2026 Holstein Friesian Sales Season Sets Australasian Record
The 2026 Holstein Friesian sales season has already delivered outstanding results across New Zealand and Australia - including a new Australasian record.
The inaugural intake of the Holstein Innovation programme has produced its first young sire set to make an impact on the Holstein Friesian breed in New Zealand.
Kaahu Wimbledon Halo, bred by Mark and Suzy Riddington (Black & White 2010 Ltd), is out of Paragon Portion Honey ET, purchased by the Riddingtons at the Canterbury Collection Sale.
Holstein Innovation Chair Doug Courtman says Halo’s dam hails from a world-renowned cow family, developed in New Zealand by Rikus Scheepers.
“Paragon Portion Honey ET is a granddaughter of AOT Modesty Hoss ET, who was herself a granddaughter of Cookiecutter Mom Halo ET,” he says.
“This family is celebrated as one of the most prepotent worldwide. Popular sires such as Mr Ernest Anthony Havenofear and Ducket PFCT Has It All are just two examples from this line making their mark in New Zealand.”
Backed by proven sires Wimbledon, Portion and Mookie, Halo is well placed to suit a range of New Zealand breeding programmes.
Holstein Innovation is a joint sire proving scheme between HFNZ and LIC, designed to select and prove Holstein Friesian bulls for New Zealand dairy farmers. Genomic screening identifies elite young bulls for artificial breeding, while giving LIC access to diverse cow families within Holstein Friesian NZ member herds.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.
Rural Women New Zealand has announced the winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards.
Horticulture NZ says the funding boost to improve state highway resilience will support growers and strengthen the transport links they rely on to get produce to market.
Gallagher has appointed Rob Clayton as Chief Executive of its global Animal Management business to lead the next stage of growth across key markets.
A Waihi dairy farmer, Keith Torrens, has been convicted and fined $39,000 for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent following a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council.
Taranaki's sunshine and energy sector expertise are powering a new approach to renewable energy, with the launch of BlueGreen Frontiers.
OPINION: Reckless action by Greenpeace in 2024 forced Fonterra to shut down a drying plant for four hours, costing the co-op…
OPINION: The global crusade against fossil fuel is gaining momentum in some regions.