LIC Space folds for good
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
Short gestation dairy genetics is expected to generate more than $11 million in extra milk production for New Zealand farmers this spring, says livestock breeder LIC.
LIC experienced record demand for its extended range of short gestation genetics last mating season (Sept-Dec 2014). The genetics have the ability to naturally deliver offspring up to 10 days early, bringing late calving cows forward and increasing days in milk.
The farmer-owned cooperative, which breeds about three-quarters of the country’s dairy cows, had previously been researching the genetics solution for more than 15 years on behalf of its farmer shareholders.
As a result, an estimated 148,613 calves are due to be born an average 7.5 days earlier this spring, and those animals will have a big impact on a farm’s bottom line says Malcolm Ellis, LIC’s SGL breeding programme manager.
“Seven or eight days are pretty significant for a farm’s calving pattern and production, especially in these times of lower payout – because the sooner the cow calves, the sooner she’ll be back in the shed making milk.
“Cows that calve early can provide a range of benefits to the farm but ultimately it means more money for the farmer and let’s be honest, I’m sure they could all do with a bit more of that at the moment.”
The cows will also start cycling earlier and get back in-calf quicker, Ellis says, providing flow-on benefits beyond than the current calving period.
He calculates the extra days in milk to be worth up to $11.2 million in milk production this spring, or $75.60 per cow based on the opening forecast milk price of $5.25 per kg milk solids (MS) and the average daily production of a cow at this time of year, 1.92kg MS per day.
“Multiply that across 100 cows, and that’s an extra $7500 for the farmer. In total, short gestation genetics will generate up to $11.2 million this spring and after 15 years of research I am absolutely rapt to see it delivering for our farmers – now and for seasons to come.”
In line with the extra days in milk, farmers would also need to be mindful of the impact on feed in spring, says Ellis, but most will have planned for that.
Short gestation genetics options from LIC for the 2015 mating season are expected to include options for Hereford, Angus, Friesian, Jersey, and KiwiCross. On-farm results will range between 5 and 10 days.
To support farmers through the lower payout, and to help ensure investment in good genetics is not compromised, LIC is also offering extended credit and interest free periods for its artificial breeding products during the peak spring mating season, as well as interest free periods on automation and DNA parentage products.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
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.
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.