More testing as M. bovis resurfaces
As Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) resurfaces in Canterbury, CRV is reassuring dairy farmers it has rigorous production processes and health testing programmes in place within its supply chain.
From next dairy season CRV Ambreed will offer genetics that will guarantee the birth of polled calves.
The company reports the recent births of three homozygous polled bulls as part of its genetic development programme – the culmination of several years of controlled breeding.
R&D manager Phil Beatson says the goal was to “breed bulls that had two copies of the polled gene”.
“When the bull has two copies of the polled gene, you are guaranteed the bull’s progeny will all be polled, as all get one copy of the poll gene. Conversely, bulls with only one copy of the polled gene are referred to as heterozygous and their progeny has only a 50% chance of being polled.”
The progeny of the polled bulls will not need disbudding – a costly and time-consuming intervention increasingly under scrutiny. For instance, 200 replacements in a herd may cost as much as $1400 to disbud.
“Farmers also require their dairy cattle to have reasonably high indexes. Our three polled bulls, just born, are high indexing. Breeding polled cattle while at the same time having acceptable index is the trick,” Beatson says.
Tokoroa organic dairy farmer Ged Goode started using semen from polled bulls on his 750 Kiwi-cross herd this dairy season. He is looking forward to CRV Ambreed’s offering next season.
“The aim is to have the whole herd polled and producing A2 milk,” Goode says.
“Horns are a health and safety issue as far as the staff and animals are concerned.”
Two of CRV Ambreed’s polled bulls are Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreds and one is a Holstein-Friesian bull.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.