| 59 nzdairy More land for Tony and Lesley Landers Sue Russell Cow 98, dam of Jersey future bull - Glenui Te Anau Latrel. DAIRY PEOPLE » Tony and Lesley Landers Two seasons have progressed since NZ Dairy last spoke with Taranaki dairy farmers Tony and Lesley Landers and Tony says they have used that time to further reduce debt, on the one hand, and invest in expanding the business’s footprint, on the other. “We were leasing land from my parents estate, but have now purchased it, which for us, in another step toward full farm ownership,” says Tony. Their farming business ‘Glenui Jersey Stud’ has evolved a top reputation among breeders throughout the country and the attention of breeding organisations, such as Jersey Genome and Jersey Future. When we spoke with Tony he said the milking herd of 265 pedigree jersey’s is the smallest number he has ever had in early Feb. “We got rid of all the culls and any surplus cows and empties.” The pressing dry conditions are also something Tony has uppermost in his mind as he weighs up decisions regarding stock numbers, how much supplementary feed there is and how long they can afford to feed out. “We’re still milking twice a day but with reduced numbers. We have finshed feeding and put zinc in the feed to combat facial eczema. I’m pleased to see that at this stage the herd isn’t loosing condition,” said Tony in February. Helping on the farm through calving was an agricultural student from Ireland, part of a group from Cork University that visits New Zealand regularly, to get hands on farming experience. They employ a fulltime farm assistant as well. Tony says the herd continue to shine in terms of BW and PW, ranking in the top five herds in the country. “Because we’ve culled very stringently year on year we’ve got rid of the bottom group. That policy has certainly produced results for us.” Asked why Jersey, Tony says he’s always held an affinity to their traits. He’s farmed them all his working life and though having milked other breeds, he says, nothing compares to the Jersey. “They are easy to manage and extremely efficient cows. Even in a year like we’re experiencing now we’re still getting top milk production of upward of 700kgMS from a cow weighing 400-420kg, that’s pretty exceptional in my book. We’re averaging 450kgMS across the herd.” Tony has always enjoyed the breeding side to farming, saying his herd are very fertile, no-fuss cows who are very easy to manage. Last calving the herd produced 14 sets of twins, of which 4 sets of heifer twins were born. “Considering these are trying conditions, that’s a wonderful result.” Tony remains involved on the Board of Jersey NZ, an organisation he enjoys contributing to at a governance level. “When we meet we go through our breeding programmes, along with a number of other items. We have a couple of partnerships with LIC Jersey Future, and Jersey Advantage and Jersey Genome is a joint-venture with CRV who are able to access the top registered animals born last year.” Breeders are asked if they have any Jersey calves they want to stand up for the Jersey Genome programme. They have to be J16, full pedigree and fully registered. These animals are DNA tested www.taranaki-vets.co.nz Clinics - Stratford · · Manaia Hawera Patea · · Waverley Proudly supporting Tony & Lesley Landers genomically. Each year about 100 heifers get contract mating with resulting bulls offered to CRV. From the 10 Jersey bulls selected for the Jersey Future team, Tony says he was fortunate to have two selected this season. When NZ Dairy spoke with Tony he was about to have some of his herd assessed by a judge in an on-farm competition. “The competition goes from farm to farm and we have about a dozen farmers participating which is a great number. We also have another day in Spring to look at the daughters of the bulls to see how they first come through at milking.” Cow 260 Glenui Hoss Laureen BW 542 PW 940 won the Industry cow section (BW + PW + Type), as well was named Champion cow which is judged solely on type. She is sired by a bull Tony and Lesley bred Glenui Degree Hoss ET. Opportunities like this serve to feed Tony’s interest in breeding. “It’s when I see real results from my herd’s progeny proven in a commercial situation that I get the greatest satisfaction.”
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