia.
“LIC has been supplying Australian dairy farmers with NZ genetics for more than 15 years, but the inclusion of genetics from CRV will allow us to cater to a wider range of farmers and grow the business in Australia,” McNee says.
CRV Oceania managing director Angus Haslett says the agreement will provide Australian dairy farmers with a range of genetics solutions while maintaining CRV’s strong reputation in the country.
“We see it as a positive move for Australia’s dairy farmers who… need quality genetics at competitive prices….”
The popularity of larger, North American and European-style Holstein-Friesian cow has limited LIC’s ability to provide genetics to a larger proportion of Australian dairy farmers, McNee says.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
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