LIC

That’s a wrap on LIC’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Invercargill 🐄

Thanks to all our shareholders who voted and had their say in this year’s elections, and congratulations to our newly elected and appointed Board and Shareholder Reference Group members.

We also reflected on the year that’s been and how LIC is continuing to invest to deliver value for farmers today and into the future.

Calling all LIC shareholders. Join us online for LIC's 2026 Annual Meeting on Wednesday 23 September and have your say on the future of your co-operative.

Hear updates on LIC's performance and governance, vote on important matters including director and Shareholder Reference Group appointments, and ask any questions you may have.

Everything you need to know about the agenda, elections and voting can be found here: https://www.lic.co.nz/shareholders/annual-meeting/

Can't make it in person? No problem. Tune in online and have your say at: www.virtualmeeting.co.nz/lic26

Registrations open at 12:45pm, Wednesday 23 September 2026.

CHANGE OF SCENERY FOR OUR WAIKATO TEAM 🌾🐂

On Wednesday, our Waikato team were invited to visit LIC, where they had the opportunity to view some of their latest beef genetics and learn more about different collection and mating practices.

Pictured behind the crew are a group of Synergizer bulls, combining the best of Charolais and Stabilizer genetics to deliver easy-calving, well-marked calves.

Carrfields thanks the team at LIC for their invitation and delivering an insightful and educational visit.

Rural schools, don't miss out!

More than 150 schools have already registered for their FREE LIC prize packs, complete with a ribbon for Ag Day/ Calf club.

If your school hasn't signed up yet, register by Tuesday 1 September: https://livestockimprovement.formstack.com/forms/calfclub_2026

Ag Days have been bringing rural communities together for generations, and we're proud to continue supporting these special events.

LIC is proud to support Meet The Need NZ, helping deliver quality protein to food banks and community groups making a difference for Kiwi families in need.

A Pirongia dairy farmer has nearly halved his herd's empty rate, from 18% down to around 10%, after changing his approach to mating. Fraser Hasnip says starting short-gestation semen earlier than usual, alongside closer attention to cow health before mating, has lifted his herd's reproductive performance.

In Ireland, while carrying out AB work on other farms, John Phelan noticed some herds using New Zealand genetics. Curious, he decided to try a small amount over his own herd.

“I saw a bull called Hugo in an LIC catalogue. He looked balanced, so I gave him a go.”

What began as a small trial on the Phelan family’s Irish dairy farm quickly grew. Jerseys, Norwegian Red and Friesian crosses followed, and when the first crossbred heifers calved, the difference was obvious.

“I remember looking at them and thinking, ‘Geez, I’ve missed a trick here.’ They were giving us everything we wanted.”

By the mid-2000s, John had committed fully to crossbreeding, replacing a large proportion of his herd with crossbred heifers.

Read more about John’s story and how he’s adapted to the changing environment in Ireland and what gains they’ve achieved using KiwiCross genetics: https://www.lic.co.nz/news/the-phelan-family-an-irish-grazing-system-with-a-kiwi-twist/