Waikato sharemilker launches ‘Tinder for cows’ using AI and breeding data
Waikato sharemilker Matthew Zonderop had no inkling that one day he would become a matchmaker for cows.
The company says they are little-known in New Zealand for genetics, but notable in world Holstein breeding.
The Fullertons have farming roots in the area that date back to the turn of last century. Pip’s family has since 1903 worked the land on which the couple farm, and David’s farming roots began down the road in Ohaupo, in 1930.
Today the Fullerton’s 220ha block named Waipiri is home to 500 milking cows. They have farmed it together since 1990 when it was converted from drystock. Over the last 10 years, Waipiri has boasted the highest-yielding herd in NZ four times, and remains consistently at the top.
Waipiri’s highest-producing season was 300,000kgMS, dropping to 260,000 during the past two years as a result of drought.
Fullerton’s passion for genetics began at age 13, and he has strived for perfection and betterment ever since. He has travelled the world in search of the best-quality cattle.
He sees genomics and production going hand-in-hand, with dedication and hard work paying dividends both ways. “They’re inclusive. It’s in your best interests to have your cows doing well, as the international market works on high yields.”
Rearing 400 calves throughout the year, including 180 replacement heifers, Fullerton has specific goals and systems for each. All export bulls and embryos are also sourced from their own herd.
“We’re always looking for new genetic families to bring into the herd and make a difference. Most of our herd is full international pedigree. We breed cattle for milk and protein and international genetics, so we need to grow out the best animals possible. That means you’ve got to have targets in mind.
“Most of our heifers are in excess of 600kg at first calving – that’s our goal. But that means you have to push from day one in the shed, through transition, right the way through summer, autumn, and the following winter.
“It’s all crucial – you can’t afford to have too many bad days. And it all stems back to good farming practices, there are no secrets.”
For Waipiri’s Holsteins, many of which have origins in North America, protein is the key to development.
“Holstein cattle thrive on protein. If you want to grow them out to 600kg, they need plenty of fibre and protein. Our animals are reared on Fiber Fresh, which is lucerne based and extremely high in digestible protein. We’ve used it for a number of years and it’s been a good partner feed for our calves…. It’s quantifiable and easy to manage.
“The best stock I’ve ever seen – and I’ve travelled all over the world – have been reared on high protein diets.”
Fullerton also feeds his export yearling bulls Fiber Fresh while they’re in transit, the company reports.
He advocates coaching calves to eat as much as possible for future benefits, and not holding feed back if animals need more.
“You get them to eat more by feeding them more. From transition onwards… coaching them to eat large amounts will see them develop out to their full potential. If you do a good job of that, the heifers do a good job of calving.”
