increase font size
Mark Townshend
New Zealand's genetics landscape will continue to evolve, says outgoing New Zealand Animal Evaluation Ltd (NZAEL) chair Mark Townshend.
The Ngatea-based dairy farmer says any changes need to be robust enough to be fit for purpose in the long term – and should consider what is best for dairy farmers.
Townshend stepped down as NZAEL chair end of last month, after three years in the role.
NZAEL is a DairyNZ subsidiary and the industry good organisation responsible for ensuring New Zealand’s rates of genetic gain are internationally competitive.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says Townshend’s leadership, hard work and commitment has been greatly appreciated.
“Mark has extensive farming and dairy cattle breeding experience, along with dairy sector governance skills, which have enabled him to provide invaluable guidance and support to the NZAEL board in his capacity as chair. We thank him for his exceptional service and wish him all the best for the future.”
During his tenure as chair, Townshend has also engaged with sector experts and partners to successfully progress the development of NZAEL’s Breeding Worth (BW) to include genomics for bulls. This is expected to be available to the sector in mid-2024.
Other achievements during his time with NZAEL include updating the animal evaluation model and several traits that make up BW.
Townshend is stepping down due to his other commitments and interests in New Zealand and internationally – and to spend more time with his family. He will continue to support the sector as a strong voice for farmers in animal genetics.
The process for appointing a new chair will be worked through over the next 6-12 months, while an independent working group also reviews best practice in genetic gain across the sector. DairyNZ board will manage the chair appointment process.
NZAEL board member and Analytica Laboratories executive director Steve Howse will be the acting chair until a formal appointment has been made. Howse is an experienced director in the commercial science, agribusiness, technology and education sectors, says DairyNZ.
Milton dairy farmer Chris Wills says he began using probiotics in spring 2023 to address somatic cell count (SCC) grades when cows transitioned from their winter barn to lush spring pasture.
Treat your farm boundary like a border. This was one of the messages delivered to farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Protect Your Patch workshop in Lincoln.
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
To ensure optimal growth, health, and wellbeing of calves, feeding strategies should be considered carefully.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
While the District Field Days brought with it a welcome dose of sunshine, it also attracted a significant cohort of sitting members from the Beehive – as one might expect in an election year.
Irish Minister of State of Agriculture, Noel Grealish was in New Zealand recently for an official visit.
While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.
AgriZeroNZ has invested $5.1 million in Australian company Rumin8 to accelerate development of its methane-reducing products for cattle and bring them to New Zealand.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
A bull on a freight plane sounds like the start of a joke, but for Ian Bryant, it is a fond memory of days gone by.
OPINION: Who will replace Miles Hurrell as Fonterra's next CEO?
OPINION: Governments all over the world are dealing with the fuel crisis.
