It h a s ta ken a tea m to i n crea se th e va lue of N ew Zea la n d’s g en etic wea lth.
Your share i s right here.
Farming and science are an inseparable par tnership. You put in the hard yards on the farm, we continue to make discoveries in the lab
Since 1994, LIC has invested over $78 million in genomic science to improve genetic gain and productivity. Together, we ’ ve built a bank of incredible genetic wealth which you as dair y farmers
1.4 million inseminations. Our drive to achieve better never stops and our latest breakthrough with Single Step Animal Model has improved genomic prediction accuracy by 8% - enabling you
Sires to take your share of the genetic wealth built by shareholders for over 30 years
Ta l k to yo u r Ag r i
The re 's alwa y s ro om fo r i m p rovemen t
FOCUS
of Contents
President’s Perspective
General Manager’s Comment Office News
Dates To Remember
Committees
International News Industry Affairs Report
Registrations
2020 Annual Conference
Strategic Plan 2020
JerseyGenomeTM
Ian Harris Memorial Heifer Competition
The Greatest Sale, Merriland 1984
TOP Review 2020
Semex Jersey On-Farm Challenge 2020
Special Awards 2020
Jersey Beef Showing Great Results
Wold Wide Sires Photo Competition 2021
Setting the Bar High - Autumn Harvest Sale
Production Highlights 2019-20
How Are Production Statistics Calculated?
The Sun Is Shining, So Why Not Make Hay?
NZAEL Update December 2021
Show Opportunities Back In Full Swing
Youth Profile - Jenna O’Sullivan
CRV Bull Profile
595 Ruakura Road
RD6, Hamilton 3286
Telephone: 07 856 0731
Email: info@jersey.org.nz
Website: jersey.org.nz
Facebook: Jersey NZ
ISSN 2537-9232.
Autumn Transition – Why is it so easy?
Jersey Future
Jersey Advantage update
Matriarch Genetics Ltd
Regional Ambassadors
LIC Bull Profile
RAS List update
Connecting Kiwi-Kids To Their Roots Obituaries
Jersey NZ Youth Ambassadors
Calf ClubNZ 2020 Results
Show Results 2020/2021
New Members
Scholarship Fund Roll of Honour Club Contacts
Te Awamutu Jersey Club Report
Lower Waikato Jersey Club Report
Te Aroha Jersey Club Report
North Taranaki Jersey Club Report
Northern Wairoa Jersey Club Report
President’s Perspective
As we move into a new year the world is still very much focussed on controlling the pandemic and opening the borders safely. On the local front we have been very fortunate to control the spread of the virus and have maintained a relative sense of normality in our day to day lives. There is, however, no room for complacency even with the arrival of a vaccine and we do at least have the luxury of being able to observe its effectiveness throughout the world before it arrives on our shores.
On a more positive note. The dairy world continues to produce food and the global dairy trade has reinforced that pandemic or no, the world still requires food. With the payout looking strong for the 21/22 season there are opportunities for farmers to move forward with confidence but it is also an opportunity to review our farming practices and work within our environmental parameters.
As Jersey farmers we are already on the right trajectory for addressing environmental issues but whenever such bold statements are made, we are constantly asked by the unconverted to prove it. Scientific research comes with a huge price tag and often is not breed specific but, through the numerous conversations I have had with industry players, it always comes back to the value of data. A conversation at Dairy Event with the staff on the Allflex stand regarding the value of their collars was…
“We notice from the data coming back to us, that Jerseys don’t suffer from heat stress!”
This comes as no surprise to those of us who farm jerseys but also highlights that there is a wealth of valuable information that would clearly demonstrate what we already know. The reality is that this data belongs to the individual farmers but, what a powerful tool this is if only we could harness it.
Jersey NZ Board
Alison Gibb
President
Taupiri agibb@jersey.org.nz 027 481 0820
Barry Montgomery
Vice President
Dargaville bmontgomery@jersey.org.nz 021 034 0068
Tony Landers
Hawera tlanders@jersey.org.nz 027 458 4465
A recent conversation with Nicholas Villa-Lopez, who heads the oncea-day trials at Massey University, highlighted the value of classification data, particularly when identifying suitable cows for milking once-a-day.
The industry is awash with data, NAIT, Herd testing, mating records, TOP, and while DIGAD will capture a good proportion of this in one spot there is still the potential to capture a great deal more.
After waiting many years to find a solution to DIGAD it is exciting to see, at last, the development of BreedIT. The first of this work was rolled out during classification last year with the new hand-held devices coming in to play. As with all technology there were a few glitches but if any of you have ever been involved with the development of technology, you will know that that is to be expected and that in reality, the maiden voyage ran relatively smoothly. We look forward to the signing off of the final stages of this work.
I hope that you all managed to have a restful break away from farm activities and are ready to face the challenges of the new year as we more forward from a year than will go down in history for all the wrong reasons.
See you all in Taranaki.
Alison Gibb | President
Peter Gilbert
Ashburton
pgilbert@jersey.org.nz 027 435 6334
Glenys Ellison
Hamilton
gellison@jersey.org.nz 021 147 4490
Julie Pirie
Ngatea
jpirie@jersey.org.nz 027 608 2171
Our Strategic Purpose
Supporting our membership and wider Jersey community by promoting and driving the Jersey breed and Jersey products
Animal Evaluation Data
Unless otherwise stated, all BW, PW and LW ratings shown throughout this issue are as at the Animal Evaluation run of 22 January 2021.
Unless otherwise stated, all NZMI figures quoted throughout this issue are as at the NZMI run of 22 January 2021.
Alison Gibb
General Manager’s Comment
As I start to write this column for each magazine, my process starts with looking over the previous couple of columns. This time last year news of the Covid-19 virus was only just starting to come through, and didn’t rate a mention. However, in what must have been a premonition President Alison Gibb themed her President’s Perspective on resilience. A few months later, and into a second period of lockdown both columns featured the global pandemic and our reactions as farmers, as an organisation and as a country. Today, while day to day most of us can still go about our daily routines, we remain very aware of the threat of Covid through small community outbreaks that to date have been contained.
We hope that Annual Conference 2021 in New Plymouth will remain unaffected as we know that members really missed Conference last year. The April timeslot is new, and while we appreciate that members are still milking at this time of year we do hope that you will join us for an exciting programme, not the least of which will be seeing cows in milk! Conference includes top-rated speakers, industry forums and some exciting social activities. Members will still also get an opportunity to be heard at the ‘cream can’ which will be run as a Special General Meeting. Look out for more information later in the magazine.
Roger Ellison’s Industry Affairs article this issue talks about the value of advocacy, specifically representing the interests of Jersey farmers ‘at the table’ within the industry. Members too can advocate at a grass roots level and in their own areas. Jersey bulls continue to dominate the RAS list - talk to your neighbours and local discussion groups, but not just rurally. Talk to your urban friends also – remind them that NZ farmers are already the most efficient in the world, and that the Jersey cow is the most efficient and sustainable breed in the NZ system. Our website has a raft of information you can use, all supported by industry data and articles. Contact us
Jersey NZ Team
Pam
Goodin
General Manager pgoodin@jersey.org.nz
Michelle Calcott Business Administrator mcalcott@jersey.org.nz
for resources too, or your local regional ambassador. There is a reason you love Jerseys – share it loud and proud!
At Jersey NZ we believe that every farmer deserves the best cows; we belive that cow is Jersey.
BreedIT. This will be a new term to most of our members, but one that you will quickly get used to. BreedIT is the name of the new suite of Breed Society specific programmes that will allow us to operate all of our core services via DIGAD (Dairy Industry Good Animal Database). BreedIT incorporates our member managements system, registrations, TOP & Classification and reporting. The TOP handheld units operated via BreedIT in the 2020 season, and the rest of the system will be live by 31 May 2021. You will notice a difference in the way reporting looks (such as registration certificates and TOP cow listings), with enhancements that match our current operating processes. Here in the Jersey NZ office we are very excited for the operational efficiencies we believe BreedIT will bring once embedded.
Following the Christmas/summer break we have hit the ground running, with an early Conference impacting our workload. With an office move, ‘go live’ for BreedIT and a new team member on board it’s going to be a full-on year. Bring it on!
Pam Goodin | General Manager
Kandin Robinson Promotions & Marketing
Co-ordinator info@jersey.org.nz
Robyn Gordon Member Services Administrator rgordon@jersey.org.nz
The Jersey FOCUS
The Jersey FOCUS is the official publication of Jersey NZ published bi-annually in March (Autumn) and September (Spring) respectively.
Jersey NZ is the official trade name of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association Inc.
Pam Goodin
Office News
JERSEY NZ BUILDING
While Jersey NZ did attempt to purchase a building unit late last year, this was unsuccessful. With nothing suitable on the market the search has now turned to leasing for a 2-3 year period, and we hope to have a lease confirmed shortly. We will advise members more details once this is confirmed. The Board are also exploring other long-term options in terms of building ownership.
BREEDIT
From 1 June 2021 the new BreedIT programmes for Breed Society core services will be operational. Members will notice some changes, but we will keep you informed via e-mail of any process changes that may affect you. There are no changes to the registration rules for Jersey NZ members, and we expect that the new internal processes will be more efficient. Your registration certificate will look different, and will be provided electronically unless you specifically request a paper copy.
The membership management system being used in BreedIT is Outreach, which is the CRM programme that we already use here at Jersey NZ so we are already very comfortable with it. There are some enhancements to the new version from an operational perspective, and we will still be able to manage the members of all three Breed Societies via this portal. We will continue to manage all bulk e-mails to members via Outreach.
The collection of TOP & Classification data via the new handheld units was in place for the 2020 season. While there were a few small glitches (as is to be expected from any new system), overall this was very successful. The rest of the TOP system will be live in BreedIT for the 2021 season.
JERSEY NZ TEAM
Sadly, shortly after you receive this issue Kandin Robinson will be leaving the Jersey NZ team. From a new Uni graduate two years ago, Kandin has developed into a well respected team member with some great ideas and innovations. Much of the improvement in graphics and social media over the last couple of years has been a result of his work, and we will miss his cheery presence in the office. We hope to contract Kandin for a few hours a week in his new role to ease the transition, and wish him every success for the future.
The role has been advertised, and we will advise members when we welcome a new team member into this critical role.
Respectfully, we ask that members refrain from contacting the Jersey NZ team outside office hours unless it is urgent. While we advertised mobile numbers during lockdown for a limited time, for most of our team these are personal phones and members continue to text, message and phone the team on non-urgent matters, often outside office hours. While this has an impact on their personal lives, it is also harder to track and retain texts and personal Messenger contacts in a business
sense. Please phone the office during business hours, e-mail info@jersey.org.nz or message the Jersey NZ Facebook page. Pam Goodin is available on 027 619 7291 for any urgent matters outside office hours.
MEMBER CONTACT
We ask members to consider their sustainability footprint when receiving newsletters and updates from Jersey NZ. Electronic notification is now the simplest, quickest and more cost-efficient way for us to remain in contact with you, highlighted by longer mail delivery times and increased postage costs. All our newsletters, forms and activities are also downloadable from the website, and online forms are also available for most activities. Where your newsletter is printed, we will not print and include attachments, but these will still be available on request from the office.
We urge members to choose electronic delivery as their preferred option to receive notifications from us. To do so, just email us at info@jersey.org.nz.
2021 Team Coming Soon
Catalogues will be released any moment now.
Remember to save room in your mating plans to help proove the future of the Jersey breed.
For more on the joint programme, see www.jersey.org.nz/jersey-future/
DATES TO REMEMBER
Jersey
COMMITTEES, PANELS AND WORKING GROUPS 2020/21 COMMITTEES
Maurice Pedley, Mark Townshend, Barry Montgomery, Andrew Shaw
JERSEY GENOME WORKING GROUPS
Tony Landers, Glenys Ellison, Glenn Wilson, Josh Sneddon
YOUTH
Julie Pirie, Peter Gilbert, Graham Wallace, Ruth Jeyes, Matt Satherley
International News
Is
Dairy Farming Cruel to Cows?
The New York Times
Mr. Chittenden’s 1,500 cow farm is entirely populated by Jerseys, a smallish breed made incarnate by Elsie the Cow.
A loquacious man whose weather-beaten hands reflect a lifetime of toil, Mr. Chittenden said low prices, increasingly stringent environmental rules and heightened attention from animal rights groups had made the past five years especially stressful. He and other farmers say the allegations of widespread abuse from animal rights activists are exaggerated, contending that unhappy cows are poor milk producers.
“Fortunately for me, all the things that result from an animal being better cared for are better for my bottom line because these animals will never produce more milk than when they are well fed, well cared for and don’t have a single stress in the world,” he said.
He scoffed when asked about the practice of artificial insemination, which People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has described as rape. Cows seldom resist artificial insemination, he said, and the alternative — being mounted by a 1,500-pound bull — is an often brutal act that can injure females. “When a cow is in heat, she is not looking for a relationship,” he said.
Full article available online at http://bit.ly/JerseyNZnews02
The Jersey cow helping Rwandan widows rebuild their lives - BBC News
A cow is transforming the lives of women by helping them to become profitable farmers.
The Jersey cow is typically found in its native home in the Channel Islands, producing some of the most nutrient-rich milk in the world. When the island’s dairy experts were
Jersey Canada - Master Breeder 2021
The 2021 Jersey Canada Master Breeder is Lone Pine Jerseys, the Haeni Family in Didsbury, Alberta.
The Haeni family milks 110 purebred Jerseys and crops 800 acres of barley, oats, wheat, canola and forage. They started in 1993, and are now enjoying watching the 3rd generation involved in the farm, as they work towards setting up on-farm processing. Congratulations Haeni family
To receive the Master Breeder Award, the recipient must have a herd with high level of production, breed improvement through classification, and longevity and success of their genetics. To become a Master Breeder requires an 18 year minimum commitment.
Constructive Breeders 2021
Bovi-Star, in Marieville, Quebec. Yannick Ostiguy, Fransesca Beauregard and family milk 28 cows and have been in dairy for 15 years. They strive to breed quality animals and look forward to one day winning Master Breeder.
Clanman Jerseys, located in Clanwilliam, Manitoba. Steven and Marie Smith, along with their son Sean, milk 58 cows in a new compost pack barn with a DeLaval robot, and crop 560 acres. Their family has been dairy farming for 67 years, and future plans include installing a grazeway system in barn for cows to be milked and released to pasture for grazing.
The Huijzer family of Huntcliff Dairy, located in Olds, Alberta. They currently milk 140 cows, 100 Jerseys and 40 Holsteins, and are moving to 100% Jerseys. This multi-generational dairy family came from Holland 20 years ago. They have 3 Lely robots in a freestall / pack barn / loose housing combination, and crop 600 acres of barley, hay and corn.
asked for help in 2004 by the President of Rwanda, it was “the perfect match”.
By using the Jersey cow’s unique gene pool, farmers in the African country have turned poverty into profit.
In 1994 an estimated 800,000 people from the Tutsi minority were murdered in the Rwandan genocide. The killings left behind 50,000 widows, propelling thousands of women to head of the household.
Almost 10 years later, the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJAHS) inherited 300,000 straws of cow’s semen from the island’s government, according to head of international dairy development at RJAHS, David Hambrook.
Full story was shared on the Jersey NZ Facebook.
Industry Affairs Report
Advocacy – It is easy to undervalue this essential work
Roger Ellison | Industry Affairs convenor Member of Future Proofing Committee, Jersey Advantage.
Advocacy is an interesting beast. In a perfect world, one would hope that decisions made would be fair and take into consideration all possible effects. However, those making industry and political calls are only human like ourselves so fall short of perfection. Advocacy by, and for, different affected groups is a fact of life and is necessary to reduce negative impacts on these groups and keep wider decisions as fair as possible for all. Advocacy is especially needed for smaller or minority groups as they can easily be overlooked or discounted. The Jersey breed finds itself in this position.
Advocacy effectiveness is often quite subtle and hard to quantify. In many cases, it is just by being at the table when discussions are being had. It reminds decision makers that you are a stakeholder that needs to be considered. You see, in most cases, decision makers want the decision to be as fair as possible for all affected stakeholders. If not, they know that there will be issues with compliance by those groups that are disadvantaged by the decisions. They will also have to deal with negative commentary from those affected which can then snowball to less compliance from others – we all know how social media works in this space!
The Jersey breed is currently well represented at the table, either through the work of JerseyNZ committees, especially Industry Affairs or by JerseyNZ’s collaboration with Jersey Advantage.
A good example is the work currently being done by NZAEL to bring genomics into the sire evaluation programme. JerseyNZ and Jersey Advantage have been ‘at the table’ during these discussions. The size of this prize is estimated up to $182 million per year. When this becomes a reality, every Jersey farmer will get the benefit of faster genetic gain from the choice of sires available. Every Jersey farmer will also have the chance to genomically test some or all of their females to determine more accurately the best females to breed for replacements – again increasing the rate of genetic gain. Over time, through the implementation of genomics, every Jersey farmer will also have access to genetic tools to assist their environmental obligations in the form of less methane and nitrogen production per cow and product produced.
