increase font size
Dr Jason Archer.
Next month, the Beef Breeder Forum is set to give farmers an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in the beef industry.
The Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) event in Christchurch on March 18 will bring together a range of experts and leaders from the sector including Simon Kenny, head of impact and communications for McDonald’s NZ, and new B+LNZ chief executive Alan Thomson.
The full day forum will also provide farmers with the first look at nProve Beef, a free, easy-to-use online beef genetics tool designed to help farmers select the best bulls for their specific breeding objectives and farm systems.
The tool has been developed through the B+LNZ-funded Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme in collaboration with the industry.
Simon Kenny will discuss McDonald’s global commitments and direction as a major buyer of New Zealand beef.
There will also be an update on B+LNZ Genetics’ beef programme, insights into research trials on reducing methane and improving feed efficiency and current work around developing NZ-specific selection indexes. A series of breakout sessions will explore innovation in beef genetics.
At the end of the forum, the New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef will host an open meeting, outlining its sustainability work and mission to ensure New Zealand beef continues to meet consumers’ expectations.
“The forum is designed for stud breeders, industry/rural professionals and commercial farmers with a passion for genetics,” says Dr Jason Archer, Head of Genetics at B+LNZ.
“As well as the informative sessions, delegates who attended previous Beef Forums have told us they get real value from getting together with fellow breeders and industry to share ideas and network,” Archer says.
“So, to maximise those opportunities, this year there will also be a dinner following the event. It’s time off farm, a chance to socialise with others in the industry and celebrate our world class beef.”
Registrations to the event at Addington Events Centre close on Friday 14 February.
Milton dairy farmer Chris Wills says he began using probiotics in spring 2023 to address somatic cell count (SCC) grades when cows transitioned from their winter barn to lush spring pasture.
Treat your farm boundary like a border. This was one of the messages delivered to farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Protect Your Patch workshop in Lincoln.
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
To ensure optimal growth, health, and wellbeing of calves, feeding strategies should be considered carefully.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
