Core Database expertise prepared, says DairyNZ

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 1 November

Core Database expertise prepared, says DairyNZ

Industry good body DairyNZ says it has the expertise lined-up and waiting for the development and management of a new Dairy Industry Good Animal Database, should Livestock Improvement (LIC) shareholders approve the transfer of the Core Database this month.

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says the organisation is stepping up for this new stewardship role but is awaiting the result of the LIC vote.

The transfer of the Core Database to DairyNZ from LIC is part of an agreement between the two organisations but requires the approval of 75 percent of voting shareholders. Voting is currently underway with a result to be announced at the LIC Annual General Meeting on November 14.

“This is about realising our vision for a national database covering calving, mating and production data, that we can extend and add to with industry good information. New database fields will be defined and added as new animal traits of relevance for genetic evaluation emerge. It’s an exciting project and farmers should see it as a huge industry opportunity,” says Tim.

“Our industry is dynamic and we need a national database that is dynamic too – evolving and developing all the time, in response to dairy farmers’ needs. That’s the industry’s vision and that’s what we are committed to delivering,” he says.

LIC chief executive Mark Dewdney says he has confidence in DairyNZ’s capacity to manage the transfer and develop the new Dairy Industry Good Animal Database.

“We wouldn’t be putting this recommendation forward if we didn’t believe it was good for shareholders. LIC is a partner and supporter in this proposed transfer and we are an integral part of DairyNZ’s steering and stakeholders groups and its planning on how to take this forward,” says Mark.

DairyNZ’s strategic investment leader for productivity, Bruce Thorrold, says DairyNZ has already developed relationships with database development experts, who will work on the transfer process if LIC shareholders vote their approval.

”DairyNZ has invested in developing a robust transfer plan for the database and is just waiting to push go. We have developed the plan in conjunction with a dedicated project and stakeholders’ group, including representatives from LIC, CRV Ambreed, Federated Farmers and the Ministry for Primary Industries,” says Bruce.

“We’ll engage more experts as we move towards the transfer and management of this database. Farmers can rest assured that we will build the capacity and capability to do this job well. We know they will be closely watching how we perform as this information is key to their business.”

Bruce says building the database is expected to cost over $1 million. “But this will only be confirmed once a specific partner is chosen for the build, with several high calibre companies already vying for the work should the vote be positive.

“The cost to run the database will be about $1.3 million each year. But these costs will be met by DairyNZ from its existing operational budget, meaning there is no expected increase in levy to farmers through this transfer. We encourage farmers to vote on the transfer so we can go ahead and bring the benefits to them.”

For more information on the Dairy Industry Good Animal Database visit www.dairynz.co.nz/industrydatabase.

-ENDS-

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