Greater uptake of genetic tools among bull breeders
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Herd Improvement company LIC has apologised to dairy farmers and is offering financial compensation to those impacted by a bad batch of sire semen.
The farmer-owned co-operative’s bosses will be fronting up to affected farmers on Tuesday evening.
A bad batch of sire semen was used on 1127 herds across the country, resulting in lower pregnancy rates. The premier sire semen straws were provided by LIC for dairy farmers use to mate their herds.
In a statement to NZX on Friday afternoon, the listed co-op says getting cows in calf goes to the core of what it does.
The co-op says it acknowledges the potential impact the bad batch of sire semen has caused for individual cows in farmers’ herds.
“LIC are disappointed that they haven’t delivered to the high standard expected and are taking this situation very seriously,” the statement says.
“The co-op continues to investigate the cause of this issue and have implemented additional quality control checks at 4am each morning prior to semen despatch. Since implementing this, LIC have seen no further issues.
“LIC understands this is the last thing farmers need to deal with and sincerely apologise for the frustration this has caused. The co-op is committed to working with affected farmers, and their LIC agri manager is ready to provide them with support.”
LIC says this month it notified farmers of a semen quality issue that has impacted some batches of their fresh conventional Premier Sires straws that were inseminated on farms on 17 - 19 October and 23 - 25 October.
LIC says it has listened to the feedback from many of its farmers and consulted with the LIC board and shareholder reference group, recognising this situation has impacted farms differently.
LIC is offering a package that has two categories and can be refunded from farmers’ LIC account to their bank account if preferred:
In addition:
LIC is inviting farmers to join chief executive David Chin and board chair Corrigan Sowman on Tuesday November 28 at 7pm to hear more about this and have an opportunity to ask questions. This invitation is open to all LIC shareholders.
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Females are dominating the veterinary profession worldwide and many farmers are welcoming this change in the composition of the profession, says Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Professor Christine Middlemiss.
A five-year randomised survey of herbicide resistance on New Zealand arable farms has found widespread high levels of resistance - with 71% of farms affected in the worst-hit region - South Canterbury.
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…
OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…