Friday, 16 March 2012 14:28

Indentifying the top Holstein Friesian

Written by 

On a farm just out of Te Awamutu, there is an immense rivalry going on. The purpose of the rivalry is to be identified as the best Holstein Friesian 2-year-old in a group of heifers that have been genomically identified as genetically superior.

A team of 34 in-milk two-year-old Holstein Friesian heifers, from around New Zealand, were identified last year as having very good or very interesting genetics to join the 2011-12 Discovery Project, a Holstein Friesian New Zealand initiative and sponsored by LIC. The heifers were genomically screened by LIC as yearlings and genomic breeding values were added to their information as part of the selection process.

Wendy Harker, chairperson of Discovery Project, says this was the first time females were genomically screened outside of normal information gathering for breeding companies.

"It was a great opportunity to have the heifers screened," she said, "Genomics made it easier to identify the top genetics in the group of animals on offer."

The heifers are being milked on the farm of Robin & Pixie Moss, managed by Douwe & Yvette Ykema, in a herd of 600 cows. They were brought onto the property in June and, since calving, have been regularly tested for weight and condition score, herd tested as well as inspected for type and conformation.

"This is a great opportunity for breeders to compare their heifers against the best," Harker says. With one of her own heifers in the Discovery Project team, Harker appreciates the profile that has been raised for her Te Awamutu dairying operation through the programme. Her heifer, Westell Lebon Gypsy GP84, is having a good season and it looks like she will be near the top of the group.

Other top heifers include Barlee Decee Paul-ET S3F GP84, bred by Brian Hughes of Hawera, Taranaki; Estee Rene Flute-OC S2F GP81, bred by Tony & Sarah Brock of Kaitangata, Southland; and Broomfield F Rose-ET S1F GP83, bred by the Aitken Family of Outram, Otago.

Now dairy farmers and all interested parties are invited to see the heifers and hear how they have proceeded through the season on Wednesday, March 21 on the farm. At the Discovery Project Open Day there will be a range of speakers as well as the opportunity to view the heifers.

The Open Day, Wednesday, March 21 , starts at 10am at 1265 Arapuni Rd. Lunch is provided.

About Discovery Project

Discovery Project measures heifers entering their first lactation based on their milk production, through eight herd tests, being regularly weighed and condition scored throughout the season and assessed on type and conformation.

The heifers are run in a herd and at no time are they given any preferential treatment to the other cows in the herd. During the year, some heifers (identified as a bull dam by LIC or an owner taking advantage of the service) are flushed to produce embryos to produce bulls or to breed the cow family further. Animal Breeding Services (ABS) of Rukuhia provides the service.

More like this

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Featured

IFSO urges flood-affected residents to document damage for insurance

Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.

Farmstrong marks 10 years of rural support

Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Don't hold back!

OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter