Imporving their six-week in-calf rate by just 10% means the average New Zealand dairy farmer (386 cows) stands to benefit from an additional $15,440 (based on a $5.50/kgMS payout).

Farmers who used new genomic technology from their cooperative, LIC, in 2008 and 2009 will shortly receive a credit for the premium they paid for the product in those two years.

One of New Zealand's budding scientists will travel abroad later this year to complete his PhD, after winning the 2012 Doctoral Studentship Award from LIC.

"Pasture management is where the farming system starts," says Morrinsville dairy farmer Johan van Ras. In the order of things it comes before animal health because if you haven't got this right, your business can't perform.