Thursday, 14 July 2022 12:55

Top bull joins Hall of Fame

Written by  Staff Reporters
KiwiCross artificial breeding bull, Priests Sierra, has been inducted into LIC’s Hall of Fame for his significant contribution to New Zealand’s dairy industry. KiwiCross artificial breeding bull, Priests Sierra, has been inducted into LIC’s Hall of Fame for his significant contribution to New Zealand’s dairy industry.

A 12-year-old bull with over 150,000 daughters has been inducted into an elite animal ‘Hall of Fame’ for his outstanding contribution to dairy herd improvement in New Zealand.

Well known to farmers for fathering dairy cows with high production and good fertility, Priests Sierra is the latest artificial breeding bull to enter farmer-owned co-operative LIC’s prestigious Hall of Fame, which dates back to the 1950s.

The respected accolade is reserved exclusively for bulls that have had, and will continue to have, a profound influence across the New Zealand dairy industry, and are in a class of their own.

LIC livestock selection manager Simon Worth says Sierra has had a significant impact in helping to improve the production efficiency of New Zealand’s national dairy herd.

“Breeding the best cows faster is key to helping farmers solve the challenge of being profitable and sustainable and it’s elite bulls like Sierra that are helping farmers do exactly that.”

Known for his high genetic merit (Breeding Worth), Priests Sierra was part of LIC’s Premier Sires artificial breeding bull team for eight years – a record jointly held with just one other bull.

Worth says securing a place in one of the co-op’s renowned Premier Sires bull teams is no easy feat and rightly so, as the bulls that make up these teams are responsible for siring up to 75% of New Zealand’s national dairy herd.

simon worth 2 FBTW

The Bassett’s young cows wait to be shifted onto a winter kale crop.

“There’s a lot of boxes a bull needs to tick to earn a spot in one of our teams and they can be quickly superseded by the next generation of elite young bulls from our breeding programme, so for Sierra to have a place on the team for eight years on the trot is extremely impressive.”

Worth says Priests Sierra, who was bred by Waikato farmer Rowan Priest, has been a favourite through the breeding programme, with eight of his sons also making the cut to join LIC’s Premier Sires bull team.

“The offspring Sierra generates tick many boxes for farmers including more dollars in the bank and a lower environmental footprint.

“It is fantastic to see so many of his daughters, sons and grandsons continuing his legacy and contributing to the next generation too.”

His induction into the Hall of Fame was announced to some of the country’s top bull breeders who gathered in Hamilton for LIC’s Breeders’ Day event.

Farmers from across New Zealand were invited to attend the annual event to celebrate their contribution to the dairy industry by breeding a bull worthy of joining one of LIC’s Premier Sires bull teams the year before.

More like this

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

Protecting native birds from avian influenza

With the global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) making headlines around the world, the Department of Conservation (DoC) is taking steps to secure the safety of several endangered bird species that call New Zealand home.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

National

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of…

Machinery & Products

Entries open for innovation award

Fieldays and its renowned Innovation Awards are celebrating their 57th year, marking a longstanding tradition in the agricultural calendar, with…

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter