TB slaughter levy for dairy jumps 75c/head
TB differential slaughter levy rates are changing with dairy animals paying $12.25/head, an increase of 75c from next month.
Dairy farmers are being encouraged to consider using genetically superior beef bulls across their herds this spring to help create greater value along the value chain.
This is based on a recent report summarising the findings of the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics’ Dairy Beef Progeny Test (DBPT).
Written by farm consultant Bob Thomson, the report summarises the findings of a whole-farm modelling process, where the progeny of the highest ranked beef bulls from the DBPT were compared with the progeny of average bulls.
These showed a 15 per cent growth advantage at 400 and 600-days compared to the average bulls. This would improve gross margin returns by between $211 and $261/ ha and improve feed conversion efficiency by 9 per cent. This in turn would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The modelling demonstrated that when the top 10-15 per cent of DBPT bulls for marbling (intramuscular fat) were compared with the average DBPT bulls there was a 27 per cent improvement. This correlated with an increase in the strike rate with beef quality supply programmes, although with a price premium of 30c/kg CW, this increased the gross margin by up to another $51/ha.
The modelling also compared one and two winter finishing policies and highlighted clear advantages and disadvantages to both. The ranking of DBPT bulls did not change between the two policies.
Compared to the twowinter, the one-winter system occupied one third less land area with 15 per cent more feed conversion efficiencies.
The disadvantage was in lighter carcase weights (160-220kg CW) when processed between November and February. These weights were outside targeted beef grading and associated payment schedules.
Building a connection between dairy farmer and finisher
The report noted a disconnect between dairy farmers and beef finishers and the advantages for both parties to address this.
Working with a dairy farmer who is investing in superior beef genetics gives the finisher the opportunity to benefit from significantly improved growth rates and carcase attributes.
The report states that this disconnect has come about because finishers tend to prefer to buy dairy-beef spring-born weaners in autumn rather than rear them over summer. In drought years, when this is most apparent, there is little difference in the price between autumn and spring calves.
Dairy farmers producing high quality calves often felt frustrated with variable and inconsistent demand from beef finishers irrespective of whether they are four to five-day old weaners or 100kg weaners.
“Once the calves leave the dairy farm the connection back to their genetic merit is usually lost.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.