Fond farewell to breeders

Holstein Friesian NZ president Doug Courtman says the dispersal of prominent and proven members' herds is bittersweet: as we bid them a fond farewell, the sales provide opportunities for other breeders.

"Many newer and often younger members have taken that opportunities to access proven genetics to establish their own studs," Doug says.

"While the returns this sale season have not, on average, matched those seen last season, they are still well above those recorded by unregistered herds."

Some sound prices were procured for high quality animals, with Rockview Doorman Selice EX (Gary and Karen Peters, Stratford, Taranaki) the highest selling lot from all 2023 Holstein Friesian sales: Selice sold for a whopping $25,000 to Joylas Friesians (Palmerston North).

This was followed by Waiau Rem Rasberry-ET S1F (Jim and Sue Webster, Waitara, Taranaki) selling for $18,800 to Shaun and Anna Thomas, Balclutha (Yellowstone); Aron-Amy Nirvana Oprah S2F (Craig and Raewyne Passey, Palmerston North) selling for $15,000 to Robert and Anne-Marie Bruin, Otautau (Meander Holsteins); and Cresslands King Doc Lily (Stewart family, Canterbury - Canterbury Collection Sale) selling for $13,000 to K & MK Singh, Hamilton (Lawwal Holsteins).

Two of the sales were combined breeders' sales - the Taranaki HFNZ Branch Combined Breeders Sale, comprised of five Taranaki studs, and the Canterbury Collection, comprised of a few breeders throughout the South Island.

Fermoy Holsteins, Westell Properties, Fantastic Farms, Rock View, Aron-Amy, Waterside and Rivendell Holsteins all farewelled many years of breeding Holstein Friesian cattle with full dispersal sales.

Owen and Cathy Copinga of Rivendell Holsteins said goodbye to almost 40 years of breeding Holstein Friesians, having established the stud in Mangakino in the mid-1980s. Rivendell has been based in Otautau, Southland since 2002.

"In all that time we have kept learning about the Holstein cow - its production potential, type traits and endless breeding combinations," Owen says.

"Provenance is one of the marketing trends today, and the pedigree Holstein Friesian breeder is ideally placed to meet this. Every animal here has a story, and I could write pages on every animal we have for sale. The story would be about the deep cow families with all their special attributes, and the breeders we have met along the way, many ending up being life-long friends.

"We step away from breeding Holstein Friesians confident that our animals will add to the breed wherever they go."

Holstein Friesian NZ general manager Cherilyn Watson says the sales have proven that quality pedigree stock is valued by farmers across the industry.

"While it is sad to say goodbye to some long-time breeders, it is also a pleasure to welcome new breeders and the next generation to our membership," says Watson.