34 | Knightlea Farm’s focus on breeding Will and Louise Bailey are continuing to push production efficiency. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Knightlea Farm At Knightlea Farm in North Canterbury, Will and Louise Bailey are continuing to push production efficiency by focusing on the fundamentals: breeding more efficient cows, feeding them well and making the most of every kilogram of supplement. Farming in equity partnership with Louise’s family, the couple manage the 225-hectare total Swannanoa property including a 185-hectare milking platform with the balance growing maize and kale for winter feed. They peak milk 640 cows and winter milk 300, all twice a day. The couple’s focus is on producing more milk solids from fewer cows by improving genetics and feed conversion efficiency. The farm’s pedigree Holstein Friesian herd has a long history tracing back more than 65 years to a herd started by Will’s grandfather. Today the Baileys are using technology and targeted breeding decisions to continue improving the herd. “We have been genomically testing all our young stock for the past four years now, which is helping us to identify our genetically superior animals - those are the ones we want to breed from,” says Will. “We use a three-tier breeding strategy across the herd. The top third of cows receive sexed semen, the middle third receive conventional dairy semen, and the bottom third are mated with beef semen. It means we can breed replacement heifer calves from our best cows rather than taking the chance of getting bull calves, which accelerates our genetic gain. Using beef semen on the lower third also means the resulting beef-cross calves can be sold at a high value.” The breeding goal is a balanced, efficient cow rather than simply chasing size. “We are looking for high-producing cows that are of a medium stature, have good conformation and are an all-rounder, well balanced,” says Louise. “The focus is on cows that can convert feed efficiently and continue producing well in our system.” The results are already showing with Knightlea Farm currently producing about 620kg of milk solids per cow. The next target is to reach 650kgMS per cow through further improvements in genetics, feed utilisation and management. “Further production gains will come down to the genetics of the cows, how they are converting feed and managing the system better, with the possibility of incorporating a mixer wagon into the system” explains Will. A major part of their increasing production is the farm’s feed pad, which has become a key tool in improving feed utilisation and cow performance. Built by Darfield contractor Rural Building Solutions, the 400-cow capacity feed pad was completed three seasons ago. Maize, grass and lucerne silage are fed on the feed pad to complement wheat and protein meal through the shed. Will says the benefits were noticeable almost immediately with production increases and cow body condition scores improving as the herd adapted to the feed pad. “Feeding out silage in the paddock was creating a lot of wastage and poor utilisation, as well as causing pugging issues,” says Will. “The feed pad has been a big game changer. Feed wastage has been reduced and production has increased, probably by around 30,000kg of milk solids a year just from the feed pad. It pays for itself fairly quickly.” SILAGE - BALING - CULTIVATION CARTAGE - EARTHWORKS - COW TRACKS CALL NATHAN: 027 357 5655 We Design & Build All Things Dairy From concept to completion • Feedpads • Effluent Systems • Silage Bunkers • Dairy Sheds Knightlea Farm Proudly supporting Nigel Hodges 0274 270 557 ruralbuilding.co.nz The Knightlea name itself reflects the family’s farming heritage, combining Will’s grandparents’ farm, Karalea, with Louise’s family farm, Knighton. Now, with their young children Stella and Blake growing up on the property, the next generation is already becoming part of the farm’s story.
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