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."
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
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