Development rewarded at youth camp
Zara Williams' personal and professional growth has seen her presented with the top award at the 2025 World Wide Sires national all dairy breeds youth camp.
How to breed the herd of the future will be front of mind for dairy farmers attending Fieldays at Mystery Creek.
The Government’s Zero Carbon Bill calls for dairy cow numbers to be drastically reduced to meet the ten year and 30 year targets.
“Kiwi farmers are among the most progressive in the world,” says Hank Lina, general manager of international genetics firm World Wide Sires.
“They constantly achieve the seemingly impossible in all aspects of farming. The prospect of reducing cow numbers by even 10% in as many years is a scary one if they continue to milk the same cows.
“The only solution is to start today to breed a cow which will outperform today’s contemporaries so farmers can milk fewer cows and maintain or increase their production. It is possible, but they need a plan. And that plan starts now.”
Lina cites the old adage ‘if you always do what you’ve always done you’ll get what you’ve always got’.
“New Zealand’s Breeding Worth (BW) evaluation tool was introduced decades ago, its legacy evident in a national herd which averages 380kgMS cow.
“At Fieldays we will promote how farmers can move from a per cow average of 380kgMS to cows which consistently and over a long time produce 550kg plus per year.”
Lina said WWS has genetically advanced bulls selected specifically for NZ’s grazing environment. These produce highly productive, fertile, moderate size cows with udders and feet which will last in the herd.
World Wide Sires will be at site PC12 at Fieldays.
While healthcare itself got a $5.5 billion investment in Budget 2025, rural doctors are sounding the alarm about growing health inequities in rural New Zealand.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council says a new plan for managing the Wairoa River Bar will improve resilience for the Wairoa community in flood events.
Otago Regional Council is set to begin its annual winter farm flyovers in the next three weeks.
The Good Carbon Farm has partnered with Tolaga Bay Heritage Charitable Trust to deliver its first project in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.
Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says that while educators will support the Government’s investment in learning support, they’re likely to be disappointed that it has been paid for by defunding expert teachers.
The Government says it is sharpening its focus and support for the food and fibre industry in Budget 2025.
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