increase font size
Campbell Parker, DairyNZ
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
The IWG was charged with evaluating the dairy sector's genetic improvement progress and recently put forward recommendations to drive faster rates of genetic gain in New Zealand's dairy herd.
The IWG report said the current system for genetic gain in New Zealand was not fit-for-purpose and that, as a result, New Zealand's genetic herd had lagged relative to other advanced dairy industries.
Importantly, the IWG report noted its confidence that New Zealand can catch up to fully harness the benefits of genomics for faster genetic gain, unlocking increased profitability and improving environmental outcome.
Upon the report's release in July, DairyNZ, LIC and CRV all committed to making changes for the sector's benefit and will each participate in a newly established governance grup to take the report's recommendations forward.
The governance group met yesterday and identified six workstreams to action the report's recommendations, including:
The governance group has commenced a process to appoint an independent chair for a two-year term, alongside an appointed project manager.
“The report clearly outlined how New Zealand can improve the rates of genetic gain and we are fully committed to ensuring that the recommendations are actioned to benefit the entire sector,” DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says.
“We have had productive conversations about how we can implement the recommendations and are determined to work together and overcome sector challenges to ultimately deliver benefits to our New Zealand dairy farmers – through animals that are more resilient, profitable and easier to farm into the future.”
He says the governance group parties will work together to develop outputs that meet the needs of other stakeholders in the sector to access and participate in a one genomic breeding worth index.
He says they will also ensure they have the right reporting mechanisms set up for the workstreams for transparency and consistency, and an engagement plan is being developed to ensure all interested stakeholders can participate effectively in the governance group process.
The governance group will provide regular updates.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
DairyNZ has pulled together tactics that will help farmers improve on-farm efficiency and have positive benefits for the environment. These tactics are based on research, data, and lessons from leading farmers.
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process.
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
OPINION: Should cows in NZ be microchipped?
OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…
