30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast for over 25 years
November 2024 Edition
INSIDE
THIS EDITION Big fish
p5 Putting on a show
p15 Farms for sale
p26 Our drinking water
p31
Environmental breeding: Head of Genetics at B+LNZ Dr Jason Archer says the goal of the trial is to develop new traits specifically for the New Zealand beef industry so farmers can produce cattle with a light environmental footprint and still run productive and profitable farms.
Creating environmentally efficient beef cattle
An Angus stud in North Canterbury is taking part in an innovative new project aimed at producing the world’s most efficient beef cattle with a low environmental footprint.
] by Kent Caddick Farmers and scientists are using the latest technology to measure how efficiently New Zealand beef cattle convert feed into liveweight, and their greenhouse gas emissions, in the cutting-edge trial at the Te Mania Angus stud near Parnassus. Research teams are hoping to use the information from the trial to develop genetic tools farmers can use to produce animals that
feed more efficiently and emit less methane, without reducing the animal’s productivity. Geneticists from Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Informing New Zealand Beef programme, scientists from AgResearch and Te Mania Angus stud are working together on the project. Head of Genetics at B+LNZ Dr Jason Archer said the goal of the trial is to develop new traits specifically for the New Zealand beef industry so farmers can produce efficient cattle
with a light environmental footprint and run productive and profitable farms. “The feed efficiency of an animal is important to farmers because they’re facing rising costs behind the farm-gate,” Archer said. “An animal that can grow or produce more for the same amount of feed eaten is a real advantage for the farmer. At the same time, we are keen to find animals that produce less methane.
TO PAGE 2
Need a lawyer? Getting the right advice early makes a difference.
▪ ▪ ▪
Agri-business Disputes Wills & Asset Planning
Our team can work to support your business growth or give you peace of mind around planning, property or personal matters. Judith Bullin, Partner, Parry Field Lawyers
Talk to us today about how we can help. LOCAL LEGAL SPECIALISTS OUR LOCATIONS:
SELWYN 03 348 8480
WEST COAST 03 755 8673
CBD AND RICCARTON 03 348 8480
PARRYFIELD.COM