Monday, 30 June 2014 09:14

LIC best sires named

Written by Pamela Tipa

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

TWO OF LIC bulls have taken out this year's sire of the season awards from Jersey and Holstein-Friesian breed societies.

William SIA Duetto was named Jersey New Zealand's JT Thwaites Sire of the Season and Hazael Dauntless Freedom was awarded Holstein-Friesian New Zealand's Mahoe Trophy at the respective annual conferences put on by the societies this month, attended by LIC bull acquisition managers.

LIC's general manager of biological systems, Geoff Corbett, says it is an honour to see the sires recognised in this way, and for the breeders too.

"These are prestigious awards that many breeders strive for and it's fantastic that two of our top sires have been recognised as the best in their breeds.

"Congratulations to the Flemings (Otorohanga) and the Schoutens (Invercargill), for breeding these elite bulls and having your expertise in this field recognised too," Corbett says.

Corbett says Duetto and Freedom were popular with farmers this season, both sitting high on the Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list for their breeds and known for producing high quality daughters.

"Duetto is currently third on the Jersey RAS list, with BW of 249, known for daughters that exhibit outstanding production traits with good capacity.

"Freedom was sired by the famous MacFarlanes Dauntless, and is currently eighth on the Holstein-Friesian RAS list with BW of 272.

"He's a fully registered Holstein-Friesian, and is well known for producing daughters that are very well-liked by farmers for strong udders, good capacity and phenomenal milking performance."

The Mahoe Trophy is awarded to the NZ bred bull whose proof has earned the most points for traits, daughter production, conformation and management. The JT Thwaites Sire of the Season award is given to the bull that meets criteria in production and traits other than production, and has the highest BW after the May Animal Evaluation run.

310034 Willand SIA Duetto
• BW: $249
• Sire: Shalendy Ideal Ascent S3J
• Breeders: Gavin and Rosemary Fleming from Otorohanga.

109230 Hazael Dauntless Freedom
• BW $272
• Sire: MacFarlanes Dauntless
• Breeders: Hans and Margaret Schouten (Hazael Farms) from Invercargill.

Featured

People-first philosophy pays off

The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

Editorial: Rural sector deserves better

OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.

From Nelson to Dairy Research: Amy Toughey’s Journey

Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.

Fish & Game NZ appoints joint CEO to guide reforms

The New Zealand Fish & Game Council has announced a leadership change in an effort to provide strategic direction for the sector and support the implementation of proposed legislative changes.

AgFirst marks 30 years of agribusiness advice

AgFirst, New Zealand's largest independent agribusiness consultancy, is turning 30 - celebrating three decades of "trusted advice, practical solutions, and innovative thinking".