New welfare standards in pig farming
New welfare standards came into effect in pig farming yesterday, meaning sows and gilts must not be confined in stalls during pregnancy.
A new Gene Transfer Centre (GTC) opened in Hororata, Canterbury is set to become the largest pig semen collection and processing facility for the New Zealand pork industry. The GTC was opened by Associate Minister for Primary Industry Jo Goodhew on Friday.
PIC stands for Pig Improvement Company and is a privately owned franchise in New Zealand and forms part of the global PIC business.
"Our goal is to provide world leading genetics to pig producers to improve their productivity and product quality. The new GTC is a big part of that," says Peter MacDonald, general manager, PIC New Zealand.
"This new boar stud is using the latest technology to ensure that high health and quality semen is consistently supplied to our customers."
MacDonald says customer satisfaction is the top priority for the company. "We only want the best boars in our stud, to ensure the best performance of the progeny on our customer's farm."
Retaining a high health status is critically important for the business and the industry, MacDonald said. "There is no compromise on our biosecurity and the new stud is using air-filtration systems to minimise the risk of air-borne diseases entering the facility."
The New Zealand pork industry is a great industry to be involved in, he says. "We are very proud to be part of the industry and pleased to be able to bring innovation and improvement to it."
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.

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