LIC semen probe results to be made public
The result of two probes into the supply of bad sire semen to over 1100 LIC farmer customers will be made public next month.
The country now has more than six million dairy cattle, an increase partly driven by higher milk solid payouts, Statistics New Zealand says.
The number of dairy cattle increased by 259,000 in the year ended 30 June 2011, according to the annual Agriculture Production Survey, with most of the increase in the South Island.
"The North Island regions tend to be mature dairy farming areas and so have small annual increases. It is in the South Island regions that we are seeing the big increases, particularly in Canterbury," agricultural statistics manager Hamish Hill says.
Continued high primary produce prices influenced how farmers managed their stock. Higher payouts for milk solids were behind the continuing increase in dairy cattle numbers. Higher beef and venison prices meant farmers sent more stock for slaughter – this can be seen in the lower numbers for beef cattle and deer in the year to 30 June 2011.
The 2011 Agricultural Production Survey is a sample survey of information from farmers and foresters. The 2011 survey covers land use, animal farming (livestock), horticultural and arable crop growing, forestry, and farming practices in New Zealand (including fertiliser and cultivation). The survey was conducted in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries.
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.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.