Livestock Improvement New Zealand Genetics

Livestock Improvement sets the standards for the world in dairy herd improvement through a unique national database which offers unparalleled traceability, world class genetic improvement systems  and laboratory automation solutions.

Livestock Improvement is a farmer owned co-operative providing the New Zealand dairy industry with the lowest cost milk production in   the world, a result of the highest technology transfer rate (research to farm practice) in the world, national farm management and breeding strategies and the highest rate of genetic gain (for the New Zealand environment) of any dairy industry in the world.

The company also provides breeding solutions to a range of animal species - deer, goats, sheep, horses and pigs.

A mixed herd grazing over 25 percent of New Zealand farmer crossbred and over 80 percent of New Zealand farms have two breeds or more in their herds. Whatever the breed the focus is always the same profitability not just production.

The latest New Zealand genetic development has been the design and implementation of a new genetic evaluation system called Animal Evaluation which allows fair comparisons between animals, regardless of breed. Animal Evaluation offers three significant advantages:
- an across breed evaluation
- greater accuracy
- a focus on efficiency and profit, as live-weight and survivability measures are included. What many farmers do not realise is that often the most productive cows in terms of milk is not the most profitable cow.

The advantages provided by the system will improve the breeding and culling decisions made my dairy farmers and increase the profitability of their herds. International users of New Zealand genetics will benefit because the sire selection and evaluation process is accurately identifying the most profitable sires of cows for profitable production from pasture.

LIC NZ has semen available from their three major breeds: Holstein Friesian Jersey Ayrshire

Typical New Zealand Holsten Friesian herd doing what they do best - converting grass to milk at maximum efficiency and minimal cost

Livestock Improvement New Zealand Genetics
Jock Richardson
Private Bag 3016
Hamilton
New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 856 0858
Fax: +64 7 856 2963
Email: jrichardson@lic.co.nz
Website: www.newzealandgenetics.com