Wednesday, 22 November 2023 13:55

Sheepish

Written by  The Hound

OPINION: This old mutt understands that a number of high profile sheep studs are unhappy with Beef+ Lamb Genetics’ recent push to include methane traits in sheep.

Apparently, several of these studs have written to B+L Genetics asking where it got the mandate for using levy resources – and potentially compromising the world leading SIL database owned by stud breeders – to make this move.

Sources tell yours truly that one ag scientist recently mentioned “off record” that while they felt uneasy chasing a non-productive trait, it was the first time in their career that research money was “falling into their laps and laboratories”.

Ironically, B+L Genetics must have gotten wind of the breeders’ annoyance and suddenly and swiftly sent out a survey to sheep farmers asking what they thought about methane trait selection – albeit it a few years too late.

More like this

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

No more pines!

Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ’s landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE).

Group hug!

OPINION: Forest & Bird and farmers don't often find themselves on the same side of an issue, with F&G's litigious tendencies often pitting the two groups against each other.

Risky business

OPINION: In the same way that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, economists sometimes get it right.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter