LIC semen probe results to be made public
The result of two probes into the supply of bad sire semen to over 1100 LIC farmer customers will be made public next month.
The world's biggest robotic dairy farm under one roof has started production in South Canterbury.
The Van Leeuwen Group- owned by Aad and Wilma van Leeuwen – has spent $22 million on the farm - it will milk 1500 cows and operate 24 DeLaval robots.
Production started last month; half of the barn is in operation with 12 robots. Contractors are working on installing the remaining 12 DeLaval robots.
Aad van Leeuwen expects the barn to be fully operational by Christmas.
Feed bunkers on the side of the barn can hold 4.5 million kg of dry matter.
Milk production is expected to top 1.2 million kgMS. Van Leeuwen expects production per cow to top 750kg.
* Read the full story in Dairy News October 13th issue.
The red meat sector is welcoming the start of trade negotiations between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Meat processor Alliance Group's cash-strapped farmer shareholders face a dilemma - either pour more money into the co-operative or risk losing 100% ownership and control.
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.