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."
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
Making things simpler, not harder, for deer farmers in farm planning and coping with regulations is Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) industry capability manager John Ladley’s current focus.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is launching an online business directory called The Country Women’s Collective to promote and support entrepreneurial rural women.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill has joined the Campaign for Wool NZ as an ambassador, lending his name and profile to educate and advocate for New Zealand strong wool.
Living labs that bring together expertise at locations around New Zealand are among potential solutions identified by researchers to help the country move towards a more climate resilient future.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…