NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

86 | nz dairy T he history of Tony and Maureen Luckin’s pedigree Jersey herd actually stems back generations to when Tony’s father, Ray, bought six Jersey heifers. “They were small, little scruffy pedigree heifers and my dad was quite proud of his own heifers but when he herd tested he was amazed to see how these little pedigree jersey’s out-did his well grown heifers so thought perhaps he should look at purchasing more as the years went on and that was the start of Leithlea Jersey Stud,” says Tony. Their Okato farm in coastal Taranaki has an effective platform of 80 hectares and a mix of quite flat and deep gully terrain, a couple of hills and is home to a Maori Pa site. This season Tony and Maureen, along with their son Jay and wife Kelly run a herd of 230 Jersey cows. Kelly takes on responsiblity for rearing the calves. Back in the mid 1940’s the property was split into three rehab farms as were many in the Taranaki/ Whanganui districts. Leithlea Farms is now back to the 1940’s farm after purchasing the two neigh- bouring farms. Tony says his approach to calving is not to put too much emphasis on ensuring a fast calving process. “This years calving will begin late June and go through to the start of October. I don’t mind how long it takes and they calve well and we have feed in front.” Driving the genetics used has been the goal to breed a large capacious cow, who ‘just milks really well’, according to Tony. “We’ve gone for using a lot of overseas genetics quite deliberately. I think they have better milking genes and we’re hoping the cows will average 5000 litres this season. We want cows that can milk all the way through the season.” There is always room for improvement through breeding, Tony says. “If you think you’ve got there, then you probably haven’t and its probably best you get out of the industry.” It’s planned to take milking through to the May 10 this year. The herd has been part of a nation-wide Semex on-farm competition and Tony says, results returned in February reflected again the highest quality. DAIRY PEOPLE » Tony & Maureen Luckin Jersey breeder with results on the board Sue Russell “Over the years we have had the top pointed cow in the competition in New Zealand on several occasions. There’s always a challenge to breed a cow which is the complete package; looks the part and can produce.” Tony has used a lot of bulls over the years with Highland Magic Duncan blood and considers him in a class of his own. “He is a world-renowned bull and we’re find- ing now a lot of our cows have a lot of strains of Duncan in them. In our cows it is intensifying all the time.” A lot of the cows in our Semex team had quite a few strains of Magic Duncan and a sample of the cows are Leithlea Valentino Esme Ex9.9, winner of the four and five-year-old class and second-placed Leithlea Charlie Fava Ex. In an outstanding class of 93 entries Valentino Esme was overall highest pointed cow 2019 in Semex comp. Leithlea Tequila Sheba Ex9.9 was another cow who was Champion cow North Taranaki Club Show 2021. Tony has been a judge at shows throughout New Zealand for many years along with an on-farm com- petition in Australia he’s also been a TOP inspector, he enjoys seeing other farmers’ cows and under- stands that in the breeding game it is important to keep an open mind. “So you can change direction if you think that’s the best thing to do.” Tony has chosen to use overseas genetics. “To breed the type of cow that has size and a will to milk and we think with the present situation with a swing to higher fat pay out and carbon foot print, hopefully there should be a nice swing back to Jersey’s. The farm is maintained to a very high standard, something Tony puts down to his son Jay and wife Kelly who are very particular when it comes to its appearance. A decade ago, farmers from overseas, attending the World Jersey Conference here, visited the farm and Tony recalls the stunned looks on some faces when they viewed the beautiful property, which sports views of the Tasman Sea in one direction and Mt Taranaki in the other. “It’s in situations like this that you realise just how very lucky we are to farm in this beautiful country, and I make a point of acknowledging and valuing this every day.” Leithlea Jersey Stud’s star performers, Valentino Esme (top), Charlie Fava and Tequila Sheba. S A G Contracting Ltd Earthworks, Drainage and Metal Supplies. Proud to support Tony, Maureen, Jay & Kelly Luckin Phone Steve 027 475 2006 Design, Installation & Servicing of • Water P umps • Milking M achines • Water Treatments • Irrigation Syst ems • Solar Pumping Syst ems • FarmWater Design PROUDLY SUPPORTING TONY LUCKIN Call 06 757 5064 taranaki@thinkwater.co.nz • www.thinkwater.co.nz/taranaki Maize and Grass Silage | Hay and Haylage Bulk Cartage and Quarry Metal Groundwork and Cropping | On Farm Jobs 3 ton and 16 ton Diggers Proud to be supporting Tony & Maureen Luckin YOUR ELECTRICAL AND REFRIGERATION SPECIALISTS ALL WIRING FOR COWSHEDS AND HOUSES NEW AND RENOVATION WORK REFRIGERATION FOR MILK VATS AIRCON AND HEAT PUMPS Okato 06 752 4084 Stratford 06 765 4499 Hawera 06 274 8084 Electrical & Refrigeration Ltd Opunake 761 8084 Sinclair Pleased to be working together with Tony Luckin