New pasture guide launched to support farmers in a changing climate
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
Massey University has sold its 35% stake in New Zealand Veterinary Pathology Ltd (NZVP).
It has begun selling shareholdings of Massey Ventures Ltd, the university’s research commercialisation arm.
The NZVP buyer is IDEXX Laboratories NZ, a subsidiary of IDEXX Laboratories Inc, Maine,
US. It makes pet healthcare products, diagnostic tests and information for livestock and poultry, and quality and safety tests for water and milk.
NZVP will now be called the NZ Veterinary Pathology Division of IDEXX Labs. The sale price has not been disclosed.
NZVP was incorporated in 2004 by Brian Linehan, Angus Black, Massey Ventures Ltd and Vet Service Trading Ltd. It started with labs in Hamilton and Palmerston North, later opening a lab at the Auckland Zoo.
Massey Ventures (previously Massey Holdings Ltd) has traded since 2003. Its lab on the university’s Manawatu campus has worked with the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences.
Massey University assistant vice-chancellor professor Brigid Heywood says “many positives” arise from the agreement, and will “open up other opportunities which will benefit from IDEXX Laboratories’ scale and global reach and Massey’s teaching and research strengths”.
Massey Ventures board chair Terry Allen refers to “an exciting landmark event in the development of commercially successful spin-outs from a leading New Zealand university”.
Chief executive Mark Cleaver says the “transaction shows we can grow successful companies and create value for the university. Like any venture business it must take a long-term view, and 10 years is a typical timeframe before [it makes any money].”
Massey Ventures holds equity in ten companies.
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.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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.