Sharon McIntyre, manager of Deer Select, the deer industry's genetic database, says Carla BVs will eventually be provided within Deer Select.
"Recording fields have been set up but, for the meantime, the BVs will be produced off-line through AgResearch. While we could do this quite easily within Deer Select, it is important at this stage that the data collection is supervised. Also we want to reinforce the message to breeders that the technology is experimental."
McIntyre says the Carla scores now being gathered will be added to the data collected in the Deer Progeny Test to help build a robust database that one day may underpin a BV for worm resistance. This would enable commercial farmers to factor worm resistance into their decision-making when buying stags.
When the boat comes in
The Ministry for Primary Industries and the cruise ship industry are set to trial a new accreditation scheme to reduce the biosecurity risk posed by arriving cruise passengers.
The scheme involves collecting background information about vessel stores to determine biosecurity risk, says MPI's Border Clearance Services Director Steve Gilbert.
"Cruise ship passengers are usually very compliant when it comes to biosecurity," he says.
"The risk material they bring ashore is mostly snack food from vessel stores. If we know where the stores have come from and what checks they have undergone, we can have peace of mind that any food that leaves the vessel is free of pests and diseases."
The trial also involves getting assurances from cruise lines that ships have strict systems for pest control and they actively promote biosecurity messages, such as restrictions on carrying fruit fly-host materials like bananas and apples.
Harrison 'a true champion'
New Zealand meat industry pioneer Sir Graeme Harrison has taken out the 2016 Rabobank Leadership Award, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the food, beverage and agribusiness sectors.
Sir Graeme, the founder and chair of one of New Zealand's largest exporters, ANZCO Foods, was presented with the trans-Tasman award at a dinner in Sydney last night.
It is the second year in a row a Kiwi has taken out the honour, with former Fonterra chair Sir Henry van der Heyden the recipient d in 2015.
Rabobank Australia and New Zealand Group managing director Peter Knoblanche said Sir Graeme was a "true champion of agribusiness".
Alliance role for Stacy
Leading meat processor and food company Alliance Group has appointed Heather Stacy to a newly created role of general manager shareholder services.
Stacy has held senior leadership roles with Fonterra New Zealand, as general manager of international farming, and for Fonterra Australia, as general manager milk supply.
She was previously the executive director of United Dairy Farmers (the Australian equivalent of Federated Farmers for the dairy sector) and has worked in the red meat industry for Meat and Livestock Australia (the equivalent of New Zealand's Beef + Lamb).
Stacy also brings previous experience from the meat processing and retail sectors with Metro Meat in Australia.
Network taps young talent
A tertiary network designed to increase the number of high-achieving graduates entering the sheep and beef industry is proving hugely successful in only its second year.
Beginning in 2015, the Red Meat Network allows 20 leading students from six tertiary institutions to listen to high-calibre speakers from the sector, including Mike Peterson - a member of New Zealand's Special Trade Envoy for Agriculture.
Funded by the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP), which is a Primary Growth Partnership Programme, the network has added to the significant gains the partnership has aimed to deliver in terms of increased productivity to sheep and beef farmers.
RMPP general manager Michael Smith said encouraging young people into the red meat sector was a key part of increasing productivity.
"We do this by showcasing a range of pathways for them to take by bringing in inspiring and diverse speakers."