Feed News from Oceania

N.Z. Stock feed company fined $125,000

New Zealand - A stock feed company has been fined $125,000 in the Auckland District Court after pleading guilty to eight charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act.

The Commerce Commission says Mainfeeds Limited, which was also formally known as PCL Ltd, sold calf feed that did not meet advertised specifications.

It says Mainfeeds described a product called Finish Up as a high protein, high quality calf feed, but then changed the recipe to reduce the protein content and increase the salt, diminishing the feed quality.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 05.03.2010. 01:11

Genetically modified animal feed study results due mid-2010

Australia - The results of a controversial animal feeding study on genetically modified crops are expected to be made public by the middle of next year.

The $92,000 study was commissioned by the previous State Government in 2005 and funded in 2007.

However, the change of State Government last year left several unanswered questions for new Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman to explore in regards to the study's progress.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 01.01.2010. 01:01

New stockfeed deal at Geelong port

Australia - Canadian giant Viterra, who aquired Australia's ABB Grain in September, have just signed a new stock feed deal with the port of Geelong. Asciano-owned operator GeelongPort announced today the agreement that will be a big boost for the port of Geelong. GeelongPort is the largest regional port in Victoria.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 22.12.2009. 22:26

Oz feed maker reviews feedmill operations

Weston Cereal Industries, a division of George Weston Foods, commenced a review of the Tamworth (New South Wales, Australia) operation as part of sweeping changes to ensure the continued sustainable and efficient running of the business.

As part of the restructure, the company intends to close its Gulgong Flour Mill by November 2010, the Kewdale Distribution Centre in WA in January 2010 and upgrade the packing operations at a number of sites by March 2010.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 11.09.2009. 01:50

Feed key to better heifers

Australia - South Gippsland dairy farmers Peter and Catherine Hanrahan have seen big improvements in the performance of their heifers over the past four years.

Their heifers are better grown, get in calf more easily, need less help calving, produce more milk in their first lactation and have a lower cull rate as mature cows.

Peter said ensuring heifers always had access to quality feed was the key.

"We use artificial insemination exclusively over our herd," he said.

"Our heifers represent a major investment in genetics, so we can't afford not to feed them."

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 06.07.2009. 01:18