increase font size
Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
Presented annually by Holstein Friesian New Zealand, the Mahoe Trophy recognises the top New Zealand-bred Holstein Friesian sire based on a combination of production, conformation, management and daughter performance traits.
Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F achieved the highest overall score of 385 points to secure this year's title.
LIC livestock selection manager Kelli Buckley said the award recognises years of dedication to breeding excellence.
"Winning the Mahoe Trophy is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication, patience and long-term vision that underpins successful breeding. Congratulations to Tony and Keri O'Connor, and everyone involved in developing Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F."
Tony O'Connor said seeing Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F receive the Mahoe Trophy was especially meaningful.
"It's incredibly rewarding to see a grandson of our exceptional brood cow, Tronnoco Mint Sunita VG85 19 Starbrood, recognised in this way. She was an outstanding cow that left many exceptional female descendants, so it's especially pleasing to see one of her male descendants receive this honour."
Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F was bred through the Discovery Project, a collaboration between Holstein Friesian New Zealand and LIC established in 2004.
The programme helps identify and develop elite New Zealand-bred Holstein Friesian sires for New Zealand's artificial breeding industry.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
I've written a series of articles for Rural News, starting with 'The Basics of Grazing', then 'Stock Handling', followed up by 'Evaluating Stock Condition'.
Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.
A major move is about to get underway to improve the quality and viability of dairy beef and cattle in NZ.
Veterinarians say changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle provides a positive foundation for improved cattle welfare across the country.
Today, 15 October, is the International Day of Rural Women, which recognises rural women’s contribution to farming, communities and the environment.
Global dairy giant Lactalis has integrated its Australian operations with the Mainland Dairy consumer business it acquired from Fonterra earlier this year.
High country stations, mixed sheep and beef farms, Māori-owned farms, corporates and family operations are among the nine commercial farms taking part in the Livestock Innovation Farming Transformation programme, known as LIFT.
