Monday, 21 August 2017 13:15

Record strike of bulls

Written by 
Latest addition – Rivendell GForce Axel. Latest addition – Rivendell GForce Axel.

Holstein Friesian New Zealand (HFNZ) says its joint sire proving programme with CRV Ambreed is breaking records.

The Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders has reached an unprecedented strike rate of bulls graduating to market with the latest addition to the CRV catalogue, Rivendell GForce Axel.

With six bulls in the team annually, and at least one bull on average per team graduating to be marketed by CRV, Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders is the most successful sire proving programme in the bull industry to date, HFNZ says.

The Holstein F programme has been running for 22 years, with the aim of ensuring the best genetics within NZ’s own pedigree Holstein Friesian population are sourced and made available to the dairy industry.

Over 18 HFNZ-member-owned pedigree bulls have reached market via CRV since 1995 (at least one per year for the last 11 years), realising many and varying benefits to HFNZ, its members and the wider dairy industry.

“We’ve been enjoying success with the Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders programme for 22 years, and the ongoing, long-term nature of it has seen excellent genetics from HFNZ members’ pedigree herds enter the market,” says Doug Courtman, HFNZ sire proving committee chair.

Danie Swart, CRV sire analyst, says that since the massive influence of Top Deck KO Pierre ten years ago the strike rate has been consistently good with bulls like Lornlace VHA Dumpling S3F, Maire Oman Franklin, Middlevale Mint Brave, Maire Mint Richie, and Rivendell Gforce Axel more recently.

“Over the last year we’ve received positive feedback (type and production) from farmers milking Richie, Brave, and Franklin daughters.”

Another benefit of the Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders programme is breeder members’ pedigrees holding pedigree status in the commercial world, increasing their relevance.

“Whereas commercial bulls that have been supplementary registered have heavily dominated the market, pedigree bulls are becoming more common, which is great for a pedigree association and its members,” says Courtman.

Swart says full pedigree status is important in the marketplace.

“Full pedigree cows are becoming harder to find and the Holstein Friesian Genetic Leaders programme can be valuable to breed top sires out of full pedigree cows,” says Swart.

“Internationally, the opportunities are growing as the benefits of using Holstein Friesians in developing pastoral dairy markets are becoming more widely recognised.

“The partnership with HFNZ has proved valuable in helping to open markets such as Ireland and South Africa to the NZ Holstein Friesian product, and continuing the expansion of our international markets is a key priority for CRV.”

More like this

Climate-friendly cows closer

Dairy farmers are one step closer to breeding cow with lower methane emissions, offering an innovative way to reduce the nation's agricultural carbon footprint without compromising farm productivity.

First polled bull to make prestigious ranking list

CRV has produced the first homozygous polled bull to make New Zealand’s prestigious Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list, demonstrating the strides the company is making in breeding top-quality polled bulls.

Teen shines at youth camp

Riley Taylor's leadership skills and ability to surmount challenges has seen him presented with the top award at the 2024 World Wide Sires national all dairy breeds youth camp.

HFNZ appoints new patron

Otago dairy farmer and breeding stalwart Denis Aitken has been appointed Holstein Friesian New Zealand's new patron.

More testing as M. bovis resurfaces

As Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) resurfaces in Canterbury, CRV is reassuring dairy farmers it has rigorous production processes and health testing programmes in place within its supply chain.

Featured

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

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.

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.

National

Machinery & Products

JDLink Boost for NZ farms

Connectivity is widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, but it is now being overcome through the…

New generation Defender HD11

The all-new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 looks likely to raise the bar in the highly competitive side-by-side category.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Buttery prize

OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…

Gene Bill rumours

OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter