LIC technology is showing the Connollys the future.
And it’s looking pretty promising.
When you combine the best LIC information systems with our world famous genetics, the results can only be good.
Otorohanga dairy farmers Deb and Reuben Connolly wanted to improve their herd genetics. But they knew they couldn’t do it without truly understanding their herd.
With MINDA® Live, they now capture every detail – ancestry, production, SCC, weight, fertility, body condition and more. With Protrack®, they found they could manage their herd in small manageable groups, selecting cows for the vet, for grazing and for dry off. All from the convenience of a mobile app.
It’s clear, it’s transparent, and as Deb says, “it’s just easy.”
Of course, there are other LIC extras that Reuben’s yet to add – like Field Assist, and DNA diagnostics. But we’re working on it.
Learn more at lic.co.nz/alwaysimproving
There’s always room for improvement
FOCUS
of Contents
President’s Perspective
General Manager’s Comment
Office News
Dates To Remember
Strategic Plan 2019
International News
Regional Ambassadors
Just How Efficient And Sustainable Is The Jersey Registrations
Registration Amnesty Committees
WJCB 2020 Tour & Annual Meeting
1965 World Jersey Conference
George Henry Dawick 1905 - 1996
TOP Review 2019
NZAEL Update
Jersey Future - Meet the 2020 Team
Production Highlights
Outcross Leads to a Prosperous Future
Jersey GenomeTM Update 2019 Show Results
Going Back to Where Ultra Began
Jersey NZ Annual Conference & AGM 2020
New Leader Is Ready To Lead The Industry. What is the most important number on your milk docket?
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.
Ian Harris Memorial Heifer Competition 2020
Obituaries
LIC Bull Profile
Massey University Dairy 1 Farm updates.
Being prepared in uncertain times
Jersey NZ Youth Team Tackles IDW 2020
Jersey NZ Youth Ambassadors
RAS List Update
How to Read a Sale Catalogue
Meet the Newest Youth Council Members
A Little About New Zealand Young Farmers
Jersey NZ Youth Members Take The Win
With Calf Club NZ 2019
SEMEX On-Farm Challenge 2019
Jersey NZ New Members
Scholarship Fun Roll of Honour
Jersey NZ Club Contacts
Jersey Club Reports
Breeders Video
President’s Perspective
At the beginning of this year I had the privilege to accompany the youth team to Australia to defend their title in the International Dairy Week held in Tatura. This trip to IDW, although organised by JerseyNZ, is open to All Breeds, so I was incredibly impressed with the ten fine young people who represented JerseyNZ with such dignity and pride. At all times they were well mannered, friendly, well groomed, and consistently supportive and encouraging of each other throughout the trip. We can all be proud to know that the future farmer of quality pedigree stock is well in hand.
Resilience appears to be the vogue word in the dairy industry at the moment – no more so than with current drought conditions throughout the country coupled with the immense flooding in the South. The word resilience trips off the tongue very easily but is not always easily actioned, particularly when, added to these climate events, are other issues such as pressure for compliance, clean water, effluent management and the negative media coverage brought about by the zero carbon debate.
What does resilience actually mean? Google informs me it is: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. For the majority of the time I believe farmers are particularly adept at recovering quickly and moving on but in the face of immense adversity, such as the bush fires in Australia, we rely so much on our family, friends and indeed the greater community to help us pull through. Recovery might not be so quick but at least it is supported. I was very much reminded of this while in Australia when I witnessed the myriad of ways people were supporting the victims of the fires, not only financially but spiritually. As each day passes and still the rain doesn’t arrive, I hope that you are all able to keep safe, keep positive and support each other.
The one thing we can all celebrate is the resilience of the Jersey cow. I have visited a number of Jersey farms this past
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
month and, regardless of the drought, the herds look to be in remarkable condition and are still producing favourably. The various trips overseas to hotter climates where Jerseys are farmed, are testimony to the knowledge of resilience of the Jersey in hot conditions.
By the time you receive this magazine the NZAEL run will have occurred and we will see the influence of the genetic evaluation which, at this stage, is pedigree based – no genomic data is included but this is planned to occur in the February 2021 run. The main differences in this run are: inbreeding has been accounted for, it will also account for Holstein x Friesian heterosis, removal of reproof adjustments, updated residual survival calculations and all traits now meet Interbull criteria.
The development of a DIGAD solution is gathering momentum and it should be on task for the breed societies to engage directly with the DIGAD database this year in time for classification visits to herds. While this solution has been a long time coming it is great to be able to report that it is progressing forward.
For spring calving herds, as the season begins to wind down, I hope you all have the opportunity to take the time to acknowledge the amazing advantages the Jersey breed offers us. For the autumn calvers, I trust that in the meantime the rain has come and you go into your season with plenty of feed ahead of you.
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
To promote and drive the growth of the Jersey breed throughout New Zealand.
Animal Evaluation Data
Unless otherwise stated, all BW, PW and LW ratings shown throughout this issue are as at the Animal Evaluation run of 21 February 2020.
Unless otherwise stated, all NZMI figures quoted throughout this issue are as at the NZMI run of 21 February 2020.
Alison Gibb
General Manager’s Comment
Following a new strategic focus three years ago, Jersey NZ adopted a set of key values.
• Jersey cows are sustainable
• Inherent Jersey Quality
• Integrity is paramount
• We collaborate
An exciting aspect of the values is that they can be adapted for each aspect of Jerseys NZ’s sphere – the cow/breed, the Board & members and the Jersey NZ team. On a daily basis we collaborate to promote the breed, develop strong programmes for the benefit of members and create efficiencies in our operations.
Any non-profit organisation relies heavily on industry partnerships, and Jersey NZ is no exception. With Annual Conference fast approaching, many of these collaborative relationships will be celebrated and members will benefit in the form of acknowledgement and prizes. Vital industry collaborative programmes, competitions and event sponsorship all provide opportunities for Jersey NZ members to showcase their herds and take advantage of first rate genetic opportunities. These industry partners provide not only financial support but often staff resource and expertise towards the individual programmes. When we name a partner as part of a programme, we recognise that the programme, competition or event could not happen without their vital input.
Collaboration between the six participating Breed Societies and the wider dairy industry has been the key to the Breed Society solution for DIGAD (Dairy Industry Good Animal Database). We are excited to finally get the new programmes into development this year, and look forward to the efficiencies for members and the Jersey NZ Team that will be implemented as a result.
Jersey NZ Team
Pam Goodin General Manager pgoodin@jersey.org.nz
Michelle Calcott
Business Administrator accounts@jersey.org.nz
Late in 2019 I acted as driver and photographer for judge Graeme Collins during the Upper South Island section of the Semex On Farm Challenge. The Semex On Farm competition is one of our collaborative partnerships showcasing the breed. This was a fast-paced trip around Canterbury, across to the West Coast and up to Nelson – with a lot of driving! Everywhere we visited made us feel welcome, and it is always good to get the opportunity to look at cows in their working clothes and chat to farmers on their home turf. Thanks to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts and suggestions with me.
After a break in the 2018/19 season, Jersey NZ allocated both North Island (Stratford) and South Island (Canterbury) Championship shows in the 2019/20 season. Taking the opportunity to travel to Stratford, it felt great to be back amongst the cows and their breeders and exhibitors. Especially impressive was their new Beledene Trophy class, very fittingly presented to a Jersey cow in it’s inaugural year. With many shows citing exhibitor concerns around Mycoplasma Bovis as their reason to cancel dairy sections, the sheer volume of exhibitors and spectators at Stratford indicates that these decisions may not be long-lasting, and the and the restrictions imposed to deal with Bovis manageable.
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
INFRASTRUCTURE CHANGES
Members will recall that we are in the process of setting up our own IT infrastructure in preparation for accessing the Breed Society solution for DIGAD later this year. Hamilton based company Skypoint have been selected as our providers, and all new hardware purchased. We are currently working through the transition to remove ourselves from the LIC network over the coming weeks. Members should not notice any changes on a day to day level. LIC have kindly agreed to allow up to maintain our existing phone numbers, so as we also transition to a new phone system later on this should also have no effect for members. As changes occur, we will keep members notified by e-mail and Facebook.
DIGAD
Hamilton based agricultural software development specialists Rezare System have been selected as the provide for the Breed Society solution for DIGAD (Dairy Industry Good Animal Database). Work is currently proceeding on a timeline, final costings and the contract. Once the contract is finalised work will proceed, with member management and the TOP platform first cabs off the rank in terms of development. This is to ensure that the new TOP platform is ready for the 2020 TOP inspection season. Over the past few months considerable work has been done by the six participating breeds in the NZ Breeds Federation to update the Federation model in preparation for the new Breed Society database. Work is also progressing on data share agreements with DairyNZ, LIC and CRV Ambreed.
ROOF REPLACEMENT
As this issue goes to print, our roof will be getting replaced! There is no financial cost to the Association for this work to be completed, although there is expected to be some disruption for a period of 3-5 days. The team may decide to work from hot desks elsewhere on campus if it gets too noisy, but will still be able to access all work material on a day to day basis. Phone access may be limited through this period as we will divert phones to mobile. If you can’t get through, you will still be able to leave a message and we will get back to you. We will keep members informed via e-mail and Facebook, and the disruption is for a limited time only.
Jersey NZ Farm Signs
Stand out and be noticed with a Jersey NZ farm sign.
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.
These Signs are the perfect way to say “I farm Jerseys”
Single Sided = $165 + GST
Double Sided = $235 + GST
To order email krobinson@jersey.org.nz
JERSEY NZ TEAM
Michelle Calcott joined the team in late October 2019 as Business Administrator. Michelle has settled in well to her role, and is proving to be very proactive, developing relationships with many members. Kandin and Robyn have both now completed their first year with us and they continue to take on more responsibility as their industry experience grows. Kate Gore joined us for casual TOP data entry from September through to Christmas, and will now re-join us as a part time administration assistant for a few hours a week around her university studies. We are also currently recruiting a graphic design student to assist Kandin on a casual part time basis, freeing him up to explore more promotional activities.
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 most cost effective way for us to remain in contact with you, highlighted by late mail deliveries and the increasing costs of postage. All of our newsletters, forms and activities are also well displayed and downloadable from our website, Facebook page and direct e-mail. We urge members to choose electronic delivery as their preferred option to receive notifications from us. To do so, just ensure that we have your e-mail address. Contact info@jersey.org.nz to update your membership details
PURIRI JERSEYS
Wilson Farms
DATES TO REMEMBER
Get all of the Jersey NZ updates, reminders and general Jersey business on our Facebook Jersey NZ
7 - Board meeting 15 - Notices of motion close 29 - Annual report issued
3 - FOCUS Advert booking due 10 - FOCUS Advert copy due AUG 2020
1 - Queens Birthday, Office closed 15 to 17 - JNZ Conference & AGM (New Plymouth)
STRATEGIC PLAN 2019
CORE VALUES:
Jersey NZ is Sustainable. Inherent Jersey Quality. Integrity is paramount. We Collaborate.
CORE PURPOSE:
To promote and drive the growth of the Jersey breed throughout New Zealand
BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal):
Jersey as #1 Breed
- 15% population
- 25% population
- 40% population
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS:
Marketing and Promotions
• Implement Promotions plan
• Develop Value Statement propositions
• Collate research that supports Promotions plan
Jersey Genetic Advancement
• Jersey Future promoted & active
• JerseyGenome promoted & active
• BW developement within NZAEL
• Develop research opportunities with DairyNZ
• TOP & Classification Youth
• Review membership database/categories to reflect youth involvement
• Development/support of Youth Council
• Youth Ambassador programme implemented
• Youth scholarship programme relaunched
• Judging Governance & Management Capabilities
• DIGAD - Breed Society solution decided
• Compliance
• Human Resources
• Sponsorship opportunities identified
• Committee Development
• Financial capabilities
• Link Livestock Ltd
International News
Déjà moo? India locks horns over Jersey cow… again.
It may feel like déjà moo, but the Indian Government is once again locking horns with their local cattle farmers over a campaign to discredit the Jersey cow and promote domestic breeds.
The Indian farming community prefer breeds like Jersey which yield more milk than local varieties, but their government is once again trying to increase indigenous breeds of cow instead and is even importing semen from native Indian bulls to encourage the change.
Ordering the frozen semen of a breed that originated in India is the latest development in the unfounded smear campaign led by the Indian government against the Jersey cow, which has gained popularity across the world for its highly nutritious and creamy milk.
The Economic Times reports that New Delhi has ordered the semen of Gir bulls from Brazil to encourage the breeding of indigenous cows across the country.
Despite the cattle prattle, farmers across the world continue to opt for the Jersey cow, including in Rwanda which has been enjoying the benefits of Jersey Overseas Aid-backed programme which has seen nearly a quarter of a million cows distributed to vulnerable families since 2006.
Indeed, farmers in India have been defying these antiJersey campaigns.
Last year, officials in Bijnor pedalled a theory that Jersey milk caused diseases like autism and diabetes, but they were unsuccessful in preventing farmers in the region from farming the breed as they say its higher yield of milk is “economically beneficial” for them.
Full article here: http://bit.ly/JerseyNZnews01
The British Queen’s grandson convincing China on Jersey milk.
The Queen’s eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, is fronting a campaign selling Jersey milk in China.
The company selling the milk has a herd of Jersey cows in China to provide fresh dairy products to customers.
A spokesperson for Jersey Dairy said that this will raise the profile of milk from Jersey cows, but they do not plan to enter the Chinese milk market themselves. “We don’t send any of our milk to China. We have looked at the market closely but it would require flying out the milk which proves expensive.” – JERSEY DAIRY SPOKESPERSON
International Stud Highlight - Grey Leys farm in York, UK.
“We are a family-run dairy farm, milking 240 pedigree Jersey cows, with 170 youngstock, on 150 hectares (420 acres).
David Shaw, a fourth-generation farmer, established the herd in 1968 with 13 heifers from a dispersal sale in Totnes, Devon. He and his wife, Anne, were married in 1972 and have developed the herd over 50 years together.
David and Anne have a son, Robert, and a daughter, Helen, who now manages the farm.
We are Red Tractor Farm Assured and are very proud of our high welfare and environment standards. After all, happy cows make the most delicious milk.
Visit their website: www.greyleysfarm.co.uk/
Jersey cows model matching Christmas jumpers.
The five cows have been sporting the matching knitwear while grazing on their farm in St Saviour, Jersey.
Dairy farmer and self-confessed Christmas enthusiast Becky Houzé designed the patterned jumpers for her Jersey girls as a festive treat.
“We think we’ve landed on a look worthy of the cream of the crop”, Ms Houzé said.
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.
Upper South Island: Brian Nesbit, 027 225 9969/03 525 9969, chardonnay.nz@gmail.com
Canterbury: Robert Hall, 027 431 8610/ 03 348 8406, 8raro8@gmail.com
JERSEY WARMTH, QUALITY, AND STYLE
Order a “Jerseys, the future is golden” hoodie and stay warm on farm, in the house, or even next to the townies in a supermarket.
NOTE: Not an actual Jersey.
SIZES
Limited Sizes remaining Contact the office
$70 EACH
TO ORDER PLEASE CONTACT
07 856 0731 or email accounts@jersey.org.nz Further apparel lines to be introduced at a later date
Last Chance to grab this hoodie design. New merchandise is on its way, so these hoodies need to go.
Industry Affairs Report
Just How Efficient And Sustainable Is The Jersey – What Does The Literature Say?
SUSTAINABILITY REFERENCE LIST
1. Adler A, Doole G, Romera A, Beukes P. Identification of cost-effective management options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10% on a dairy farm in Waikato, NZ. Proc. NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2012) 72:181-185
2. Ahlborn G, Bryant A. Production, economic performance and optimum stocking rates of Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cow. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (1992) 52:7-9
3. Bannerman D, Springer H, Paape M, Kauf A, Goff J. Evaluation of breeddependent differences in the innate immune responses of Holstein and Jersey cows to Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infection. J Dairy Sci. (2008) 75:291-301
4. Black P, Meier S, Barnett C, Cursons R, Thomson N. Effect of dairy cow breed on the metabolic adaptation to lactation. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2006) 66:390-396
5. Brownlie T, McDougall S. Cow survival: How long do NZ dairy cows live for? Proc. Soc. DCV of NZVA Annual Conference. (2014) 3.24.1-3.24.5
6. Bryant A, et al: Comparative dairy production of Jersey and Friesian. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (1985) 45:7-11
7. Bryant J. Quantifying genetic variation in environmental sensitivity of NZ dairy cattle to apply in the development of a dairy cattle simulation model for pastoral systems. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis 2006
8. Capper J, Cady R. A comparison of the environmental impact of Jersey compared with Holstein milk for cheese production. J Dairy Sci. (2012) 95:165-176
9. Chawala A, Lopez-Villalobos N, Margerison J, Spelman R. Genetic and crossbreeding parameters for incidence of recorded clinical lameness in NZ dairy cattle. NZ Vet. J. (2013) 61: 281-285
10. Clark B, Garcia-Muniz J, Black P, Lopez-Villalobos N. Does production worth and breeding worth reflect cow profitability? Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2013). 73:17-20
11. Edwards P. Making a success of full-season once-a-day milking. DairyNZ Technical Series, December 2017. 36:11-13 www.dairynz.co.nz/ publications/techincal-series/technical-series-december-2017/
12. Grainger C, Goddard M: A review of the effects of dairy breed on feed conversion efficiency – an opportunity lost. Animal Production in Australia (2004) 25: 77-80
13. Handcock R, Lopdell T, McNaughton L. More dairy heifers are achieving liveweight targets. Proc. NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2016) 76:3-7
14. Jury K, Lopez-Villalobos N, Spelman R, Arias J, Heuer C. Genetic analysis of incidence of clinical mastitis in NZ dairy cattle. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. 2010, 70:247-249
15. Kristensen T, Jenson C, Ostergaard s et al. Feeding, production and efficiency of Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and mixed breed lactating dairy cows in commercial Danish herds. Science Direct 15-12-2017
16. Lacy-Hulbert S, Dalley D, Clark D. The effects of once a day milking on mastitis and somatic cell count. Proc. NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2005) 65:137-142
17. Lembeye F, Lopez-Villalobos N, Burke J, Davis S. Milk production, live weight, body condition and somatic cell score during the first 150 days of lactation in Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cows milked once-a-day. Proc NZ Soc An Prod. (2014) 74:46-48.
18. Lethbridge L, Margerison J, Reynolds G, Laven R, Brennan C. Comparison of lameness and hoof horn puncture resistance of NZ Friesian and JerseyxFriesian cattle. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2008) 68: 128-129
19. Lopez-Villalobos N, Garrick D, Holmes C, Blair H, Spelman R. Profitabilities of some mating systems for dairy herds in New Zealand. J of Dairy Science (2000) 83: 144-153
20. McDougall S, Arthur D, Bryan M, Vermunt J, Weir A. Clinical and bacteriological response to treatment of clinical mastitis with one of three intramammary antibiotics. NZ Vet J. (2007). 55:161-170
21. McDougall S, Burke C, Williamson N, MacMillan K. The effect of stocking rate and breed on the period of postpartum anoestrum in grazing dairy cattle. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (1995) 55:236-238
22. McNaughton L, Berry D, Clark H, Pinares-Patino C, Harcourt S, Spelman R. Factors affecting methane production in FriesianxJersey dairy cattle. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2005) 65:352-355
23. New Zealand Animal Evaluation Ltd, www.dairynz.co.nz/nzael
24. Overseer at www.overseer.org.nz
25. Prendiville R, Pierce K, Buckley F. An evaluation of production efficiencies among lactating Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and Jersey cross Holstein-Friesian cows at pasture. J Dairy Sci. (2009) 92:6176-6185
26. Smith D, Smith T, Rude B, Ward S. Short communication: comparison of the effects of heat stress on milk and component yields and somatic cell score in Holstein and Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci. (2013) 96:3028-3033
27. Sneddon N, Lopez-Villalobos N, Baudracco J. Efficiency, cheese yield and carbon emissions of Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cows: an overview. Proc. NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2011) 71:214-218
28. Stantiall K. Updated Animal Evaluation Statistics. 19th February 2008. www dairynz.co.nz/animal/animal-evaluation
29. Thomson N, Kay J, Bryant M. Effect of stage of lactation on the efficiency of Jersey and Friesian cows at converting pasture to milk production or live weight. Proc. NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2001) 61:213-266
30. Tuohy P, Fenton O, Holden N, Humphreys J. The effect of treading by two breeds of dairy cow with different live weights on soil physical properties,
poaching damage and herbage production on a poorly drained clay-loam soil. J Agric Sci. (2015) 153:1424-1436
31. Washburn S, White S, Green J, Benson G. Reproduction, mastitis, and body condition of seasonally calved Holstein and Jersey cows in confinement or pasture systems. J Dairy Sci. (2002) 85: 105-111
32. White S, Benson G, Washburn S, Green J. Milk production and economic measures in confinement or pasture systems using seasonally calved Holstein and Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci. (2002) 85:95-104
33. White S. Investigation of pasture and confinement dairy feeding systems using Jersey and Holstein cattle. www.lib.ncsu.edu/ resolver/1840.16/470.
34. Woodward S, Waghorn G, Bryant M, Mandok K. Are high breeding worth index cows more feed conversion efficient and nitrogen use efficient. Proc NZ Soc. An. Prod. (2011) 71:109-113
35. Xu Zhenghong, Burton L. Reproductive performance of dairy cows in New Zealand. Proc 17th Ann. Seminar, Society of Dairy Cattle Veterinarians, NZVA. 2000 pgs 23-41
36. Yan T, Mayne C, Gordon F, Porter M, Agnew R, Patterson D, Ferris C, Kilpatrick D. Mitigation of enteric methane emissions through improving efficiency of energy utilization and productivity in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. (2010) 93: 2630-8
In Jersey circles, a lot is spoken about how efficient the Jersey cow is at converting food into profit and how easy she is on the environment compared with the other breeds and crosses. However, when advocating for the breed, often in the presence of non-Jersey farmers, it is important to be able to back up these statements with facts and be able to point people in the direction of research findings.
So, a project was embarked to review the dairy literature. This was mostly done on-line and included all the major world dairy scientific journals. This article is a summary of the literature search and is an update of the article that appears at www.jersey.org.nz/ thejerseyadvantage/ sustainability – full document. The references mentioned in this article (by a superscript number) can be cited in the website article.
Question 1: Is the Jersey inherently more efficient at converting food into profit? Almost all studies in NZ and internationally indicate the feed conversion efficiency of Jersey (gMS/kg DM) is superior to Friesians in the order of 9-13%(12,15,25,27) and as high as 18.7%(27) Differences are even greater when expressed as g MS/ kg body weight – in the order of 20-30% more MS/ kg body weight produced by Jerseys compared with Friesians(12,15,25,27), due to a combination of the increased feed conversion efficiency and the fact Jerseys eat more per kg liveweight (kg DM/kg BW) than Friesians(12,15,25,27). These findings apply for both total mixed ration and pasture based diets but, on average, are greater for pasture based systems(27) . For both gMS/kgDM and kg DM/kg BW, JXF animals are generally intermediate between parent breeds with a small but significant heterosis component(25)
In a farmlet study at Ruakura in 1992(2), Kg milk fat per hectare was 13% higher and protein 2% higher for the Jersey farmlet when Jerseys and Friesians were stocked
to maximise net income (In this study this was 3.7 cows/ha for Jerseys and 3.0 cows/ha for Friesians). Jerseys produced 10% more gross milk income and 5% more net milk income than Friesians. The relative value of milk fat to protein in 1992 was 0.55. Today it is 1.30, which, given that most of the Jersey gains were in kg milk fat per hectare, would translate as a net milk income advantage for Jerseys today of about 12% rather than the 5% reported in 1992(2)
The Jersey difference in FCE is greater on a pasture/roughage diet(12,27), where stocking rates are moderate to high(2) and during the first third of lactation(29)
So Yes, the Jersey is inherently more efficient than Friesians and crosses at converting food into profit. This is even more true now with the relatively high milk fat payments compared to milk protein and is in the order of 10-12%.
Question 2: Are Jerseys kinder on the environment? Yes, because of their superior feed conversion efficiency. If a Friesian herd is replaced by a Jersey herd of similar genetic merit and at numbers to produce the same amount of milk solids, the maintenance requirement of the Jersey herd will be 5.5(19)-8(8)% less than the Friesian herd. At the whole farm level, less feed required for maintenance, means less production of greenhouse gasses and urinary nitrogen(19,27). These differences should be reflected in reduced GHG and N leaching outputs from Overseer(24). In essence, without impacting significantly on MS production, a farmer with a herd containing a high proportion of Friesian genetics can reduce both the GHG emissions and N leaching if these animals are replaced with cows of predominantly Jersey genetics.
Also, the higher Breeding Worth of Jersey means greater efficiency and less environmental impact. At the whole farm level, a high genetic merit herd, (high BW) is more efficient at converting drymatter into milk solids than a low genetic merit herd and therefore has lower greenhouse gas and N emissions per ton of DM(1,34) and per Kg MS. As of January 2020, the national average breeding worth of Friesian and JxF females of all ages was 36% and 72% of Jerseys respectively. For 2019 born heifer calves the national average BW of Friesians and JxF was 47% and 76% of Jerseys respectively(28)
Consequently, as things currently sit, Jerseys will produce less greenhouse gas and N than other breeds because of: 1. Their inherently greater FCE and 2. Their higher average BW.
This trend of greater genetic merit of cows containing Jersey genetics is likely to continue into the future as, at January 2020, the top 30 BW daughter proven bulls that will be the sires of many of the next generation cows consist of 93.5% Jersey genetics and just 6.5% Friesian genetics(23)
Also, less wastage of Jersey improves profitability and reduces environmental impact. Reducing wastage in the dairy population is another way to improve the sustainability of dairy herds as fewer replacements need to be reared, and therefore less GHGs and N are released across the whole farm system.
Jerseys have a number of advantages in this space. Studies consistently demonstrate that Jerseys develop less clinical mastitis(14,16,20) and lameness(9,18) than Friesians and JxF. In one large NZ study, the seasonal cumulative incidence of clinical mastitis was; Friesians, 15.8%, JxF, 12.4%, Jersey, 7.6%(20). Mastitis and lameness combined account for almost 75% of total disease problems on farm in NZ(35) and are a significant cause of cows being culled.
Numerous studies also confirm that Jerseys have a higher rate of cycling prior to mating than other breeds which results in less hormonal intervention and/or improved in calf rates(21,35)
Ultimately, lower wastage means fewer replacements are required and/or allows for a greater rate of genetic gain – both of which add up to less GHG emissions and urinary nitrogen loss for the whole farm system. Fewer replacements also reduces rearing costs, thus further improving profitability.
Jersey is more adaptable to once-a-day milking systems. Milking once a day (OAD) compared to twice daily is gaining popularity in the NZ dairy industry. In 2016, 9% of herds were milked OAD for the entire season and 47% of herds milked OAD as part herds or part seasons(11). OAD milking saves energy, needs less water for milk cooling and shed washing and requires less labour. All these improve sustainability.
Like twice a day milking systems, the Jersey in a OAD system is more efficient than both Friesian and JxF cows when expressed as gMS/kg LWt. When farmed together on OAD, Jerseys produced 9% and 6% more milk solids per kg liveweight than Friesian and JxF respectively over the first 150 days of lactation(17) .
The Jersey breed is the most adaptable to a OAD milking system due especially to its more concentrated milk. This means that the negative impact of OAD on milk solids production is less(11) and, farmer opinion is that udder breakdown is reduced compared with those breeds that produce less concentrated. OAD systems are more sustainable from an energy, water and labour use perspective. This sustainability is maximised if the herd is Jersey as there is reduced culling because of udder breakdown and mastitis(16), and therefore fewer replacements required.
So the benefits of Jerseys to the environment are significant and additive and include:
• Greater feed conversion efficiency (gMS/kg DM)
• Greater genetic merit (BW)
• Fewer replacements needed due to less culling from mastitis, lameness, reproductive failure, and udder breakdown if on OAD.
• More suited and adaptable to a once a day milking frequency
Roger Ellison - Convenor, Industry Affairs Committee
Registrations
Registrations for 2019 born calves are now well underway, and many members have already completed this process for the season.
• 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.
Bull registrations - Dam Classification policy
For bulls born from 1 June 2019, there is no requirement that that their dams must be classified. However, it is the recommendation of the Board that dams of all bulls are classified prior to registration. For the registration of bulls born from 1 June 2017 to 31 May 2019 there is also the added criteria of TOP classification on the dam.
Any bull registered from a dam that has NOT been TOP classified is subject to a registration fee of $200.00 + GST.
For bulls born prior to 1 June 2017, these bulls will carry the S2J suffix.
Registration Amnesty
Amnesty ends 31 August 2020
For immediate implementation, the Board have approved a Registration Amnesty through until 31 August 2020. This will give all members the opportunity to get registrations up to date, and more importantly will provide options that members can tailor to their own requirements as they do so.
A three tier option for ALL Jersey NZ members for an amnesty period 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020. Registration application must be received by 31 August 2020 to take part in this amnesty
Any registration applications under the amnesty will be completed as office workflow allows, registrations may not be fully completed immediately on request.
Option 1: E-registration
Use the ‘Turn Your Herd On’ automated e-registration function to register all eligible females. This will use the Supplementary Jersey grading up process and animals may have the SJ suffix. There is no requirement to complete registrations on unregistered current or historical ancestry animals.
Price $3.25 + GST per female
Option 2 : Registry Recovered
Also using the ‘Turn Your Herd On’ automated e-registration process to register as above. On J16 females only that are currently registered in the Purebred Jersey Herd Book, the suffix RR (Registry Recovered) will be manually added to indicate that this animal is also registered with Purebred Jerseys. There will be no requirement to register current or historical ancestry animals, so there will be no SJ suffixes in a pedigree, but neither will ancestry show as pedigree (i.e. pedigree ancestry will show as J16 or appropriate).
Price: $5.00 + GST per female
Option 3: Full pedigree registration
Each female animal requiring registration will be individually researched and registered as PJ, including all ancestry required so that either (at members choice):
All ancestry on the Three Generation Pedigree (including males) is fully registered as PJ (this may require several generations of current and/or historical registrations); OR The animal in question is registered as PJ, current and historical ancestry animals registered to get her to that status may be registered as SJ (supplementary) and may carry the appropriate SJ prefix.
NB. subject to standard criteria around approval of animal owner
Price: $7.50 + GST per female animal that requires registration
Bull Registrations
Under Option 2: Bulls may also be registered as RR (J16 only and registered with Purebred Jerseys).
• Under option 3: Bulls must also be registered dependant on ancestry requirement selected by the member (i.e. sires. Grandsires etc)
• All: Where a bull is registered the same restrictions apply as currently
• Bulls born from 1 June 2017 must be DNA parentage verified.
• Dams of Bulls born up to 31 May 2019 must be classified, but classification in the Purebred system is accepted.
• Refer to the Registration policy for full explanation and dispensation policy.
Price: $35.00 + GST per bull registered OR $200.00 + GST for bulls born between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2019 where their dam has not been classified
Please contact Robyn if you have any questions or wish to organise registrations.
Seeking your feedback
We currently post all registration certificates to members. Do you still require these, would you prefer to receive an electronic copy via e-mail, or the ability to choose?
Contact Robyn at info@jersey.org.nz
COMMITTEES, PANELS AND WORKING GROUPS 2019/20
INDUSTRY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Roger Ellison, Julie Pirie, Clive Perrott, Glenys Ellison, Toby Sneddon
AUDIT & RISK
Glenys Ellison, Peter Sharp
JUDGING & CLASSIFICATION
Barry Montgomery, Peter Gilbert, Ross Riddell, Richard Adam, James Wallace, Graeme Collins, Maurice Pedley, Robert Hall, Warren Ferguson
PROMOTIONS
To be confirmed
YOUTH
Julie Pirie, Peter Gilbert, Graham Wallace, Ruth Jeyes, Crystal Scown
GENETICS
Steve Ireland, Tony Landers, Ross Riddell, Toby Sneddon, Barry Montgomery
ANNUAL CONFERENCE ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Marian Wallace, Alison Gibb, Ross Turner, Michele Capper, Pam Goodin
Maurice Pedley, Mark Townshend, Barry Montgomery, Andrew Shaw
JERSEY GENOME WORKING GROUPS
Tony Landers, Glenys Ellison, Glenn Wilson, Josh Sneddon
WJCB 2020 TOUR & ANNUAL MEETING
June 20 – July 14 2020
Jersey Canada is be hosting the World Jersey Cattle Bureau (WJCB) Tour & Annual Meeting in 2020. Join us for a stellar line-up of farm visits and activities. It is an excellent opportunity to experience the development of the breed in a range of locations. Canada is a beautiful and diverse country and a Jersey tour is also a fabulous way to explore what we have to offer beyond cows. Meet like-minded people that share your passion, network and learn!
We welcome you to join our tour by choosing various options that suit your schedule and travel logistics. Canada is a big country and our itinerary has also been developed to accommodate local visitors that can only escape the farm within their home province.
The tour promises to showcase both traditional and state-ofthe-art Jersey farms. A platform for networking will be held not only in the barn, but we will provide a taste of must-see attractions that are essential when visiting our glorious nation.
June 20-26 – Pre-Tour – Quebec & Ontario Pre Tour Itinerary
June 26-July 3 – Main Tour & Meetings – Ontario Main Tour Itinerary
July 3-14 – Post-Tour – Alberta & British Columbia Post Tour Itinerary
To register, head to:
*Please Note: Itineraries Subject to Change. www.jerseycanada.com/wcjb-2020-tour/
1965 World Jersey Conference
by Cliff Shearer
The Jersey breed has spread from one tiny Island to almost every corner of the world in the last two centuries. She has made her home everywhere dairymen have made farms. But in no place has she become more famous than New Zealand, often considered the Jersey breed’s home away from home.
It is therefore perhaps fitting that the greatest event concerning the Jersey breed took place in New Zealand in February 1965. No event has attracted more breeders and enthusiasts before or since. The World Jersey Bureau was formed after WW2 and has held World Conferences every three years in various Countries since then. 1965 was the first time a conference was to be held in New Zealand and planning for the month long Conference took three years. New Zealand was unique in that 85% of all the cows in the country were of straight Jersey blood. Only Jersey Island which allowed no other breed, had a higher percentage. During the 1950’s the NZJCBA [ New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders Association ] had grown to the extent of having some 4800 members and was known as the largest Association of members of any type and any country in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
A very full months worth of events were planned but no one knew just how many overseas breeders would come here. New Zealand was a little hard to reach in 1965. The organisers need not have been concerned. The Jersey world had long heard of the many beautiful and productive Jerseys in NZ and for many it was to be a trip of a lifetime.
The main business side of the Conference was an amazing seven days of papers presented to breeders about Jersey related topics from around the world. Some twenty three papers were presented by breeders from New Zealand , Jersey Island, Australia, USA, Canada, Denmark, South Africa, Japan, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Some were very technical papers but they included several fascinating papers of interest to the practical breeders, present too. The Earl of Jersey presented a paper on “The Jersey cow and its Island home“. Mr John Bull of Brampton Jerseys in Canada spoke about “What is Golden Lads influence on the Jersey of today?“. Possibly the two most popular and interesting papers were
one presented Mr F Sims , Australia “ Are you creating the right image ? ‘ and this paper is possibly the most relevant even today some 55 years later. The other extremely well received paper was that presented by My Ken Bennett of the Broken Hill Jersey Stud, NZ on “ Pedigree dairy cattle breeding “. Ken Bennett was well regarded as the foremost expert on breeding in NZ and his paper was keenly followed.
But for most Jersey people in New Zealand that month the big events were the three National Shows that had been organised - thats what the breeders of the day were interested in and what they came to see. Cows, cows and more cows. And they were not disappointed.
The first one was the All New Zealand Jersey Show held at Hamilton. Over 2000 breeders and enthusiasts came to the Show, a crowd such as has never been seen before or since anywhere in the World at any Jersey event. New Zealand breeders turned an incredible display of outstanding Jerseys that many overseas visitors commented that there was nothing better in the entire world. This Show was organised and conducted by Dalgety & NZ Loan Ltd with a dazzling array of Trophies and prizes like no one had ever seen before. The judge was possibly the most well known Jersey breeder on the planet at that time, Mr Reg Broad from Francliff Jerseys in Australia. A man who had travelled the world looking at Jerseys, judging them and looking for great cows to buy. The stage was set, the crowd had gathered and 145 exhibitors had brought 408 head from all over New Zealand including some flown up from the South Island and made 552 entries in 21 classes all to be judged on one glorious Waikato summers day.
Class one was the Aged cow class for cows eight years and older and the quality of udders right down the line was commented on. Class two provided the real highlight of the day with thirty one entries and the winner being the well known Pine Leigh Primrose who went on to become Champion cow over the entire Show.
Primrose was bred, owned and shown by Mr Ray Frost who in later years became the President of the NZJCBA for a term. Not bad for a cow flown up from the South Island for this event. Forest Glen Gay Delicia was second in this class and also gained the Reserve Champion sash.
Rocklea Royal Carol owned by A O Neumann of Northland won a massive class of fifty five entries in the four & five year old class. The two year old class entered the ring with an all time record entry of sixty six heifers. This simply magnificent class was won by the very beautiful Maple Perfect Seam whom the Judge said if there had been no export embargo he would have very much liked to take back to Australia with him. Another mammoth class was sixty three senior yearlings Followed by twenty two junior yearlings. Robynlea Perfect Sparkle being named the Junior Champion over the Show.
Sixteen aged bulls came out for that class and what a sight that must have been. Thirty nine bulls also came out in the ring in the three younger bull classes. Champion bull was the six year old Maple Peaceful. The senior group class comprising teams of one bull and three inmilk cows had an astonishing entry of nineteen and so had 76 mature Jersey animals in the ring at the same time. The sight the world had came to see.
LFT Morgan [ Linmore Jerseys ] of Taranaki had the winning entry and also took out the points prize over the whole Show.
More than a year before the Show when it was announced that a Junior Members class would be held with a magnificent prize of a Glenmore heifer calf, a young fifteen year old boy in Taranaki, one of the keenest Junior members in the country, decided he would win that class. He mated his best cow to
the bull of his father’s who left the nicest looking heifer calves and Moorglen Gold Girl was duly born and prepared for the big event. At sixteen, Kevin borrowed his father’s car and trailer and took his calf to Hamilton by himself and after competing against forty other Junior members from all round New Zealand he came home with two heifer calves in the trailer. Many of the senior breeders at the Show would have rather won a Glenmore calf themselves than the Dinner sets and Silver prizes that went with their wins. In all probability that calf was worth more than any other class’s prize and it was a great incentive to offer such a prize on such a stage.
After such an event, was it possible it could be repeated? Yes it was and ten days later at Palmerston North the home of the NZJCBA another great Show was held. This time indoors at the Manawatu A&P Showgrounds where again over 2000 breeders came to watch the Show and the Sale of Stars that followed it the same night. Never before had such a Show been staged in such a lavish setting with the over 2000 spectators all seated on tier seating taking up half of the arena and the cattle Show taking up the other half. Massive curtains were used to cover the Show arena between each class so the audience only saw the next class when all the entrants were in the ring. A trumpet sounded for each class. The numbers of entries were lower than at Hamilton but if anything the quality was even better with overseas visitors describing it as World class or even better. Mr T M Flemming judged this Show. The first class comprised forty five yearlings and was
Maple Perfect Seam, A.
won by the oldest exhibitor at the event, Mr Allan Horn entering his 52nd year of showing with Allandale Bright Delight. The second class of two year old cows was won by the Estate S A Tippett’s Lamorna Comets Delight a cow who would go on to a great show career for many years. Mr D Houston of South Africa who presented the ribbons said “He could have shed a tear for all those beautiful heifers who walked out without a ticket“. He said the winner would have scored in any of the many countries he had visited.
At least fourteen Championship winners competed in the six years and over class with the winner being Pine Leigh Primrose who was declared the Champion cow for the second Show in a row.
Following right after the Show the Sale of Stars was held in the same building and same ring. With over 250 overseas visitors and nearly 2000 New Zealanders there it was a sale to remember. Some 35 buyers from all over the country purchased lots and the Australian breeders were mortified that because of import restrictions at the time they were not allowed to buy. If they had been able to, the sale would have been of sensational proportions. As it was the average was an outstanding 209 guineas with a top price of 610 guineas for Heather View Impress May, the winning three year old at both the World Conference Shows. The opening lot of the sale was the five year old cow Lilac Grove Golden Neroli, who was the Reserve Champion cow an hour earlier and who made 490 guineas and sold to Glenmore. Top priced bull was a Glenmore bull who made 524 guineas. All in all a day to remember forever.
Following the week at Palmerston North, where the remaining papers and meetings were concluded, the overseas visitors continued on to a trip around the Mainland. The highlight of this being a South Island Conference Show at Rangiora. This Show attracted entries from all over the South Island and was again a great spectacle. Judged by the British breeder Mr Gordon McWilliams. The star of the Show was again Pine Leigh Primrose winning her third Championship to make a clean sweep of all the World Conference Shows. Mention must be made of Primrose who in addition to winning against the best the Dominion could offer on three occasions also won Royal Show Championships at Auckland, Palmerston North , Hastings, Christchurch and Invercargill, feats never equalled or beaten since. How she did not win the Show cow of the Century at the 2002 Jersey NZ Centennial is a mystery.
The overseas visitors then proceeded on a southern tour before leaving to go home to various parts of the globe. This conference did much to promote unity among Jersey breeders worldwide and the visitors left with their memories of what they termed “ this lovely land with its wonderful people and its golden Jerseys.”
Pine Leigh Primrose, V.H.C
George Henry Dawick 1905 - 1996
A Tribute by his Children: John, Richard (Ric) & Henrietta.
It is hard to summarise in a brief article the many achievements of our father who was Managing Secretary of the New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association from 1936 to 1965.
The Sportsman and Explorer
Despite his long career as an administrator, Father was at heart an outdoor man. While academically industrious he was particularly enthusiastic on the sports field. At Palmerston Boys’ High School, he was captain of the 2nd Eleven in cricket and played in the 2nd Fifteen rugby team. Leaving school he represented Manawatu as a junior player, joined the Old Boys’ Rugby Club and later served it as Coach, Club Secretary and President (1945 & 1946), and finally was made a Life Member.
As young man, Father was an intrepid explorer when he had a chance, climbing mountains and tramping all our country’s notable walking tracks.
Father and his great Taranaki Jersey Breeder friend Mel Saywell climbing Mount Ruapehu
Many of these journeys were recorded by him on sepia photographs, now in the care of his daughter Henrietta. He also loved pig hunting and made a movie about it with his close Taranaki friend and Jersey breeder, Mel Saywell. It has been classified as an early documentary and the original film now resides in the National Film Unit Archives in Wellington.
Perhaps his notable expedition was in 1925 when with a small group of WMCA friends he went deep into the Urewera and encountered Nga Tuhoe’s famous tohunga Rua Kennana Hepetita.
The group travelled from Palmerston North by train to Napier, by sea coaster to Wairoa, and by a battered old bus to Waikaremoana where the tramp began. Loaded with heavy packs, they followed streams and bush trails led by a Maori guide until eventually they climbed over the last saddle to reach the remote Maugapohiti settlement established.
At first they were greeted by hostility, having been mistaken for police by the Maoris who did not want a repetition of the 1916 raid which had ended with the arrest and year-long imprisonment of their prophet. With the misunderstanding resolved, Father’s group was received with traditional courtesy and hospitality.
They were the first white people the village children had ever seen, and stayed as welcome guests for three days, being honoured by a formal audience with Rua himself.
Finally they had to leave and made their long journey back home after being away for some 25 days. The above photographs along with many others taken by Father were gifted by him to the ‘Rua Exhibition’ that travelled thorough out New Zealand some years ago.
The Administrator
Father’s first job was with Dalgety & Co. Ltd., and then in 1927 joined the staff of the NZJCB Association as assistant to the Managing Secretary, Mr W M Tapp.
This probably was no coincidence as Father, years earlier, had been Head Prefect at Campbell Street School when its headmaster, Mr F E Watson, was acting Treasurer of the NZJBC Association and afterwards became its President.
On the death of Mr Tapp in 1936 Father took over the Managing Secretary’s position. His subsequent contribution to the development and success of the Association was considerable. During his tenure as Secretary it was estimated that, at its peak, 85% of New Zealand’s dairy population were Jerseys. Breed registrations in 1964 had risen from 64,000 to 900,000; transfers from 40 to 500,000 and classifications from 30 to approximately 1400. Membership had doubled and the number of Jersey Cattle clubs risen to 50.
The Breed Society had become the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and second in the world. To cope with the rapid expansion, Father pioneered the introduction of computing into New Zealand in the shape of a massive Power Samas complex which filled a very large room at the Association’s Palmerston North office.
Rua Kennana Hepetita’s Maugapohiti settlement in 1925
Nga Tuhoe’s Rua Kennana Hepetita
- 1927 -
Formative days of the NZJCBA.. Father, Mr W M Tapp & Mrs Grant
NZJCBA’s Palmerston North’s Head Office. The two Jersey cow murals (one on each side) cost £8,000
We still remember with awe the numerous files of punch cards, each one recording the details of every registered pedigree animal in the national herd, which were fed into the computer’s entrails to produce the annual Herd Books.
Father must have visited virtually every stud Jersey farm in the country as well as attending every significant Agricultural Show to not only talk to farmers but also record their prize animals on colour slides and 16mm film. He became very knowledgeable of the desirable genetic traits that breeders required to progress their stud herds towards achieving Jersey excellence.
He also was renowned for his ability to recognise registered animals from photographs plus recite from memory their pedigree lineage. As a consequence he was the only non stud breeder during his era that we are aware of who was allowed by the Association to become a Classifier, something he was extremely proud of and looked forward to doing annually. Another important medium of communication and publicity was the Jersey Review that was introduced and developed under his editorship.
The Conference Organiser
Father’s crowning achievement during his time as Secretary was the organising of the World Jersey Conference that he brought to New Zealand in 1965. He had previously attended and presented papers at the three previous international conferences: the first on Jersey Island in 1939 (just a few months before the German Occupation); the second in South Africa in 1958; and the third in England in 1961.
The New Zealand World Conference played host to some 250 overseas delegates. In addition to the main program sessions at the Ruakura Animal Research Station and Massey Agricultural College, there were featured visits to pedigree herds and Jersey auctions including the very first night auction for any breed, formally called ‘Jersey Sale of Stars’ conducted by Wright Stephenson & Co. Ltd., (known today as the ‘Jersey Pride Sale’ now in its 26th year). Sightseeing tours in both the North & South Islands were also arranged. Attending to the transport and accommodation details for all this was a massive task.
At its conclusion Father was presented with a splendid Certificate of Congratulation signed and presented by Lord Jersey and other leading international delegates.
Community Activities
Outside his dedicated work for the NZJCBA, Father served on many other public bodies and organisations. Mother wisely supported these extra activities because she strongly believed it was healthy for him to be involved in other things aside from work. He became a Life Member of the New Zealand Professional Secretaries Society, a Justice of the Peace, Chairman of the Palmerston North Schools Board of Governors, Board member of the Palmerston North Teachers’ Training College, Manawatu president of the New Zealand Crippled Children’s Society, and Chairman of the Manawatu Forest & Bird Society, to mention just some of his many other interests and activities.
Father’s Humour
Father enjoyed ‘leg pulling’ and was well known for it. No one was immune from his dry wit. However sometimes it backfired on him. On one occasion, shortly after coming back from the 1961 World Jersey Conference in England via America, he was invited to a Palmerston North Lions Club luncheon meeting by Rev Keith Elliot VC to speak about his trip. Father and Rev Keith enjoyed each other’s company and throughout Father’s talk there was much banter and leg-pulling going on between them. Upon finishing Rev Keith asked Father if he came across any new ideas that would help the incumbent mayor, Gilbert Rennie, to avoid a rate increase as the City Council badly needed funds to fulfil election promises. Father said he did and went
Typical of the fun the NZJCBA had during Father’s tenure. Staff, Jersey Club members and our sister Henrietta (RHS front row in white), dressed in period finery to celebrate the NZJCBA’s Diamond Jubilee.
1958 South Africa World Jersey Conference Father talking to Mr H L Webb, England, President, World Jersey Cattle Bureau and South African delegates
Father, being congratulated by Lord Jersey 1965
on to explain in New York when parking a vehicle in the CBD it was deemed to be occupying a rentable space and for that privilege money had to be inserted into a meter offering chargeable time options. According to Father at first there was a stunned silence then the good Reverend started chuckling. This caused polite titters throughout the large assembly and then erupted into fully -fledged laughter with tears running down grown men’s eyes. Father said he was literally laughed out of the meeting as a leg puller and for weeks afterwards other people who knew him when walking the city’s streets congratulated him on his ‘originality’. The alleged ‘new idea’ had gone viral throughout the city. Needless to say Father’s suggestion wasn’t taken up until several years later. We bet Rev Keith and those assembled wished they’d taken him seriously.
Father’s ‘Success Story’
Whenever we asked what he attributed his success to he always replied, “Your Mother. Look at the excellent VHC pedigree she has. Maternal grandfather - Wesley Spragg - who along with John Bycroft’s (the flour & biscuit maker) support formed the New Zealand Dairy Association in 1886. Then in the early 1890’s during an export depression her grandfather purchased the company as joint proprietor with the London agents, Lovell & Christmas. And in 1896 the New Zealand Dairy Association purchased the Waikato dairy company of Reynolds & Company along with their famous ‘Anchor’ brand. In 1901 with Wesley’s support 847 shareholders purchased the New Zealand Dairy Association for £40,000. He remained managing director until 1912 and only relinquished that position due to a serious accident to become chairman of directors until his retirement in 1915. Four years after his retirement in 1919 the New Zealand Dairy Association merged with their main competitor Goodfellow’s Waikato dairy & cheese companies and the Thames Valley Co-Operative Dairying Company to form the New Zealand Co-Operative Dairy Company (known today as Fonterra). So marrying your mother (said with a twinkle in his eye) was the smartest thing I have ever done. With a family background like that I had no other option but to succeed!”
Humour aside Father on many occasions, important or otherwise, always credited his success to our Mother. They were a great team and the original ‘George & Mildred’ (nee Mildred Dearnley Cumming) wonderfully complemented each other - especially when hosting guests at home or on formal occasions. Mother matriculated with very high marks in English - as did our brother Doctor John – and was invaluable to Father on many occasions. Father proudly made no secret of this and openly credited Mother for proof reading his important articles for the Jersey Review, Papers for conferences, Annual Reports and formal letters etc. She was very astute and when she didn’t agree with something –gramma, a statement or an issue - had the ability to caringly and subtly change Father’s mindset towards a more positive direction whilst making it his correction and not hers. Only Mother had the courage and skill to draw Father’s attention to such matters without offending him… needless to say we didn’t dare to try.
Retirement?
After retiring in 1965, Father was approached by the newly formed Farmers Stud Stock Coy encompassing all the Farmers Co-operatives throughout New Zealand because of his professional organising skills to take up the position of “Administration Officer”. Mother was not amused but very reluctantly relented as she didn’t want a ‘caged tiger’ getting under her feet. Father’s freedom only lasted two years before his love of gardening pulled him back home where he belonged. However, in spite of his short tenure with the FSS he managed to organise the very first live sheep export from New Zealand to China. It was a challenging successful undertaking incorporating strict selection standards, individual identification records for every sheep (a first for commercial sheep in order to comply with New Zealand & Chinese animal health protocols), sourcing agistment close to the shipping port for final vet checks prior to shipping, securing a shipping date, organising union stevedores to handle all port off & on loading aspects and lastly, road transportation to the port.
On another export consignment we remember well Father telling us the most trying part of that shipment was on the shipping day when it started to drizzle and the Stevedores walked off the job for a rain check. A management colleague got very upset with them as a stalled ship in port is extremely costly for all parties
George (86) & Mildred (80) in their latter retirement years
concerned. His angst only hardened their attitude – this time to stop work completely. Upon hearing what was happening and having mixed with men from all walks of life through sport and tramping Father instinctively knew what to do and was well prepared for a situation like this. His remedy lay in the boot of his car and six crates of beer later it was all go again with smiling men donned in raincoats happily ‘braving’ the elements. After the ship was loaded Father was invited to join them for a social drink and gladly accepted out of sheer relief that his job was over too.
When home he was an energetic gardener, creating extensive vegetable plots, successfully experimenting with grafting different apple cultivars on to a single host tree, and creating beautiful flowerbeds, terraced lawns and a large native bush area in the grounds of our Palmerston North property. In Spring, when the cherry trees arching our long driveway were in full blossom, the garden was briefly opened for charity allowing busloads of people to view the many flowering plants. Rhododendrons and camellias were his favourites, so he became a president of the Manawatu Rhododendron & Camellia Society. Later, Father was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Royal Horticultural Society for developing a practical method for growing native trees. Moving to Tauranga he became heavily involved with the McLaren Falls Arboretum procuring rare tree seeds from all over the world and propagating them. This later became the catalyst for his being made a Fellow of the prestigious International Dendrology Society.
Father showed us by example that no matter what goal you are striving for it is equally important to have other interests aside from work. He was a wonderful father, strict but fair, who gave us and Mother memorable family holidays at Whitianga and the Coromandel –days of sunshine, golden sand beaches, swimming and fishing in the sun. He is still very much missed by us all, and remembered with gratitude and affection by his surviving friends and colleges.
DAWICK CUP
The Dawick family have very generously donated a cup to Jersey NZ in memory of the Father which will be presented later this year for the first time.
“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 progressive Jersey excellence. This ethos not only applied to the breed but also encompassed himself, the Association’s staff and the membership. An ongoing vision he saw being paramount to the future of Jersey cattle and especially to the worthy recipient(s) of this ‘George Henry Dawick Memorial Cup’
Mr C U Plimmer, Wright Stephenson & Co Ltd’s CEO retirement presentation to our parents.
Appreciation & thanks’ certificate presented by Lord Jersey and attending overseas delegates to George Henry Dawick.
TOP Review 2019
In the 2019 TOP & Classification season, Jersey NZ classified a total of 19,250 animals as follows:
L A & A H Wilson
P & K Horn
BW & IC McClean
Richard & Pauline Adam
Totara Dale Farm Ltd
Jay Trusts Partnership
Rivermere Jerseys
C & D Perrott Partnership
T & M Luckin
Canaan Jerseys
Wilson Farms
Lynbrook Farm Ltd
Ferdon Genetics
J M & K L Sneddon Partnership
Wairakau Farm Trust No 1
Glenalla Farm Limited
Roma Farm Ltd
G & P Wilson
A J & G M & D N Tosland
R & J Gibson Limited
Karaka Jerseys Limited
J & J Ellison
I W Scott & Sons Limited
Riverina Jerseys Limited
Fyvie Meadows Limited
Thornwood Family Trust
Snowfed Farm Limited
Upland Park Jerseys Limited Caratacus Farms Limited Kevin Ireland
Frecklington
J Moffitt Trust Ashvale Jerseys Ltd Ngarua Dairy Ltd Somerton Jerseys Ltd G P S 2007 Limited Keripapa Farms Limited
J
Ltd
Jackie Monk Totara Dairy Ltd
NZAEL Update
Contributed by Brian Wickham - NZAEL
New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL) is undertaking a busy programme of work.
Manager Brian Wickham provides an update on the some of the projects that are underway. NZAEL has 12 objectives as explained in my last column. This column reports on recent progress with three of these DIGAD three & four, State-ofthe-art genetic evaluations, and Genomics and data.
DIGAD Three & Four
Complete DIGAD phase three (Breed Society and TOP solution) and four (CRV as certified data provider).
State-Of-The-Art Genetic Evaluations
Through an outsource contract, implement state-of-the-art genetic evaluations, for a subset of traits, that meet Interbull test criteria and provide a transparent framework for future improvements including the incorporation of genomic data and extension to the full range of traits.
Genomics and Data
Establish a plan in agreement with the NZ cattle breeding industry and funders to enable the NZ cattle industry to realise the full range of benefits arising from genomic technology.
DIGAD Three & Four
The project to complete the long planned DIGAD phase three (Breed Society and TOP solution) and four (CRV Ambreed as certified data provider) is now well advanced with in site. The main achievements since September 2019 being:
• The Breed Societies, working as one through the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association, have finalized their specifications, issued a call for tenders, evaluated tenders and are in the final stages of awarding a contract for the development.
• NZAEL is designing and developing a two-way interface between DIGAD and the Breed Societies system. This interface will provide breed societies with the information they require for member services (for example registration status) and the TOP recording service they provide to the New Zealand dairy cattle breeding industry.
• Progress with developing and testing the interface between DIGAD and CRV Ambreed’s system. When implemented, this interface will give CRV Ambreed a direct path to provide event data to DIGAD (replacing the current indirect path via LIC). It will also facilitate the transfer of animal details for herds that change between LIC and CRV Ambreed as their herd records service provider.
State-of-the-Art Evaluation
A strong industry collaboration has been established with the objective of delivering a national genomic evaluation system to NZ dairy farmers. Over the last six months we have completed the first of two steps toward this goal. This first step, completed in February, involved the implementation of upgraded genetic evaluation software and models. This new evaluation system is is referred to as NZAEL 2.0 to distinguish it from NZAEL 1.0 which has been replaced. The second step, NZAEL 3.0 is planned for implementation in February next year (2021).
Figure one provides a summary of the history and our plans for the next year. It traces the major developments since the introduction of the BW in 1996. Refer to figures two and three for a pictorial of the key features of NZAEL 2.0 and NZAEL 3.0.
The main changes from NZAEL 1.0 to NZAEL 2.0 are:
1. A software change. The NZAEL 1.0 software was developed 13 years ago. Since then, years of research have resulted in more efficient computation systems. The latest version is faster, and what used to take three days now takes less than one day. It is also better at solving the equations which are at the heart of a genetic evaluation system. The older software had on several occasions failed to produce good solutions.
2. Model changes. The model used to explain animal phenotypes has been updated to include inbreeding, to account for heterosis between Holsteins and Friesians and to reduce number of genetic groups. These three changes improve the accuracy of the resulting evaluations.
3. The Reproof Adjustment has been removed. This adjustment is no longer needed as the first two changes detailed above have reduced the bias in the evaluations of older bulls.
4. The Parent Average Adjustment. This has been updated. The parent average adjustment applies to production traits for young bulls used in artificial insemination before they have a crop of daughters with herd test data. Highly selected young bulls have inflated parent average EBVs. The adjustment factors have been re-estimated and the new factors applied.
Brian Wickham Manager, NZAEL
Figure one - history of genetic evaluations for NZ dairy cattle
NZAEL Update Continued...
Genomics and Data
NZAEL 3.0 is the second of two steps to implement independent national evaluations. While LIC and CRV Ambreed each have systems for computing genomic evaluations the goal of NZAEL 3.0 (as can be seen in figure three) is to incorporate genomic data from all sources into a national evaluation. If this can be achieved then everybody benefits – the breeding companies have access to more accurate evaluations than they can achieve on their own, and farmers have access to more accurate evaluations for making their breeding decisions. Our focus is now on establishing the basis for achieving this highly desirable goal.
5. Update of the residual survival calculation. Residual survival breeding values are incorporated into the BW. These EBVs are calculated as the longevity breeding value less the amount of longevity explained by each of the other traits in the BW. The factors used in the calculation have been updated.
6. Updated economic weights. The economic values used to generate breeding worth have been updated.
Following the implementation of these changes, New Zealand is now back to being a full participant in the Interbull evaluations having passed all relevant tests. However, the next official Interbull evaluations will not be available until April. From April, bulls with mostly overseas evaluations have their New Zealand results updated to incorporate international infomation.
Figure four shows the genetic trend for BW based on NZAEL 2.0 for the main breed groups. These trend graphs are available on the NZAEL website for all other traits and I recommend you have a look at them to see just how much progress has been made for a wide range of traits.
Second step NZAEL 3.0 February 2021
Figure two - elements of NZAEL 2.0
Figure three - elements of NZAEL 3.0
Figure four – genetic trend in BW
Genetic gain is a fundamental driver for the success and sustainability of Jerseys in New Zealand.
Both Jersey NZ and LIC share significant values for our golden cow and together with this joint venture – Jersey Future, we will deliver unmatched success. This program is yours – every member of Jersey NZ will benefit from the outcomes and we are excited about the opportunity this scheme has to offer our breed. You, our members, already invest significantly in all drivers for genetic gain.
Breeders herds rank at the top of most performance and genetic measures. LIC realise the gain brought about by Jersey NZ member’s passion and investment and want to be part of it. Jersey NZ are delighted to be working alongside an organisation with the expertise and reputation of LIC. The David and Goliath competition on the RAS list show Jerseys taking out more positions than any other breed, is testament to the breed and LIC’s significant investment within their Jersey programme.
Meet The 2020 Team
Thornlea Misty Topshot ET
Weeburn Misty Donny
Willand
Crescent Excell Misty ET / Thornlea Super Tansy ET
Crescent Excell Misty ET / Wee Burn Kpin Dee S3J Coombes Trig Junction ET / Willand Strider Meli S3J
Linan Integrity Winston / Kaimatarau Aim Pinot
Crescent Excell Monopoly / Upland Park Jazzy Bea ET Puketawa King Carrick JG / Pukeroa Degree Burlesque ET
N & J Riddell
G & C Wilson
G & R Fleming
MA & L Pedley
A & N Walford
M Green & S Upton
Thornlea Super Tansy ET Dam of Thornlea Misty Topshot ET
Wee Burn Kpin Dee S3J Dam of Weeburn Misty Donny
Willand Strider Meli S3J Dam of Willand Junction Morale
Kaimatarau Aim Pinot Dam of Kaimatarau LW Profit
Upland Park PV Beauty ET Sister of Upland Park Cem Bruce ET
Pukero Mans Bracelet Grandam of Emerald Ricks Base
Production Highlights 2018-19
Jersey NZ is please to announce the top ranked herds for the 2018/19 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 2018/19 season.
Name
Roma Farm Ltd
Cliff Shearer
Christine Frecklington
Peter & Kathy Horn
Ashvale Jerseys Ltd
Lynbrook Farm Ltd
Cape Fear Ltd
R E & J C Gibson Ltd
Kereho Partnership
Canaan Jerseys No 2
Name
Palm Grove Trust
Kowhai Properties Ltd
R F & C L Lansdaal Ltd
Totara Dairy Ltd
Glanton Holdings Ltd
Stony Ridge Farm
Fraser & Christine Macbeth
D J & F J Lynch Ltd
Steve Skelton
Agrivest
Name
Cliff Shearer
Cape Fear Ltd
R E & J C Gibson Ltd
Name
Roma Farm Ltd
Christine Frecklington
Peter & Kathy Horn
Disclaimer: Jersey NZ is reliant on information received via
Jersey
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 151 - 300 cows
Ashvale Jerseys Ltd
Lynbrook Farm Ltd
Kereho Partnership
Kaycee Farms Ltd
Wilson Farms
Cluain & Te Moanui Jerseys
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
Outcross Leads to a Prosperous Future for Lynbrook Jerseys
Joshua Herbes - Marketing, Samen NZ
Steve, Nina, Emily and Kate Ireland farm in Coastal Temuka (South Canterbury) and have the Lynbrook registered Jerseys and Lynbrook farm. Two or three years ago they reduced their cow numbers from around 570 to 500 with the aim of reducing inputs and increasing per cow production. Steve and Nina have seen great success in this move and are reducing nutrient losses creating a more sustainable model for the Lynbrook farm. The cows currently produce around 460 milk solids per cow at the factory. They rear around 230 calves per year selling the remaining calves to rearers and currently bobby a small amount.
Having worked their way through a traditional farming career path, first on wages, working through to management, and 50/50 share milking on a few farms, Steve and Nina then moving into farm ownership and converting a sheep farm to dairy in 2003.
Dairy Farming in Canterbury is a little unique in New Zealand. Being such a dry climate the plains were once not fit for dairy farming. Fortunately, west of the Canterbury plains the Southern Alps stand proud collecting large amounts of westerly rainfall and this flows into the Canterburys braided rivers along with the snowmelt built up during the winter months into large aquifers. Making maximum use of this great natural resource we are able to draw from the aquifers and use that water for growing pasture. Having a dry climate with low humidity the cows perform really well,
“we enjoy it here and the cows do too” says Steve. Both Nina and Steve play heavily active roles on the farm consisting of two properties, the main dairy farm and a 100 Hectare support block just 5km away from the main dairy farm. The support block is utilised to rear all replacement calves, beef cattle and bulls as well as wintering the dairy cows. Nina rears all of the calves, manages the farms financials and to top it off does all of the AI on farm.
Steve says the Jersey’s ability to forage and efficiently convert pasture into profit is the Jersey’s biggest advantage. Seeing very little lameness with the Jersey’s great feet and spectacular fertility means the Lynbrook farm sees 88% six weeks in calf rates without CIDRES and has only had 1 out of 500 cows metri-cured, an indication of excellent health.
Early pregnancy testing this season indicates fewer than 6 % MTs in a little over 10 weeks mating. The Jersey’s calving ease means they don’t have to get up and check too many cows during calving as they just get on and do it themselves. The combination of all these traits is what makes a great Jersey cow.
While cows are 95% of Steve and Nina’s life, they do each have their own off farm interests. Nina loves her horses and has some great friends around the area with whom she gets out and does some treks along the riverbeds and up in the hills on the stations which she really enjoys. Steve on the other hand over the last few years has got into mountain biking completing a few races, keeping fit and getting off farm. Steve experienced a back injury a few years ago and unfortunately had to leave mountain biking behind. Recently Steve was introduced to an E Bike which has enabled him to get back on the bike and he loves every minute of it as there are many great rides in Canterbury.
Over the previous few years Steve has begun to introduce Viking Jerseys into his breeding program. The Scandinavian countries including Denmark have been very focused on their health traits for almost 30 - 40 years. Having systems in place for collecting the health and management traits of their animals, they have been able to get accurate data on
somatic cell counts, mastitis resistance and fertility. Building on this data set and their genomics, they have used this data to breed superior bulls for those traits. With this in mind it is a real focus to have healthy cows and cows that live for a long time needing fewer anti biotics for treatments of health issue. “We think the Viking Jersey is a very superior strain of Jersey for us” because of those reasons. Being focused on milk components the Vikings have animals with very high fat and protein% which coupled with an Outcross Steve thinks they are going to suit him very well in the future. Genetic diversity is incredibly important for both the Lynbrook herd as well as the national herd as they struggle to ensure that each of their cows gets a top bull. This is because the highest ranking bulls in New Zealand have been used so widely and they are quite closely related, in some cases very close to inbreeding. Inbreeding brings reduced performance around production and reproduction, with the future in mind we are very mindful that “we need to utilise some of the international genetics in our breeding program” and for them, Viking Jerseys are it.
Lynbrook Hihl Norsemen is sired by a Viking Jersey bull VJ Hihl and his dam is an animal Steve and Nina purchased as an in-calf heifer(Pictured) from the North Island a few years ago. Ola is a very good Lynbrook Terrific daughter. Her female family has about 4 or 5 generations of outstanding cows before her, a very strong family in the Taranaki. Ola herself is a very high performing excellent conformation cow. On top of Lynbrook Hihl Norsemen Samen NZ has purchased an incredibly exciting half-brother to Norsemen sired by Global Future Direction named Lynbrook FD Ovation.
Behind Global Future Direction is some Australian polled breeding. We are currently milking three half-sisters of Global Future Direction and they are outstanding cows.
Steve and Nina are currently trialling dairy beef in their herd and have found multiple ways to get the most out of these animals with the overall goal of reducing/ removing bobby calves. At 12 months old Steve and Nina bring a series of dairy beef animals back to the dairy farm and mix these with a few carry overs. This small herd of mixed sorts then serves several roles on the farm. Not only do they enable them to reduce/ remove bobby calves, but they also act as Steve and Nina’s lawn mowers. The small mixed herd follows behind the Lynbrook herd eliminating the need to pre mow or top. This process is “maintaining the pasture quality and allowing the dairy herd to get the best feed which has helped lift our per cow production”. The Dairy Beef is an incredible bonus and currently Steve has Red Wagyu and Angus animals in the mixed herd with Short Gestation Belgian Blue on the way.
Nina grabbing some Saddle time while Steve enjoys the trails on his mountain bike
Viking Jerseys - Ola - A Lynbrook Terrific daughter.
The beef heifers are also great recipients for their embryo program. Steve says that the major constraint of the Jersey breed is the beef industry and what we do with Jersey calves. This comes down to carcass size and reaching the premium weights. Steve is trying to replace bobby calves with beef animals and in turn show the Jersey cross beef is premium quality. Being competitive with other breeds Steve recently killed the first lot of his Jersey Angus Cross animals at 26 months and averaged just over $1700. Steve was impressed but not surprised to see that in the kill
data they killed out at 65% top quality prime beef. ( Silver fern farms( EQ)) In comparison the average is around 31% which puts twice as many of Steve and Nina’s Jersey Angus Cross animals in that category. Four of the Jersey Angus Cross animals didn’t pass the prime because of the yellow fat colour says Steve which comes through the Jersey. The yellow fat colour comes from the carotene in the grass that they are eating. The yellow colour is also an indicator of Vitamin D which is commonly deficient in most people’s diet. There are markets where top restaurants pay a premium for the yellow fat as it is heavily associated with pasture feed beef. Overall, the dairy beef has proven to be very efficient for them and they are looking forward to seeing the kill data for the Red Wagyu and in the near future Short Gestation Belgian Blue as well. They have sourced all of our beef genetics from Samen NZ.
www.samen.co.nz info@samen.co.nz 0800 220 232
Lynbrook’s Jersey Beef
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.
Benefits
• A genomic profile for each heifer tested is shared with the breeder.
• A three generation pedigree report for each heifer.
• Mating recommendation from the JerseyGenome™ working group.
• Heifer(s) receive two mating agreements over the 27 month contract and semen is supplied for those matings.
• Opportunity for Elite Status – Acknowledgment of the best performing registered Jersey heifers in the JerseyGenome™ programme.
• ET programme – Elite graduates will be placed into an ET programme. All embryo production costs are covered.
• Female progeny are automatically nominated for selection back into the first stage of the JerseyGenome™ programme.
• Selected male progeny advance to CRV Ambreed for consideration.
• Competitive royalties or graduation payment will apply to bulls graduating (either proven or Insire) from the scheme.
• Young bulls will be considered for CRV Ambreed Insire Teams.
In partnership with
Terms & conditions for all heifers progressing from selection to genotyping stage:
• Owner agrees to submit a hair sample from each animal to CRV Ambreed for genotyping by a date to be confirmed.
• The owner will receive a free genomic profile per animal selected for stage two.
Additional terms and conditions for all heifer(s) accepted into the final JerseyGenome™ Team:
• An administration fee of $50 + gst will be payable to Jersey NZ for each heifer selected into the 2019 JerseyGenome™ Team.
• Each heifer remains on own farm for the season and completes a minimum of four (4) herd tests within her first lactation.
• The Owner/s agrees to TOP & Classify the entire two-year-old contemporary group within the herd.
• The Owner/s agree the heifer will be weighed at the start of the season OR weighing will be part of the contemporary group within the herd and will occur around the time of the TOP and Classification.
• Mating agreements will be in place for 27 MONTH matings for each heifer within the JerseyGenome™ programme.
• If any of the aforementioned conditions (B – D), are not met, the cost of genotyping may be charged back to the owner, if the owner’s explanation is deemed insufficient.
JerseyGenomeTM Update - 2019 Team
2019 JerseyGenome™ Testing Team (2018 born)
• 74 animals
• 27 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 2019.
JerseyGenomeTM Update - 2020 Team
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 2020.
JerseyGenomeTM Update - 2018 Team
2018 JerseyGenome™ Testing Team (2017 born)
• 34 animals
• 23 members represented The 2018 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
Ruanui Integrity Dixie Et
Kokofu 17-19
Ruanui Int Dixie Et
Lynrich Index Yazia
Two View Goldie Ind Trail
Ruanui Ter Desire
Ellison Terrific Jasma ET S3J
Ruanui Omega Dixie S3j
Puriri Terrific Melody
Ruanui Triffic Dixie ET S3j
Robert & Stephanie Trainor
M & SJ Yates
Wittenham Partners
RF & CL Lansdaal Ltd
Gavin & Catherin Vowles
Robert & Stephanie Trainor
Roger & Glenys Ellison
Robert & Stephanie Trainor
Wilson Farms
Robert & Stephanie Trainor
Table 02 - Top Animals by NZMI
Ruanui Integrity Dixie Et
Ruanui Int Dixie Et
Ruanui Ter Desire
Hawthorn Grove Ezzie
Ruanui Triffic Dixie ET S3j
Hawthorn Grove Emira
Mount Cosy Highlite Pandore
Ellison Con Shantel JG
Puriri Terrific Melody
Puriri Connacht Doll
Robert & Stephanie Trainor
Wittenham Partners
Robert & Stephanie Trainor
Ron & Jackie Monk
Robert & Stephanie Trainor
Ron & Jackie Monk
Summit Farms (Otorohanga)
Where high production grass bred Jerseys with deep well proven cow families reside.
We enjoy the breeding and farming of our herd and introducing many overseas visitors to our farm.
ANCESTRY OF TBONE PEARL
• Primley Princess Ex* (1958)
• Primley Jewess VHC (Purchased at the Primley Dispersal sale 1969)
• Denson Dale Jewel, VHC
• Denson Dale Red Jewess, VHC
• Denson Dale Opal, VHC
• Denson Dale Jingo’s Pearl, Ex4
• Denson Dale Lester Pearl, Ex4
• Denson Dale Fab’s Pearl, Ex4
• Denson Dale Expose Pearl, Ex4
• Densondale Dale Vulcan Pearl, Ex4
• Denson Dale Valentino Pearl Ex2 Every one of these cows were in top 10% of the herd production.
& Anne Wilson ph 07 888 6640
Denson Dale Tbone Pearl, Ex4
Ancestry of Tbone Pearl, EX4
2019 Show Results
Contributed by Robyn Gordon
North Island Championships - Stratford
Held: 30 November 2019
Judge: Craig Robertson
An exceptional turnout of animals competed for the title of Jersey NZ North Island Champion Cow held by the Stratford A & P Association. The show was the largest to get back up & running since the Mycoplasma Bovis outbreak and it was great to see such a large attendance with over 200 cattle exhibited.
This year, a class completely different from any others took place. This was the Beledene Premier Dairy Cow. The world famous Beledene Jersey Stud that dispersed in 2018 with record prices donated a magnificent shield to the show for a Premier Dairy Cow Class open to all breeds and to be judged by any Senior or Associate judge of a dairy breed society. A total of 22 judges stepped into the ring to judge the class of 26 cows. Results are written below.
Jersey NZ North Island Reserve Champion went to Parlan Marcel Stellar (s. Carrondale Gan Marcel) exhibited by Johnson & Parkes Partnership. Stellar also went on to win the Beledene Premier Dairy Cow.
Other significant placings in the Beledene Premier Dairy Cow class were Carnmor Justin’s Penelope (s. Carnmor Murmurs Justin) exhibited by the Vanner Family placing 5th & Arran Tequila Solar (s. Tower Use Prime Tequila) exhibited by Selwyn Donald placing 6th & taking home Senior All Breeds Reserve Champion Cow.
Jersey Intermediate Champion went to Hasty Spring Mr Foxxy (s. Hasty Spring Mr Snuff) & Jersey Reserve Intermediate Champion went to Hasty Spring Koop Fancy (s. Tower Vue Koop) both exhibited by Johnson & Parkes Partnership.
Jersey Junior Champion went to Bradnic TQ Risque (s. Tower Use Prime Tequila ) exhibited by Johnson & Parkes Partnership with Jersey Reserve Junior Champion going to Sherborne Chrome Bree (s. River Valley Cece Chrome-ET) exhibited by Charbelle Farms.
Jersey NZ North Island Champion Cow & Jersey Champion Best Udder went to Landell Valentino Emes TW (s. All Lynns Louie Valentino-ET) exhibited by Karen Fitzgerald. Emes also placed 4th in the Beledene Premier Dairy Cow.
Landell Valentino Emes TW
Parlan Marcel Stellar
Parlan Marcel Stellar
Landell Valentino Emes TW
South Island Championships - Christchurch
Held: 14 November 2019
Judge: Nick Gilbert
South Island Champion Jersey Cow & Supreme Champion Jersey Cow went to Somerset OT Leader (s. Lencrest On Time-ET) exhibited by Belbrook Holsteins. She placed 1st in the All Breeds Cow 4 year old class & went on to place Reserve Champion Senior Dairy All Breeds Cow.
South Island Reserve Champion Jersey Cow went to Lilac Grove Imps Chanel (s. Beledene Supreme Imperia) exhibited by P J & C J Hansen. She also went on to place 3rd In the Dairy All Breeds Cow 7yrs & Over class.
Junior Champion Jersey & Junior Champion All Breeds was taken out by Calmtide Royale Viola (s. Tregibby Yegabomb) exhibited by P J & C J Hansen. Reserve Champion Junior Jersey Heifer went to Lilac Grove Recharge Cameo also exhibited by P J & C J Hansen.
Intermediate Champion Jersey went to Beledene Squires Isla (s. Beledene IMPS Squire) & Reserve Intermediate went to Lilac Grove Sams Comet (s. Madeley Park Bells Sam) both exhibited by P J & C J Hansen.
World Wide Sires All Breeds Junior Judge Competition
The Murray Harnett Challenge Trophy for the Jersey Young Judge Competition did not take place this season. Luke Gilbert was nominated to represent Jersey NZ in the World Wide Sires Junior Judge competition held at Stratford, where he placed a very close second behind Gordon Fullerton (Holstein Friesian NZ)
Somerset OT Leader
Lilac Grove Imps Chanel
Luke Gilbert (Back right)
Going Back to Where Ultra Began
Contributed by Don Shaw
When Kiwi Blonde Ultramarine, known as Ultra, was born in August 1988 she joined an already formidable family which began when Don’s father bought Oaklea Golden Faith in 1938 who was descended from Greive Hall Faith Ex, highest producing cow in Tennessee in the early 1900’s. One of her direct descendants Kiwi Gemini Alice Ex 8-9 was the top production cow in Waikato for registered Jerseys and 3rd overall for NZ.
When the Oaklea Stud had it’s final sale in the 1970’s Don bought the last direct descendant of Oaklea Golden Faith’s sister who was the great grandmother of Ultra, who quickly made her mark in the herd. In 1989 she placed 4th in her class at the WJCB Conference Show in Hamilton. Her placid nature and love of humans quickly made her a favourite with visitors, who loved how she would run across the paddock to have her photo taken. The grandchildren played with her in the paddock and even grabbed a drink lying under her when they were thirsty. She was a good breeder, leaving big capacious daughters, who in turn were the top producers in the herd. One known as Tiny weighed over 500 kgs and produced over 600 kgs/ms several times. Over 12 years of natural mating she missed only one calving with one calf weighing 52 kg. The last damaged her pelvis so we used transvaginal oocyte recovery and retired her.In all she had nine daughters. She stayed with the herd, riding the rotary platform each milking until she could no longer manage the walk and retired to a paddock.
When she was aged 16 yrs old she was invited to go to the Otorohanga Kiwiana Fair to have her photo taken with small children on her back, so after 15 years we put a halter on her for the second time and she stood placidly for the day while children sat on her.
In 2004 Ultra’s first great-great-great –great granddaughter was born. In 2019 between 250 and 300 female descendants have been recorded, with records up to 830 kg milk solids.
Ultra died in 2006. She is buried in the Kahikatea Grove on the farm. The day of her burial Aleasha requested an absence from school to go to a family funeral.
We hear a lot about the cows of yesteryear whose genetics played a part in establishing their place in Jersey history. Perhaps other breeders have their more modern cow superstars of today.
Jersey NZ 2020 Annual Conference & AGM
June 15 - June 17 2020 - Plymouth International Hotel, New Plymouth
SAVE THE DATES
It’s that time of year already. Not Christmas, but the Jersey NZ Conference & AGM.
Set to take place in the beautiful Taranaki, it is bound to be a great time. Come along, collect awards, network with other Jersey Farmers and Breeders, view a couple of Taranaki’s many high quality Jersey farms, and enjoy the time off farm.
Conference registrations are released early April. Keep an eye out on our Facebook, Email, and your Mailboxes.
The theme this year:
Join us for:
• Awards Dinner opened by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country, National Party Senior Whip and Jersey farmer; and keynote speaker Todd Muller, MP for Bay of Plenty, Select Committee member for Primary Production and National Party spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity, Food Safety and Forestry.
• Workshop sessions featuring keynote speakers Dr Cather Simpson, Engender; Trish Rankin, Jersey NZ member and Dairy Woman of the Year; and Lewis Road Creamery on their Jersey journey
• Herd visits to local Taranaki herds
• Jersey Pride Sale
• ‘Barn Dance’ evening & entertainment
• Okurukuru Winery with local wine, craft beer & gin tastings
• Govett Brewster Gallery & Len Lye Centre
• ‘Boogie Nights’ dinner & entertainment from the New Plymouth Operatic Society
(itinerary may be subject to change)
Plymouth International Hotel, New Plymouth
2019 Awards Night
2019 Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway
New Leader is Ready To Lead The Industry.
New Zealand farmers have indicated to the industry that once polled sires become available above 200 BW they would be ready to use these genetics extensively throughout their herd.
ARKANS NEW LEADER Pp A2A2(BW 205/22) (NZAEL 01/2020) This Jersey sire bred by Stuart and Katherine Anderson of Otorohanga that can do just that. The Anderson’s who need no introduction have supplied more sires than any other breeder to the New Zealand dairy industry. Stuart has a passion for polled genetics and has been working hard to provide the New Zealand industry sires that are Polled and high genetic merit.
A son of the Samen NZ sire Global Future Direction and coming from the highly successful Cardrona Pepsi family which has produced many successful sires for the industry including Canaan Nevy Pioneer. New Leader is currently the highest BW and type polled Jersey sire available to the New Zealand market. A partial outcross to most NZ herds New Leader Pp is set to produce ideal sized Jersey’s with above average stature, liveweight and tidy udders (Udder Overall BV 0.57 ) (NZAEL 01/2020) this helps make him an outstanding option for
New Zealand Jersey breeders to introduce the polled gene into their herds, with the opportunity to produce high genetic merit polled Jersey’s, this fellow will be leading NZ Jerseys to a polled and prosperous future.
Photo: Future Direction, sire of Arkan’s New Leader Pp and Lynbrook Ovation both available from Samen NZ.
www.samen.co.nz
info@samen.co.nz
0800 220 232
Sister of Global Future DirectionPp
Global Future Direction Pp
Craig McKimmie
Craig McKimmie - Genetics program manager
Linking Buyers and Sellers
PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE FOLLOWING SALES:
March 26 - Shorthorn AGM Sale - Invercargill
April 3 - Brookview Genetics. Ayrshire and Holstein Friesian
April 6 - Bidr on line MT Flush cow Sale. All Breeds
April 14 - Manawatu Invitational All Breeds
April 16 - Kohitiata. Jerseys - Dannevirke
April 29 - Lindsay Park - Hamilton
May 13 - Jersey Pride In calf + Waikato Invitational. Jersey
June 16 - Jersey Pride heifer - New Plymouth
September 8 - Lynrich Bull Sale. Jersey.
Buying or Selling Livestock of All Breeds? Paddock or Auction, We Can Help.
Approximately 160 cows, 75 incalf heifers, 80 yearlings and 12 bulls
INCLUDING:
(Left) Carnmor Speedway Joyce Ext4
• Reserve Snr Champion 2018 - Jersey Classic
(Right) Carnmors Murmurs June Ex4
• Supreme Champion 2018 - Jersey Classic
Just two of the many outstanding cows for sale. Catalogues available early April.
What is the most important number on your milk docket?
Contributed by Dr. Joe McGrath Technical Manager Ruminants, DSM Senior Lecturer - Ruminant Nutrition, University of New England, Australia
The milk docket, although usually electronic these days, contains quite a bit of information about what you are sending to your processor. It has several measurements including fat, protein, cell count, milk urea nitrogen (MUN).
If you have accurately provided cow numbers it will even give you an update on how your milk production per cow is going and relative indication of mammary gland health. Furthermore, MUN will indicate how much nitrogen is being lost from the rumen.
So what is the most important number? Well, I bet it is not what you think. One that should never be included even in the discussion is MUN. It has somehow been misconstrued as a measurement of energy in the pasture, productivity and a range of other strange extrapolations that have people thinking that high MUN is a good thing. About the only thing it indicates is how much nitrogen you are probably leaching into the water ways.
The most important number for your business is actually the ratio of milk protein to fat. For example, if your milk protein is 3.9 and fat is 4.9 then your ratio is 0.79. This number is the most important for your whole business. Why? Because it is a very handy measure of the metabolic state of your herd. Sure, the rule is not black and white (hopefully nothing on your farm is), but in the majority of the cases it rings true. A good example of when it does not work is during milk fat depression, but that is another story for another day.
Ok, so lets try and explain this ratio. First thing to remember is that every farm tends to have a slightly different tipping point. The tipping point is the number that demonstrates the point at which cows go from stripping back fat into the milk (ie. Losing weight) to not (ie. Holding weight or gaining weight). A typical number for black and white herds is about 0.8, for Jerseys it is much lower, but generally in the range of 0.75-0.78. This is because of their propensity for producing fat.
So how to find your tipping point. The best time is to look at your milk docket is during a good autumn when you can guarantee that animals are fully fed and gaining weight, especially while on a predominately grass diet. Take an average over at least a month.
Once you know your tipping point you can start to use this ratio. Post calving the number will be low, hopefully not too low. But you will (or should) notice that your herd starts to trend back to its ideal number as the spring continues and cows stop losing BCS post calving. This is the secret to getting cows back in calf, get that number back to normal by mating and you have taken energy deficit issues out of play (now it is just you and the bull that gets the blame).
Is this as easy as just feeding more? No, not really. It is how you feed from the start of lactation.
This is where shoulder feeding has actually become a big issue for fertility in NZ. Shoulder feeding, typically with PKE or maize silage, in early spring has caused cows to rapidly increase milk production during this period resulting in a much higher peak milk production. This is great news for the cow and the industry, but not if you couple it with the “I’m a grass only farmer and DairyNZ says not to feed during a surplus” mentality. What shoulder feeding in August does is artificially boost peak, often to a level that cannot be sustained by a grass only diet. When do you switch back to grass only? At the start of mating.
The figure below is a data set kindly donated by a farmer who has now seen the errors of this system (probably the most common in NZ), it is from a crossbred herd. As you can see from August to October the ratio is trending up nicely. At the end of October he was having one of his best seasons ever so went grass only. The ratio crashes, cows have peaked higher than ever before (in this case largely to the elimination of milk fever courtesy of the Sollus team) and cannot maintain enough energy from an extremely wet grass diet that has an excess of crude protein, potassium and the associated diuretic effects.
Then, being a Manawatu farm they run into a summer drought period where large amounts of PKE are dumped into the diet due to lack of pasture (rise in the ratio as milk production drops), and all hell breaks loose from there. You will notice in April they finally get back to 0.8. What a ride.
Needless to say fertility did not improve from the 17%
Joe McGrath
empty rate even though milk fever and associated post calving diseases had been eliminated. Not to forget in our models approximately 65kg of MS per cow was also missing.
What was the solution? Simply keep some feed in the diet (in this case 2kg of PK would be sufficient), manage grass quality with silage during that great spring. This would have meant that come the summer drought, lots of silage is in stock and very productive pregnant cows would have been the outcome.
If you think feeding cows during peak spring growth is crazy, that’s fine, but don’t target body weight milk production. Stick to NZ average and the Dairy NZ advice works well. If you want a return on your capital, or the bank wants a return on their capital, and you decide to go for cows producing their own bodyweight you need to consider this ratio.
You will often hear the Sollus team talking about “fully fed cows” or “physically full, metabolically hungry”. The best guide to this is the milk protein to fat ratio, and it is delivered to you for free – everyday.
Dr. Joe McGrath is the head nutritionist for the Sollus business, a New Zealand based company providing nutritional solutions for New Zealand dairy farmers.
Ian Harris Memorial Heifer Competition 2020
Proudly sponsored by Genetic Enterprises NZ - World Class Genetics
Reckon you have a special heifer in your herd?
The Ian Harris Memorial Heifer Competition has been set up to compare our Members best ‘pick of the herd’. First place can win up to $250.
• The competition is open to all youth aged between 8-35 years of age.
• There are two categories, Junior (8-17), and Senior (18-35)
• Entrants must be a member of the society OR associated with a member who retains a Senior or Associate membership with Jersey NZ. (e.g. family member or employer)
• Entrants can nominate 1 animal only.
• The competition is open to any in milk 2 yr old (J14 or above) born between 1st January and 31st December 2017 due to calf in SPRING 2018.(autumn calvers may be included in future competitions)
The nominations are now closed and the entrants for this year are below:
Junior Entrants
Entrant
Charlie Scherer
Gabrielle Scherer
Jayden McLean
Chloe Sargent
Danika Beardsall
Ella Pirie
Ella Wallace
Isaac Wallace
Zara Williams
Holly Williams
Hannah Broadbent
Zoe Botha
Shyla Lindsay
George Williams
Sam Browning
Trinity Bower
Senior Entrants
Entrant
Ashlee Crane
Crystal Scown
James Wallace
Krystle Bennett
Loren Osborne
Nathan Moffitt
Reagan Read
Toni Schnuriger
Stephanie Browning
Nick Browning
Entry Birth ID
LNCY-17-12
LNCY-17-4
LMCY-17-2
CWXQ-17-200
JFNH-17-41
CWXQ-17-22
GFW-17-8
GFW-17-14
CCGL-17-36
CCGL-17-48
CWXQ-17-185
CWXQ-17-49
CWXQ-17-155
MGXV-17-5
JFNH-17-2
HPQ-17-71
Entry Name
Sherborne Trig Sugar S3J
Sherborne Sum Dazzle
Ellison Super Ruth ET
Ngatea Chloe Lao
Totara Dale Gun Leeanne
Ngatea Ella Lola P
Crescent Integ Xena ET
Crescent Frankie Nancy ET
Landell Golda Oto S3J
Landell Topeka Emmy
Ngatea Hannahs Moana
Ngatea Ogi Clover S2J
Ngatea Shyla Pumpkin
Williams Integrity Gracie
Totara Dale Jos Alice
Carnmor Guns Angie
Entry Birth ID
RLWN-17-46
HPQ-17-70
GFW-17-13
HJPN-17-24
DQBL-17-4
QVKB-17-43
HJPN-17-50
LNCY-17-15
JFNH-17-84
JFNH-17-21
Entry Name
Rocklea Int Maxi
Carnmor Omens Clarissa
Crescent OI Ruby ET
Benworth Integ Fran S1J
Allandale Tbone Lacy
Cinagro Integ’s Damsella
Benworth 17-50 S0J
Sherborne Sum Phoeby S0J
Totara Dale Joel Lite S3J
Totara Dale Twink Ruby
Ellison Super Ruth ET - Jayden McLean
Cinagro Integ’s Damsella - Nathan Moffitt
Benworth Integ Fran S1J - Krystle Bennett
Proud Breeders of
Glenui Degree Hoss ET - 315045
BW 317g
Degree x Honeydew
109 daughters in 48 herds.
Glenui BC Laredo ET - 318029
BW 301g
Conrad x Lace
US 0.52 UO 0.75 DC 0.30
Glenui Super Lamar - 318015
BW 298g
Superstition x Lacey
US 0.54 UO 0.74 DC 0.48
A rollercoaster of a season, now down in dry summer mode. 21 embryos and 6 in-calf heifers due from the Lace family in the spring. 11 Jersey Future heifers due as well.
26 19-born surplus heifers for sale. avg BW 224 PW 218
Glenui Bowies Honeydew EX5
BW 263 PW 485 12yr prod 518kgms in 298 days
Sadly no longer in the herd, but leaving behind two incredible Jerseys, Glenui Degree Hoss ET BW 328 and Glenui 5star Harry ET BW 236
Glenui Integrity Lace ET VG7
BW 354 PW 518 7yr Prod 566kgms in 229 days
Dam of 12 dau, plus 7 bulls in SPS, including Glenui Super Larkin ET Glenui BC Laredo ET, Glenui Manzello Landon BW 253
Glenui Goldie Lacey ET VG 4
BW 340 PW 491 4yr prod 480kgms in 238 days
Dam of three bulls in SPS , including Glenui Super Lamar, and Glenui Walker Lebron
362 cows In 219 days
Obituaries
It is with deep regret and profound sadness we record the passing of the following members, previous members and friends of Jersey New Zealand.
John Henderson passed away Thursday 14 February 2020.
Margaret Watts passed away Saturday 19 October 2019.
Jerseydom lost one of its gems when Margaret Ruth Watts passed away on the 19th October 2019 at the age of 80 years. Margaret and her late husband Norman farmed faithfully on the Lower Palmer Road Kaponga where they established their “Kiltarra” Jersey Stud. Sires used in developing the stud were Ferdon Glen’s Courier, Linmore Bravo’s Blueboy, Carrondale Royal Gent and Brookvale Choice Design.
The Watts showed two lovely daughter of Carradale Royal Gent in Kiltarra Gentle Naomi and Kiltarra Gentle Megan at the Centenial 1983 Jersey Island Judge Mr. Richard Don. Margaret and Norman were thrilled in winning the two year old Dairy heifer class at the Egmont A&P (Hawera) show 1985 with $2000 purchase from the Sproslea dispersal.
Norman and Margaret were stalwards of the Kaponga Jersey Club where they worked tirelessly on the South Taranaki Boys and Girls Calf Club Championship Committee/Field days and Junior Member Champs. Both Margaret and Norman were Junior Member’s Advisery Officers in the 1980’s period for the NZ Jersey Breeding Association where they did a stirling job in nurturing the young ones at the Junior Champs! Margret was affectionately known as Camp Mother as was of a loving nature!
Margaret was a very talented lady - she was a member of the Kapuni Women’s Choir for many years singing beautifully which talent she had passed on to her son Grant who sung at his mother’s funeral a wonderful tribute to his mother!
Margaret spent many years as a primary school teacher at the local Kaponga Primary School (18 years) where she had a huge impact on the lives of her many students, her guidance and teaching have been appreciated by her pupils over the years. Margaret received her Gold Service Award at her Women’s Institute for 50 years service. In 1993 Margaret received her Citizen’s Award for Good Service in the community!
When Margaret and Norman left the farm they moved into Hawera and took up bowling!
Norman pre-deceased Margaret January 13th 2016.
We will remember you Margaret with your beautiful golden hair (same colour as your jersey cows). You had a heart of gold and if there and ASB Gold Award, Margaret Watts would have been an ideal recipient.
Margaret you will be dearly missed by your many friends. Our sympathy to you your family in their loss.Allan Jenkins
LIC Bull Profile
Danie Swart, Bull Acquisition Manager
“Crest of a Wave.”
I am excited to be more involved with the Jersey breed and Jersey farmers in 2020. I would also like to acknowledge Taylor Connell’s passion and dedication to Jersey farmers over the past year and wish him all the best in his new role at LIC where he will continue in the genetic space.
The Jersey breed continues to ride the ‘Crest of a Wave’ going into the 2020 season. The Jerseys going forward have so many positive advantages for them in the future. With the Value Component Ratio (VCR) moving from 1.01 to 1.16 we will see an increase in the BW of bulls and cows that rank higher for their milk fat production. Also, the correction for fertility in the Febuary AE run will favour the Jersey breed as well. On the January RAS list ranking, Jersey bulls dominated, taking out 26 out of the top 30 places.
More beneficial attributes for Jerseys are the excellent feed conversion, calving ease, high fertility, adaptability to once a day system and the predominantly A2A2 status of both the Jersey cows and bulls. To top it off, you find the most passionate breeders in the world promoting and believing in the Jersey breed.
AB Code: 316009
I have the privilege to profile 316009 Tironui LT Besiege-ET, the top 2019 graduate and second-highest ranked Jersey bull on the January RAS list. Congratulation to Murray & Janet Gibb for breeding this outstanding bull. Some great bulls featuring in his pedigree are Terrific, Degree, Manhatten and Forever. The solid maternal line of Besiege achieving PW’s or LW’s over 300 and up to 636. Standout attributes for Besiege are his positive management traits, high fat and protein, positive fertility and longevity. Daughters are wellliked by farmers with positive breeding values, especially for temperament and overall opinion.
AB Code: 319031
Born in Northland, 319031 Freydan BT Glory-ET is a young genomic bull and an exciting prospect for the future. Bred by proud breeders Daniel & Freya Lynch, Glory is a top-ranked Triplestar son, out of a high production Strider dam. Noticeable in the pedigree is the well-known and proven Bracelet family on the dams side. Throughout this bull’s pedigree, you will find a line-up of well proven high production cows. Aside from his high BW, he also has exceptional fat and protein BV’s. If you think about a true all-rounder, he is the one with great fertility, longevity, size, capacity and udder overall.
I am proud to mention that Glory is part of a solid and competitive line-up of young genomic sires, which make the future very exciting and incredibly promising. Both Besiege and Glory have been used as Sire of Sons for contract mating and the ET program.
As I was writing the profiles of these two Sires many parts of New Zealand are going through extremely dry or wet conditions. We can only wish that we will end our season with an excellent late summer and autumn.
All the best.
FREYDAN STRIDER GEM S3J Dam of 319031 Freydan BT Glory-ET
TIRONUI DEGREE BETTIE Dam of 316009 Tironui LT Besiege-ET
Tironui LT Besiege ET
Freydan BT Glory ET
Massey University Dairy 1 Farm updates.
Contributed by Glenys Ellison
For anyone not familiar with the Massey Dairy farm 1 project the Vision of Dairy 1 farm is to be a collaborative ‘living research farm’, showcasing how to farm profitably and responsibly within resource limits. It will provide for a range of postgraduate and collaborative research and teaching opportunities across scientific disciplines.
The Objectives of Dairy 1 farm include:
• To explore environmental and financial aspects of once-aday milking.
• To produce milk in a manner that meets the environmental requirements of the Horizons Regional Council.
• To provide a link between Massey University and both urban and rural communities.
• To provide a resource for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and for research and extension.
Jersey New Zealand members contributed Jersey cows when the Massey Dairy 1 farm transitioned to a once a day herd in 2013. The farm is 142.7 Ha with an effective milking platform of 119.7 Ha. For the 2018-19 season the breed split in cow numbers was: Holstein-Friesian 55, Crossbred 123, Jersey 64. Total 242.
Recent updates:
• Massey Dairy 1 herd has registered a total of twenty four 2019 born jersey heifers.
• An update on the herd repro performance: 6 week in calf rate 78% with 10% empty, 10 weeks mating. R2 heifers to be scanned at the end of Feb.
• A SMASH event took place at Massey Dairy 1 on 20th Feb.
• An updated information booklet on the Massey Dairy 1 Project has been produced. A digital copy of this will be available on the Jersey New Zealand website under Articles. This is an excellent resource material produced by the Massey team with data covering the years 2013-2019. Members and others will find much of interest in it. The information booklet covers all aspects of the operation and presents a lot of data on both herd and individual breed/crosses performance under a once a day system. Jerseys feature positively in many of the KPI’s. Dairy Base data is also included in the Appendices.
Nicolas Lopez Villa-Lobus & Yolanda Amoore
Okura Hester
Views from Dairy 1 Farm at University. The farm is being used for key research in the dairy industry.
Being prepared in uncertain times
Peter Sharp - Audit and Risk Committee member
While milk price forecasts currently look positive, you can be certain they won’t always remain favourable. In recent months many factors have caused concerns in the farming sector, highlighting the need for greater planning and tighter control over cash flow.
A major contributor to domestic risk is the pressure banks are putting on farmers to reduce their debt and in turn banks are less likely to agree to farms borrowing more money. According to a Federation Famers survey, nearly a quarter of farmers say they are feeling pressure from banks to reduce debt. This reflects what we see in the market with banks becoming more and more reluctant to lend. Not just to farmers but also to corporates in the Agri-sector where banks were previously very supportive.
The lack of farm sales over the past few years has somewhat skewed recent sales data, but we are starting to see the impact tighter capital requirements is having on farm values with latest REINZ data suggesting a 6.9% decrease to the median price per hectare paid for dairy farms for the 3 months to January 2020 when compared to the same time last year. It’s another reason farmers should be cautious with cash to ensure they’re retaining equity levels on farm.
Easier said than done at the moment given the current drought conditions impacting most of the country. The dry conditions mean summer and autumn production is expected to be shortened, with output expected to be down by 0.5% to the previous season. Discussions around drying off the herd early to maintain stock condition is becoming more of a reality with farmers facing feed shortages. The decrease in milk production and delay in culling due to the backlog at the works is already and will continue to cause a lack of money consistently flowing into the farm in the near future.
The greatest current risk to international prices is the coronavirus outbreak in China. China is the largest importer of dairy products from New Zealand, therefore any changes in demand from China directly influences prices. With dairy products being a (relatively) luxury item in China (largely sold to restaurants), the COVID-19 virus is impacting demand for NZ dairy exports with more Chinese consumers staying at home. It is difficult to estimate in real time exactly how this will impact the dairy industry. The GDT price index fell 2.9% at the most recent auction, following a 4.7% fall at the previous auction earlier this month (though prices remain at reasonably firm levels). However, with supply into China increasingly uncertain and no clear indication of when normal service will resume, farmers should certainly take this into account when preparing forecasts over the near and medium term.
This isn’t a time to panic, we’ve all seen it all before, but recent events are a reminder of how volatile trading in a commodity market can be. The time now is to ensure you’re prepared to cope with any volatility that may occur as a result of further pressure on the dairy market.
Services are available to provide help to farmers. It was good to see the recent Government initiative being launched, backed by all the major banks, to provide funding for farmers to seek professional farm business advice. Think about how you might want to use those, including budgeting, cash flow forecasting, scenario analysis and supporting you with discussions with your banking providers.
Peter Sharp Director, PWC New Zealand
Peter Sharp Director, PwC New Zealand
M: +64 7 512 3391 E: peter.a.sharp@pwc.com
Jersey NZ Youth Team Tackles IDW 2020
by Monique Radford
2020 Proudly Sponsored by:
This year the Jersey NZ youth team travelling to Australia consisted of a mixture of experienced and new people. Returning competitors included Hannah Nicholson, Ella Pirie, Danika Beardsall and myself. The other team members consisted of Brad Seager, Jay Seebeck, Jacoba Gread, Robyn Gordon, Isabelle Radford and Thomas Jeyes. Team members came from different regions around the country and the combination of people created a great atmosphere.
We travelled to Australia in the early hours of Thursday morning. After spending the night in Melbourne, we travelled via the Healesville wildlife sanctuary to Shepparton. The sanctuary was a great way to begin the trip where we able to see the Australian wildlife. Saturday brought us to Tatura to look around the show grounds and for the clipping team to choose their heifer. It was important to choose a heifer that was relatively quiet. The clipping team washed the heifer and then put it into the stall. After this we went to the pool and ate ice cream due to the heat.
Sunday was the day of the competition. The competition was to begin at 12pm, but before it began the paraders practiced leading their heifers. Our team was on parading during the first half of the competition. Hannah, Robyn and Danika led the heifers in perfect synchronisation. They led three Jersey heifers and communicated well which lead to a total of 97/100 points.
Our clipping team was next. Before travelling to Australia, the team had practiced on animals in New Zealand. Brad, Thomas, Jacoba and Ella made up our clipping team. Each member had a specific job and carried it out quickly and efficiently. They worked so well together to clip the animal and finish in time. The animal was well behaved which ensured the team could work quickly and efficiently.
(First row, L to R) - Monique Radford, Izzy Radford, Danika Beardsall, Jacoba Gread, Hannah Nicholson.
(Second Row, L to R) - Brad Seager, Ella Pirie, Thomas Jeyes, Robyn Gordon, Jay Seebeck.
After the completion of the clipping the judge gave a quick look at the animal to assess the quality of the clipping. Our team
The last part of the competition was the judging. Our judging team was Jay, Isabelle and I. We had 10 minutes to walk around the animals and make our decision. We were able discuss our decisions and talk about the reason why we would place one animal over the other. We had placed the animals in the same order. Jay was the designated speaker for our team. He was last to speak which meant he needed to leave a lasting impression. He spoke incredibly well and then to top it all off our placings were exactly the same as the Over-Judge. Our points for this section were 85/100.
After the competition had finished, we had group photos with the other 13 teams who had come from across Australia. We did not pick up any encouragement awards this year however placed 2nd overall in the competition. This again was an amazing feeling to even be placed in this huge competition. We received t-shirts for placing and celebrated that night with a delicious dinner at a restaurant.
The rest of the trip included a trip to Echuca for shopping, watching the feature Ayrshire show, the brown swiss and guernsey show and the Jersey show. This trip was a great experience for everyone involved and gave the chance for us to learn about showing in Australia. We were able to notice the differences between showing in Australia and in New Zealand. A big thank you to Jersey NZ, Julie Pirie, Alison Gibb, Wendy Harker and Kylie Gread for making this trip possible.
scored 81 from 100 in this section.
Hannah, Danika and Robyn prepare for the leading competition
Ella, Thomas, Brad and Jacoba clipping to perfection
The leading team right before scoring a 97/100
Jay, Isabelle and Monique judging closely to the Over-Judge
The team enjoying downtime at the Healesville Sanctuary
Jersey NZ Youth Ambassadors
The Jersey Youth Council was established in 2015 to engage with youth for the future prosperity of Jersey New Zealand. 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
• Offering the best ET options for your cows and heifers
• Embryos transferred into your cows or ours
• Calf contracts available - you provide the cow - we do the rest
• ABS enables use of sex sorted semen in ET using IVP
RAS List update
PUKETAWA KING CONNACHT JG
GLEN LEITH AND QUIZ S2J
PUKEROA AND BARATONE ET
TIRONUI LT BESIEGE ET
CRESCENT EXCELL MISTY ET
OKURA LT INTEGRITY
DEEP RIVER PCG FAVOUR
LOCKHART TERRIFIC COASTAL
COOMBES MANZ CHIEF ET
EVLEEN INTEGRITY LARSON
GLENUI DEGREE HOSS ET
PUKETAWA KING CARRICK JG
CRESCENT LT MARCUS
KERRS GOLDIE LAD ET S2J
PUKETAWA AD SUPERSTITION
BRAEDENE PAS TRIPLESTAR
THORNWOOD DEGREE TRIGGER
from the Jersey NZ Youth Council - Alison Gibb
How to Read a Sale Catalogue
Sale catalogues provide information about an animal by printing a “Three Generation Pedigree” form. This form is essentially the animal’s family tree.
• The first column’s information is about the animal on sale
• The second column provides information about the dam and sire of the animal for sale
• The third column provides information about the grandam and grand sire of both the dam and sire in column two
• The fourth column provides information about great grand dam and sires.
ACTIVITY:
Using the diagram provided, ask a family member to help you draw up your Three Generation Pedigree.
Carnarvon Farms Limited
Breeder : Carnarvon Farms Limited
REGISTERED JERSEY S
KAIMATARAU INDEX PLAYTIME
Birth Ident: BYQM-17-3
Breed: PJ J16 Sex: FEMALE
Date of Birth: 30/06/2017 Classification:
BW ($): 220/37 PW ($): 276/13
Protein BV (kg): 11/37
Fat BV (kg): 30/38
Milk BV (ltr): -24/39
Lwt BV (kg): -56/37 Fertility BV (%): 0.0/33 Total Long BV (days): 162/33 Somatic Cell BV: -0.16/37
1. Its pedigree name i.e. stud name + sire abbreviation + animals name
PUHIPUHI CAPS GOLDIE S3J
Birth Ident: MGXV-08-55 (309046) Breed: SJ J15F1
2. Just above the name it may have a DNA symbol with G3, which means it has been DNA tested, and if the S and the D are ticked then it is confirmed the Dam and the Sire to be correct.
BV (kg): 1/99
3. The birth identity which is made up of the breeder’s participant code + number of the animal + the year it was born.
4. The composition of the breed – is it full Jersey e.g. PJ J16 or part Jersey e.g. J12F4
5. Date of birth of the animal and whether its been classified e.g. VG or Ex
6. The animal’s BW and PW which stands for Breeding Worth and Production Worth
NZAEL
EVLEEN INTEGRITY LARSON
Birth Ident: CVJW-12-98 (313047)
7. The breeding values (BV’s) for the animal. To know if these are good values compare them to the averages found in the Bull catalogue (for more explanation see Sept 2019 Jersey Focus) Particularly look at the udder BV, the higher the better – if she is going to milk well, she’ll need a good udder.
8. Overall Opinion (this is the farmer’s opinion), Dairy Conformation, and Udder Overall
9. If the cow has been in milk, then there will be information about her lactations
10. If there is a box containing a sentence or two then this is what the breeder wants you to know about the animal.
11. If the animal has been classified then the row of figures “paints” a picture of what that animal looks like.
12. When the animal is expected to calve, to what sire and the expected BW of the calf.
ACTIVITY:
See what information you can find out about your favourite cow in the herd - perhaps a previous calf club calf.
PUHIPUHI CAPS GOLDIE S3J
SOUTH LAND CAPSTAN SJ3
Birth Ident: HHPP-02-50 (303039) Breed:
PUHIPUHI
NZAEL
So, if you know all this about the animal why do you need columns 2 – 4?
If the animal is only 2 years and hasn’t been in the milking herd then the information in columns 2 – 4 can give you some helpful information to predict whether it will be a good milking animal.
What to look for to determine if the animal has the potential to be a good buy.
A. If you look at the dam, grand dam and great grand dam (referred to as the previous generations) and find their PW’s are better than their BW’s across the line, it’s a good sign she’ll a good producer.
B. Look at the previous generation’s lactation figures – do they have consistently good production each year?
C. Look at the dam’s TOP (Traits other than production results) scores and in particular the last two numbers ideally these should be 7 7 or greater as high as 9 9.
D. If each of the previous generations have been classified are the awards consistent or get better which each generation – for that you need to read left to right.
E. Looking at the sires you can pick up if there has been any inbreeding all though not such a concern if its back in the last column
S3J
Meet the Newest Youth Council Members
Abbey Stantiall Selection Analyst - LIC
Hi I’m Abbey and I work for LIC where I have recently joined the breeding scheme as their selection analyst. I have now been at LIC for 3 ½ years. Before working I attended Waikato University where I studied Business Management and majored in Accounting and Agribusiness. I was born and raised in the Rangitikei and as a kid spent time on my uncles sheep and beef farm.
I have a passion for the dairy industry and I enjoy getting on farm every chance I get.
Outside of work I enjoy catching up with friends and family. I applied for the Youth Council as I wanted to get more involved in the dairy industry and wanted to learn more about governance and the difference from management. I would like to see JerseyNZ continue to be successful , grow and more young people from all walks of life taking an interest in this part of the industry. More great cows would be awesome too. I am super grateful that JerseyNZ has this programme and has allowed me the chance to partake. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.
David Ackermann Lincoln University graduate
I grew up in Canterbury on the family farm in Leeston. After graduating at Lincoln Uni i went traveling. I`m back on the family farm milking predominantly Ayrshire cows in an all pasture, restorative system.
I am on the Ayrshire Youth Committee, chair of the Canterbury Ayrshire Club a TOP Inspector and I am also on the committee for Semayr Breeding Services, the semen marketing division of Ayrshire New Zealand. I play trumpet for the local big band and I am on the local Ellesmere A and P Show animal committee.
It is important to implement strategies for the prosperity of pure bred breeds which the Jersey Youth council will play a significant role in the future of the Jersey breed. I am looking forward to being involved with the Youth council and the Jersey breed.
David is sponsored by Ayrshire New Zealand to join the Jersey NZ Youth Council as part of the collaboration between breeds.
I’m Chloe Belfield, a 21 year old Agri-Business graduate working for Fonterra Farmsource. It is a two year program, of which I spent the first in the Service Centre and now am working as an Area Manager in Otago.
I hail from Putaruru in the South Waikato and enjoy wakeboarding, snowboarding and running. I have also relief milked in my spare time for the past eight years which is a huge passion of mine. I graduated in 2018 at Massey
In My Opinion
Notice something that others don’t? Maybe it’s a practice in dairy you find isn’t talked about enough. Then come on forward and share your opinion.
In the “In My Opinion” section, Jersey NZ invite members to collaborate and share ideas. Discuss relevant thoughts
University in Palmerston North with a Bachelor of AgriScience, majoring in Agriculture. I was interested in applying for the Youth Council as I’m not directly from a farming background – however my grandparents own three farms in Tokoroa, where I first found my passion for the dairy industry. I also applied because I haven’t had much exposure to breeding and the benefits of it –and what better way to learn more on this than talking to others first-hand. I hope to develop experience and knowledge around strategic planning and governance, and with that a broader level of thinking to help me with my future aspirations in the agricultural industry.
regarding the Dairy Industry, Breeding and Genetics, Life as a Farmer or anything else that pops into mind.
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.
Chloe Belfield Agri-Business graduate
A Little About New Zealand Young Farmers
Contributed by Sophia Clark - for more NZYF information: www.youngfarmers.co.nz
New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) is well known as an organisation that encourages leadership and networking (and also matchmaking) amongst young rural people across NZ. You don't need to be a farmer - Just have a passion for Food & Fibre.
Many Jersey NZ members will be familiar with the Iconic "FMG Young Farmer of the Year" competition where 7 finalists from across the country compete for the honour of wearing the "Cloak of Knowledge" This Year's Competition was won by James Robertson, a Fonterra graduate.
There's also national competitions for Stock Judging, Clay Target Shooting, Fencing & Debating.
In 2017, NZYF was bequeathed a 74ha farm in Auckland by the late Donald Pearson. The milking herd genetics are gradually being improved with the addition of 43 pedigree jersey heifers from the estate of the late Bobbie Backhouse in May.
Jersey NZ board member Julie Pirie is the Chair of the Donald Pearson Farm Board.
While most people are aware of NZ Young Farmers, there's also Teen AG & Agrikids for younger people to get involved with, which may interest Jersey NZ's younger members. Inspiring the next generation about opportunities in the food and fibre sector is a key focus of NZYF. It does this in a number of ways.
NZYF runs a network of TeenAg clubs across the country. A third of all high schools now have a TeenAg club. The clubs play a vital role in showcasing the broad range of careers in the agri-food sector to both rural and urban students. Members go on field trips and take part in skills days.
NZYF runs three Raising the Standards leadership courses for TeenAg members each year. The three-day programmes teach students how to network, write a curriculum vitae, plus they learn about cadetships, interview techniques and budgeting. I’ve had the honour of speaking at one of these courses and they’re truly inspiring.
The most visible part of the TeenAg network is the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year. The prestigious national contest tests students’ practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
In 2019, almost 430 students competed in seven FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year regional finals. The top two teams from each event went head to head in the grand final in Hawke’s Bay.
NZYF also runs a hotly-contested national competition for primary school children. AgriKidsNZ sees students tackle a range of modules in teams of three. Modules vary from farm safety, to fuel storage and livestock genetics. A favourite module is fitting a wheel on a Honda quad bike.
In 2019, more than 800 students competed in seven AgriKidsNZ regional finals. The top three teams from each event clashed in the grand final. TeenAg clubs and the AgriKidsNZ competition are both a key part of NZ Young Farmers’ membership pipeline and help funnel new members into its network of almost 80 clubs.
Jersey NZ Youth Members Take The Win With Calf Club NZ 2019
CALF
CLUB NZ |
BRINGING THE DAIRY INDUSTRY CLOSER TOGETHER
ABOUT CALF CLUB NZ:
Calf Club NZ 2019, New Zealand’s largest online Calf Club.
Calf Club NZ have established a fantastic format that allows our youth to share their triumphs and compete with a broader range of contestants. Contestants submit a photo of their calf (with or without themselves in the photo) and supply a 100-word story about their experiences with their calf. These are then put into our Calf Club NZ website where we allow contestants to vote for the social winners and our pre-selection judges nominate their top tens. The finalized Top Tens for each region are then calculated and visited by our official Calf Club NZ Judges who work along side our contestants to visit and undertake all of the traditional judging. Following completion each regions judge then decides our top 10 winners from each region, age and category.
National - Leading & Rearing - 1st Place
HER STORY: Hi my name is Gabrielle and today I am going to tell you about Delta,my Jersey Calf. Delta is out of my Calf Club Calf from 2 years ago her name is Dazzle and her sire is Wilson Fast Summary. Delta’s sire is Steinhaus Lemonhead. I picked Delta because she was the first calf that came up to me in the pen when she was only 2 days old. She has bright shiny brown eyes with long lashes. I have enjoyed brushing her and have worked very hard on her.
Henry Scherer - Piper Social - Public Vote - 7th Place
HIS STORY: Hello my name is Henry and I have a Jersey Calf. She is called Piper. I like Piper because she is so so friendly. Every time I go in the pen to halter her up she always comes running to me, it is so cute how she does that. Piper is out of my favourite cows her name is Polly. I have been trying so hard to brush her fluffy coat off. I like to take her for walks around the tanker loop and she nibbles on grass. Thanks for reading my story
National - Dairy Type - 1st Place
HIS STORY: My calf called is Manor Winstons Ruby. She is a pedigree Jersey calf sired by Linan Integrity Wisnston. Rubys dam is 270 Manor Jericho Ruby, she is a second calver in our herd. Rubys dam caught my eye last year. I decided to put her to Winston and I am very happy with her calf. I chose Ruby because of her friendly nature and dairyness. I enjoy working with and showing calves. Ruby has been fed 2.5 litres of milk twice a day, 20% protein-meal and grass. She has been vaccinated with 7 in 1.
Gabrielle Scherer - Delta
Thomas Jeyes - Manor Winstons Ruby
Calf Club NZ 2019 was Proudly Sponsored by:
Regional - Leading & Rearing - 1st Place
Regional - Dairy Type - 2nd Place
HER STORY: My calf is called Manor Index Darling. She is a pedigree Jersey, sired by Okura Goldie Index. I chose her because of her dam Waiteitei Dice Dainty and because she looks really nice. Her dam Dainty is a really great friendly cow. Darling is a very friendly calf. She likes to have races and is very mischievous. I enjoy looking after, grooming and leading her. She has 4 litres of milk a day and 20% protein meal and grass. Darling has been vaccinated with 7 in 1.
Kimberley Simmons
National - Leading & Rearing - 3rd Place
National - Dairy Type - 3rd Place
HER STORY: Jean’s the name. Jean is like a bean, bouncing off of the walls of the calf shed. This calf has so much energy I sometimes can’t keep up, although when I’m able to cuddle her, she is the most snuggliest calf. She is a dark copper coloured Ayrshire, white wrapped under her belly, around her legs and a star on her forehead. When I first took her outside she knew to trust me and just follow along beside. Now she is excited to go out and about and explore beyond the gate. Jean is my bestfriend, I love her.
National - Dairy Type - 2nd Place
HIS STORY: Hi I am Charlie and my calfs name is Fancy. I picked her because she has a nice shiny coat and a lovely nature. She is nice and long and not to heavy on the shoulder. I have done a lot of brushing. Fancy is a Super Sire he is a World Wide Sires Bull. I love to halter my calf up and spend time with her. Fancy has a good sweep of rib which I like. She is a nice black calf, she was born on the 1st of July 2019. Her mum is cow 171 in the herd
For all entrants, results, and photos visit: www.calfclubnz.co.nz
Thomas Jeyes Just Keeps Going
After Calf Club NZ, Thomas went on to win:
Stratford North Island Champs:
• 1st Jersey Junior member class
• 1st Senior Jersey heifer calf
• Honorable mention in North Island Champion Junior Female Jersey
• 3rd in All Breeds Senior heifer calf
Te Kauwhata A&P show:
• 2nd Senior Jersey heifer calf
• 3rd Senior All Breeds heifer calf
• 1st calf club leading
• 1st calf club rearing
• 3rd Senior Jersey heifer calf (Ferdon Tequila Lois)
• 5th Senior All Breeds heifer calf (Ferdon Tequila Lois)
Te Aroha Jersey Club on Farm Show
• Reserve Junior Champion
• 2nd Jersey heifer calf
• 1st pair of heifer calves
(And much more)
Charlie Scherer
Annabelle Jeyes- Manor Index Darling
Thomas Jeyes show stopper - Manor Winstons Ruby
Jersey NZ congratulate Thomas on a very successful year.
SEMEX On-Farm Challenge 2019
Regional Results
Congratulations and thank you to all who competed in the 2019 Semex National Jersey On-Farm Challenge.
25 teams entered the competition (two extra teams than 2018) with 325 animals judged on conformation, up considerably on the previous year.
Semex has kindly sponsored product prizes for the following winners:
• Regional team winners receive $100 each for first place
• Overall Youth section under 30 years presented to the highest placed animal; $100 per class (in each age class).
• National team winners receive $300 for first, $200 for second
• National Conformation winners receive $300 for first, $200 for second (in each age class).
• Overall National Supreme Conformation Winner receives $500
• Overall National Supreme Semex Cow Winner receives $500
The top TEN conformation cows in each Conformation Class over ALL regions and the top TEN teams over ALL regions will move forward to the National Finals announced at the 2020 AGM & Conference held in New Plymouth on Monday 15 June 2020. These finalists will be highlighted in blue.
Region 1 - Northland
1. Totara Dale Farm Ltd (T & M , N & S Browning)
2. Rivermere Jerseys (B & M Montgomery)
1. Totara Dale Ross Shelley - Totara Dale Farm Ltd
Blue highlights mean you made the top 10 in that class Nationally.
National awards will be presented at our Conference and AGM held in New Plymouth on 15 June.
Keep an eye out for registration forms to come.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND ROLL OF HONOUR
CLUB CONTACTS
Club Reports
Lower Waikato Jersey Club
In June the Lower Waikato Cattle Club have their annual Heifer Competition and the Gaydene Memorial Production Awards. The judges for the Heifer Competition are the members of the club who wish to have a go – their scores are then averaged. Points are awarded for uniformity /20, growth /30 and conformation /50. The results for 2019 are:
Complete Line of In-calf Heifers
Brett Dyson - Glenhaven
3x1 Sire (Each cow pointed /50 for conformation)
Gavin & Catherine Vowles Two View – Lynbrook GG Quicksilver
Gaydene Memorial Production Awards for 2, 3, and 4-yearold cows - Brett Dyson
Gaydene Memorial Production Award Elite Cow Russell & Alison Gibb – Zenith Pioneer Berina
Lower Waikato held their AGM in July where Mr Colin Hickey was appointed President, Mr Gavin Vowles, Senior Vice President and Thomas Hickey, Junior Vice President. Lower Waikato meets regularly on the first Thursday of every
Manawatu Jersey Club
2019 On Farm In-Milk Competition
Class 1 - Herd Group
1st 2nd 3rd
P & S Ingram
J & D Gloyn
B & S Phillips
440 pts 409 pts 406 pts
Class 2 - Progeny 3years and over
B & S Phillips
P & S Ingram
P & S Ingram
267 pts
250 pts
248 pts
Class 3 - Progeny 2years
J & D Gloyn
K & E McQuillan
B & S Phillips
Puketawa Minstrels Supernova
Okura Lika Murmur
Arrieta NN Degree
250 pts
234 pts
230 pts
Class 4 - Type & Production
P & S Ingram
J & D Gloyn
Lynbrook terrific
Bellamour Golda Ged
Beledene mans Dexter
President - Colin Hickey, Kaitaka Secretary - Alison Gibb, Zenith
month beginning in August with a Pizza and Programme Planning evening. The programme usually involves a mixture of herd visits, a visit to a herd outside of the club, social events, Annual Club Show, Type and Production Competition and of course the Heifer Competition reported above.
Each year we either have a mystery meeting where we do something quite different e.g. visit Zealong; the Tea Plantation, Hills Laboratory or a trip away. This year the trip took us to the Manawatu which was reported on in the last edition of the Jersey Focus.
The members either pay a sub or contribute a bull calf which we sell – the money then subsidises competition day meals and the trips away.
Anyone interested in joining the Lower Waikato Jersey Club would be most welcome.
President - Ron Horn, Secretary - Eileen McQuillan, Bellamour
On Farm Dry Stock Competition
Class 1 - Yearling Heifers
1st - B & S Phillips - 122pts 2nd - K & E McQuillan - 117pts 3rd - P & S Ingram - 116pts
Class 2 - Yearling Heifers Progeny
1st - J & D Gloyn - 114pts - Richies Jace T Bone
2nd= - K & E McQuillan - 109pts - Wallacedale Marvarie
2nd= - J & D Gloyn - 109pts - Braedene PS Triple Star
2nd= - B & S Phillips - 109pts - Golden Oaks Mons Benji
Class 3 - Incalf Heifers
1st - J & D Gloyn - 119pts
2nd - K & E McQuillan - 117pts
3rd - P & S Ingram - 116pts
Class 4 - Incalf Heifers Progeny
1st - B & S Phillips - 115pts - Beledene Mons Dexter
2nd= K & E McQuillan - 111pts - Kauri Glen HG Tornado
2nd= B & S Phillips - 111pts - Kereru Grants Fame
Te Awamutu Jersey Club
On the 19th - 20th November 2019 the Te Awamutu club held its annual Jersey Classic On-Farm Show. A total of 106 entries took part across 12 farms, judged by Tony Luckin. Results are available on the Jersey NZ website. www.jersey.org.nz
President - Glenn Wilson, WeeBurn
Secretary - Shirley Hamilton, Drumclog
Glen Wilson - Intermediate Champion
Ellie May Riddell - McGregor Trophy
Richard & Pauline Adam - Senior Champion
Jersey Classic - Carnmor Jerseys - Richard & Pauline Adam
Jersey Classic - Karaka Jerseys - Turner Family
Jersey Classic - Somerton Jerseys - Paul & Marion Johnson
Jersey Classic - Tahau Jerseys - Josh & Karina Sneddon
Club Reports
Te Aroha Jersey Club
President - Andy Walford, Upland Park
Secretary - Marian Wallace, Grahmar
Te Aroha Jersey Club is alive and Active !!
I start like that as we have not put anything in the Jersey NZ publication for a while. We have a small and diverse membership and would love to welcome new people to join in with us. The club is NOT only about shows, but also social and promotion of our Jersey cows to each other and the industry.
We started our year off with 10 pin bowling in Hamilton, with a good number of youngsters taking part. There’s no Trophy but competition for who has top score, especially between Chad Winke, Andy Walford and James Wallace.
In early November there was a day visiting Rick and Claire Jones, Craig Redshaw, and Chad Winke where we primarily looked at 2 Year olds and discussed relevant topics. Early December the Club invited Tony Luckin to judge our Type and Production competition. We had a great number of entries, with Tony kept very busy sorting it all out. This competition has a team of 6 cows from each entrant with score given for the type and then added to score for production of each animal, giving an individual score and a total team score. An award social BBQ was held at Rick and Claire Jones with excellent hospitality provided. The winner of both team and individual was Andy Walford. A big thank you to all the entrants.
The club have held a very successful annual show for many years, but the situation mbovis meant a re think. Last year a trial “on farm show” took place with great success, so in early February it happened again. Barry Montgomery was asked to come along to judge. the event was a great success again with new entrants coming in too. Visits took place over 2 days as there was a lot of farms to visit and classes to sort out. An
awards BBQ was held at Brad Pickett’s house with Barry talking about what he had seen and how he placed the animals. The Champion cow winner was Andy Walford, but he was pushed hard by Lloyd Wilsons entries. The Junior champion went to Rick and Claire Jones. A special mention must go to Thomas Jeyes who put a tremendous effort into his stock putting on a mini show for Barry to view. Also Ella Wallace, another youngster, who won the mother and daughter/ pairs class. A great show of cattle was put forward from the entrants, thank you folks.
Come and join us, contact Marian our secretary or Andy our President.
Thomas Jeyes group of calves
Rick Jones receiving trophy for champion calf
Have You Taken a Special Jersey Photo Recently?
Enter it into 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 for an entry form
Entries close 31 March 2020
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 Kandin on: 07 856 0731 or krobinson@jersey.org.nz
In collaboration with Real Experience:
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.
To book your advertisement for the next Jersey Focus, email krobinson@jersey.org.nz
Next issue: SEPTEMBER 2020
Deadlines:
Bookings for advertisements 3 August 2020
Material for advertisements 10 August 2020
Subscriptions:
Published March and September of every year.
Subscriptions are $60.00 plus GST per annum or $NZ70.00 for overseas subscribers.
Free to Jersey New Zealand members.
contact info@jersey.org.nz for more information
In My Opinion:
We invite your contributions In My Opinion. Not all contributions will necessarily be published and the Editor reserves the right to edit articles for publication and to have the right of reply on any issues raised. All informed comment (letters and articles) will be considered for publications.
The Editor Reserves the Right:
To accept, amend or reject any advertisements, editorial or article submitted for publication. While every effort will be made to publish advertisements as ordered, no responsibility is taken for the failure of an advertisement to appear as ordered or for any errors or omissions in the printed copy.
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.
At CRV Ambreed we pride ourselves on providing a personal service to all our clients We provide accurate milk quality results based on real milk volumes measured on farm Having the same Herd Tester at each test not only makes the task easier, it makes it a better experience Give us a call and we can put you in touch with your local herd test team
