Timaru-Bred Bull Takes Out 2026 Mahoe Trophy
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.
717054 Rissington C200 was one of the top 5 all-round sires as reported in the September 2019 interim report of B+LNZ Genetics Dairy Beef Progeny Test.
Making quality beef genetics easier for dairy farmers to access is the aim of a new industry partnership.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics and LIC are collaborating to help fulfil growing demand for beef genetics suitable for New Zealand dairy cows.
The collaboration has seen the creation of the B+LNZ Genetics Dairy Beef Progeny Test, devised to identify quality beef bulls and help enable their widespread use for dairy beef.
Beef breeders can nominate their best bulls for consideration for the programme, with successful bulls then becoming part of the progeny test scheme.
B+LNZ Genetics and LIC says this will offer breeders a potential path to the dairy market for the first time.B+LNZ Genetics’ general manager, Dan Brier says he is excited about the collaboration and says dairy farmers are an important and valued part of B+LNZ.LIC chief executive, Wayne McNee says the collaboration helps add value to all stages of the dairy beef market.
“Beef sales are likely to increase significantly over the next decade and it is important LIC aligns itself with industry leaders such as B+LNZ Genetics and beef breeders to ensure the best beef bulls are available for the domestic and international dairy markets.
“We know farmers are focused more than ever on doing their bit to help reduce the number of bobby calves leaving their properties and the addition of this progeny test will further help with this objective.”
Nominations close 14 August with successful farmers notified 28 August.
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.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
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.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.

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