Genetics helping breed the best farm working dogs
Soon farmers and working dog breeders will be able to have a dog that best suits their needs thanks to a team of researchers at Massey University.
The Hound understands the recent crowing by Massey and Lincoln universities about the ‘huge growth’ in ag student numbers this year needs to be put into perspective.
Your old mate is delighted to note the rise in numbers of young people wanting to further their studies in the ag field, because the wider sector needs well-educated new blood for the nation’s economy to keep on expanding. However, a closer inspection of the actual numbers shows that while there has been a rise in the number entering ag courses in the last couple of years, they are still below the peak numbers of only a few years ago. This old mate hopes these numbers keep growing, but urges the Massey and Lincoln publicity mongers to lay off the ‘lies, damn lies and statistics’ tactics.
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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