The key for advocacy groups is to be invited to the table. Jersey has had a long history of constructive activity with NZAEL so this is a given but not taken for granted. We have to keep working on being constructive with any challenges to the status quo. NZAEL needs to continue to see value in our relationship with them to keep inviting us to the table.
For other industry decisions, especially those related to the environment and compliance, relationships are very new or yet to be established. A good example is the He Waka Eke Noa project – a government and industry alliance of
13 stakeholders tasked with developing a fair way of measuring and pricing green-house gas emissions for farms in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. For this to be fair for all farmers and therefore have the best outcomes for NZInc, we believe the calculations must be based on kg liveweight/ha, not cows/ha, and must account for herd differences in the efficiency of converting feed into milk solids (e.g. factors like BW, breed effects and BVs for methane and N production in the future need to be part of the calculation).
Fortunately Jersey advocacy groups have strong longterm, positive relationships with members of the He Waka Eke Noa group (DairyNZ, Fonterra, Federated Farmers) so our pathway into this group will be via them.
Effective advocacy work often goes under the radar, and can be undervalued because of this. However, the risks of not undertaking this work are great. Not partaking in advocacy is a bit like starting out on a journey on bald tyres. You may get to your destination without any hassle but the risk of being late or not getting there at all is much more than if you set out on good tyres.
Have an opinion on the current
movement?industry
Jersey NZ invite members to share their thoughts in the “In My Opinion” segment.
Discuss relevant thoughts regarding the Dairy Industry, Breeding and Genetics, Life as a Farmer or anything else that pops into mind.
Send at any time to: info@jersey.org.nz
Opinions expressed by editorial contributors or claims made in advertisements are not necessarily those of The Jersey FOCUS, General Manager and Board of Jersey NZ.
Registrations
Registrations for 2020 born calves are now well underway, and many members have already completed this process for the season.
What benefits does registering have?
• Registered cattle give more options for how they can be marketed. A registered pedigree herd has a profile through your studname that offers many quality added value opportunities, including brand development.
• Registered cattle give more options for how they can be marketed, on average a registered herd sells $200-$800 per cow above similar herds.
• Registered animals are eligible for programmes administered by Jersey NZ including automatic access to the JerseyGenome™ programme.
• Industry good. Your registrations increase the subset of Jersey animals whose data can contribute to the national herd, increasing reliability for education and advocacy purposes.
• Registration is a prerequisite for successful bulls in the genetics industry, most AB companies require young Jersey bulls to be registered in the Jersey Herd Book.
• Higher genetics bulls sold as service sires often attract a premium when registered.
Why are registrations important to us?
Not only can registering your animals add value to your own herd there are two main benefits to wider industry, advocacy and operations:
• The primary reason is information. As part of our data access arrangements we can readily access information on the subset of registered Jerseys within the national herd. The more information we can access (i.e. the greater number of registered Jerseys), the more reliable that data is.
• Registrations generate income for Jersey NZ. It is that income that provides the resource for Jersey NZ to advocate to and work alongside industry partners on your behalf; educate Jersey and dairy farmers, and the industry, about the benefits of the Jersey breed; driving the growth of the Jersey breed.
Along with registration numbers increasing we are also increasing the number of members taking part in our registration standing order process. Increased member participation by 68% in one year has made predicting workloads and allocating time accordingly much more efficient.
If you register year to year, but struggle to remember to get your information in, fill out a standing order form and leave the rest of work to Robyn.
Call (07) 856 0731 or e-mail rgordon@jersey.org.nz - Robyn Gordon
New Member? Jersey Plus Registrations!
Are you a new member looking to get your herd registered? Then consider registering your herd through our Jersey Plus programme. The offer is available to all new members who register their herd before 31 August of the year they join (i.e. for the next Herd Book). This programme applies to you if you:
• Are a new member with or without a registered Studname/Prefix
• Use the automated ‘Turn Your Herd On’ option to register all current females J12 & over in your herd
• Use either the MINDA naming system or the default naming system and sign up to the annual standing order programme.
Prices will be as follows:
First 100 females $7.75 + GST
Next Over 100 females $3.25 + GST
With additional discounts for larger groups as follows: (discount to apply to total account)
That is a saving of AT LEAST $7.25 PER ANIMAL on any female animal over one year of age.
Offer does not apply to bull registrations, these must be processed individually. Call the office now to see if this could work for you.
For more on registrations including bulls ane the full registration policy, head to www.jersey.org.nz/registration
Willow Downs Jerseys Herd Dispersal Sale
Wednesday 14 April, 11.00am
Willow Downs Jerseys Ltd - C/- Joanne Hamilton
292 Argyle – Otahuti Road, Waianiwa, Southland
Due to a change in farming practice, PGG Wrightson are pleased to offer by auction on bidr® the following stock which are from a self-contained property:
Approx:
• 130 Mixed Aged Cows
• 23 In Calf Heifers
Production 456 m/s per Cow.
• 25 R1 Heifer Calves
• 7 Mixed Aged Bulls
These Cows have been herd tested monthly, for the last 64 years.
• Various straws of semen also available for sale
Established with foundation cows carrying Vagabond and Glenmore bloodlines. The opportunity to purchase the pick of the Aldershot Stud of Kaiapoi made a great contribution to our stud. Three families are still represented in the stud. Koa Whenua Royal Angel was another that has left a top family. Stonycreek Link Valray VHC CP progeny have developed into the best family in the stud.
When we expanded in 1987 we purchased a large number from the Hanover Stud. Cows and heifers were also procured from Tarnhowe, Madeley Park, Blythburn, Ferdon, Brookvale, Greenbelt, Kereru, Beledene, Rangelands and Konui Glen which are establishing top families. Madeley Park Sens Sue left another outstanding family.
Our policy of buying cows or heifers to try before we committed to a sire have paid off. Some of the sires that have had a huge influence in the stud are Roseneath Choice Nelson, Allyn Red Count, Brookvale Metes King and Regal Lustre, Madeley Park Larries Bell (sire of our first Royal Champion – WD Belles Ace VHC 94), Madeley Park Royal Lloyd and Status Merv, Ferdon Tandras Ideal, Coronets Leonard, Gold Sandy, Harvest Ingot, Willow Dows Kings Vic, Sandys Van, All Viv and a few others.
Over the last few years overseas bloodlines have been used to increase milkflow and size. These include Curtsey Duncan Jude, Van Holme Imperial Saturn, Sooner Centurion, Centurion Sultan, Arethusa Sambo Verify, Les Pitino Al Top and bulls from Duncan Belles family or grandsons including Madeley Park Bells Sam.
Over 600 homebred cows have achieved VHC ratings and are still pure bred.
Mark Cuttance - PGG Wrightson 027 442 4742 For sale enquiries, please
Joanne Hamilton - Vendor 03 235 2829
Roddy Bridson - PGG Wrightson 027 458 2775
Willow Downs Fin Chandra@ 13yrs 402 ms in 252 days
Madeley Park Bells Sam daughters (Semen from Sam will be available for sale)
Jersey NZ 2021 Annual Conference
12 - 14 April 2021
Plymouth International Hotel, New Plymouth
Join us in celebrating Jersey success. We’re excited to announce that this year the Jersey Annual Conference will be going ahead in April, held in the beautiful New Plymouth –Home to some outstanding Jersey herds.
Over the three days we will be celebrating Jersey success, visiting some of Taranaki’s top Jersey herds, win/beer/gin tasting over lunch, hosting industry related talks, and enjoying a good catch up after COVID.
Key note speakers include:
• Barbara Kuriger – National MP
• Cather Simpson – Chief Science Officer for Engender Technologies
• Trish Rankin – (Possibly no introduction needed) 2019 DWN Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year
• Kevin Barrett - Taranaki Organic Dairy Farmer, father to three All Blacks
This year the Jersey Pride sale will also be held, hosting some of the vendors top genetics.
Workshop sessions:
• Jersey NZ / Jersey Advantage Industry Forum / Farming to the Future
• Special General Meeting aka ‘cream can’ session
To view the full itinerary, head to www.jersey.org.nz/2021annual-conference
Registrations close 19 MARCH www.jersey.org.nz/2021-annual-conference
Jersey NZ’s Strategic Plan 2021
CORE PURPOSE:
Supporting our membership and wider Jersey community by promoting and driving the Jersey breed and Jersey products
BHAG:
Jersey #1 Breed
Adding integrity and value to your farming business
Reviewed in 2020 the full Strategic Plan includes One and Three Year Strategic Priorities along with 90 day Action Priorities. The full Strategic Plan can be viewed at www.jersey.org.nz/governance/
Plymouth International Hotel, New Plymouth
JerseyGenomeTM
Elite heifer programme to identify potential bull mothers
What is JerseyGenome™?
• A programme to identify and acknowledge the best pedigree Jersey breeding heifers in New Zealand.
• A joint venture to identify potential bull mothers for Jersey NZ & CRV Ambreed, to generate sires that will enhance the future of the Jersey breed.
Keep up to date with JerseyGenome™ at: www.jersey.org.nz/jersey-genome
2021 Team JerseyGenomeTM Update
The JerseyGenome™ working group is currently processing registered Jersey heifers from the top cow report. The breeders of these heifers will be contacted to assess their availability and the heifers will now be subjected to the JerseyGenome™ selection criteria. From this group around 150 heifers will be selected for genotying from hair samples with the final team announced in June 2021.
2020 Team JerseyGenomeTM Update
2020 JerseyGenome™ Testing Team (2019 born)
• 121 animals
• 28 members represented These heifers have received a mating contract and semen has been provided at no charge to owners. They will begin their testing year in August/September 2021.
2019 Team JerseyGenomeTM Update
2019 JerseyGenome™ Testing Team (2018 born)
• 66 animals
• 27 members represented
The 2019 team is currently in their first lactation. All heifers that scored above the 6-6 criteria for udder overall and dairy conformation now qualify for graduation in May. Below are tables listing top ten heifers in the current testing team based on LW and NZMI.
TABLE 01 - TOP ANIMALS BY LW
Two View Goldy Index Kim
Puriri Triple Agnes
Evergreen 18-19 S3J
Wairakau Kingpin Hazel
Evleen Larson Collette
Lynrich Bast Vail JG S3J
Koroglen King Becky
Puriri Kpin Daktari JG
Glenui Winston Rozanna
Paynes 18-190
G & C Vowles Wilson Farms
Evergreen Jerseys
Wairakau
& S Smeath
Leov
Partnership
Farms Ltd
TABLE 02 - TOP ANIMALS BY NZMI
Ellison BTS Shalimar JG
Two View Goldy Index Kim
Freydan Kaino Fiona S2J
Lynrich Flint Isla JG S2J
Puriri Kpin Daktari JG
Glen Kaycee PKC Basilica
Lynrich Bast Drew JG S3J
Koroglen King Becky
Lockhart Con Bella ET S3J
Freydan Conrad Gem S3J
& G Ellison
& C Vowles
J & F J Lynch Ltd
& CL Lansdaal Ltd
Farms
Farms Ltd
&
Ian Harris Memorial Heifer Competition
Proud Sponsors of the 2021 Competition
2021 Competition
Nominations have been made and the entrants have selected their special heifers. Results will be out in the next Jersey Focus. Best of luck to all participants.
Junior Entrants
Entrant
Carlisle Christensen
Kemnay Christensen
Molly Fletcher
Emma McKay
Ella Pirie
Patrick Beagley
Shyla Lindsay
Liam Gordon
Henry Scherer
Gabrielle Scherer
Charlie Scherer
Isaac Wallace
Ella Wallace
Ruby Williams
George Williams
Charlie Williams
Jack Williams
Sienna Bourke
Sam Browning
Malachai Pickett
Danika Beardsall
Heifer Selected
CGLY-18-63
CGLY-18-13
Ferdon Governors Sophia
Ngatea Emmas Lily P
Ngatea Ella Oz Lulu S3J
Ngatea Pat Lil Chief
Ngatea Shylas Flora S3J
Index Nigella
Sherborne Chrome Bree
Sherborne Chrome Dillan
Sherborne Chrome Fox
Maxwelton GSB Lilly
Crescent Tstar Dimple
Williams Limerick Mia
Williams Kaino Jorja
Williams Sultan Saucy
Williams Mighty Jayne
Te Awhata TQ Candy
Totara Dale Rising Cleo
DTRP-18-1
Totara Dale RS Pinderella
2018 Result Correction
Senior Entrants
Entrant
Chantel Bennett
Crystal Scown
Reon Hince
Bridget Duffy
Aleasha Shaw
Tony Schnuriger
Nathan Moffitt
Zoe Botha
Ashlee Crane
Shaun Good
Krystle Bennett
James Wallace
Steph Browning
Nick Browning
Ryan Pickett
Amy Pickett
Sophia Clark
Aaron Mills
Heifer Selected
Benworth King Annie S3J
Innes Lulu
Halig Sultan Mulan
Sherborne Casino Quin S0J
Anchor GP Ultralass
Sherborne Fab Fran
Cinagro Berness S0J
Ferdon Viral Astar
Carnmor Stars Trixie
Thornwood Bastian Tilly
Benworth King Phillis S3J
Crescent Desi Tilly
Totara Dale Highlite Alee
Totara Dale Rising Bambam
DTRP-18-21
DTRP-18-80
DTRP-18-33
DTRP-18-3
Due to an error in the result calculations back in the 2018 Ian harris Memorial Heifer Competition Gregory Capper-Conjin was incorrectly placed. Gregory’s entry Carnmor Sandown Oona placed 2nd in the Junior entries with 159.5 points.
This was a result to a breakdown in communication, changes to the following years competition rules were made to clarify the issue in future.
The Greatest Sale, Merriland 1984
Article by Cliff Shearer, Glenbrook Jerseys
10.15 am Wednesday the 23rd May 1984 began the greatest sale in the history of the Jersey breed in New Zealand. The Merriland Jersey stud owned by the MacDonald family had for many years been one of the elite herds in the country and their annual sales were always among the highest averages.
Merriland sold a lot of animals to Australia and they were fortunate to be selling at a time when it was easy to export to Australia. In fact its possible that Merriland sold as many animals into Australia as all the rest of the studs combined. All season people had been talking about the sale as Ron MacDonald had been telling everyone it was going to break records. He was right.
145 herd sold for an amazing average of $6,100 and a gross of $883,850. To put that into 2021$ it comes to just over $3,000,000. Not bad for seven hours work. 81 cows averaged an amazing $7,157 or $24,450 in 2021$. Prices like this had never been seen before and have never been seen since, nor is it likely to happen in the foreseeable future. Merriland broke the record set by the Fairway herd dispersal in 1980 of $4,034 over 80 head with 31 cows averaging $5462. About a 50% higher average price than the previous record. In the intervening 37 years the highest Jersey herd dispersal average has been Beledene in 2018 who averaged $3,286 on 282 head.
The cows rewrote the record books with Lot 19 Merriland Fair Minuet establishing a new record price of $35,000 or $120,000 in 2021$. Minuet beat the previous record cow price of $20,000 set for Fairway Cute Rainbow in the 1980 Fairway
dispersal sale. Rainbow had been brought by Merriland. This record was not beaten until 2018 when Beledene Sams Starlee made $38,000. Minuet is still the second highest selling cow in New Zealand history and in fact five of the only nine cows to make $20,000 at auction in New Zealand were from the 1984 Merriland dispersal.
Lot 132 Merriland Fair Daisy from the famous Big Hollow Easter Daisy family set a new record for an incalf heifer of $18,000. This remained the record until 2008 when Okura Nevy Mystic sold for $23,500. Daisy remains the third highest price for an incalf heifer today.
Lot 104 Merriland Lees Nugget sold at $34,000 to set a new record price for a Jersey bull sold at auction in New Zealand. This is still the record price. Nugget took the record off Grandeur Good Omen who made $30,000 a few years earlier. This price is equal to $116,000 in 2021$.
I was very fortunate to be able to attend this sale and it remains one of my Jersey highlights. We had the Sproslea sale in Taranaki the day before and a carload of us [ Barry & Ken Clement, Philip Ingram and me ] left after that sale and stayed the night at Piopio. The next morning we rose early and made our way to Matangi in the Waikato. I recorded in my diary that most of Taranaki was there. I think most of the Jersey breeders in New Zealand and plenty from Australia were in fact there.
I was very happy to get a seat in the sale pavilionplenty couldn't fit inside. And also happy to sit there for seven hours watching history being made. Its an amazing feeling writing down prices like those achieved that day. And no, I never considered putting in a bid at all. I brought my entire herd for what the top cow made. Being young we visited the NZ Sire Services bull company after the sale and arrived home around 11.30 that night.
Dispersal sales are special sales - the highlight of any year for many breeders. Sadly as herds get bigger there are less and less sales each year. After the Merriland sales no other dispersal even averaged over $3,000 until
Merriland Fair Minuet, VHC – New Zealand record price of $35,000
Merriland Fair Alexia – second highest price of $32,000
the famous Beledene dispersal sale in 2018. This was a very highly anticipated event and not only was there a large crowd from New Zealand attending, there were also some overseas visitors for the sale. Beledene averaged $3,286 on 282 herd sold and that was an event not to be missed. I was delighted to attend this sale also and see the cow record price broken after 34 years by Beledene Sams Starlee who sold for $38,000. 148 cows sold for $3,370 and the sale grossed $927,000. Another cow Beledene Centurion Marnie made $30,000.
