Dairy power
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.
DairyNZ has redeveloped and updated a reproduction knowledge course known as the InCalf training programme.
InCalf programme manager Samantha Tennent, new in the role, says the course teaches key knowledge in fertility and steps that can improve dairy cows’ reproductive performance.
The training is for anyone interested in improving cows’ reproduction, including vets, rural professionals and farmers.
“As a sector we need to be working together to help lift the current national average six-week in-calf rate from 66%, closer to the sector target of 78%,” Tennent says.
“Many factors influence reproduction and it can be challenging for farmers to do everything they need to do at the right time to achieve good results. Sometimes they lack of awareness or knowledge, yet we know that people who attend InCalf training know how to identify opportunities for improvement.”
Run for the last decade in New Zealand, the programme was originally adapted from Australia for NZ conditions.
“DairyNZ has worked with InCalf trainers to modernise the programme, including reducing the number of paper resources,” Tennent says.
The new training format is known as InCalf Foundations and is designed to help attendees understand and prioritise drivers of fertility. Attendees will understand the economic benefits of good reproductive performance in a herd and learn how to maximise use of the InCalf resources, including interpreting the Fertility Focus Report that is part of the InCalf programme.
“The principles of InCalf help raise awareness of a year-round approach to reproduction for good performance, rather than focusing only on the mating period. It’s important not to wait until it’s too late to address issues.”
For farmers’ convenience the course has been reduced to two days but participants will get the same amount of instruction.
“We are looking forward to delivering the updated programme,” Tennent says.
Courses will run in Hamilton on November 20 and 21, and in Ashburton on November 27 and 28. Spaces are limited.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
OPINION: Is it the beginning of the end for Greenpeace?
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.