48 | MEAT & WOOL » Raymac Holsteins Distinguished Service Award for Judith Raymac has also had success nationally in the Boehringer Ingelheim progeny team competitions. Karen Phelps Judith Ray was left speechless when she received Holstein New Zealand’s Distinguished Service Award at the organisation’s annual conference in Invercargill on 27th June. “I was gob smacked. I’d put a citation in for Katy Button for the same award and she wasn’t there so I had to read out her citation. Up I trotted to read it and got back to the table relieved that it was over then I looked up and it was my picture up on the screen. That was when they read my citation out,” says Judith. The Balclutha dairy farmer’s journey with Holstein Friesians began in childhood on her family’s farm but it was the potential for recording and improving livestock that truly captured her imagination. “I grew up on a dairy farm and the majority of the animals on the farm were Friesian but not recorded individually. So for me it was the recording and the information about each animal that really got me interested, trying for each new generation to have an edge over the last,” explains Judith. Her commitment to the breed has been steadfast for over 25 years of active committee service. Judith served as secretary/treasurer for the Otago Branch from 2000 to 2008 before taking on the chairperson role from 2012 to 2023. She was instrumental in organising the 2007 Holstein Friesian National Conference and later chaired the 2017 conference in Cromwell, where her committee’s innovative approach included visits to unexpected venues such as worm farms. The award, given for long and distinguished service to the breed, was also presented to Helen Cumming and Katy Button this year. “It’s not often something will get me quiet but getting the award did,” admits Judith with a laugh. Judith has also been deeply involved in breeding competitions serving as Semex on-farm convenor in 2013, 2015 and 2017 for the Otago/Southland ward. Raymac has had success nationally in the Boehringer Ingelheim progeny team competitions where groups of animals with the same sire are pointed for production and type. It has also been privileged to have had finalists in the Valden Cow of the year and to have secured bragging rights on three occasions. “Enter as many competitions as you can. You’re pitching yourself against some of the best breeders and it’s nice to be able to test yourself,” advises Judith. The Ray family operates Raymac Holstein Friesians on a 200-hectare Clydevale property with 190 hectares effective, running 474 cows at peak milk production. Their operation achieves runs 2.7 cows per hectare and produces 1,377 milk solids per hectare. The farm has irrigation via three centre pivots and 60 hectares of k-line systems with water sourced from the Clutha River. With 310 animals in their Raymac stud and son Richard operating his own 160-cow Array stud from the farm, breeding excellence runs in the family. “There is a lot of banter about whose got the best cows as we’re working on the farm. When your hobby is your work it makes both easier,” says Judith. All reared replacements are parent-tested and genomically tested. The family has also invested in A2/A2 breeding. “Taking this direction does not have the same hype it once did but now we’ve started we will keep Dairy Nutrition & Management Solutions Ltd OPTIMISE YOUR DAIRY FARM PERFORMANCE www.dnms.co.nz | 027 280 0435 | peter.dnms@gmail.com & howard@dnms.com Practical, Proven Advice for Grass-Based Dairy Farmers • Grass-Focused Dairy Systems with Targeted Supplement Support • Maximise Profit with Qualified Nutritional Advice • Independent Advice with Monthly Farm Visits • Detailed Animal Health & Nutrition Monitoring • Annual Financial and Profit Plans Built for Your Farm Join successful farmers already improving profits. Call today to book a FREE introductory meeting. Phone Joe 027 232 2924 JOE HERBERT CONTRACTING going this way.” All non-dairy stock is either sold at ten days old or reared until weaning. The farm has not supplied the bobby chain for a good number of years. Holstein New Zealand praised Judith’s exceptional dedication, noting that her longstanding commitment and leadership have made a meaningful impact on the Holstein Friesian community. “I feel humbled to have been picked out for this award and thank the Holstein Friesian Association for considering and approving the citation put forward.” awamangucontracting@gmail.com Your Baleage Specialist NM & TW Roy Contracting Ltd Tony: 027 441 6830 or 03 415 9291 • For all your Round Bale •requirements • Full cultivation •services now available. •For Further Enquiries Contact:
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