100 | nzdairy Set to propel their Jersey stud breeding Jason’s grandfather originally established the property in 1959, milking around 90 pure-bred Jersey cows. Karen Phelps With a recent land purchase Kaylene and Jason Bennett are set to propel their Jersey stud breeding programme and dairy farm to new heights. They have just acquired an additional 60 hectares, complete with a 17- hectare lease block, which will allow them to eventually offer 100 plus bulls for sale and increase dairy cow numbers to 490. The annual bull sale, held the first Thursday of October and now in its third year, is a particular passion for Jason. “I always wanted to have a bull sale,” he says. “I get quite excited and I don’t sleep the week leading up to it. The kids and Kaylene will come home from somewhere and ask where I am and I’m always down in the bull paddock making sure they’re okay.” He says more people are seeking J16 Jersey bulls. “Sometimes other breeds can throw back to the Friesian and give a big Friesian calf resulting in calving difficulty. Our bulls result in no calving issues, which makes the calving period much less stressful for our clients.” The family’s Jersey connection runs deep. Jason’s grandfather originally established the property in 1959, milking around 90 pure-bred Jersey cows in what was then considered a large herd. Today it spans 190 hectares, with the Bennetts milking between 430-450 cows. The smaller Jersey breed, with its efficiency and adaptability, perfectly suits their farming environment, says Jason. The demand for their bulls has been extraordinary, with bulls travelling as far as Culverden and interest spreading across New Zealand. This year they will put up 35 bulls with another 35 in the paddock. “While we’re aiming to sell about 100 plus bulls each year eventually it could be more,” says Jason. “I’d certainly like to do more and even sell some in calf heifers in years to come. But one step at a time. The demand is very strong in Southland though PEDIGREE HOLSTEINS » Jason and Kaylene Bennett and with this year being our third annual sale it just seems to be getting better and bigger every year for us. A high majority of people who bought in the first sale came to the second sale last year. There’s demand far and wide; one person at Westport was even keen, so it’s word of mouth and is quite exciting.” As a qualified TOP inspector employed by Jersey NZ, Jason brings professional expertise to the breeding programme. “Jason always comes home with different thoughts,” says Kaylene with a laugh. “It great to meet up with people who have the same interest and bouncing ideas off each other,” agrees Jason. Breeding metrics underscore the farm’s success. This season saw a 9.5% empty rate, with 85% of cows in-calf within six weeks of mating. Complete Silage, Baling, Cultivation, Effluent, Spraying & Excavator Contracting Service Phone: 03 225 8488 Rabco Ag Ltd E-mail: admin@rabco.nz Web: www.rabbitt.co.nz PHILLIPS CONTRACTING PH COLIN - 027 434 5128 TUATAPERE PROUD TO SUPPORT JASON AND KAYLENE BENNETT FARM DRAINAGE • D6 DOZER • TRUCKS LANE CARE 20 TONNE DIGGERS • GRADER TRACTOR AND SCOOP • LASER LEVEL 77 CLYDE STREET, INVERCARGILL, PH (03) 214 4254 www.southlandhonda.co.nz SOUTHLAND HONDA For the best Parts, Sales & Service in the south The focus on once-a-day milking has refined their breeding strategy, prioritising strong animals with large-capacity udders. The Bennetts view the recent expansion of their business as part of their broader succession planning. With five children ranging from 9 to 19 years old, two are already showing keen interest in farming. At the recent Southland A & P Show the children had success in the show ring and the family entered some in-milk cows for on-farm judging that won a number in accolades.
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