increase font size
Maire IG Gauntlet-ET as a four-year old. Photo: LIC
Holstein Friesian New Zealand (HFNZ) believes the next big thing in the bull industry has arrived.
Maire IG Gauntlet-ET beat 17 of the country’s top registered Holstein Friesian sires to win the Mahoe Trophy at an awards evening in Cromwell this month.
Bred by Craig and Chantelle Rowe of Maire Farms Ltd, Palmerston North, and marketed by LIC, Gauntlet scored 587 points.
HFNZ says this puts Gauntlet in good company as the Mahoe Trophy winners have typically succeeded in the industry.
The Rowes have had their eyes on the Mahoe Trophy for a while. Craig says they’re proud to have won.
“We see the Mahoe Trophy as the pinnacle of bull breeding recognition and have aimed for years to breed a bull good enough to win this trophy.
“Gauntlet optimises what we are trying to breed for ourselves and the industry, and he’ll be of interest to most people, no matter what their farming system.”
The Rowes were unable to receive the award in person because “the opportunity to watch our daughter play in the Cricket World Cup in England was too good to miss,” he says.
Simon Worth, LIC livestock selection manager, says Gauntlet is one to watch.
“This guy is outstanding. Bulls such as Gauntlet do not come along often.
“He offers so much in one package – outcross, index, protein, udders and all-round dairy conformation. I have seen a number of the Gauntlet daughters and they are special. We will be talking about Gauntlet for many years.”
A sire can only win the Mahoe Trophy once. The award is calculated from a formula including breeding worth, longevity, protein, fat, overall opinion, udder overall and dairy conformation breeding values.
The Mahoe Trophy was first awarded in 1971; it was donated by the late Mrs Hilary Haylock, MBE. Eligible entrants are automatically entered.
Previous winners of the Mahoe Trophy include Fairmont Mint-Edition, Telesis Euon Firenze, Top Deck KO Pierre, SRC Hibi Secret Skelton, Valden Curious Paladium, Athol Famous Prefect, Gunn Sovereign Baron and Manuka Brabazon Royal.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
Academic and former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt has been elected as LIC director.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…
OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…
