South Otago farmer balances family, farming and drought challenges
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
This year, 717 Holstein Friesian cows from 92 herds were judged across eight wards, evaluated for their inherent structural correctness using specially-developed linear scoring.
This number was up from 2021, in which 627 cows from 77 herds were judged.
Well-decorated Charbelle Tatoo Pix S3F of Charbelle Farms, Hamilton won the Maughlin Storm - Two Year Old Cow Champion title with her sister, Charbelle MWB Prancer S2F, winning Reserve Champion in the Townson Lindy - Four Year Old Cow category.
Te Hau Windbrook Cleo-ET and Locknee Cup Gertrude S0F, both of Te Hau Holsteins, Morrinsville, won the Champion and Reserve Champion titles respectively in the Conant-Acres JY Broker - Mature Cow category.
Down South, Belbrook Bardo Plum of Belbrook Farming Ltd, Rangiora won the Champion title in the Comestar Leader - Three Year Old Cow category with herd mate Belbrook Crushabul Sara placing Reserve Champion in the Maughlin Storm - Two Year Old Cow category.
Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd of Timaru also had a successful competition, with three cows placing in three categories.
The annual competition is aimed at attracting entries from members and non-members alike to promote the Holstein Friesian breed.
Individual cows are judged on type at their home property in natural conditions without being fitted or halter led.
Six in-milk age groups classes are open to all Holstein Friesian cattle. Breeders enter their cattle for regional judging and the top two animals in each class in each region then move on to the national competition to compete for the Champion and Reserve Champion titles for each class.
The top animals are judged again by a national judge – in 2022, Graham Stewart of Rangiora – with the results announced at the Holstein Friesian New Zealand Annual Conference.
Stewart says the HFNZ-Semex On-Farm competition was the most prestigious competition the Association was involved with, and the sheer number of entries this year, which far surpassed previous years, was indicative of how worthwhile it was.
