LIC-DairyNZ impasse unacceptable

To deliver an integrated dairy industry data network, Federated Farmers is encouraging DairyNZ to secure a solution that will benefit the entire dairy industry.

“Two years after Professor Anderson led the Herd Improvement Database Review Committee, Federated Farmers is disappointed that LIC and DairyNZ have hit an impasse,” says Robin Barkla, Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairperson.

“To make the next jump in on-farm productivity requires an integrated dairy industry data network. A one-stop shop for our industry, which distils our on-farm data with breeding and herd testing.

“Federated Farmers continues to back the findings of what became known as the Anderson report.

“We strongly believe the Dairy Core Database must be operated by DairyNZ in the interests of the industry. There must be no commercial driver as it should be for the dairy industry by the dairy industry

“The dairy industry has a lot of integrated information technology built from decades of genetic improvement. Its one of the reasons why our cows are the world's best.

“This is not a time for ego to fragment what we’ve worked so hard to build up. It is time to build a single database with the information we need to take the New Zealand dairy industry forward.

“Federated Farmers will back DairyNZ in whatever is needed to break this impasse,” Mr Barkla concluded.