CRV AmBreed & AgResearch join forces

Leading dairy genetics company, CRV AmBreed, celebrates forty years of success in New Zealand this year and has launched a new corporate brand and signing a collaborative agreement with leading Crown Research Institute, AgResearch.

The agreement promises co-operation between CRV Holding, parent company of New Zealand’s CRV AmBreed, and AgResearch on new science projects that will benefit New Zealand farmers, as well as stimulating research and development that will impact dairy producers around the world. In one of the first joint projects, AgResearch scientists will be involved in the genomic selection of future dairy sires marketed by CRV AmBreed and will play a part in DNA typing. A number of further projects are under review with AgResearch.

Roald Van Noort, CEO of CRV Holding, says that the agreement is tangible proof of the commitment CRV Holding has to investing in the New Zealand market. “CRV is a global company and wants to work with the very best research groups around the world. New Zealand is a leading dairy country with excellent scientific capabilities and we want to be involved in that.”

The partnership will leverage AgResearch’s considerable strengths in breeding-science technology and knowledge and CRV AmBreed’s strong connection to the dairy industry to develop targeted research and development projects driven by farmers’ needs. Dr Andrew West, CEO of AgResearch, says that he is pleased to work with CRV on projects that will make a real difference to the New Zealand dairy industry. “Continual improvement in developing ever-better products and methods is essential to keeping us at the top of our game,” he says. “Partnerships such as this between business and research institutes will do just that – and result in the products and projects that individual farmers, as well as the wider industry, need.”

Minister of Agriculture, the Hon David Carter, was a keynote speaker at the announcement of the agreement and unveiled the new corporate brand. Carter along with invited guests, was treated to a rare display of some of CRV AmBreed’s top sires and commented that improvements in cattle breeding over the years had added immense value to the New Zealand agricultural industry. He highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry as well as its role in helping New Zealand through tough economic times before unveiling the new brand, CRV AmBreed.