In 2020 during a pandemic lockdown the well known Carmor herd dispersed but not in the normal manner, as the entire sale was conducted over the internet, online. This sale averaged $3,191 for 210 head with 131 cows averaging $3,198 to be the sixth highest dispersal sale. Carnmor Stars Trixe reaching $22,200 to be the second highest selling incalf heifer of all time.
Dispersal sales are a big part of the history of the breed. Merriland was the greatest sale in Jersey breed history. When will the next great sale come along ?
New Zealand Highest Price Cows
TOP Review 2020
The 2020 TOP & Classification season saw the adoption of the new classification awards for Jersey NZ. The following data represents these new awards, more information can be found on our website. In the 2020 TOP & Classification season, Jersey NZ classified a total of 20,363 animals as follows:
Snowfed Farm Limited
B W & I C McClean
I W Scott & Sons Ltd
Leithlea Jerseys
P & K Horn
LA & AH Wilson
Totara Dale Farms Ltd
Roma Farm Ltd
Just Jersey Limited
G P S 2007 Limited
Karaka Jerseys Limited
Rivermere Jerseys
Agrivest Limited
R & J GIbson
Mangapiko Jerseys
CW & NJ Hickey
Thornwood Family Trust
Somerton Jerseys Ltd
P & S Ingram
Ngarua Dairy Ltd
Keripapa Farms Limited
G & P Wilson
R & G Ellison
J & J Ellison
Premier Cattle Co Ltd
Glenalla Farm Limited
K A Tosland
Glanton
JHT Farms Limited
Greenacres (Kereone) Ltd
P A & A S Wisse
Summit Farms Ltd No 1
R Johnstone Kaycee Farms Ltd Sherborne Farms Ltd
&
& D Gloyn Anchor Jerseys Ltd
The TOP & Judging Committee Co-Covenors, Peter & Barry will be having a meeting to discuss the pointing and awards with the TOP Committee and will have further clarification regarding this at the JNZ Conference in April for member discussion.
Jersey On-Farm Challenge 2020
It’s a strange feeling seeing the national results in March, but with year-on-year contestant growth the decision was made to release them ASAP.
We want to congratulate all members who entered and took part in the Semex On Farm competition.
Semex have kindly backed this competition for a few years now. Their support goes a long way, providing the prizes for our winners just tops the vat! Make sure to visit their website and support them for supporting us – www.semex.co.nz
Our judge this year was the one and only - Richard Adam (Carnmor Jerseys) with the driving/photography help of Pauline, Pam and Semex Reps.
To see all photos up to 6th Place and Regional results visit www.jersey.org.nz/2020-semex/
JUDGES COMMENTS & NATIONAL CLASS WINNERS
2 Year Old Winner
The two year old class was very even. The winning heifer was a good upstanding heifer with a very strong topline, tremendous depth and spring of rib with plenty of strength. She had a very good fore udder and teat placement. She placed over the second heifer for her extra length of body and fore udder although the second heifer was cleaner through the front end.
3 Year Old Winner
The three year old class was very strong although I felt the top cow was a clear winner. She had tremendous length and topline. A cow with great dairy bone and an outstanding udder. The second place also showed tremendous dairy bone with a very good udder. The winner placed over her because of her longer wider udder and particularly her width of rear udder.
4 and 5 Year Old Winner
The 4 and 5 year old class was particularly strong. While the biggest difficulty with this competition is not being able to put the top cows together, in this case the two top cows were on the same property, but were still difficult to split. The final winner matched up better with other class winners. She was tall and long with good strength with a very good fore udder and a very high, wide rear udder. It was her extra length and slightly better fore-udder that she placed over the second cow. This cow had tremendous dairy bone, outstanding wedge and capacity and a superb rear udder. Splitting these two cows was one of my most difficult selections.
6 and 7 Year Old Winner
Another strong class and again the winner was a long cow with good dairy bone. She had a lovely silky udder and particularly good fore-udder. She was my
Belbrook Joel Lulu – Belbrook Farming Ltd – J & R Wakelin
Ferdon Tequila Caramel – Ferdon Genetics Ltd – W & M Ferguson
Leithlea Valentino Esme S3J – Leithlea Jerseys – T & M Luckin
Champion cow at the Royal show ten days earlier and looked just as good in the paddock. She placed over another very good cow mainly through a little more length and cleanness of bone although the second placed scored a little higher on rear udder.
8 and 9 Year Old Winner
Although smaller in number there were some terrific cows in this class. Again, the top two were difficult to split, both had tremendous rib and capacity and were very milky cows. I went with the winner for her extra height and width in rear udder while the second scored higher on rear teat placement.
10+ Year Old Winner
As expected this class was smaller in numbers but again the cows at the top of the line were tremendous. The winner was another very long cow that still had good fore udder
attachment and tremendous width and height of rear udder for a cow of this age. She placed over the second cow on udder attachment. This second place cow had extreme depth and spring of rib and showed extreme power.
Champion Cow
The Championship class could only be described as outstanding. I found it difficult to fault the winning three year old – tremendous length and top line, great dairy bone and a terrific udder. She also displayed tremendous style and jersey character. She placed over my Reserve (the winning four and five year old) through a slightly more silky udder and fore udder length and marginally cleaner through the front end. She placed over my Honourable mention (the second placed four and five year old) being a little taller and longer and slightly more balanced in the udder.
Highest Semex Conformation Winner
SIRE: Brookbora Aldrin – 316712
POINTS: 97.00
National Jersey Team
Leithlea Charlie Dewdrop - Leithlea Jerseys – T & M Luckin
Ferdon B Stone Rose - Ferdon Genetics – W & M Ferguson
Parlan Marcel Stellar - R, S & N Johnson & B Parkes
Leithlea Aldrin Coconut – Leithlea Jerseys – T & M Luckin
Upland Park Jerseys Ltd – A & N Walford
The 2020 Leithlea Semex Team
1. Leithlea Charlie Sian - Semex 2 yr old class - 3rd place
2. Leithlea Aldrin Coconut - Semex 3 yr old class - 2nd place and highest pointed by Semex sire
3. Leithlea Val Faran - Semex 3 yr old class entry
4. Leithlea Van Bonny - Semex 3 yr old class entry
5. Leithlea Valentino Esme - Semex 4&5 yr old class - 1st place
6. Leithlea Charlie Fava - Semex 4&5 yr old class - 2nd place
7. Leithlea Applejack Rainbow - Semex 4&5 yr old class entry
8. Leithlea Val Coconut - Semex 6&7 yr old class - 2 place
9. Leithlea Tequila Sheba - Semex 6&7 yr old class entry
10. Leithlea Charlie dewdrop - Semex 8&9 yr old class - 1st place
11. Leithlea Gov Sandi - Semex 8&9 yr old class - 3rd place
12. Leithlea Q zik Leonie - Semex 10+ yr old class - 6th place
Tequila Sheba was also champion cow of the North Taranaki Jersey club on farm show 2021 with Gov Sandi as reserve champion cow.
All the above cows have got several strains of the outstanding world renowned breeding bull Highland Magic Duncan. The more Duncan blood we are getting in our cows the better they get.
Special Awards 2020
George Henry Dawick Memorial Cup
Warren Ferguson
The inaugural George Henry Dawick Memorial Cup was presented to Warren Ferguson.
During George Henry Dawick’s 27yr tenure as Managing Secretary of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders Association he was a renowned stalwart of the breed and a force to be reckoned with when pursing Jersey excellence. This ethos not only applied to the breed but also encompassed himself, the Association’s staff and the membership. An on going vision he saw as paramount to the future of Jersey cattle and especially to the worthy recipient(s) of this Memorial Cup.
The Board of Jersey NZ and the family of George Dawick take great delight in presenting the inaugural George Henry Dawick Memorial Cup to Warren Ferguson.
Warren is married Michelle and they have three sons
• Josh who is married to Danica, they have 3 children, Toia, Cody and Aylah.
• Corey and partner Sharnah, Maddison is Corey’s Daughter.
• Ashley and his partner Chantelle who have 8mth old Millie.
Warren enjoys spending time with the family. He coached the boys at rugby while they were at college and then onto representative coaching at local level. Warren also played senior rugby for a local club for a number of years, he now enjoys watching Josh and his Grandsons playing Rugby.
The Ferdon Jersey Stud was established in 1949 by Warren’s father Don. Warren left college at the age of 15 to come and work on the home farm while building up some of his own cows. Warren purchased the farm from his parents 18 years ago. At present Warren and Michelle milk 230 cows on 92 hectares, predominantly Jersey and added to this over the years with Ayrshires and more recently Holsteins have come along.
Showing is in his blood. It’s the competing alongside like-minded people and a chance to showcase what Ferdon has. Many show successes and highlights are
• Ferdon Sambos Bright Eyes was a great Champion;
• Ferdon Comerica Viyella Winning Grand Champion Jersey at NZ Dairy Event for 5 successive years and then winning Supreme in 2012, 2015, and 2016.
• In 2012 Dam and daughter, Follys Viyella and Comerica Viyella stood Snr Champion and Intermediate at NZDE.
• Ferdon Follys Viyella who is a great matriach of Ferdon and still alive at 16 years has 11 EX daughters, 7 of which are natural calves.
• Ferdon Comerica Viyella completes 10 generations of EX cows , certainly an incredible cow family.
Warren is a Jersey, Ayrshire and Holstein Friesian Judge. He has judged around NZ – Palmerston North, Stratford, Dargaville and Christchurch. He has been the Jersey judge at the NSW State Fair, the Brisbane Royal and in 2012 a highlight was being the Jersey Judge at International Dairy Week (IDW), Australia. His Champion Jersey Cow went on to be Supreme Champion Cow of IDW, this was the first Jersey Cow to win Supreme Champion Cow at IDW. He returned to IDW to Judge the Ayrshires in 2017, again his Intermediate Champion went on to win Supreme Intermediate Champion of IDW.
He was the final judge in the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Semex on Farm Competition 2016, He was the New Zealand Jersey Semex on Farm competition Judge in 2017. The Ferdon cows have won numerous show awards, On Farm and Photo Competition classes over many years.
Recently he has been invited to Judge the Jersey UK National Show and the Jersey Island Autumn Show but due to Covid-19 and travel restrictions this is going to have to wait until 2021.
Warren Ferguson receives congratulatons from Ric Dawick
Cyril Dermer Cup
Megan
Mrs Megan Browning, husband Trevor, their young family and parents Rex and Margaret Pinny moved north to the farm at Waihue, just north of Dargaville in 1996. Sadly Rex passed away one year later. Margaret’s father had registered the Mapiu Jersey stud in the King Country when she was a young girl. Rex and Margaret registered the Pine-Lyn and Brownsdale prefixes with an eldest son continuing the Pine-Lyn stud.
With the move to Totaradale farm [so called because of the preponderance of totara growing there] the family registered the Totaradale Jersey Stud. Son Nick and wife Stefanie are the fourth generation of Jersey breeders moving this herd into the modern era and also purchased the Lewis’, Waimata Jersey herd seven or eight years ago to increase herd size.
Megan and family made calves available for young people, who would not otherwise have been able to access an animal, to experience the calf club scene and gain skills and confidence. This has resulted in one young woman, Danika Beardsall emerging through the ranks and representing Jersey NZ at International Dairy Week in Shepparton, Australia. We know how successful this team has been over the last couple of years.
Her efforts have resulted in new memberships for Jersey NZ.
She has restarted calf club events at the Northern Wairoa A&P Show and is pursuing this programme this coming year with an even greater emphasis on youth participation.
Megan’s passion and commitment has resulted in her own grandchildren acquiring a love for the Jersey breed, that will, in all probability see a fifth generation of Jersey breeders at Totaradale.
Browning Kelvin Tosland
Megan had been a leader and driving force behind the Northern Wairoa Central Calf Club Day for many years. When she stepped aside from this role, subsequent organizers allowed the day to slip away to a point, that it became a nonentity for dairy calves.
Disturbed by this eventuality being allowed to happen, she instigated a calf club day for all breeds, held at the Totaradale property. This small show became well supported and appreciated by both children and parents. Megan sought sponsorship from local business to allow her to present ribbons and prizes to the participating youth. She approached, and received support from the Fonterra Grassroots Fund, this allowing her to continue and enlarge her programme.
The M Bovis outbreak curtailed the on farm show at Totaradale, but Megan continued this venture as an on – farm event, with the Judge or Judges traveling to the many farms. This comprised an area starting south of Kaiwaka to north of Whangarei and East and West across Northland. This club show has become very much a part of the Northern Wairoa Jersey Club scene, with the young participants eagerly awaiting their results and prize ribbons at the annual Christmas barbecue.
It is with pleasure that the Board of Jersey NZ present the Cyril Dermer Trophy, for outstanding services to the Jersey Breed and Jersey Association in activities in the past twelve months to Megan Browning.
Distinguished Member Award
The Hawera Jersey Club takes great pleasure in nominating Kelvin Tosland for the Distinguished Members award.
Kelvin is a Life member and long time secretary of our Hawera Jersey Club.
Kelvin was born to be a pedigree Jersey breeder, not only growing up at his parents, Alex and Gloria Tosland’s Lexland Jersey Stud but both sets of grandparents also had the Palm Grove and Atea
Barry Montgomery presenting Megan Browning with her award.
Tony Landers (left) and Peter Gilbert (right) presenting Kelvin Tosland with his Distinguished Member Award at their club meeting
Jersey studs. Pedigree Jersey breeding is in his DNA and its no wonder that all of his siblings are also pedigree Jersey breeders. Kelvin registered his first calf, Kelland Dawn with the NZJCBA in 1973 when he was 15.
Kelvin moved through the sharemilking ranks to end up on his Omuturangi Road farm with his Kelland Jersey herd. Kelvin has always strived to breed outstanding cows for the dairy industry and this has culminated in the breeding of Kelland KC Speedway, one of the great Jersey sires of the breed in New Zealand in recent years. Speedway already has 36,000 tested daughters in New Zealand. The royalties Kelvin receives from Speedway sales are just a reward for the many years of breeding Kelvin has put into his herd.
Kelvin has often shown his cows at the Egmont A&P Show with good results and also shows at the Hawera Jersey Club shows with his stock always in the money. In particular Kelvin was delighted to win Champion cow at the 2017 Club Show with Kelland Pioneer Riana.
Kelvin is a tireless worker for the Hawera Jersey club and as well as organising many club events he has put a group of his cows up for the much enjoyed judging contests at our Club Show and annual heifer day. Kelvin always manages to get great sponsorship for our events and his work is very much appreciated by the rest of the Club. So much so that we will be happy if he does the job for life. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Kelvin when it comes to the Jersey Club.
Kelvin was a founding shareholder in the AI company Liberty Genetics and received a very welcome return on his investment when Liberty was sold to CRV a few years ago.
One of Kelvin’s yearly highlights has been attending the Jersey NZ annual conferences and he has been to just about every conference in the last forty years travelling to every part of New Zealand. Kelvin also organised the Classification tours for Jersey New Zealand in Taranaki which included all the sire proving herds as well as the Jersey breeders herds and was a very big job.
It is our honour to nominate Kelvin for this award.
Honorary Life Membership
Bob Potts
In 1947 the Cairntoul prefix was registered and Bott Potts began his journey with the Jersey breed.
The farm was situated on Ngaroto Road, Te Awamutu and together with Jeanette they farmed there until their retirement, handing over the reigns to their son David who has continued the Cairntoul stud.
Not long after registering his herd, Bob joined the Te Awamutu Jersey Cattle Club and over the years has served on the committee and filled the role of President for two years. Bob to this day is a very active member of the club and is involved in every activity – a contribution spanning more than 70 years. “Mr Bob” as he is affectionately known as in the club was awarded Te Awamutu Club’s Life Membership in 1987 and, became Club Patron in 1996.
Bob was appointed to a young sire selection committee in the 1980’s which saw him travelling many miles with other committee members, selecting young bulls for the sire proving scheme run by Jersey New Zealand. Around this time Bob purchased a bull, registered as Konui Glen Sams Conquest from friend and fellow Te Awamutu breeder Wally Kerr. This bull did an outstanding job in the Cairntoul herd and was subsequently marketed, by Ambreed for widespread service. Many members gained from this bulls genetics. Over the years Bob has been a regular attendee at the Jersey NZ AGM and conference, where his well considered, thoughtful contribution to discussion and debate has been well received. At a time when Councillor Expenses Reports had become somewhat of a headache, often taking up considerable meeting time at the AGMs, Bob who was appointed to the committee, sorted out the problem it had become and turned it into a straightforward report which continues today. In 1992 he received the Distinguished Members Award.
Bob’s enthusiasm and dedication to the Jersey Breed is evident. Bob and Jeanette have participated in a number of World Jersey Bureau Conferences and together they never miss the JerseyNZ annual conferences; although Bob did try and have a short break from the Taranaki conference when he took a wee ride in the ambulance. Bob and his cohorts from the “last of the Summer Wine” can be seen at Dairy Event and sales throughout the country. He is a consummate gentleman, interested in people, takes a keen interest in young breeders who, in turn, enjoy talking to him, enjoys a whiskey with fellow breeders and although has recently celebrated a significant birthday, continues to be a strong advocate of the breed.
