2024/25 Dairy Statistics: NZ dairy farmers boost production with fewer cows
According to the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2024/25 report, New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows.
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.
