Herd about the 110% milk solids/liveweight goal?
Methven farmers Earl and Melissa McSweeney are breeders of one of LIC’s best KiwiCross sires, 523092 Plateau Dembe, son of popular 21-code bull Baldricks Spectacular.
They milk 780 cows and have always used LIC products; they have been part of LIC’s sire proving scheme for 10 years.
Steven Dennis says the award is a result of a team effort of their farm staff, led by manager Barry Andrew. He thanked LIC farm solutions manager Meagan Colling for nominating them and LIC staff for their passion.
“We were blown away by the enthusiasm of LIC staff; everyone is passionate about their division,” he told Dairy News. “It’s nice to see people so motivated.”
LIC bull acquisition manager (Jersey and short gestation) Malcolm Ellis says the Dennis’s are successful, driven, passionate and have a real interest in herd improvement and recording.
“They have outstanding record keeping and attention to detail. With six weeks HF over the cows and KX over the yearlings, they regularly rear 25% replacements and select down to milk in the order of 22%.”
Ellis says the 50 year old sire proving scheme is the real gold. “Outstanding in its design, the scheme is also outstanding in its participation,” says Ellis.
Last year LIC sire proved 220 bulls in 273 herds; this year that number of herds will go over 300 to prove 250 bulls.
