Herd production performance soars
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
An automated body condition scoring system for New Zealand-bred cows will be launched at National Fieldays next month.
The technology, a world first, combines DeLaval's BCS camera system with LIC Automation's technology and knowledge of NZ herd characteristics.
DeLaval Oceania regional president Andrew Pooch says it is pleased to be cooperating with LIC Automation.
"It eliminates commercial barriers and will offer all NZ dairy farmers opportunity for body conditioning scoring to be fully automated, eliminating the guesswork and labour hours associated with a manual system.
"This could not be more timely with the new animal evaluation process in place in NZ since February 2016 making BCS trait mandatory for bull evaluation."
LIC Automation sells services and solutions such as dairy genetics and information, says Paul Whiston, chief executive.
"Collaboration in innovative technology... increases productivity and prosperity onfarm. Automating the body condition scoring process will deliver greater consistency and [finer] data to farmers to assist in their decisionmaking and herd management."
The DeLaval BCS is based on a 3D camera; when a cow passes under the camera the system recognises the movement and selects the best still image of the cow in the video sequence. The image is converted into an accurate BCS and can be accessed via DeLaval's herd management system DelPro or LIC's herd management system Minda.
The DeLaval BCS condition scoring allows the farmer to plan and optimise feeding according to a cow's BCS score, ensuring they have peak body condition in the lactation cycle.
Keeping cows at ideal condition during lactation ensures maximum milk yield, improves pregnancy rate and minimises calving and post calving problems, the company says.
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.
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