The board of Jersey NZ have great pleasure in nominating Mr Bob Potts the Honorary Life Member award.
Bob Potts receiving his Honorary Life Membership, presented by Alison Gibb
Featuring our entry in Jersey Pride 2021:
YOUR PICK OF ALL 3 ET HEIFER CALVES BY PUKETAWA KING CARRICK JG - 314515
PHOTO: Dam of sale entry - Roscliff LT Kiss EX4
BW 279 PW 457 LW 450 Terrific x Murmur x Charisma
We are milking 3 generations of Kiss’s in the herd, all are highly productive cows and classified EX2, EX4 & EX7
LT Kiss is the highest PW cow in the herd 4yrs or over and our most successful flush cow last season with seven calves from one IVF flush. She has tremendous capacity and an impressive rear udder. We’re very confident in offering the choice of her heifer calves by the top sire Carrick JG.
Due to staffing challenges this season we will not be running the Jersey Power sale in 2021. Instead the entire auction offering is for sale in the paddock. Approx 30 R2 registered heifers sired by Triplestar, Walker, Carrick, Misty, Mark, Gazza and Brahms. Our graziers have done a top job growing the heifers. If they interest you, give us a call to view
Steve Ireland’s family have worked with Jersey cows for the past three generations. The breed’s efficiency in the dairy shed is well proven and now Steve is on a mission to prove their efficiency in the beef market. Steve and his wife Nina milk 480 Jersey cows at Temuka, Canterbury and began trialling various beef breeds over their Jersey herd due to the interest around reducing bobby calves. “We wanted to try a few breeds
ourselves based on other people’s experience, trialling them just to see if we could reduce our bobby calves.” They slaughtered their first line of Angus Jerseys last year with Silver Fern Farms and “the meat quality was outstanding,” Steve says. Sixty five percent reached the elite Eating Quality (EQ) standard, more than doubling the average of 31%.
The EQ system rates beef on seven scientific criteria proven to contribute to the eating quality of red meat; ultimate PH, marbling, ossification, rib fat, meat colour, fat colour and eye muscle. “They did extremely well. But we knew they would. The Jersey adds marbling to most beef animals. And their fat melts at a slightly lower heat which makes the meat more tender.” Their Red Wagyu Jerseys are now two-and-half-year olds and Steve says they’re impressive looking animals but he is in no rush to send them to slaughter just yet. He knows by keeping them on the farm their value is increasing and he will look for a premium market for them when the time is right. In the meantime they are useful in cleaning up the pastures after their dairy herd. “Wagyu is all about meat quality, it’s a lot slower growing. To get premium quality meat, they need to be around 2 ½ to 3-years-old to see that marbling in the product. They’re not really as efficient but the quality adds value.”
This year the farm welcomed Samen NZ’s Short Gestation Belgian Blue Jersey calves which are showing great promise already. “Their growth is phenomenal and they’re really well marked which is great.” If they take the Belgian Blue Jerseys through to finish they will know by next year the quality of the meat. Typically Belgian Blue has a very lean meat, the Jersey cross should add a bit of marbling. Steve believes it will be very fast growing but it will still be a premium product. He hopes to be able to finish them at around 21 months of age so he doesn’t have to carry them over two winters. The Angus breed is well known for its fast growth rate and meat quality it has been tried and proven but Steve says it will be interesting to see the Belgian Blue coming through. “The aim with the Belgian Blues is to get a quicker finish so we can market them at around 20-21 months and get a big enough carcass so they can get a premium price at that age.” Belgian Blues have a double muscle gene which allows them to be grown rapidly with added feed efficiency. With the aim to be producing premium products, Steve says it is really important to choose the right sires. “The sire is incredibly important, if you’re wanting a quality product you need good quality bulls. We select on calving ease, growth rates, meat quality and short gestation periods. “We have been sourcing our beef genetics. Article Source: Business Rural 2020
Craig Mckimmie from Samen NZ has been working alongside Peter Larson and the team at VikingGenetics to select a new range of VikingBlues for the New Zealand Jersey population that have been proven over Jersey cattle for the 2021 breeding season.
WHERE PRODUCTION AND CONFORMATION IS FOUND
DAM: Denson Dale T bone Vestry, EX4, 9-9
SIRE: Pannoo ABE Vanahlem (Australia)
g-DAM: Denson Dale Expo Vestry, EX4
g-SIRE: Northern Exposure (Expo, Tokoroa)
Denson Dale Valen Brownie, EX2 9-9
DAM: Denson Dale Jante (Denmark) Brownie EX4
SIRE: Valentino (USA)
g-DAM: Denson Dale O.T Browie, EX4 (CAN)
Bred 10 times to Highland Magic Duncan
Another good young cow. 1st 3yr old at this years Te Awamutu Jersey Classic and Intermediate Champion.
She also was 1st 3 yr old Te Aroha club show and Champion cow. This family goes via Big Hollow Dream Beauty, EX, and then back to 1945 to the great breeding cow, Big Hollow Omens Beauty, VHC, CP, SD. Beauty was full of Dreaming Sam blood as was her son’s and daughter’s. They bred many great decendants throughout New Zealand.
Bred 11 times to Highland Magic Duncan
Then another unbroken line of high production, EX and VHC cows for 70 years back to the Primley ‘Victress’ cow.
Denson Dale Viral Vessy, VG4 8-7
DAM: Denson Dale Vander Vessy, EX2
SIRE: Bushlea P N Viral (AUST)
Bred 18 times to Highland Magic Duncan and from the same family as Vans Vestry, who was 1st - 2yr old Te Awamutu Jersey Classic show and 1st - 2 yr old Te Aroha on farm show
The herd at present contains 130 EX4 and 15 VG4 with the remainder of the herd being 2 and 3 year olds
''If one doesn’t know where they have come from, then one will not know where they will go to''
Breeding cows is the same, Highland Magic Duncan is in our opinion the best bull in recent times for grassland farming. What's more he can stand close breeding and get better and better with each generation. The only other bull that I know of was Brampton Dreaming Sam in the 1930's who was the same, and was years ahead of his time.
Vistors Welcome
Lloyd & Anne Wilson ph 07 888 6640 m 0274 339 590
66 Taihoa South Rd, RD3, Matamata
Denson Dale Vans Vestry, EX4 9-9
Photo Competition 2021
Submit your Jersey photos for the World Wide Sires Photo Competition for your chance to win!
The WWS Photo Competition consists of seven classes:
• Class A: Haltered 2 & 3 year inmilk
• Class B: Haltered 4 year and older inmilk
• Class C1: 2 & 3 year unhaltered Cow should be presented clean and groomed; photo should be taken while cow is stationary. Any cows entered in the haltered classes cannot be entered in the unhaltered class.
• Class C2: 4 year & older inmilk unhaltered Cow should be presented clean and groomed; photo should be taken while cow is stationary. Any cows entered in the haltered classes cannot be entered in the unhaltered class.
• Class D: Jersey Scene
May be herd shots, stall or farm dairy shots, groups of daughters of one bull or any other photograph promoting Jerseys working in New Zealand’s clean, green pastoral setting. Cows entered in the inmilk classes can be part of the Jersey Scene class.
• Class E1: Junior member class
Informal photograph – photos should capture the appealing interaction between the junior member and the animal.
• Class E2: Calf/yearling class
Formal photograph – calf/yearling should be well presented and taken while animal is stationary.
Enter Online at: www.jersey.org.nz/competitions/photo-competition/ Or email: Info@jersey.org.nz
ENTRIES CLOSE 31 MARCH 2021
Get Your Photo on the Cover!
BREEDERS VIDEO
Chances are you have or are going to see the video of Steve & Nina Irelands farm, Lynbrook.
Jersey NZ have collaborated with Joshua from Real Experience to offer the same opportunity for all Jersey NZ Members.
We’re talking about a full length video and Jersey Focus article to advertise your Stud name. Whether you have an upcoming sale and want thousands of people to know about it, or you simply want to make your Stud name prominent, then this opportunity is what you want. Further more, 100% of the cost is spent on advertising your stud.
Contact the office on: 07 856 0731 or info@jersey.org.nz
In collaboration with Real Experience:
Cover photos for the Jersey Focus are typically chosen from the WWS Photo Competition entries.
The 2020 September cover was Tim and Gayle Sneddon’s entry, placing 3rd in the herd scene.
(The cover photo is selected based on the highest placing image with suitable quality for print)
Currently there are two options available:
$2000 + Travel - Breeders Option
• Full length video with a guaranteed reach of 3000 people.
• Full length Jersey Focus article
• Featured article on our Website and shared through social media.
$3000 + Travel - Sponsored Option
Have a good relationship with a local brand that you’re using on farm? Let us know, and we can try arrange a sponsored video.
• Everything included above + their brand being incorporated and featuring in both the Video, Article, and Website Article.
Setting the Bar High Autumn
Harvest Sale
Jersey Breeders Respond To New Sale
New Zealand Jersey breeders have responded to a fresh and independent sales force by offering their best for the Autumn Harvest Sale at Cambridge Raceway in April.
Up to 60 live lots and embryos will sell in an evening sale run by Dean Malcolm of Bluechip Marketing. The Australian cowman – who has settled in New Zealand – is a former coowner of Australia’s well-regarded Bluechip Genetics. Bluechip was Premier Holstein Breeder at International Dairy Week nine out of 10 years, during which time it led the way in sale averages, with prices peaking at AUD$101,000. Together with Dean’s high-level international connections, Jersey breeders have had the confidence to get behind the sale, and subsequently buyers can expect a smorgasbord of choice on April 22.
The sale will kick off with pre-sale drinks and nibbles, and finish with the raceway’s restaurant opening for diners.
Dean said, “There is a huge hole in the registered market for a sale like this, I believe. Things are still moving in this country. I know it can work, and there are many ways to make it work.”
To that end, Dean has engaged a new-look team.
“We’re using all independent cowmen – not only breeders –but also a team that have been in this industry all their lives. They are well-travelled and well-respected all over the world, and they understand the industry. You don’t historically see the guys like this in these kinds of roles, so I’m excited about that.”
Vendors Step Up
And, Jersey breeders haven’t been shy to get behind the sale, including Ferdon Genetics who was unable to show at this year’s NZDE because of personal reasons.
The Ferguson family is offering the full sister to the winning three-year-old and Grand Champion of the 2020 Semex On-Farm Competition and the Intermediate Jersey Champion at the 2020 Waikato Show – Ferdon Tequila Caramel EX. Michelle Ferguson says that Caramel’s younger sister, Ferdon Tequila Chanel, who was born July 16, 2020 shows the same potential.
“Caramel is one of our stand-out young cows, from a proven family around the world,” Michelle said. “We think Chanel has everything in place to follow in her sister’s footsteps.”
Waikato Junior Champion sells
Fynreath Joel Duchess is currently the highest genomically tested Jersey female (for conformation) in New Zealand, in addition to being the Jersey Junior Champion and All Breeds Junior Champion at the
Ferdon Genetics will sell the full sister to the winning three-year-old and Grand Champion of the 2020 Semex On-Farm Competition, and the Intermediate Jersey Champion at the 2020 Waikato Show –Ferdon Tequila Caramel EX (pictured). Photo: Dean Malcolm.
2020 Waikato Show. She sells on behalf of Stuart and Heather Fowlie, of Ngatea. Photo: Dean Malcolm.
L-R Callum McKinven (Lookout Farm, Canada) pictured with Dean Malcolm when the pair judged the 2018 World Dairy Expo (USA). Lookout is selling embryos in this sale. Photo: The Bullvine.
The Jersey Junior Champion and All Breeds Junior Champion from the 2020 Waikato Show is also up for grabs. Fynreath Joel Duchess, from Huronia Centurion Veronica’s family tree, is currently the highest genomically tested Jersey female (for conformation) in New Zealand. She will be offered by Stuart and Heather Fowlie, of Ngatea.
The Junior Champion from the 2021 New Zealand Dairy Event (NZDE) and the 2020 Canterbury A&P On-Farm Competition – Glenalla Hired Wendy (sired by Hired Gun) – will sell PTIC to sexed Casino on behalf of Glenalla and Snowfed Farms, Ashburton.
Peter Gilbert of Glenalla and Snowfed Farms said they wanted to offer their best. The family is offering three in-calf heifers. Its other lots include a Victorious daughter from the Duncan Belle family, and a Colton daughter from the Intermediate Champion of the 2020 Canterbury A&P On-Farm Competition, Glenalla Apple Maggie (owned by Megan Thomas and Michael Gilbert).
“Because it’s such a high-end sale, we thought we needed to put our top genetics in,” Peter said. “We’ve worked hard this show season to get our cows out there by travelling them to the North Island twice. And we can’t offer better.”
Another highlighted lot will be a package of sexed Ferdinand embryos from arguably the most famous Crome daughter in the world right now – Kevetta Chrome Violin VG89-2yrs. This is a mix of the best from both hemispheres. Offered by Lightning Ridge, Australia, the package includes the high impact Huronia Centurion Veronica (USA) on the bottom side of the pedigree, and the world-class Fernleaf family (Bushlea Jerseys, in Australia) on the top side.
Global Industry Watching
Dean Malcolm said he expects the global industry will be watching.
“I think it’s important to note that there are cow families that are just as good in New Zealand as internationally. And, with the power of marketing and promotion, we can shine a light on all these individuals.
“We have some amazing in-calf heifers in the Jerseys and both of the Junior Champions from two of the country’s biggest shows in the last 12 months.
“And, these individuals are out of world-class cow families. It doesn’t get much better than that. To also include the full sister to the overall champion of the New Zealand On-Farm Challenge from Ferdon Genetics is a super opportunity for buyers. She looks very much like her full sister at the same age.”
Terms will be available for the majority of the lots, with 50 percent down (April 22) and 50 percent in six months (October 22).
WHEN
THE
WINNER’S POST
IS
IMPORTANT TO YOU BACK A SURE THING…
60 LIVE LOTS AND EMBRYOS HAND-PICKED FROM NEW ZEALAND AND INTERNATIONAL CONSIGNERS WILL SELL
CAMBRIDGE RACEWAY, Taylor St, Cambridge APRIL 22
Pre-sale drinks and nibbles from 5.30pm SALE STARTS: 6.30pm
ONLINE: www.elitelivestockauctions.com.au
Stay tuned to FACEBOOK for the detail as lots start to be showcased…
SALE MANAGER: Dean Malcolm – Bluechip Marketing (p) 027 641 4102 (e) dean.bluechip@gmail.com
Sales force: Isaac Kelson (p) 027 429 7704 Luke Gilbert – 027 849 2112
Dean Malcolm – Bluechip Marketing
FACEBOOK “Bluechip Marketing” or “Dean Malcolm”
Photo: Cambridge Raceway
Production Highlights 2019-20
Jersey NZ is please to announce the top ranked herds for the 2019/20 season as follow: These tables are based on registered Jersey cows, and results are limited to those herds that have completed a minimum of FOUR herd tests in the 2019/20 season.
Name
Roma Farm Ltd
Christine Frecklington
Cliff Shearer
Glenalla Farm Ltd
Goreland Partnership
Ashvale Jerseys Ltd
The Twelve Thousand Mile Trust
Peter & Kathy Horn
Premier Cattle Co Ltd
Gralyn Farm No 1
Name
B & M Sim
Totara Dairy Ltd
Kowhai Properties Ltd
Palm Grove Trust
Agrivest Limited
Glanton Holdings Ltd
C W & N J Hickey
R F & C L Lansdaal Ltd
D J & F J Lynch Ltd
Fraser & Christine Macbeth
Name
Cliff Shearer
The Twelve Thousand Mile Trust
Premier Cattle Co Ltd
Name
Roma Farm Ltd
Christine Frecklington
Peter & Kathy Horn
Name
Glenalla Farm Ltd
Goreland Partnership Ashvale Jerseys Ltd
Disclaimer: Jersey NZ is reliant on information received via reports ordered via LIC from the National
While every effort is made to ensure data is correct, Jersey NZ accepts no responsibility for any incorrect information printed.
Top 10 herds by milksolids
Top 10 herds by BW
Top 3 herds by milksolids - Herd size 20 - 150 cows
Top 3 herds by milksolids - Herd size 501+ cows
The TOP rankings include the two year old herd averages for members herds with a minimum of 20 two year old registered Jersey classified in the season
How Are Production Statistics Calculated?
Currently, all Production statistics, award and tables are calculated from the Production Suite. The Production Suite is a set of reports set up by & for the Breed Societies when the LIC national database was set up with Breed Societies as industry partners. The basic parameters of the data were agreed at that time by all of the participating Breed Societies, and initially all reports were received as paper reports. None of these reports calculated milksolid totals, so as time as passed more manual calculations were required as each Society reported more on milksolids than individual components.
Data is received for two formats:
• Individual animal data. A few years ago, the individual animal data became available as a ‘download’. This meant that Breed Societies have been able to customise their own reporting to some extent.
• Herd average data. Downloads have not been available for herd average data. In the Jersey NZ office, we enter herd data on all member herds that meet the registered herd size minimum into an internal spreadsheet to calculate awards.
ALL data available is subject to the following:
• 100 days in milk
• Minimum of 4 herd tests (in one herd)
As an internal control, Jersey NZ individual animal data is also limited to S3J registration status & above for the purposes of production reporting & awards. Herd average data incudes all registered Jerseys, regardless of registration status.
The Production Suite programmes are run in October annually. This allows for late calving animals to complete their lactation and be included. Herd data will NOT include animals that have not completed their full lactation in your herd. The basic premise is that the data calculated for the Production Suite should match the lactation data for each animal. As Breed Societies, we also ONLY receive data on registered animals therefore we can only calculate herd awards based on registered animals by breed.
The new BreedIT programme will change the way that we can report on production statistics, although it is not yet clear what format this will take. It is a requirement of the programme that each Association can customise their own reporting internally from the programme. It is expected that we will be able to report on this with more certainty over the next three months or so. BreedIT reporting will still be limited to registered animals only.
Top 5 herds by Udder Overall
Top 5 herds by Dairy Conformation
Production Highlights 2019-20
The Sun Is Shining, So Why Not Make Hay?
Contributed by the Jersey NZ Youth Council
The past decade for the New Zealand Dairy Industry has been a story of ebbs and flows in terms of milk price which is not unfamiliar. The removal of EU milk quotas in 2015 in combination with existing market intervention programmes caused a sudden supply increase and contributed to two consecutive seasons of sub-$5 per KgMS milk prices. COVID-19 has caused many issues for the New Zealand economy but thankfully the Dairy Commodity Market has held strong. So, while for now the milk price outlook is good, how can the next generation of Farm Owners and Operators make hay while the sun shines?
So, to approach it from the angle of the next generation, what can be done by those perhaps on a contract or percentage rate. To start from the revenue side of the profit equation, there are few opportunities for a contract milker or lower order share milker given production levels are set for the most part by what the farm can grow in terms of grass and the input policies set by the owners. Although these opportunities may be few, they can be extremely effective. First and foremost is the efficient use of pasture to maximise milk production. Capitalising on the peak of the grass growing curve not only results in more production but attaining cheap production as early as possible goes a long way toward alleviating the constraints of cash flow. The great saying “production is vanity, profit is sanity, cash flow is reality” exists for a reason. Another of these opportunities which has grown recently and seems to be staying with us is the transition toward milk payment premiums that include not just componentry but aspects of Milk Quality, Animal Traits (A2 and Breed) and Farm Operations. This is something that the next generation needs to value and champion if the industry is to be successful in monetising this aspect of New Zealand produced Dairy Products.
The cost side of the equation is one where there are often more opportunities given expenditure is the outcome of decisions made within the business, control the controllable is a cliché’ but will never fail to be good advice in this case. One common thread amongst the most successful people in the industry is the discipline of recording and analysing costs.
Using good budgeting practices and benchmarking against peers are both important disciplines and a great place to start is using the resources available from DairyNZ which is a great source of free information. Having the ability to contrast and compare production to profitability is key in understanding what levers can be pulled to remove any expenditure that didn’t result in a positive outcome. The exercise of cost cutting and removing expenditure can be described as one which is ruled by the law of diminishing returns, fertiliser is a good example of this as pasture can only absorb so much nutrient. There comes a point where it will begin to affect the bottom line negatively and can be characterised as too much of a good thing. So, when the “goldilocks” zone in terms of cost vs output is reached is there still more to be had. The short answer is yes, optimising the spend would be the next area to look.
Dairy NZ case studies suggest that labour is one of the biggest costs per KgMS, the human factor associated with this means there is often a fine line to walk and achieve the most from people while maintaining a good culture within the team. Managing workflow and tasks on the large area of a farm is something which often can be an issue and lead to wasted time. Maximising workload efficiency in combination with ensuring a good culture has been proven many times to deliver great results. This same approach of isolating each process where expenditure occurs then reviewing it to see if it has been optimised is one used in many industries to great effect.
To conclude, there is nothing new or ground-breaking when it comes to ensuring a financially healthy business to prosper. Industry good organisations and financial professionals already provide this type of advice and tailor it to the needs of individuals. The important point to understand is that although Dairy Farming will continue to adapt and evolve these timeless principles of business management will always apply.
NZAEL Update December 2020
Contributed by Brian Wickham - NZAEL
Timing and timetable
My last update was in late August 2020. We have been very busy since then and regretfully have not been keeping you fully updated.
The timetable for changes to genetic evaluations has been reviewed and the NZAEL Board has approved the following:
• Change to align with rest of the world via Interbull
• Major changes only in December
− Anything that results in substantial reranking of bulls or cows
Economic value changes
Significant model changes
− Base changes
• Minor changes in April
− April 2021 – Interbull MACE-related correction
• December 2021
− Planned introduction of NZAEL 3.0
− Implementation of revised economic values
The Board also approved the decision to defer any updating of economic values which might normally have taken place in February 2021 to December 2021. This decision was justified on three points:
1. the milk price inputs to the economic values have not changed much in the last twelve months,
2. more substantial changes to the economic values are coming in December 2021 and 3. NZAEL resources are stretched and focused on higher priority work.
Implementation of NZAEL 2.0
NZAEL 2.0 has now been in operation since 21st February, 2020. While publication has been achieved according to the timetable, with one exception of a one week delay, our processes for delivering the evaluations require much more manual intervention than is ideal. Streamlining all the processes involved will continue to be a priority in 2021 as we prepare to move to NZAEL3.0.
Development for NZAEL 3.0
BOLT: We are moving the evaluations to the use of independent software. The tool we are using is called BOLT (Biometric Open Language Tool) supplied by Theta Solutions LLC. This work is proceeding at pace and we now have prototype evaluations for all the TOP traits, Live weight, Body Condition Score, Milk Traits (fat, protein, volume and somatic cells), and Fertility based on all data to November, 2020.
FERTILITY: The big development in the last few months has been for fertility. A new model, based on many years of research, is now operating as a prototype and we have started sharing the results with our Farmer Advisory Panel and Animal Evaluation Enrolees (bull owners). Some of the features of this new model are:
• It is more accurate at predicting a range of fertility traits than NZAEL 2.0
• It uses fertility data from seven fertility traits recorded on first calving to fourth calving cows.
• It delivers breeding values for three fertility traits which currently get combined into a fourth.
While this development opens the way for more genetic progress in fertility, our Scientific Advisory Committee thinks we can do better by making use of pregnancy testing data and providing a breeding value for conception rate (or failure to conceive). Priority is being given to pursuing this recommendation in the new year.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
(QA/QC): We are now close to the end of a substantial effort to build a tool (using Shiny/R) which enables different evaluation runs to be compared. This QA/ QC tool provides a better understanding of the way the evaluations change from run to run and is helping identify issues which lead to instability in the evaluations. I expect this tool to be made more widely available to analysts in the future.
Genomic data
We plan to incorporate genomic data into the NZAEL evaluations. The last few months, as with previous months, have been taken up with extensive consultations and discussions as we search for an access arrangement that is best for New Zealand dairy farmers. These discussions are ongoing and gave rise to the Forum (more below).
DIGAD
COWTALK AND MOOVEMENT: The upgrading of the Dairy Industry-Good Animal Database (DIGAD), to enable CRV to interact directly, achieved a major milestone earlier this month. CRV is now sending data from their farmer customers directly into DIGAD using a system we refer to as Cowtalk. LIC also uses Cowtalk to send the same animal event data to DIGAD for their farmer customers. The next step is the automation of the transfer of data for animals moving between the
Brian Wickham Manager, NZAEL
farmer customers of LIC and CRV. The tool to facilitate this is known Moovement and I expect it to become fully operational in first quarter of 2020.
BreedIT: The dairy Breed Societies are in the process of building their BreedIT system which supports the traits other than production (TOP) service as well of member services. BreedIT is linked closely with DIGAD to remove the need for duplication while enabling Breed Society members to choose between LIC’s or CRV’s competing herd testing and herd records services.
The TOP data collection part of this system went live in time for the inspections in spring 2020. Some 50,000 animals have had TOP scores collected and recorded using this new system. A stop-gap arrangement which uses some LIC facilities has been in place to help achieve a smooth transition. I expect dependence on LIC systems to support TOP inspections to be removed in the first half of 2021
Quality data
NZAEL is undertaking an initiative with the goal of improving the quality of the data used in our cattle genetic evaluations. The project is focused on developing standards for data recording and tools for ensuring they are achieved.
DIGAD data standards: Standards New Zealand have been contracted to run a scoping workshop in March 2021. The purpose of this workshop is to determine the scope of a review of the current herd test standards. I would urge all who have been invited to take a close interest in this. I expect it to have a lasting and positive impact on cattle breeding in New Zealand.
Design of DIGAD: A review of the design of the databases that make up DIGAD is underway. I expect to provide the industry with visibility of the proposed design changes in the new year. The focus of this work is to ensure DIGAD can effectively support our initiatives to improve data quality.
Forum
We welcomed Mark Townshend as the new chair of the NZAEL Board in September. An initiative lead by Mark following his appointment is the Forum we held on 20 November in Hamilton. It was well attended by industry leaders and resulted in the formation of the Industry Genetics Steering Group under Mark’s chairmanship.
The Industry Genetics Steering Group held its first meeting yesterday. In preparation for the meeting, a questionnaire was distributed to the stakeholders invited to the forum plus financial institutions, stock and station companies and Agriadvisors. 29 responses were received. Their answers to the four main questions are shown in the following tables.
Brian Wickham NZAEL Manager
Email: brian.wickham@dairynz.co.nz
Show Opportunities Back In Full Swing For Our Youth
Julie Pirie - Youth Committee
The new year has started well for our JerseyNZ youth members – from those on-farm, to those in the Agri-sector and those at school and university – there have been some great achievements already.
I have been privileged to be working with young people and their families showing cattle. Showing is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it offers experiences that are adding to young peoples’ skills repertoire, it is great preparation for challenges lying ahead in their futures.
I have seen our group of 12 to 15 year olds gaining confidence in working with their animals. The absence of overseas fitters
means that they have been asked to help out other show people – they have been encouraged to ask questions, watch, learn and more importantly do! There has also been the welcome benefit of some well earned pocket money!
While the aim is to breed show winning animals, reality hits when it comes to making sure that the show cow will also fit in to the herd – will it compete, get in calf and stay healthy, and of course the ultimate reality check - how will she produce at herd test?
One big life skill that is learnt early is humility – having to win well and lose well is probably a lesson that is one of the tough ones in the show ring. There is also teamwork. Three JerseyNZ sponsored teams have attended International Dairy Week in Australia. This year, with IDW cancelled, there was an ideal opportunity to include a revamped Youth Challenge at Dairy Event in Fielding.
Karen Fitzgerald, Selwyn Donald and myself organised sponsorship, judges and rewrote rules to make for a great competition.
It was great to see seven clipping frames out in the ring – with seven teams of four anxiously waiting to start.
The first event was the clipping challenge, each team was supplied a calf. When the timer started, they had 30 minutes to bring her up to show standard. Judges Nick
2021 NZ Dairy Event Youth Challenge Winners (left to right, Imogen Steiner, Angel Sommerville, Charlie Scherer, and Gabrielle Scherer)
Gilbert and Braydon Schroder were looking for team work, safety and a quality job.
The next event was parading. Experienced youth judge Dean Malcolm officiated, with two of the team members leading an animal each – Dean was looking for uniformity, handling ability and team work.
The final event was judging – 4 animals were paraded for the remaining two team members to judge, and to place and talk. The aim was to help grow confidence in the young peoples judging skills – working as a pair helped this. Duncan Pipe officiated this part of the competition.
AUTUMN AUCTION CALENDAR
Buying or Selling All Breeds, Paddock or Auction. We Can Help
NIGEL RIDDELL | General Manager 0274 343 153 nriddell@linklivestock.co.nz
ROSS RIDDELL | Sales Agent 027 211 1112 rriddell@linklivestock.co.nz
GRANT AIKEN | Sales Agent 027 245 8821 grantw.aiken@gmail.com
www.linklivestock.co.nz linklivestock
Linking Buyers and Sellers
The ribbon and main sponsor was Open Country Dairy. JerseyNZ supplied a sweat shirt to the two top paraders.
The winning team was the S-squad, consisting of Imogen Steiner, Gabbie Sherer, Angel Somerville and Charlie Scherer.
Second was wicked Waikato – Ella Pirie, Jacoba Gread, Zoe Botha and Brad Seager.
Third was Hauraki Hi-flyers – Thomas Jeyes, Anna-belle Jeyes, Hannah Nicholson and Joanna Fowlie.
The top scoring clipping team was the Wicked Waikato team, with the S-squad taking out the parading and judging points. Angel Somerville was selected as the most promising clipper, with Holly Powell runner-up.
Thank you to JerseyNZ for the sponsorship. Thanks also the organisers of Dairy Event for making room in the programme for the event. It was also great to have other exhibitors allow seven clipping frames to be available and set up for the teams.
Most of the teams had members that had participated in the IDW challenge. The standard of clipping, parading and judging of our young people was of a very high standard. I’m sure that this will give many of our youth huge opportunities in the future.
10 MAR
TIME: 8pm LOCATION: Bidr®
Milking Shorthorn Conference Collection
7 & 8 APR
TIME: 7pm LOCATION: Bidr®
Cawdor Jerseys and Crossbred – Herd reduction sale
20, 21, 27, 28 APR
TIME: 12:30pm LOCATION: Bidr®
Roma Jerseys Complete Dispersal
11 MAY
TIME: 12pm LOCATION: Bidr®
Kauri Gold – Consignment Jersey female sale (TAKING ENTRIES NOW)
TIME: 12pm LOCATION: On Farm
5 APR
Kohitiata Jerseys, Holsteins & Ayrshires Annual Female sale
13 APR
TIME: 6pm LOCATION: Hybrid Auction
Jersey Pride – Annual Elite Consignment Auction
30 APR
Link Livestock Empty Flush Cow sale. (TAKING ENTRIES NOW)
TIME: 7pm LOCATION: Bidr® 14 MAY
TIME: TBC LOCATION: TBC
Lexine Registered Jerseys In-milk dispersal (IF NOT SOLD PRIOR)
Jersey NZ Youth Members clipping their allocated yearling (left to right, Thomas Jeyes, Jacoba Gread, and Zoe Botha)
Youth Profile - Jenna O’Sullivan
from the Jersey NZ Youth Council
I always knew I was destined for a career in the dairy industry in some way. Growing up on 200 cow Jersey farm in Inglewood, Taranaki my passion for dairying was instilled in me from a young age. I have always had a major interest in the cows and their genetics, and this has really been the foundation of developing my career within the dairy industry.
Following my schooling, I chose to study a Bachelor of Agri Commerce at Massey University majoring in Farm Management. I always wanted to study agriculture, I knew that, however I could not decide between Agri Science and Agri Commerce. This was a big decision for my 17-yearold self. However, as I only took biology science at school, I was advised therefore to select the commerce degree. When I selected my major in farm management, I ended up electing quite a lot of science-based papers in my second and third year. I feel it was a nice balance of both, I enjoyed the agribusiness and science aspects within my degree. While studying, I was fortunate to be a recipient of the JNZ Scholarship to contribute towards my study costs.
Following the completion of my degree at the end of 2013 I chose to travel overseas for an OE. I spent time between the UK and Ireland working on 3 different dairy farms. Two farms in Clonakility, West Cork, Ireland 350 and 180 cows. I also did a season of calf rearing on a 550 cow farm in Staffordshire, England. The objective was always to move around as much as I could to see different farming operations and broaden my knowledge base of dairying in other parts of the world.
Whilst still on my travels but contemplating a return home to NZ, a role was advertised with CRV which I applied for. Although unsuccessful in securing the role, I made some contacts at CRV.
Upon my return to NZ I re-connected with those contacts at CRV to get an update on any upcoming job opportunities. I think it is important for a young person looking to develop a career to connect with people within the industry, or with companies that appeal to you as possible employers. It is definitely appealing for a company to see young people
actively seeking out opportunities and putting their best foot forward. In my case I think it certainly helped me to learn more about CRV as a company and be sure that it was a good fit for me and what I was looking for.
Eventually, upon my return home to New Zealand I spent some time working as a 2IC on a 600-cow farm in Cambridge. Whilst on the farm I became aware of a position at CRV, and I was successful at securing a field consultant role at the end of 2017. A role where I learnt a lot of new skills, however it was always my aim to work towards a role in the breeding team. In early 2019 an opportunity became open as a Regional Breeding Manager, and I was fortunate enough to be offered the role. Every job along the way to my current role has taught me a great deal about myself, I have learnt a lot of new skills and ultimately it has made what I want to achieve much clearer.
A key aspect for me finding a company and role I really enjoy, is having an employer who is encouraging and supportive. I have been very fortunate that CRV have been flexible to allow me to pursue my sporting endeavours, but ultimately it was my responsibility to time manage and ensure I could deliver in both my roles as a Regional Breeding Manager and a Semiprofessional athlete. They are also supportive and encourage personal growth and development, this year I will be doing some additional study and they are always fully supportive of my desire to keep growing my skillset.
My current role as a Regional Breeding Manager for CRV is a role I very much enjoy. My main tasks involve Contract Mating, operating the Embryo Transfer Programme and Bull Selection.
I spend a good chunk of time each year travelling up and down the country visiting breeders and inspecting females and bull calves of interest for our breeding programme. Being able to travel across the country and see a range of farming systems and the regional variations throughout the country provides perspective on the different focuses each breeder has. The remainder of my time I spend working out of our head office in Hamilton.
I enjoy that there is a lot of diversity in the role and different parts of the year have different focuses, so there is always something new happening. One of the favourite parts of my role is working with breeders from all around the country. It is a privilege to work with these breeders and their elite genetics, I really enjoy being a part of that journey with them.
A newly proven star for CRV this coming season is Little River Nucleus S3J, bred by the Brewster family at Little River Jerseys situated alongside the stop banks of the Awaiti canal near Ngatea.
Adding further confidence to CRV’s genomic information, Nucleus has confirmed his own very good genomic result from 2017 when he was selected for CRV’s progeny testing programme, and then released as an InSire bull in 2018. Now as a proven bull with 75 daughters across 32 herds he is showing his class as a high dual index bull with BW at 301 (AE run 22 Jan 2021) and NZMI of 283.
He is a production specialist with high protein and fat components from good volume and coupled with very strong udders his daughters are built to last with strong longevity.
Nucleus daughters will typically be healthier, easier to manage, live longer and produce more milksolids per KG of feed. His efficient production is even more impressive as it comes with bigger stature and liveweight, which is extremely desirable for the breed.
He is also strong for all health traits; fertility, somatic cells and body condition ticking the right boxes.
As an A2A2 son of Strider, Nucleus offers a very useful pedigree with diversity from the most common sire lines. His dam, Little River Mau Nita EX2 and maternal grand-dam Little River Nanny VG2 have both shown extreme longevity and solid production across multiple lactations.
These strong attributes will make Nucleus a popular choice for farmers with extreme health and efficiency scores.
AB Code: 317513
ABOVE: Daughter #40, AH & MJ Palmer, Whangamata
BELOW: Daughter #79, AH & MJ Palmer, Whangamata
Little River Nucleus S3J
Autumn Transition –Why is it so easy?
Contributed by Dr. Joe McGrath
Technical Manager Ruminants, DSM
Senior Lecturer - Ruminant Nutrition, University of New England, Australia
It’s a commonly held view that calving cows in autumn is much easier than the more common spring (it’s really winter) calving. But why so? Or, more importantly, is it, in fact, actually easier – or does it just seem that way because the sun is out, the days are longer and it’s not freezing cold?
Well, It’s fair to say there has been no robust statistical analysis performed on this conundrum so I can’t categorically state autumn is easier than spring. However, when I analyse the nutrition/environmental factors involved it’s true that autumn calving should be much easier for the cow.
There are two main reasons for this. The first is because the cow is coming off the back of summer and should be at the peak of her natural annual vitamin D cycle. This ensures that there are no deficiencies impeding her ability to mobilise calcium at calving. The second main reason is that the grass is not nearly conducive to the typical mineral deficiencies that we see in spring.
To elaborate, vitamin D status is variable during the year, with the peak being in late summer and the nadir in late winter early spring (see Figure 1). This is important for cows that live outdoors. While the late winter level of Vitamin D is not clinically deficient, it does mean that the cow has less resilience against other nutrient imbalances at calving time.
Cows that live in TMR barns have their levels of Vitamin D kept at the red line on the graph. That’s because nutritionists understand the key role that Vitamin D plays in Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium control.
So in Autumn we have this Vitamin D “tool” working in our favour. Does that mean we don’t need to monitor what goes in our transition cows diet – no. However, it does means she has a greater chance of dealing with dietary mistakes!
The second variable is linked to the first. The amount of nutrient imbalance in grass is usually less in autumn than it is in spring. The primary nutrients of concern are N, P, K, S, Mg and sugar. It kind of reads like your soil test until you get to the sugar component. Generally, problem pastures or highly imbalanced pastures are due to poor soil nutrient profiles. In this case, when I mean poor I don’t mean under fertilized; I mean over fertilized. In many cases because we’re pushing too hard for the next tonne of dry matter growth without considering who the customer is (the cow!).
Autumn grass tends to have more fibre, hence more calcium and less phosphorus, sulfur and most importantly potassium. That means that the magnesium is more available, therefore less chance of tetany, greater calcium intake and, importantly with more vitamin D in the system, a greater chance to utilise it and calve happy and healthily.
So are there any negatives to calving in autumn? Autumn often means drought, so less carotenoids and alpha-tocopherols coming through the grass. These are important for immunity and reproduction. Also nitrates can be an issue in the grass, but, in general these two negatives are less common than the positives, so are outweighed. For a high producing herd however they should certainly be taken into account.
So, where does this very brief nutrient analysis of autumn calving fit for Jersey cows? Well, in general a shift to autumn calving stands them in good stead. Firstly they are more prone to milk fever so anything that helps here is a good thing. Secondly, they are very good at conserving carotenoids and tocopherols (the main reason why jersey fat is yellow) which makes them exceptional at maintaining fertility in periods of green grass deprivation.
I think we can safely say from a nutritional perspective, on most farms in most years and under the same management, an autumn calving will generate considerably less milk fever than winter calving. The question is, are you able to handle all the other challenges associated with autumn calving on your farm?
Dr. Joe McGrath is the head nutritionist for the Sollus business, a New Zealand based company providing nutritional solutions for New Zealand dairy farmers.
www.sollus.co.nz
Joe McGrath
Shemariah Dim Kithlish P VG2
Sire: Ardachie Dimple PP
Breeders: Richard & Jenny Mills
Tahau Luca Blondie P EX2
Sire: Ardachie Luca PP
Breeders: Josh & Kareena Sneddon
Tahau Touchy Feely P VG2
Sire: Ardachie Zigzag PP
Breeders: Tim & Gayle Sneddon
"Polled
is a triple bottom line trait; it is best for the calf, the farmer & the dairy industry." Bruce Cameron
2020 has been an outstanding year for Ardachie Polled Jerseys with polled progeny from Ardachie sires born in the USA, Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany & New Zealand.
Thanks to CRV, Samen NZ, Martin Schuler in Switzerland, Sustainable Genetics USA & Genetic Choice NZ. Three Ardachie Laphroig P daughters in Switzerland have yielded over 700 kg m/s in the 2020 season including Laphroig P Corina ‘EX93’ (760kg m/s) with over 7000 kg m/s lifetime in 10 lactations.
Ardachie Overlord PP 317544 & Ardachie Peacemaker PP 320526 both at CRV
We are collecting Ardachie Oliver Damo PP/a2a2 from Ardachie AG Deelite P VG3. Contact Ardachie Polled Jerseys to order!
2020-21 has seen another season of Crescent Genetics Success
• January 2021 RAS list; 4 bulls on the TOP 30 All Breeds List – maybe something not achieved by any breeder, of any breed, previously (Dominator, Misty, Monopoly, Marcus).
• Crescent has 6 bulls in the Top 50 Jersey Dtr Proven sires. Crescent has only one bull in the Top 50 NZAEL unproven enrolled bulls. This is the normal trend where bulls in intensely selected herds do not generally have high parent average BWs, but the cream comes to the top upon daughter proof.
• Fertility is increasingly a more significant issue. NZ’s national non pregnancy rate is 15% (12% for Jerseys). Crescent has three of the Top 15 Fertility bulls on the Guess list for bulls with BWs >250. (Cr OLM Master +7.8, Cr OLM Vindicate +7.1 and Cr Maumau Belfast +6.9).
• The Jersey breed has 3 bulls which have BWs>300 and U0> +1.0. Cr LT Marcus UO +1.07 and Cr Maimai Mayhem UO +1.02 join Merrifields Showman to complete the list.
• Crescent recently announced 2nd in NZ for National Semex Competition.
Provisional 2020 born Crescent Advanced Sire Program (CASP) team for 2021 distribution
Bull Calf
Cr V Patricio
Cr Marcus Proxy
Cr Rasta Elvidge
Cr Mountie Mitchum
Cr V Melville
Cr Munro Kelso
Cr K Desirable
Cr Marcus Denton
Cr Braxton Ranger
Cr Davis Kappa
Cr Braxton Rubic
Cr Marcus Okkie
White-P Dominator Sid
Maxwelton R- Leon
Riverina Castro
Sire
Cr Misty Vernon
Cr LT Marcus
Cr OLM Rasta
Cr Win Mountie
Cr Misty Vernon
Cr Marius Munro
Cr Win Kyron
Cr LT Marcus
Cr Excell Braxton
Cr MMM Davis
Cr Excell Braxton
Cr LT Marcus
Cr Leo Dominator
Global B Reward
Cr Excell Braxton
Cr Desi Poppy
Cr EL Pansy
CR OI Eva
Cr Bern Milly
Cr Goldie Momo
Cr Bern Katie
Cr Desi Daphne
Cr Mz Dominette
Cr OI Ruby
Cr Bern Katie
Cr Mz Ruby
Cr Index Olga
W P Rip Sassy
M GSB Lilly
R Integrity Cindy
Enquiries: Mark Townshend Mobile: 0274978658 Email: mark@townshend.co.nz
Future Success
We are pleased to announce that two of our first crop of bulls have been potential PSS team candidates.
317061
Little River Trident
BW 344 / 71%
DAM: LITTLE RIVER JOS TINA (Pictured above)
SIRE: STRATFORD WTH STRIDER S2J
Trident offers big production at 40 KGs Fat, 22 KGs Pro. He’s also a well balanced bull with 0.79 capacity and 0.30 udder overall, 3.8% fertility with -0.22 SCC.
2021 Jersey Future Team
We have an exciting well ranked team coming up. Including another young bull by Paspalum GTG Linda 40.
The 2021 Team is yet to be confirmed, keep an eye on your emails, our Facebook and Mail Boxes for the next Jersey Future catalogue.
www.jersey.org.nz/jersey-future/
2021 LIC purchase price adjustments
Getting a bull through to the Jersey Future team is an exciting opportunity for the owner. Even more so with the new purchase agreements.
Bulls will be selected by late November. Owners willing to sell a Jersey bull to LIC pursuant to clause 4.6 will be required to enter into a sale and purchase agreement with LIC in a form that is acceptable to LIC in all respects, for the sum of:
Limelight is an udder specialist at 1.07 udder overall and 0.84 Udder support. Moderate production 24kgs fat and 6.7 Kgs protein. (Dam photographed at 9 years old)
• $4,000 (plus GST) per Jersey bull; or
• $5,000 (plus GST) per Jersey bull where that Jersey bull has been created by embryo transfer; or
• $1,000 (plus GST) per Jersey bull plus $0.60 (plus GST if any) per straw of Qualifying Semen and $1.20 (plus GST if any) for sexed semen; or
• $2,000 (plus GST) per Jersey bull where that Jersey bull has been created by embryo transfer plus $0.60 (plus GST if any) per straw of Qualifying Semen and $1.20 (plus GST if any) for sexed semen, and
• where LIC has made payment to an Owner pursuant to 4.7(a) or 4.7(b) and where LIC (in its sole discretion) has accepted the Jersey bull under one of its Premier Sires® or Alpha® brands or the Jersey bull is accepted for the sale of semen outside of New Zealand, an additional payment of $10,000 (plus GST if any)
Jersey Advantage update
Michelle Good, General Manager of Jersey Advantage
Almost 18 years ago Shane Ardern drove a tractor up the steps of parliament to protest a proposed emissions tax. Hundreds of farmers supported his protest and the tax was abandoned. Fast forward to 2021 and you could be forgiven for having a case of déjà vu. Only today we’ve traded protests for working groups and commissions, reports, and committees. The debate may have progressed, but it’s no less important for farmers to have a voice at the table.
That’s part of the reason that Jersey Advantage was formed. To take a lead on industry issues that will affect the way you and I farm now and into the future.
Over the past year there has been no shortage of these issues. Jersey Advantage has been working, often behind the scenes, on your behalf to represent the position not just of Jersey NZ members, or even Jersey farmers, but all those that value efficient, sustainable dairying.
Below are a few of the key issues that we’re working on.
BOBBY CALVES
Like the emissions tax, the bobby calf issue has been debated many times. Moves by our European counterparts to phase out the practice has fuelled the discussion. In Europe they have the luxury of reducing bobby calf numbers by exporting young surplus dairy beef calves. New Zealand doesn’t have that option and a substantial increase in feeder calves would collapse the local market.
While there are some in the industry that would like to position this as a Jersey issue, that is underplaying the situation. In fact, it’s easy to argue this is an issue with implications beyond even dairying. Make no mistake - the sheep milk and dairy goat industries will be watching this debate closely.
The challenge is that New Zealand has a finite amount of productive land, while also being tasked with reductions in carbon emissions, nitrogen use, and stocking rates. Adding an extra 1.8 million bobby calves into the mix annually doesn’t work without some significant trade-offs.
What is New Zealand prepared to give up? Is a 30% reduction in dairy production acceptable when the world has an everincreasing number of mouths to feed? What implications does that have for dairy farmers, staffing, infrastructure, and farm profitability not to mention dairy exports, GDP and economic recovery? The issue soon becomes bigger than just a dairying one. Approaching this debate from New Zealand Inc’s point of view allows us to think about how we best use land and other resources to achieve targets and maintain our brand as the world leaders in dairying.
Leadership and consultation will be important for us to reach a target that is both practical and achievable while maintaining our social licence to farm.
Jersey Advantage is committed to working with industry leaders to ensure farmers views are represented and decisions being made pass the common-sense test.
Stocking rates and carbon emission modelling
On January 31 the Climate Change Commission (CCC) released their draft carbon budgets and recommendations to government including a number of recommendations relating to rural industries.
There are many positives in the report including the distinction between long-lived stock emissions (carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) and that of shortlived flow emissions (biogenic methane); as well as recommendations for improved rural broadband, revisiting the debate on genetic engineering, and the need for more water storage.
One area that is causing concern is the mention of a 15% reduction in the number of dairy cows, beef cows, and sheep. It is important to note that this was not a directive by the Climate Commission.
Federated Farmers noted that the 15% figure makes a number of assumptions that may or may not eventuate, and further work is required to determine what level of reduction in biogenic methane is warming-equivalent to the current targets for long-lived emissions.
Recent communications from Dairy NZ also outlined that what the Commission has recommended is the Government introduce policies that will reduce barriers to conversion to lower emission land uses. By default, stock numbers would decline with some farmers choosing to convert to other land uses like horticulture.
Whatever path the industry takes towards reducing emissions, it is critical that any reduction in stocking rates are on a liveweight per hectare basis and not cow numbers.
You don’t need to be a scientist to appreciate that a 550kg cow will eat more than a 370kg cow. With methane emissions directly linked to feed intake, having fewer but bigger cows that require more feed is a zerosum game.
Instead, a focus on efficient cows that maximise milk solids for every kilogram of feed consumed is where we should be heading. Cows with superior fertility that get in-calf easily to reduce cow wastage and lower replacement rates would be a more effective way to achieve industry targets.
Jersey cows tick all those boxes, with an estimated 12% carbon efficiency advantage. Not only do they produce 8% more milk solids per kilogram of dry matter,
they also have a carbon advantage when it comes to cartage and drying of milk due to their higher milksolids percentage. Jersey herds also commonly achieve higher in-calf rates than other breeds and this results in less cow wastage and lower replacement rates.
Jersey Advantage will be preparing a submission, and we would encourage all farmers to do the same. Dairy NZ has a useful summary of information on their website and the full Climate Change Commission papers can be found at climatecommission.govt.nz/get-involved/our-advice-andevidence.
In October Fonterra rolled out Environmental Reports to all its farmers. The reports include a Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Report and Nitrogen Risk Scorecard.
The reports have been promoted as providing useful insights for farmers to identify opportunities for improvements on farm – providing indicators such as estimated levels of biological methane and nitrous oxide. However, it’s important to note that the GHG emissions modelling uses a regional average liveweight rather than a breed average or a farm-specific value. In most areas where the average regional liveweight will align more closely to a Friesian cross type animal, the use of these generic figures will penalise low liveweight herds and reward those with heavier animals.
It’s a pragmatic approach that has allowed the reports to be rolled out in a short timeframe but it is important to consider before making any changes based on the GHG figures.
It’s also important because Fonterra is one of thirteen partners in the He Waka Eke Noa Primary Sector Climate Action partnership – tasked with delivering a farm-level pricing mechanism for agricultural emissions. It’s imperative that any pricing mechanism accurately measures GHG emissions while providing a fair outcome for farmers and high-efficiency herds. That is herds that maximise milk solids production per kilogram of dry matter eaten and per kilogram of liveweight.
You can find out more about He Waka Eke Noa and their key milestones at https://hewakaekenoa.nz/
Fonterra Milk Price
In September last year, Fonterra sought feedback from shareholders on a proposal to remove the Capacity Adjustment and Peak Volume Adjustment from the calculation of milk price. Seasonal Volume Adjustment will remain.
While many shareholders will welcome a simplified pricing structure, it is important that milk payments drive the right behaviour and support an increasing industry focus on efficient, sustainable production.
The Capacity Adjustment and Peak Volume Adjustment were designed to recognise the cost of processing milk over the peak period – through things like investment in stainless steel, and additional tankers.
Peak Volume Adjustment effectively rewarded herds that produced more concentrated milk over the peak milk period and penalised those that produced milk with a lower milksolids percentage.
While the Capacity Adjustment was based on how your milk curve compared to the co-operative average, with a payment to those with flatter production and a penalty for those with peakier production curves.
With the Capacity Adjustment removed, those Jersey herds with lower inputs whose production is linked to seasonal pasture growth should see a slightly higher milk payment, with figures of around $0.02-$0.03 per kilogram of milksolids being reported within our group.
Work is still underway to determine how the removal of the Peak Volume Adjustment will impact future milk pricing but Jersey Advantage is working to ensure that all the costs of collecting and processing high volume, low solids milk are fairly recognised in milk price.
Submissions have now closed for feedback on this issue but you can provide feedback to your area manager, and talk to them about how the proposed changes are likely to impact your milk price.
The industry faces some challenges going forward but as Jersey farmers we are well placed to tackle these. Jersey’s efficiency, lower environmental footprint, superior reproduction, adaptability to variable milking routines, superior heat tolerance, and lower levels of health issues such as lameness and mastitis all combine to future-proof the breed. The Jersey advantage is so strong that it is imperative we get good science-backed outcomes for these issues. We appreciate your support of Jersey Advantage and as always, we welcome your feedback.
Support Jersey Advantage
Jersey Advantage is a not-for-profit organisation, founded and funded by farmers to promote the economic, environmental and animal welfare benefits of the Jersey breed.
To support us through the donation of a cull cow or cash donation please email louise@ jerseyadvantage.co.nz or click the Contact Us link on our website – jerseyadvantage.co.nz
Matriarch Genetics Ltd
Contributed by Deb Burmeister
2020 closed out a most successful year of establishment for Matriarch Genetics. By year end we had fifty subscribed shareholders. These fifty shareholders cover a significant percentage of breeders of bulls which are enrolled at NZAEL each year. The shareholders cover Jerseys, Holstein Friesians and Crossbreds, with many breeding bulls of more than one breed.
The establishment of Matriarch is exciting insomuch as it will facilitate an increase in the rate of genetic gain in NZ. In many other countries, widespread genotyping of young females is common practice. In NZ until now, AB companies have controlled genotype investment in bovine genetics, mostly concentrated on male selection. But by farmers investing in their own genotyping, this means that for a breeder with say, sixty heifer calves, he or she, might genotype their best 50% on parent average. By six months of age, the breeder would genetically know approximately the same about each of those heifer calves, as they would if the same heifer calf already had a dozen in-milk daughters. This has the potential to increase the rate of genetic gain in NZ, for the benefit of all NZ farmers by 25-33%. Matriarch is considering various options for shareholders to be able to genotype young females. Matriarch shareholders will pay for the genotyping and own the information.
Matriarch and its shareholders will play a key part in widening the genetic base within the industry. AB companies are reluctant to take too many diversity risks in their diminishing bull team intakes. Genetic diversity is already an issue within current breeding objectives. Inevitably, as the Industry in the future pursues animals with different traits, such as methane emissions or nitrate excretions, incorporating these with current BW economic traits, will necessitate animal selection beyond the current apex of high BW animals.
Most Matriarch shareholders have strong relationships with one or more AB marketing companies. Matriarch encourages shareholders to maintain and build these associations. Nonetheless there will be some minor tension points to be worked through with AB companies. Over the last twenty years, since the windup of the NZ Dairy Board, whose role included custodian of National Herd Improvement, AB companies have increasingly prioritised their profits over National Genetic Gain. AB companies should not be criticized for this, it is simply their objective and fiduciary responsibilities of such companies. But they do not have the right to supress genetic gain either.
Matriarch shareholders will collaborate to achieve better outcomes for both the wider Dairy Industry, and for those farmers who choose to invest more heavily in genetics for the betterment of all farmers in NZ. Today we are seeing bull breeders, in many cases, winding back the investments they have been making to accelerate genetic gain within their own herds because of the restrictions placed by AB companies on breeders’ own animals. This has a cost to the wider Industry in terms of compromising National Genetic Gain but is also demotivating for those farmers deeply interested
in genetics. Intellectual Property restrictions such as Clause 62 are the right of the respective AB companies and probably here to stay. The weakness in the case supporting Clause 62 and such restrictions, is that it justifiably recognises investments in formal sire proving schemes and genomics, but it ignores the investment bull breeders individually make in female genetic gain (AB, culling, acquiring premium livestock), herd testing, classification, embryo transfer and even matters like farmer investment in calving facilities to minimise the risk to high value new-born calves. Bull breeders pay for these investments but are limited in how they capture the benefits. It is fair to say that some Industry Genetic players have been very good at recognising their own investment in Genetics but have capitalised on the investments made by others.
Matriarch is a commercial company but operates off cooperative principles. Cooperatives such as Dairy Companies, Fertilizer Companies, Rural Retailers like Farmlands etc are set up to provide collective power and protection. To avoid individuals being powerless against big customers or suppliers. Matriarch is no different.
Matriarch member shareholders will work together to share their own Genetic IP. They will offer genetics to all Matriarch shareholders on animals on which they hold the IP. Those Matriarch shareholders receiving the IP from other Matriarch shareholders, will, in-turn, feed their genetics back into the Matriarch pool. Although the IP waiver between AB companies CRV and LIC has broken down, logic says there will still be some genetic trading occur between the companies. Without doubt, with the Matriarch shareholding including most of the leading bull breeders in NZ, Matriarch will in the future have genetics to trade IP on with other genetics players.
Today it is quite some accomplishment to get a bull accepted into an AB company – the competition is very tough. And the size of bull intakes reduces as Genomics become more reliable. Intellectual property constraints placed by AB companies now, are such that should a bull calf not be taken up by the company who supplied the siring semen, then the bull breeder has few marketable options for any bull calf not selected. Bull breeders today only receive approximately 0.5% of the generally accepted annual value to the whole industry for national genetic of NZ$300-400m per year. Over recent years, AB companies have each year incrementally increased the price of semen to farmers. But AB companies bull acquisition costs have been held static by the force of IP restrictions by AB companies.
All NZ dairy farmers will benefit via genetic gain from bull breeders having some reasonable return on their additional spend to accelerate National Genetic Gain.
This article is not intended to be critical of AB companies. In general, they have served NZ farmers well. But there is a way to collectively work together for the benefit of all NZ Dairy Farmers.
In the short term, perhaps the biggest achievement of Matriarch Genetics Ltd has been to see the reinvigorated interests in cattle breeding by its member shareholders. Seeing some opportunities to work together around accelerating genetics gain within their own herds and confronting some of the restrictions currently in place has returned their breeding Mojo. Hopefully, this stimulus will also provide new blood and enthusiasm into the important roles of Breed Societies.
Matriarch is an open organisation – for further details contact Deb Burmeister. Email info@matriarch.co.nz
Regional Ambassadors
In 2018, Jersey NZ developed a new volunteer role known as the Jersey Regional Ambassador. Many of the new Regional Ambassadors have already been active in their local areas supporting prospective and existing members alike. The Regional Ambassadors have been well resourced, we encourage members and clubs to make use of them regularly.
Purpose:
• To be the face of Jersey NZ on farm and in the field.
• To support members and potential members of Jersey NZ.
• To represent and advocate for the work of Jersey NZ and hold to the highest standard the purpose and values of the organisation.
General Guidelines: Provide a two way communication between the Jersey NZ Board of Directors, Jersey NZ Membership and Jersey Clubs in their respective region
• Provide a presence representing Jersey NZ at regional industry events and Jersey Club events
• Provide a regional referral service for Jersey Marketing Services as becomes apparent
• Promote breed relevance within the industry while representing Jersey NZ
• Approach prospective new members in their respective regions
• Where the position is filled by a qualified TOP classifier; include the promotion and additional service of TOP & Classification
Clubs and members alike are encouraged to use this valuable resource to increase participation with Jersey NZ.
Jersey NZ Farm Signs
Limited Jersey NZ farm signs left. Get in quick!
Hang it like the Lansdaal’s, screw it to a fence, smack it in your shed, or jimmy up a light display from the electric fence and flash everyone who drives past.
Single Sided = $165 + GST
Double Sided = $235 + GST To order email info@jersey.org.nz
Upper South Island: Brian Nesbit 027 225 9969 / 03 525 9969 chardonnay.nz@gmail.com
Upper South Island Ted Ford 027 444 2805 / 03 544 2805 ted.clare@westbournefarm.nz
Canterbury: Robert Hall 027 431 8610 / 03 348 8406 8raro8@gmail.com
LIC Bull Profile
Danie Swart, Bull Acquisition Manager
A POSITIVE 2021
I think most farmers will agree that we have had a good season so far, and there are many positives we’ve experienced since calving started in 2020. Arguably, it’s been the best calving and mating weather we’ve had in a long time. In general there was plenty of grass all the way to January and the lift in the milk price range due to strong demand from Asian countries is a big positive for 2021.
February until the end of April are the most important months for the Livestock Selection team to visit breeders and inspect potential bull dams, having identified around 4,500 of the best females across all breeds. Just over 1,000 Jersey females are on the initial selected list, and from the top 1,000 females we have also selected the very best for our ET programmes. LIC has increased the number of ET females significantly from the 2020 season, and we should see the benefits of this increased investment over the next few years.
Every year well over 300 Jersey bulls are genomically tested and the very best selected to prove themselves through the LIC Sire Proving Scheme herds, which are located from the top of the North Island down to the bottom of the South Island.
As a company we are investing significantly in the Jersey breed. Where annual Jersey semen sales are around 13% of LIC’s total sales, the Jersey bull intake in Sire Proving is 19% of the total bull intake. On top of that we have the Jersey Future scheme with Jersey NZ, where we purchase an additional five to eight bulls every year. We strive to breed high genetic merit and diverse sires, and it’s important to maintain a healthy balance between genetic gain and diversity.
We absolutely value our relationship with breeders and appreciate their support in allowing us to breed from their top cows. It is with pride that I highlight a few top bulls from a great line-up of high ranking genomic bulls. The following bulls will be marketed for the 2021 season.
AB Code: 320011
Kaimatarau Flint Popeye
From the Pedley family in the Manawatu and the Kaimatarau stud, Popeye is currently the second-highest BW genomic bull at 404 BW. He is a young sire ticking all the boxes, with excellent production of 64 kgs of milksolids, 666 days longevity BV and great capacity, size and udder overall. He is sired by Flint, a bull with extreme production, and Popeye is also backed up by a solid cow family with high production and good type.
AB Code: 320020
Titus has been bred by the Thornwood stud of Shaun Good and Michelle Adam. He is a great all-rounder, with good production, size, fertility and a great udder overall BV of 0.89. Bred from the high-ranked sire Glanton Desi Banff, he is backed by a line-up of Excellent classified cows in the pedigree. This is a high production proven cow family having produced the likes of the proven bulls Thor and Trigger.
AB Code: 320027
Magnify is an exciting high BW young bull bred from the Charlton stud of John and Sarah Charlton. Magnify provides a slightly different pedigree, with Misty as the sire out of a Speedway dam. The standouts for this young bull are his high production, good udders, positive liveweight and an exceptional fertility BV of 7.2. The maternal line has excellent production with PWs and LWs exceeding 400.
Thornwood Banff Titus
Chaltons Misty Magnify
Thornwood Goldies Trix Dam of 320020 Thornwood Banff Titus
Charltons Speedy Marlowe Dam of 320027 Chaltons Misty Magnify
RAS List update
PUKETAWA KING CONNACHTJG
CRESCENT LEO DOMINATOR
LOCKHART OI JOEL JC15
DEEP RIVER PCG FAVOUR
LITTLE RIVER TRIDENT S3J
SHEPHERDS LT FLINT ET S3J
CRESCENT EXCELL MISTY ET
GLENUI DEGREE HOSS ET
LYNBROOK GG QUICKSILVER
PUKETAWA KING CARRICK JG
GLEN LEITH QUIGLEY ET S2J
OKURA LT INTEGRITY
ULMARRA TT GALLIVANT
EVLEEN INTEGRITY LARSON
PUKEROA AND BARATONE ET
CRESCENT EXCELL MONOPOLY
KERRS GOLDIE LAD ET S2J
FOXTON PG COYOTE ET
GLEN LEITH AND QUIZ S2J KAITAKA
Celine Pirie Connecting Kiwi-Kids To Their Roots
Contributed by Julie Purie - Jersey NZ Youth Committee Convenor
A feature of many working in agriculture is the passion that they have for their sector, and the desire to pass on knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation.
Celine Pirie is in boots and all – in her chosen profession as a Secondary School Agriculture teacher.
Celine was bought up on her parents, Brian and Julie Pirie’s farm near Ngatea.
Celine completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at Massey University, finishing in 2019. An opportunity to take a Rabobank Agribusiness summer class had a major influence on her decision to complete the year long Diploma of Education after finishing her degree.
Her degree and diploma, which incorporates business, as well as plant and animal science has meant that she can teach Agri-business, biology and science subjects. Celine has just started what she describes as her dream job – Agri/Hort and biology at St Peters School in Cambridge. St Peters has had a 20 percent increase in the number of students taking Agriculture as a subject. Together with Owl farm, and a supportive Science department, Celine is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm for Agriculture and encouraging her students into careers in the Agricultural sector.
50 Years of Breeding
250 Cows | BW 178 | PW 186 | Rec Anc 90%
Quality cows that are no fuss with beautiful temperament System 4 at altitude, and 3.5m rainfall
The whole herd is AB mated to top LIC sires with no bulls run.
If you’re looking for an impressive herd of Taranaki cows contact our agents at Link Livestock.
Auction date is booked for if not sold before.
May 14th Nigel Riddell | 0274 343 153
Celine’s classroom – St Peter’s has built a new classroom for the increased classes in Agriculture.
Celine graduating a Bachelor of Agricutural Science at Massey University.
Obituaries
It is with deep regret and profound sadness we record the passing of the following members, previous members and friends of Jersey NZ.
Eileen Pattinson - Taranaki, passed away June 2020
Neil Irwin - Lower South Island, passed away February 2021.
(Former Jersey NZ Councilor, 1986)
Jersey NZ Youth Ambassadors
The Jersey Youth Council was established in 2015 to engage with youth for the future prosperity of Jersey NZ. Our vision is “Jerseys connecting youth”.
The Youth Council has two main goals. The first is to give young people an opportunity to gain governance experience and practice strategic thinking by acting within a board of directors. The second is a long term goal of the Youth Council to grow an actively engaged, informed youth membership promoting the value of the Jersey breed.
Regular communication is essential if we are to grow the youth membership of Jersey NZ. Jersey enthusiasts are widespread throughout New Zealand, so it is essential that Jersey NZ has Youth Ambassadors in as many regions as possible.
Benefits of the Youth Ambassador network
The members of the Youth Council:
• Are available to support, share and develop ideas with Youth Ambassadors;
• Provide opportunities and financial support for Youth Ambassadors to attend events e.g. AGM & conference;
• Provide networking opportunities.
Youth Ambassador role: Scope of activities
• To be the point of contact in their region for youth that have registered an interest in dairying and Jerseys;
• Identifying youth in their region and encouraging them to register with the Youth Council database and belong to the local Jersey Club;
• Circulating information to this group and encouraging them to be involved in local activities and any initiatives organised by the Jersey NZ Youth Council;
• Facilitating activities in their region that encourage youth involvement.
Jersey NZ Youth Ambassadors are a group of passionate people, young and old, who are willing to put youth matters first, and are involved with young people in the industry.
If you are interested in becoming a Youth Ambassador, please contact Cameron Townshend camerontownshend23@gmail.com
Calf ClubNZ 2020 Results
Congratulations to all the kids who competed in the 2020 Calf ClubNZ Competition!
There was so many Jersey entries, we sadly can’t fit them all in the Jersey Focus. To see all entrants and their photos, stories, and results go to www.calfclubnz.co.nz
Jack Anderson - Candy
National - Leading 3rd Place
National
- Rearing 4th Place
HIS STORY: This is going to be quite different for me having a Jersey calf as I usually have large Ayrshires. Candy is so much more gentle, especially when she stands on my toes. I am enjoying her very soft coat. She is so little compared to my other calves but she is also young and will grow heaps over the next month. I’m Looking forward to seeing how well she will do competing and I’m ready for the challenge.
National - Leading 4th Place
HER STORY: My calf is called Willow. I called her willow because she is a nice gentle calf, and willow sounds like a gentle name. Everyday I go out to see her and she loves to eat my hair. I give her a nice brush and then I take her for a walk, because she does really well I will give her a marshmallow as a treat afterwards. The first time we let willow and her out in the paddock she ran everywhere and she keeped getting out. Everyday we feed her 6-8 litres of milk, hay, meal, opitguard, water and grass.
Jamie Spiers - Sunshine
National - Rearing 5th Place
National - Dairy Type 4th Place
HIS STORY: My name is Jamie and I have a Jersey calf called Sunshine. I chose her because she’s friendly and beautiful and quite big. She lives on the farm with us and our other pets, another calf, a lamb, 2 cats & a dog. I like taking her for walks and brushing her. She is very relaxed and loves cuddles and scratches.
