Unsung heroes under the soil
Much of the scientific work being carried out at the Massey University led regenerative agriculture project, Whenua Haumanu, is below the ground.
Breeding companies LIC and VikingGenetics will work together on a pilot project that aims to bridge the genetic strengths of the two regions’ dairy industries. This involves exchanging sexed semen which allows LIC and VikingGenetics to identify new bloodlines that perform well in their own dairy farming environments.
LIC says its Jersey bulls are renowned for siring highly fertile, efficient, medium-sized cows that consistently produce high percentages of milk solids. Their ability to convert feed into milk with exceptional efficiency has cemented their role as an asset in New Zealand’s dairy industry, says LIC.
“We are deeply committed to safeguarding the future of the Jersey breed in New Zealand and worldwide,” says LIC chief scientist Richard Spelman.
“This forward-thinking solution will create stronger genetic connections between the Nordic and New Zealand Jersey populations and reduce the risk of inbreeding. We look forward to being able to offer more genetic diversity to our New Zealand Jersey herds in the coming years,” he adds.
VikingJersey bulls are renowned for siring profitable, medium-sized cows with exceptional health and fertility. They are breed leaders in fat and protein percentages, purebred Jerseys, free of monogenetic disorders, and offer A2A2 and BB caseins.
“This collaboration is a step forward in the overall genetic landscape of the Jersey breed, offering breeders a sustainable way to enhance herd health and profitability,” says Peter Larson, product manager for VikingJersey and senior breeding manager at VikingGenetics.
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“By sharing Jersey genetics internationally, we are helping dairy farmers identify the most beneficial bloodlines that bring superior value to their herds, whether they are from the Nordics, New Zealand, or elsewhere,” adds Lars Nielsen, VikingGenetics’ chief breeding and production officer.
The collaboration will help address concerns over inbreeding within the two populations. Selected cows will be inseminated with sexed semen from top genomic sires, using stringent selection criteria to achieve the best genetic results. All progeny will undergo comprehensive testing, verifying their parentage, data from milk recording, health registration and classification, and more. Between 10 and 20 bulls from each company will be enrolled in the project annually. The goal is to have the best sires forming part of future breeding schemes.
Tes project is a breeding collaboration and only extends to the exchange of genotypes for breeding purposes and not the market distribution of doses.
VikingGenetics is a cattle breeding co-operative owned by more than 16,000 dairy and beef farmers in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. They focus on animal welfare, food security, and reducing climate impact in the entire production chain. The company says with its solutions, customers can continuously improve the genetic gain for each generation of their herd.
