Hub farms, focus groups for red meat farmers
A hub farm in each of Beef + Lamb NZ’s seven regions and more focus groups are being rolled out for the red meat sector this year.
Entries are now open for the 2016 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is calling for the entries in the 2016 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards that will be held in Masterton at Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Solway Park on 6 July.
This year's awards include:
· Sheep Industry Innovation Award
· Significant Contribution to the Sheep Industry Award
· Sheep Industry Science Award
· Sheep Industry Trainer of the Year
· Sheep Industry Supplier of the Year
· Sheep Industry Emerging Talent Award
· New Zealand Terminal Worth Award
· New Zealand Maternal Worth Award
· Terminal Trait Leader for Lamb Survival Award
· Maternal Trait Leader for Lamb Survival Award
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive, Dr Scott Champion says the awards are a great way to showcase the sheep industry and celebrate those who are making important contributions in a range of ways.
"These awards will acknowledge the introduction of better genetics in the New Zealand sheep flock that has seen production lift significantly with fewer animals and we'll celebrate the innovators and trainers who are improving farming systems and developing our people," Champion says.
Nominations should be with Beef + Lamb New Zealand by April 15, 2016. The entry information and competition criteria can be downloaded at http://beeflambnz.com/news-events/events-calendar/sheep-industry-awards
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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