Leah Prankerd: A passion for dairying and farmer support
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
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.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.