Dairy Breeding Shift Delivers Major Gains in Herd Performance
New Zealand dairy farmers are making more informed, strategic breeding decisions, and it’s paying off, according to CRV managing director James Smallwood.
Herd improvement company, CRV Ambreed becomes CRV as the Dutch company brings together all its global business units under one brand name.
Ambreed was sold to Dutch global artificial insemination leader CRV Delta in 2003 and became CRV Ambreed.
New Zealand has a close connection with CRV’s head office in The Netherlands. Angus Haslett was managing director of CRV Ambreed for 10 years, and is now chief executive of CRV based in the Netherlands.
He says having one name sets up the company for a new era of competitiveness in local markets.
“For over 50 years, New Zealand dairy farmers have worked with CRV Ambreed to continue to improve their herds. And that won’t change.
“Running a local breeding programme allows CRV to breed the type of animal that suits New Zealand’s unique grazing-based farming systems. In fact, the international demand for our grass-based breeding product is growing and CRV grazing genetics are exported to many countries. At the same time, NZ farmers benefit from CRV’s access to overseas genetic innovations as well.”
James Smallwood, CRV’s NZ-based managing director Oceania business unit, says that while CRV is a significant player on the global genetics stage, it has always remained connected to the needs of its Kiwi farmers.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.

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