Breeder credits late uncle for hair sheep success
Southland breeder Tim Gow attributes the success of his Shire breed of hair sheep to the expert guidance of his uncle, the late Dr Scott Dolling, who was a prominent Australian animal geneticist.
IT'S THE stuff animal breeding sales representative dream of - selling 70,000 semen straws in a season.
CRV Ambreed is celebrating the success of its long serving sales representative in central-northern Southland, who has just sold her 70,000th semen straw of the season for the herd management company.
Irene Saul has worked for CRV Ambreed for nine and a half years and has consistently performed highly in the role. This season, however, is a personal best and an achievement that any sales consultant in New Zealand's competitive dairy genetics industry would respect and acknowledge her for.
"It's all about service," says Saul.
"I have been able to pick up more clients because I'm passionate about where my farming clients want to go with their herd and how I can get them there."
Saul says the job means more to her than 'just selling semen', and what she loves the most is helping farmers improve their animals and give them the best advice about how they could achieve their goals.
"I have taken a real consultant approach to the role and spend a lot of my time walking around the farm with my clients," says Saul.
"I'm also really passionate about CRV Ambreed's products and strongly believe that they will strengthen clients' farming investments. I wouldn't be working for CRV Ambreed if I didn't truly believe in the products and what I can offer my clients."
Saul's client base is broad, ranging from farms of 200 cows to up to 3,000, and there is a balance of corporate farms and privately owned.
"All of my clients are different and I am always willing to go one extra step for them. As a result, I have a great relationship with my clients and there's definitely some that I have a special friendship with."
Regional Sales and Services Manager Sue Duffy says Saul was a real asset to CRV Ambreed and a pleasure to have on her sales team as she always goes that extra mile for her clients.
The annual Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival – a fusion of books and storytelling - celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Emissions by dairy cattle decreased by 1.6% according to the latest NZ Greenhouse Gas Inventory report.
Tasman sharemilkers Warric and Rachel Johnson haven't let the 2006 milk payout crash put them out of business.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson says the Government’s decisions are set to hamstring growth within the farming sector.
A recent clinical study has highlighted the potential for a bioactive whey protein to support immune responses to influenza vaccinations.
Many contract milkers in badly drought affected regions around the country are coming under severe financial stress and farm owners are being urged to help them through a bad patch until the start of the new season.