Livestock Improvement : Herd improvement set to do some heavy lifting to reduce emissions intensity

"That's where we come in - this announcement gives us a clear mandate to provide solutions to farmers to reduce their emissions intensity. LIC has known the challenges for some time and has been focused on supporting farmers to be profitable and sustainable in the future through cow efficiency," says LIC Board Chair Corrigan Sowman.

"Targeting a reduction in emissions intensity cements our focus on cow efficiency as a sustainable solution for the dairy sector, and the good news is, we have the cows that will get us there - we just need more of those highly efficient cows.

"We will continue the strong focus on longevity and minimising wastage as positive gains in this area will also significantly enhance on farm profitability and enable an improved emissions profile at a herd and farm level."

LIC's genetic research is leading to cows that produce less methane, are more tolerant of hotter climates, produce more milksolids per kg of liveweight and are all-round more efficient. Many farmers are investing in quality, efficient pastoral genetics which will put them in good stead to reduce their emissions intensity, and LIC will continue to support them to do that.

Long-term users of LIC genetics have almost doubled the rate of genetic gain in their herds over the last 10 years - these gains are cumulative and permanent, delivering long-term benefits into the future

We need more efficient cows like Meander Fmi April S2F - the dam of Meander TS Alloy-ET, the highest HoofPrint® rated cow

Across the national herd, the top 25% of 4-8-year-old herd tested cows are producing an average of 539kgMS which is +166kgMS more than the bottom 25%. The top 25% are also more efficient cows - producing an average of 1.05kgMS per kg of liveweight (kgLWT), whereas the bottom 25% are .73kgMS/kgLWT.

"We know the efficiencies that can be achieved on farm through herd improvement, and we are confident we can support farmers to reduce their emissions intensity."

"My key message to farmers is - we have your backs. An emissions target that centres on intensity reduction is a positive step forward and there are many solutions out there to support you. LIC genetics is one of those solutions and we are ready to do our bit to support farmers to meet these targets, says Mr Sowman.

Each year LIC invests around $18 million into R&D (7% of revenue), making us one of the largest private investors in R&D for the primary sector. These investments are primarily focused on improving the production efficiency of the national herd for the profitability of New Zealand's dairy sector.