2024/25 Dairy Statistics: NZ dairy farmers boost production with fewer cows
According to the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2024/25 report, New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows.
Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) has appointed Paul Littlefair as its chief information officer.
Littlefair, who has been acting in the role since September, has previously held senior IT roles at KiwiBank, ASB Bank and the Colonial Group and was also chief information officer for the Bank of South Pacific for a time.
Chief executive Wayne McNee says Littlefair's extensive experience and leadership skills will be hugely valuable to LIC and its farmer shareholders.
"LIC is currently in the midst of a significant technology transformation programme worth more than $40 million. This work aims to provide the infrastructure and foundations that will not only support growth in the business, but enable the delivery of new innovations that add more value on-farm.
"Paul's skills, experience and strong leadership qualities will be instrumental in its success."
Littlefair starts in the role immediately, reporting to the chief executive.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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