44 | Youth a big focus for Holstein Friesian NZ Rachel Alexander is a director of Holstein Friesian NZ. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Rachel and Greig Alexander Rachel & Greig Alexander run a dairy farm on 135 effective hectare milking platform in the Mangakahia Valley, about 50 km north-west of Whangarei. The land is quite steep to rolling in nature and is surrounded by predominantly beef operations. Given this, it comes with its fair share of challenges. “We have huge challenges because of the contour and subsequently our stocking rate is much less than you would find in dairying areas such as the Waikato,” says Rachel. Today, the Friesian herd numbers 340 and of that, about 100 are registered purebred. “We only started to register our cattle five years ago and it takes some generations for the genetics to play through. Once stock becomes pedigree you have to AI them to a registered pedigree sire to keep the bloodlines correct.” Rachel has always taken an interest in genetics and in the Holstein Friesian breed in particular. “I just love the black and whites and as I’ve got more involved in the association and had the opportunity to meet breeders its really spurred an interest in me on the genetic gain aspects of farming.” Rachel is an elected Director of Holstein Friesian NZ and is involved in the organisations governance as a board director and representative for Wards 1, 2 and 3. Given the constraints of the farm’s land contour the couple have stayed away from chasing the really large framed Friesian. “Our ideal cow is still around 500-550 kg and we are breeding a more commercial Friesian. One of our sons, Sean is also interested in genetics and has bred some extreme cows,” Rachel explains. While Sean is in his final year completing his Ag commerce degree at Lincoln, the couple’s other son Josh is excelling as a diesel mechanic. He was awarded North Island John Deere Technician of the Year in 2022. “He will be fully qualified soon and we’re very proud of the achievements of both our boys.” At times the farm can get very wet, especially as this year has proven. Milk is produced through a 34 aside herringbone with few frills. Spring calving takes nine weeks to complete and got underway on 18 July. Drying off takes place in three waves with the late calvers milking through to the middle of June. “We work to a 50 day dry-off depending on their expected calving date and the system works very well for us.” Helping on the farm are two staff with both working many years for the Alexanders. A separate beef property is located five km from the dairy farm and is operated as a separate unit. All young stock are run on the home farm. The Board meets on-line to discuss issues of common interest to their mission to promote and support the breed and meet face to face in December at the Association’s base in Hamilton. Celebrating everything ‘black and white’ is high on the agenda, particularly focussing on Black & White Youth which Rachel says is a really big focus for the association. A team, representing New Zealand is heading to Belgium in September to be part of the 2023 European Breeders School (EYBS). EYBS is the international reference point for training and show preparation, with almost 200 competitors from around the world expected to take part. The event includes workshops, skills demonstrations, talks and showmanship training. Other activities within the association include the Discovery Project, where registered breeders can select a heifer calf to go forward into a genetic programme managed by LIC. “It’s all about our endeavour to breed the perfect animal. As breeders we know that it is achieved in incremental steps of genetic gain and that the perfect animal doesn’t really exist, but it keeps us motivated to try.” 3 Springs Flat Rd, Kamo PH 435 1924 www.kamovets.co.nz Congratulations to Rachel and Greig Alexander from the team at Kamo Vets, Whangarei. A great dairy farming team! ALEXANDER AG LTD Specialists in: • Silage • Cultivation • Maize Silage • Under Sowing • Large Square Baling 160 Te Ahu Ahu Road, R.D. 2, Kaikohe. Ross: 021 844 298
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