Dairy Breeding Shift Delivers Major Gains in Herd Performance
New Zealand dairy farmers are making more informed, strategic breeding decisions, and it’s paying off, according to CRV managing director James Smallwood.
Herd improvement company, CRV Ambreed becomes CRV as the Dutch company brings together all its global business units under one brand name.
Ambreed was sold to Dutch global artificial insemination leader CRV Delta in 2003 and became CRV Ambreed.
New Zealand has a close connection with CRV’s head office in The Netherlands. Angus Haslett was managing director of CRV Ambreed for 10 years, and is now chief executive of CRV based in the Netherlands.
He says having one name sets up the company for a new era of competitiveness in local markets.
“For over 50 years, New Zealand dairy farmers have worked with CRV Ambreed to continue to improve their herds. And that won’t change.
“Running a local breeding programme allows CRV to breed the type of animal that suits New Zealand’s unique grazing-based farming systems. In fact, the international demand for our grass-based breeding product is growing and CRV grazing genetics are exported to many countries. At the same time, NZ farmers benefit from CRV’s access to overseas genetic innovations as well.”
James Smallwood, CRV’s NZ-based managing director Oceania business unit, says that while CRV is a significant player on the global genetics stage, it has always remained connected to the needs of its Kiwi farmers.
Potatoes New Zealand and Garden to Table have partnered together to celebrate a versatile vegetable and the people behind it.
Mainland Poultry has confirmed new ownership of its vertically integrated agribusiness with Pacific Equity Partners Gateway (PEP Gateway) now joining current shareholders Navis.
The recently published State of the Industry -Tractors and Machinery 2025 from the Australian Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA), the equivalent of New Zealand’s TAMA, gives an interesting perspective of the industry.
Strong competition and tightening supply have seen wool reach its highest prices paid at auction since 2011.
The Government is funding a feasibility study to investigate what would be required for a successful farmer-led purchase of the McCain Foods' vegetable processing site in Hastings.
A young man just five years out of his Lincoln University degree already has his foot in the door of farm ownership, as equity manager of a large new dairy conversion now taking shape in Mid- Canterbury.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…