Latest news with #MarkLeslie
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Country's largest pastoral farmer Pāmu forecasts record profit in major turnaround
Mark Leslie, chief executive of Pāmu Farming that's expected to flip back to profit in FY25. Photo: SUPPLIED/PĀMU FARMING (Kara Tait) Pāmu is forecasting a record profit for the last financial year, as high prices for dairy and red meat help offset adverse weather events this year like drought and floods. The state-owned farming enterprise, formerly Landcorp Farming, forecasted an after-tax profit of between $119 and $122 million in the year ended June 2025. Pāmu, the country's largest pastoral farmer, managed about 360,000 hectares from Northland down to Southland across 112 dairy, sheep and deer farms as well as in horticulture and forestry. The forecasts marked a significant turn-around from last year's balance sheet when it posted a loss after tax of $26m. Chief executive Mark Leslie said the improved financial result was driven by the record milk price and strong livestock values. "On the operational side, we are laser-focused on core farming activities and operational excellence initiatives," he said. "Productivity gains through targeted pasture and livestock management have been key to the turnaround in performance. "Market-driven conditions-such as high international demand supporting milk, beef, and lamb prices-have contributed to revenue outcomes, offsetting weather-related challenges such as drought in the Central North Island." File photo. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Strong export demand for New Zealand beef had pushed up beef farmgate prices to above the five-year average, particularly from key market the United States, and lower domestic production. Similarly, lamb prices had continued to rise, driven by continued strong demand in key markets and the reduced lamb slaughter volumes nationwide. The announcement of forecast results on Thursday followed earlier reports of criticism around commercial performance and calls for the government to sell the state-owned enterprise. Pāmu was expecting a net operating profit for the 2026 financial year of between $56m and $66m. It said the wide range of the next forecast recognised the risks presented by material adverse weather events, volatility in commodity prices, currency and other markets and geopolitical tensions. The company's full-year audited results will be posted in the last week of August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
03-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Dog genetic conditions identified
A working dog on a Pāmu farm. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED A genetic study of working farm dogs in New Zealand has revealed five significant inherited health conditions across the selected huntaway and heading dog populations. Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie said in a statement the Massey University research team behind the "Right Dog for the Job" project had so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pāmu farms. The study looks for genetic variants linked to disease, paving the way for better breeding practices and improved working dog health. Pāmu had encouraged its shepherds to get their dogs tested as part of the project, he said. "It's not only good for their breeding decisions, but ultimately building research and development of genetic information about working dogs will contribute to improving the health of farm dogs across the motu." The study had so far genome-sequenced 130 huntaways, 104 heading dogs and 15 mixed breeds. Researchers focused on 400 known genetic mutations previously reported in other dog breeds, pinpointing 27 variants present in New Zealand's farm dogs — five of which could lead to serious health issues. The five most notable genetic conditions found include: A new study shows inherited health conditions in working dogs. • Vitamin B12 deficiency (CUBN variant) — can cause poor growth and health if untreated (six carriers). • Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) (CLN8 variant) — a severe brain disease leading to loss of movement, seizures and blindness (21 carriers). • Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (SGSH variant) — a rare neurological disorder affecting huntaways (five carriers). • Degenerative myelopathy (DM) (SOD1 variant) — a spinal cord disease that can result in progressive mobility loss (46 carriers, five affected dogs). • Von Willebrand disease (VWF variant) — a bleeding disorder that makes dogs vulnerable to excessive blood loss (nine carriers, one affected dog). Since the conditions were recessive, dogs carrying only one affected gene did not develop the disease. However, if two carriers were bred together, their puppies could be affected. The findings demonstrated the importance of genetic testing working dogs before breeding them, to avoid producing puppies with life-threatening conditions. The project team is continuing its research. Farmers have the opportunity to get their dogs tested, garrymainland@
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand Farm Dog Genetic Study Shows Top Five Health Risks
Press Release – Pamu Farms The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The initial tranche of the first genetic study of working farm dogs in New Zealand has uncovered five significant inherited health conditions across the selected huntaway and heading dog populations. The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The study looks for genetic variants linked to disease, paving the way for better breeding practices and improved working dog health. 'We have been encouraging our shepherds to get their dogs tested as part of the Right Dog Project,' says Pāmu CE Mark Leslie. 'It's not only good for their breeding decisions, but ultimately building research and development of genetic information about working dogs will contribute to improving the health of farm dogs across the motu.' The study has so far genome-sequenced 130 huntaways, 104 heading dogs, and 15 mixed breeds. Researchers focused on 400 known genetic mutations previously reported in other dog breeds, pinpointing 27 variants present in New Zealand's farm dogs — five of which could lead to serious health issues. The five most notable genetic conditions found include: Vitamin B12 Deficiency (CUBN variant) – Can cause poor growth and health if untreated (6 carriers). Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) (CLN8 variant) – A severe brain disease leading to loss of movement, seizures, and blindness (21 carriers). Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (SGSH variant) – A rare neurological disorder affecting huntaways (5 carriers). Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (SOD1 variant) – A spinal cord disease that can result in progressive mobility loss (46 carriers, 5 affected dogs). Von Willebrand Disease (VWF variant) – A bleeding disorder that makes dogs vulnerable to excessive blood loss (9 carriers, 1 affected dog). Since these conditions are recessive, dogs carrying only one affected gene do not develop the disease. However, if two carriers are bred together, up to 25% of their puppies could be affected. The findings demonstrate the importance of genetic testing working dogs before breeding them, to avoid producing puppies with life-threatening conditions.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand Farm Dog Genetic Study Shows Top Five Health Risks
The initial tranche of the first genetic study of working farm dogs in New Zealand has uncovered five significant inherited health conditions across the selected huntaway and heading dog populations. The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The study looks for genetic variants linked to disease, paving the way for better breeding practices and improved working dog health. 'We have been encouraging our shepherds to get their dogs tested as part of the Right Dog Project,' says Pāmu CE Mark Leslie. 'It's not only good for their breeding decisions, but ultimately building research and development of genetic information about working dogs will contribute to improving the health of farm dogs across the motu.' The study has so far genome-sequenced 130 huntaways, 104 heading dogs, and 15 mixed breeds. Researchers focused on 400 known genetic mutations previously reported in other dog breeds, pinpointing 27 variants present in New Zealand's farm dogs — five of which could lead to serious health issues. The five most notable genetic conditions found include: Vitamin B12 Deficiency (CUBN variant) – Can cause poor growth and health if untreated (6 carriers). Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) (CLN8 variant) – A severe brain disease leading to loss of movement, seizures, and blindness (21 carriers). Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (SGSH variant) – A rare neurological disorder affecting huntaways (5 carriers). Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (SOD1 variant) – A spinal cord disease that can result in progressive mobility loss (46 carriers, 5 affected dogs). Von Willebrand Disease (VWF variant) – A bleeding disorder that makes dogs vulnerable to excessive blood loss (9 carriers, 1 affected dog). Since these conditions are recessive, dogs carrying only one affected gene do not develop the disease. However, if two carriers are bred together, up to 25% of their puppies could be affected. The findings demonstrate the importance of genetic testing working dogs before breeding them, to avoid producing puppies with life-threatening conditions.
