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Gerard Hickey.
Two New Zealand farmer-owned co-ops are jointly offering an alternative revenue stream for farmers through a Wagyu programme.
The LIC and First Light Wagyu scheme enables dairy farmers to cross their dairy cows with Wagyu sires, creating more value for the farmers and a reliable source of export-quality Wagyu stock for First Light.
First Light chief executive Gerard Hickey says the scheme is helping to meet global demand for grass-fed Wagyu.
“The dairy-Wagyu cross creates a desirable product for export, with more of the marbling for which Wagyu beef is renowned. Our experience has shown dairy breeds, including the Kiwicross cow, produce a high quality marbled beef when mated with First Light Wagyu sires,” he says.
“Grass-fed Wagyu beef is increasingly popular with NZ and overseas consumers... who have shown they are willing to pay more for a verified traceable product with the superior eating characteristics of Wagyu.”
LIC’s general manager of biological systems, Richard Spelman, says the scheme enables farmers to see non-replacement calves becoming a valuable product.
“It gives income diversification from calf sales in early spring and provides an alternative to bobby calves. Farmers can extend their existing artificial breeding period to include First Light Wagyu,” says Spelman.
He says the partnership with First Light is happening at an opportune time as interest in dairy-cross beef options is rising.
“It offers new options for dairy farmers and creates high-value beef that fits with the NZ grass-fed story.
“The partnership also connects the dairy and red meat value chains to create an emerging value-added product.”
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
Academic and former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt has been elected as LIC director.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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