22 | Right royal celebration, 75 years in the making Josh, Warren and Corey Ferguson at NZDE. Corey is on the halter of Ferdon BStone Rose who has also been Supreme Champion Cow at NZDE. Inset: Champion cow Viyella in retirement. Anne Boswell One of the country’s most distinguished dairy herds is gearing up for a milestone only a select few get the opportunity to experience. Ferdon Genetics, owned by Warren and Michelle Ferguson of Otorohanga, will celebrate their family cattle stud’s 75th anniversary in 2024, holding a once-in-a-lifetime sale and open day to mark the occasion. Ferdon Geneticsis still going strong 75 years after Warren’s father Don established the stud in 1949. Don famously shared ownership of Jersey cows with the late Queen Elizabeth II and exhibited cattle at the Waikato Show for seven decades, with huge success. Today, Warren and Michelle milk 220 cows on 90ha; the herd, which produces 92,000kgMS, is a mixture of predominantly Jersey cattle, with some Holstein Friesians and Ayrshires. Warren and Michelle’s three sons – Corey, Josh and Ashley – all work off farm, but it is still “very much a family operation” – on the farm and in the show ring. Warren says they are looking to include 75 lots in the 75th anniversary sale, which will be held on farm on April 22, 2024. “It will be more than just a sale – we will be having an open day, with the herd on display,” he says.“Many of the original cow families are still in the herd, and they will be represented in the sale.” One of those families is the Viyella family, originating back to well-known Jersey Island cow Lady Viola, who was exported to the US in 1905. RURAL PEOPLE » Ferdon Genetics The ‘Matriarch of Ferdon’, NZDairy Event Champion Ferdon Follys Viyella, has left 11 EX daughters at Ferdon, with outstanding show successes by her daughters and granddaughters. Viyella’s daughter, Ferdon Comerica Viyella, was Grand Champion Jersey at NZDE for five successive years, winning Supreme in 2012, 2015 and 2016. Another daughter, Ferdon BS Vienna ET, was also Supreme Champion Jersey at the 2022 NZDE. Other cow families that will be represented at the sale include the ‘L’ family and the Flower family, originating with Glenmore Silver Spray and positioned in Lot 1 of the sale. Warren says although Ferdon Genetics’ breeding practices have changed over the 75 years – from line breeding in Don’s day to the inclusion of North American genetics more recently – breeding excellent cow families remains at the forefront of the stud’s philosophy. A strong interest in showing cattle also continues, with Warren’s three sons and seven grandchildren a strong part of the national show circuit today, and in the future. Warren is also still involved in cattle judging, a role that has taken him all over the world. He has judged at International Dairy Week (IDW) several times: the National Jersey Show in 2012, the National Ayrshire Show in 2017, and theNational Holstein Friesian Show in 2023. And in September 2023, Warren has been invited to judge the All UK Calf Show, the Jersey UK National Show, and the Jersey Island Autumn Show. “To judge the Jersey Island Autumn Show is an honour in itself,” he says. “It’s a great opportunity.” · SILAGE · HAY · DIGGER · TRACKS · RACE ROCK · GENERAL CARTAGE · CROPPING · UNDERSOWING DISHER / WALTERS Agricultural Contractors i l l m. 027 483 9052 RD2, Otorohanga Neville Disher
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=