Thursday, 30 November 2023 11:55

Herd improvement could help reduce emissions intensity

Written by  Staff Reporters
LIC chairman Corrigan Sowman says many farmers are investing in quality, efficient pastoral genetics which will put them in good stead to reduce their emissions intensity. LIC chairman Corrigan Sowman says many farmers are investing in quality, efficient pastoral genetics which will put them in good stead to reduce their emissions intensity.

Genetics may be one of the tools Fonterra farmers can tap into to reduce on farm emissions, according to LIC.

LIC says its genetic research is leading to cows that produce less methane, are more tolerant of hotter climates, produce more kgMS of liveweight and are all-round more efficient.

LIC chairman Corrigan Sowman says many farmers are investing in quality, efficient pastoral genetics which will put them in good stead to reduce their emissions intensity, and LIC will continue to support them to do that.

Long-term users of LIC genetics have almost doubled the rate of genetic gain in their herds over the last 10 years – these gains are cumulative and permanent, delivering long-term benefits into the future, he says.

Last month, Fonterra announced they’re targeting a 30% intensity reduction in on-farm emissions by 2030 (from a 2018 baseline). LIC is well placed to support farmers to meet this target as 7% of the target is to be achieved through farming best practice with the themes of herd improvement and cow efficiency set to be influential, says Sowman.

“That’s where we come in. This announcement gives us a clear mandate to provide solutions to farmers to reduce their emissions intensity. LIC has known the challenges for some time and has been focused on supporting farmers to be profitable and sustainable in the future through cow efficiency,” he says.

“Targeting a reduction in emissions intensity cements our focus on cow efficiency as a sustainable solution for the dairy sector, and the good news is, we have the cows that will get us there – we just need more of those highly efficient cows.

“We will continue the strong focus on longevity and minimising wastage as positive gains in this area will also significantly enhance on farm profitability and enable an improved emissions profile at a herd and farm level.”

Across the national herd, the top 25% of 4–8 year-old herd tested cows are producing an average of 539 kgMS which is +166 kgMS more than the bottom 25%. The top 25% are also more efficient cows – producing an average of 1.05 kgMS per kg of liveweight (kgLWT), whereas the bottom 25% are 0.73 kgMS/kgLWT.

“We know the efficiencies that can be achieved on farm through herd improvement, and we are confident we can support farmers to reduce their emissions intensity,” says Sowman.

“My key message to farmers is – we have your backs. An emissions target that centres on intensity reduction is a positive step forward and there are many solutions out there to support you. LIC genetics is one of those solutions and we are ready to do our bit to support farmers to meet these targets.”

Each year LIC invests around $18 million into R&D (7% of revenue), making us one of the largest private investors in R&D for the primary sector. These investments are primarily focused on improving the production efficiency of the national herd for the profitability of New Zealand’s dairy sector.

More like this

Fonterra trims board size

Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.

Returns 'not good enough'

Fonterra leaders are making their case for offloading the co-operative's $3 billion consumer business, noting that its return on capital has been nowhere near respectable.

Record milk price!

A record farmgate milk price for Fonterra shareholders is all but confirmed for this season.

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

National

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of…

Machinery & Products

BA Pumps expand

Cambridge based BA Pumps & Sprayers, specialists in New Zealand-made spraying equipment, has acquired Tokoroa Engineering’s product range, including the…

Entries open for innovation award

Fieldays and its renowned Innovation Awards are celebrating their 57th year, marking a longstanding tradition in the agricultural calendar, with…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter