Wednesday, 07 July 2021 12:55

A game-changer for the Jersey breed

Written by  Staff Reporters
Jerseyland Farms chair Julie Pirie. Jerseyland Farms chair Julie Pirie.

Two Jersey cows-linked organisations have invested in a 215ha Southland farm with a view to raise funds for breed promotion.

Farmer advocacy group Jersey Advantage and breed society, Jersey NZ have entered into the joint venture, Jerseyland Farms, each holding a 25% share, along with five commercial investors who each hold a 10% share.

The 600-cow farm at Makarewa runs Friesian-cross cows but will transition to Jersey cows over the next three seasons.

Jerseyland Farms chair and Ngatea farmer Julie Pirie says the farm purchase is a "game-changer" for the Jersey breed.

"Revenue from the joint venture will be used to enable increased breed promotions and industry representation across key farmer issues."

Pirie, a director of Jersey NZ and a member of Jersey Advantage, says funding will enable them to deliver commercial advantages for the Jersey breed.

"Namely ensuring a fair payment for Jersey milk, ensuring BW and PW accurately reflect the advantages of Jersey cattle, ensuring emissions modelling captures Jersey efficiency, and supporting industry planning around bobby calf management and pathways for Jersey beef."

The 600 cow farm will be run by a contract milker, targeting around 250,000 kgMS this season from a low-cost, grass-based system.

A board comprising representatives from both organisations and the group of commercial investors will provide governance for the joint venture, with the assistance of an external contractor to support the day-to-day operatiions of the farm venture.

The organisations first announced their intention to enter into a partnership back in April at the Jersey NZ conference.

"Following the announcement we had huge support for the initiative from members and Jersey farmers," says Jersey NZ president Alison Gibb.

"The venture consolidates the relationship Jersey NZ and Jersey Advantage have built over the past two years and will help secure a positive long-term financial future for both parties."

Jersey Advantage chair Mark Townshend was also positive about the venture.

"We have carried out extensive due diligence involving both parties and an external consultant and we believe this venture has the potential to be highly profitable and generate a strong return on equity."

"The intention is that this investment is part of a 10-15 year plan to build a farm portfolio delivering 500,000 kgMS plus," says Townshend.

Jersey Advantage and Jersey NZ will be seeking farmer support to further fund the initiative

More like this

The best of both worlds

When it comes to balance it doesn't get better than the production of Friesians paired with the efficiency of Jerseys.

Nothing beats milking elite Jersey cows

Sophia Clark didn’t think she would end up a dairy farmer but a season milking Jersey cows showed her that a career in farming could deliver both a business and a lifestyle.

Jersey breed on the rise

A farmer group promoting Jersey cows says stock and semen sales indicate the breed is on the rise.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Thai egg tarts

OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter