20 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Gayley Wood Farms Commercial performance and a stud focus Russell Fredric Strong cow families and structural integrity sit at the heart of Gayley Wood Farms’ breeding philosophy, where sound type and longevity take precedence in breeding decisions. Located at Ngatea in the Thames district, Gayley Wood Farms milks 330 cows through a 30 aside herringbone shed. The herd is a Friesian, Jersey and Ayrshire mix, with Jerseys making up the majority of the cow numbers. The family business comprises James and Ruby Wallace, along with James’ parents Graham and Marian Wallace who sharemilk on a 120 hectare platform. The operation combines commercial performance with a stud focus, with breeding decisions shaped by type, durability and long-term cow family development. “We’re breeding for sound, quality cows with good udders and big, open frame cows,” James says. “One area we have concentrated on is rump structure, selecting wide pins and sloped to level rumps. We’re not chasing high BW as a criteria, although we do use it at times. “We’ve got some high BW cows, and have had a number on contracts, but we don’t base our breeding decisions around that. We’re conscious of building a whole animal rather than just looking at one trait.” That emphasis on phenotype has shaped the herd into durable, functional cows capable of lasting the distance. Udder quality, frame and structural soundness are seen as practical foundations for cows that can keep milking well through multiple lactations rather than flash briefly and fall away. The breeding programme varies between breeds. Artificial insemination is used, with Holstein Friesian and Ayrshire genetics sourced from North America, while Jersey matings draw from a wider range of bloodlines according to what best suits each cow. This selective approach reflects a focus on matching strengths and weaknesses within the herd rather than following one rigid formula, aiming to keep strengthening cow families and producing females with the type and constitution to perform in a grass-based system. The farm’s feeding policy supports that philosophy. The system is built around pasture, with chicory used to maintain feed quality and maize silage grown to help underpin production. DDG and palm kernel extract are used strategically when needed, but grass remains the backbone. Technology also plays a supporting role, with Afimilk collars now being used to monitor heat detection, rumination, eating and activity. The added information is helping tighten mating decisions and improve timing during artificial insemination. “It’s picking up cows we wouldn’t necessarily have put up for mating and also giving us a better window for when we can best artificially inseminate them.” Gayley Wood’s reputation as a stud, and the quality of its genetics based on both recent bloodlines and historic family lines, is gaining increasing momentum. A milestone came with Gayley Wood Brave Gatsby becoming the stud’s first bull to have semen offered to other breeders through Samen. “That was a big moment for us. It shows the type of cow families we’re building are strong enough to stand up outside the farm gate.” That progress is also being reflected in competition success. In the 2024 Semex Jersey On Farm Challenge, Proud to be the chosen Electrician for Gayley Wood Farm 07 867 7049 www.laserelectrical.co.nz 29 Orchard West Rd, Ngatea ngatea@laserelectrical.co.nz Grahmar Carrick Gala ET won the Conformation 3.5 Year Old category after also being a national winner as a 2.5 year-old. On April 7, 30 Gayley Wood Jersey heifers will be offered through Carrfields on BIDR. “We’re not trying to breed something flashy for one season. We want cows that still look right and milk right five or six lactations down the track. If you get the structure and the udder right, everything else falls into place.” Grahmar Carrick Gala. MAX KELLY CONTRACTING LTD Proudly Supporting Gayley Wood Farm Silage Grass Cropping Digger Excavation Get In Touch 027 483 6579 mkcontracting@gmail.com
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