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.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.