National - Dairy Type 1st Place
HER STORY: My first day with Tracy I lead her from the calf shed to the paddock. Such a simple task turned out to be quite a mission. I discovered that Tracy is quite the acrobat. She would throw herself around, leaping up into the air before falling in a heap and refusing to stand up. Leading Tracy into the paddock turned out to be a 2 person job. By the time we made it to the paddock both Tracy and I were covered in mud. Our adventure together has earned her the nickname Crazy Tracy.
Tayler Gibbs - Willow
Danika Beardsall - Tracey
Adelle Johnson - Monday
National - Dairy Type 3rd Place
HER STORY: My calf is called Monday. Monday is sweet as a lollipop. She likes to chew my boots and overalls. Monday drinks warm milk and water and eats moosli and hay. Monday is a jersey calf and in 2 years will become a milking cow.
Jack
Dawkins - Steph
Social League - Online Votes 3rd Place
HIS STORY: I’m Jack Dawkins and my calf Steph is cool and really friendly. I love rearing her. I feed her warm milk two times a day and wash the feeder and milk bucket so its clean. She eats grass, hay and calf meal too and likes treats like bread crusts! My favourite part about Steph is that she is so friendly and likes to be brushed and the trickiest part about rearing Steph was putting her coat on and when we first went walking on the lead but we practised and its going good now.
Social League - Online Votes 2nd Place
HER STORY: My name is Lexi and I am 7 years old. This is my calf Daisy and she is a purebred jersey. Daisy is an energetic calf and likes to play a lot. Sometimes I go into the pen and read to her while she sleeps on my lap. I feed her milk with her tail wagging and she eats meal and hay while I brush her. She is a beautiful calf and I love her.
The sponsors that made the 2020 Calf ClubNZ possible.
Lexi Linnell - Daisy
SHOW SEASON HIGHLIGHTS 2020/21
NZ Dairy Event2021
Jersey Supreme Champion
+ Senior In-Milk Jersey Champion + ALL BREEDS 2nd Place - 4 year old in-milk
Premier Tequila Sweet / Gilbert Family
Senior In-Milk Jersey Reserve Champion
+ Best Uddered Senior Jersey Cow + 1st Place - 5 & 6 year old in-milk
Allandale Tbone Demi / Kuku & Allandale Jerseys
HELD: 27th – 28th January - Manfield, Feilding
JERSEY SECTION JUDGES: Barry Montgomery, with Associate judge Crystal Scown.
Intermediate In-Milk Jersey Champion + Best Uddered Intermediate Jersey Cow + ALL BREEDS 2nd Place 3 year old in-milk
Intermediate In-Milk Jersey Reserve Champion + 1st Place - 2 Year Old In-Milk
Allandale Tbone Barley / Kuku & Allandale Jerseys
Junior Jersey Champion + ALL BREEDS 2nd Place Senior Yearling Heifer + 1st Place Senior Yearling Heifer
Glenalla Hired Wendy / Gilbert Family
FULL RESULTS: www.jersey.org.nz/nz-dairy-event-2021/
Junior Jersey Reserve Champion
Lindale Gun Rich / Lindale Jerseys
ALL BREEDS 1st Place - 4 YO In-Milk + 2nd Place - 4 year old in-milk
Kuku van Gemmah / Kuku & Allandale Jerseys
Murray Harnett Junior Judging Challenge2021
1st place - Joanna Fowlie
2nd Place Megan Thomas
3rd Place Katie Mears
Stratford Royal A&P Show2020
Supreme Jersey Champion + Senior Jersey Champion + ALL BREEDS 1st Place - 7 year old and over in-milk
Marcel Stellar, Johnson + Parkes
Senior Jersey Reserve Champion + 1st Place Jersey 4 year old
Intermediate Jersey Reserve Champion
Tasman Ice Tink, Vanner Family
FULL RESULTS: www.jersey.org.nz/royal-show-2020/
HELD: 28th - 29th November 2020 - Stratford, Taranaki
JERSEY SECTION JUDGE: Richard Adam, Carnmor
Intermediate Jersey Champion + Best Udder Campion + ALL BREEDS 3rd Place - 3 year old in-milk
Junior Jersey Champion + Don O’Sullivan Trophy
Lindale Gun Rich, MC & LB Wood
Junior Jersey Reserve Champion
Hasty Spring Fizz Rippa, Johnson & Parkes
South Island Championship
Due to show cancellations, the South Island Champs will be placed based off the Semex On Farm Challenge.
Results will be announced at this years Annual Conference, 12-14 April - New Plymouth
Parlan
Hasty Spring Koop Fancy, Johnson + Parkes
Wyeholme Gun Steffi, MC & LB Wood
Waikato A&P Show2020
North Island Championships
Supreme Jersey Champion Cow
+ Jersey North Island Champion Cow
+ Senior Champion Jersey
+ 1st Place 7yr & Over
Ferdon Bstone Rose, Ferdon Genetics
Reserve Champion Jersey
+ 1st Place 5 & 6 year Old Jersey
+ Best Uddered Jersey Cow Or Heifer
Ferdon Tequila Lanita, Corey Ferguson & Rob Barclay
CHAMPION INTERMEDIATE JERSEY COW
+ 1st Place 3 year Old Jersey
Ferdon Tequila Caramel, Craig Roberston
HELD: 30th - 31st October - Hamilton, Waikato
JERSEY SECTION JUDGE: Nick Gilbert, Glenalla
RESERVE INTERMEDIATE JERSEY COW
Fynreath Colton Camila, Joanna Fowlie
Junior Jersey Champion + Don O’Sullivan Trophy
Fynreath Joel Duchess ET, Joanna Fowlie
Junior Jersey Reserve Champion
Ferdon Tequila Lois, Manor Jerseys
PROUD BREEDERS OF
Glenui Integrity Lace ET VG7
BW 354 PW 506 326kgms in 139 days
Dam of Lacey and Larrissa + 10 other daughters
Glenui Baltic Laconia ET VG87
BW 395 PW 658 392kgms in 167 days Bulls sold to LIC (+1 to Jersey Future)
Glenui Goldie Lacey ET VG4
BW 348 PW 465 398kgms in 157 days
Dam of Super Lamar x Walker Lebron ET 1 bull x Triplestar to CRV
Glenui Integrity Shanty EX2
BW 288 PW 533 525kgms in 202 days
1 bull x Watchman to CRV
CLUB CONTACTS
Club Reports
Te Awamutu Jersey Club
The first Club visit for the 2020-21 season was a herd visit to Murray & Sandy Green’s at Lichfield on Wednesday 30th September. Steve Canton, from DairyNZ, led the Discussion Group part of the day. A good turnout of members enjoyed viewing Murray and Sandy’s very friendly herd of Jersey and Jersey cross cows. Several contract mate cows and their families were identified. The cows appeared to enjoy the day as much as the visitors.
The October Discussion Group day was held at Chris and Jennifer Turners, Brill Road, Te Awamutu on Wednesday 28th October. Steve Canton (Dairy NZ) lead the day with a discussion on summer crops, deferred grazing to push feed into the summer, a summary of our obligations under Healthy Rivers & the Essential Fresh Water policy and the impact if we have to reduce our inputs and stocking rate going forward. Members enjoyed viewing the herd and Barb-b-que lunch.
At the October Jersey New Zealand AGM held at The Verandah, Hamilton Lake, two members of the Te Awamutu Jersey Club received special awards. They were Bob Potts and Warren Ferguson. Bob Potts was awarded an Honorary Life Membership. Since registering the Cairntoul prefix in 1947 “Mr Bob” has made an active contribution to the Te Awamutu Jersey Club and Jersey New Zealand spanning more than 70 years. He became club patron in 1996. Warren was awarded the inaugural George Henry Dawick Memorial Cup. Warren and Michelle Ferguson continue the legacy of the Ferdon Jersey Stud established in 1949 by Warren’s father Don. Warren has judged Jersey and Holstein Friesian classes throughout New Zealand and in Australia. He has been invited to judge the Jersey UK National Show and the Jersey Island Autumn show in 2021.
The Agrisea Jersey Classic was held on the 19th and 20th November. It was held on farm so clipping was not necessary and new members encouraged to participate. An excellent line up of entries saw thirteen herds visited over the two days and a strong following by members, family and friends. Many thanks to our Sponsors Agrisea, Judge Vince Steiner and Convenor Ross Riddell. The Results evening and Christmas function was held on the 28th November at the Te Awamutu RSA Club rooms. It also included the Junior Classic Prize-giving and saw a big turnout of Club supporters.
President - Glenn Wilson, Wee Burn
Secretary - Shirley Hamilton, Drumclog
The final Discussion group for the year was held at Graham and Lyn, Amanda and Nathan Lawry’s, Gallagher Road East, on Thursday the 17th December. Amanda and Nathan are new members. Steve Canton initiated some good discussion on summer crops, summer supplement purchase, and went through a Fonterra Environmental Report. There was a great turnout of members, family & visitors. Certificates were presented to folk who were not at the Awards Dinner held late November. The herd viewing was enjoyed, as was the lunch held under some beautiful trees. Many thanks to our sponsors CRV and VetEnt for the meat patties and drinks. They went down well. Everyone had a good day and it was a nice wrap up to the year.
Activities for 2021 got under way with the On Farm competition held on the 9th and 10th of February, with entries from 13 participating farms. An excellent selection of cows were presented from a diverse range of farming systems. It made for an interesting two days viewing for Club supporters. Our appreciation to Julie Pirie for the judging, the organising committee and all entrants and supporters.
The Te Awamutu Jersey Club welcomes new members and provides a range of family friendly activities. We extend a big thank you to all our members, supporters, discussion group hosts, sponsors, committees, participants in club competitions & followers who made 2020 a very successful year. We wish members, family and friends all the best for 2021. The Executive is busy planning a varied program for the coming year. Watch this space!!
Contacts:
President: Glenn Wilson 078722766 weeburnjerseys07@gmail.com
Secretary: Shirley Hamilton 0211627675 drumclog@farmside.co.nz
Te Awamutu Jersey Club
Lower Waikato Jersey Club
In November the Lower Waikato Cattle Club had their annual Club Show which was held at Brett Dyson’s farm at Taupiri, with Mr Nick Gilbert as Judge. While we are quite a small club, we had 5 Senior Member exhibitors, 5 Junior Member exhibitors, 21 in-milk cows and 15 young stock enter. Results were as follows:
Champion Cow – Glenhaven TT Yuri exhibited by Brett Dyson Reserve Champion Cow – Zenith Van Lala exhibited by Russell & Alison Gibb
Junior Champion – Sherbourne Casino Pippa exhibited by Scherer family
Reserve Junior Champion – Zenith Val Sandra exhibited by Russell and Alison Gibb
In December we had our on-farm Type and Production Competition which was judged by Mr Robert Hall. Also included was the 3x1 Sire for Cows and Calves. Results were announced and ribbons awarded at our Christmas BBQ held at Colin and Nicola Hickeys. Results were as follows:
Type & Production
1st
2nd
3rd
Brett Dyson
Colin & Nicola Hickey
Gavin & Catherin Vowles
3x1 Cows
1st 2nd
3rd
Brett Dyson
Brett Dyson
Lynbrook Terrific
Okura Goldie Index
273 points
President - Gavin Vowles, Two View Secretary - Alison Gibb, Zenith
participate. This year the club will be inviting Malcolm Ellis to speak to the Waikato based clubs on March 4, updating us on the progress of Genomics and to lead the discussion on farming jerseys in the proposed environmental constraints.
The members either pay a sub or contribute a bull calf which we sell – the money then subsidises competition day meals, activities and the trips away.
Anyone interested in joining the Lower Waikato Jersey Club would be most welcome.
Contact Alison Gibb: Email: arrk.gibb@gmail.com
Mobile: 0274 810 820
points
Lynbrook Terrific
1st 2nd 3rd
Natalie Dyson 127 points
3x1 Calves
Colin & Nicola Hickey
Colin & Nicola Hickey
Natalie Dyson
Glenui Degree Hoss
Kaitaka Ol Leopard
Glenui Degree Hoss
points
points
points
points
Lower Waikato meets regularly on the first Thursday of every month beginning with the AGM in July followed by a Pizza and Programme Planning evening in August. The programme usually involves a mixture of club members herd visits, a visit to a herd outside of the club, social events, Annual Club Show, annual dinner in May, Heifer Competition couples with the Gaydene Memorial Production awards and of course the Type and Production Competition reported above.
Each year we either have a mystery meeting where we do something quite different e.g. visit Zealong Tea Plantation, Hills Laboratory, a trip away or a fun activity during the holidays so that our junior members have an opportunity to
Te Aroha Jersey Club
The Te Aroha Jersey club have been out and about on a “2-year old day“ which we held in early November. Historically I think this was an event for members to study daughters of bulls which maybe of interest with a view to using these bulls in future. It serves more today as a social event getting off farm looking at heifers. Three herds were visited with excellent groups of cows put out for us. First stop was the Jeyes family Manor jerseys at Turua, followed by Julie and Brian Pirie Ngatea jerseys and after a cafe lunch Crescent Genetics was visited. Many thanks to the 3 host farms for allowing our visit. (The day was not good weather wise so no photos were taken)
Te Aroha A&P Society decided to hold a cattle section this year after the enforced Mbovis break, with a reasonable entry of Jerseys forward, along with Ayrshire Holstein and combined breeds (Shorthorn). The Jersey judge was Crystal Scown. The Champion and Res went to entries from Linda Wood. Thomas Jeyes did well winning the All breeds 2 year old with Upland Park Sultan Tess, and Champion junior Jersey and Res All breeds with Ferdon Tequillas Lois. Also from the Jeyes, Manor Chrome Clover was 2nd heifer calf . They also took Hon mention Junior Jerseys with “Ruby” lead by Anabel Jeyes
North Taranaki Jersey Club
2021 On Farm Show Results
Reserve Junior Champion.
M Moffitt & I Phipps - Calf 20-17 - Trilogy Hoss Lois
Class 1a. Best pair of Heifers by the same sire. Hugh Purdie Memorial trophy
1st - A & M Luckin - Leithlea Charlie Sian + Leithlea Charlie Bonny
Class 2. Cow 3 years old. M & D Parks Cup
1st - M & L Cox - Makawa TAC Sandi
Class 3 – Cow 4 & 5 years old. Dorsetville Trophy 1st - A & M Luckin - Leithlea Appjack Rainbow
President - Andy Walford, Upland Park
Secretary - Marian Wallace, Grahmar
In early December the On farm competition was held with 7 team entries this year. This was judged by Shaun Good, with him scoring the cows indiviually for type and then adding that to a score for production to give overall score. An awards BBQ was held at Rick and Claire Jones home which was a good social occasion. The winner of the Type trophies for the team and individual cow was Lloyd and Ann Wilson , with the Overall team trophy (combining both type and production) winner was Andy and Nicky Walford. They also won the beast overall cow with Paterangi Mans Mammie who is a tremendous aged cow.
As a finishing note, Te Aroha club was formed in September 1921 so we are approaching 100 years. We plan to have something to celebrate this.
President - Jay Luckin, Leithlea
Secretary - Peter Ayles, Ohutu
Class 4 – Cow 6 & 7 years old. E Collingwood Tray. 1st - A & M Luckin - Leithlea Tequilla Sheba
Class 5 – Cow 8 & 9 years old. Bishell/Kuklinski cup. 1st - J & K Luckin - Leithlea Govenor Sandi
Class 6 – Cow 10 years and older. J Morrow Memorial cup.
1st - D & R O’Sullivan - Belgrove Nath Issable
Class 7 – Best udder. T H Western trophy
1st - A & M Luckin - Leithlea Tequilla Sheba
Class 8 – Type and Production. DJ O’Sullivan Tray. 1st - G & V Robinson - By Pioneer
Class 9 – Two Females in milk.
1st - A & M Luckin - Leithlea Tequilla Sheba + Leithlea Charlie Fava
Class 10 – 3 females in milk by same sire. Eric Rowan Rose Bowl.
1st - A & M Luckin - Leithlea Charlie Sian + Leithlea Charlie Fava + Leithlea Charlie Bonny
COMPLETE SHOW RESULTS AVAILABLE AT: www.jersey.org.nz/north-taranaki-on-farm
(below) Runner up Evan Browning with Totara Dale Lucas Orio
Belinda Harris presenting Danika Beardsall with the certificate from the 2020 Ian Harris competition
Campbell Chitty receiving ribbon for cow 8-9 years from Graeme Collins – President
Nick Browning Totara Dale Farm overall points winner, Northern Wairoa Jersey Club On Farm Show
Overall youth winner – Sarah Thomas Northern Wairoa Jersey Club On Farm Show
Advertisers Index
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Samen NZ Ltd
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Autumn Harvest Sale
Link Livestock Ltd
Ardachie Polled Jerseys
Crescent Genetics
Lexine Registered Jerseys
Fyvie Meadows Ltd
Glenui Jerseys
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Next issue:
SEPTEMBER 2021
Deadlines:
Bookings for advertisements 30 July 2021
Material for advertisements 7 August 2021
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