40 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Raetea Holsteins A family effort for Raetea Holsteins Richard Loader Since NZ Dairy last spoke with Pat Schnuriger, who along with wife Shelley owns and operates Raetea Holsteins on a 72 ha plot of land in the Waikite Valley, 30 minutes south of Rotorua, life on the farm has ticked on as usual, with the exception of one change. “Our daughter Gabriella left school at the end of last year and is now doing a lot of the milkings, taking a load off me,” says Pat. Calving got underway in the last week of June. “We have some very nice looking calves this season which has been good to see.” Holstein genetics are imported from the USA and Canada. Pat says as a result he’s got some very well constituted cows, larger in size than local genetics would provide. “Because we’re very keen on showing our cows, we were after a sizeable animal. Something that’s going to really present well and that’s why we’ve always favoured the overseas genetics.” Automatic drafting was being introduced on to the farm along with the latest generation in Halter collars, though Pat says the herd has had collars for 12 years now. “The new collars are all here now but first we’ve got to instal the satellite towers, then it will all be up and running. Not having to get out of the paddock to bring them to the milking shed is one clear benefit that comes with this technology.” The herd numbers just over 100, including a couple of milking shorthorns and four ayrshires. It was Shelley who brought a passion for showing cattle into life on the farm and each year, come show time, calves and cows are presented at several shows. “We really enjoy seeing how our animals perform against others. You can’t be sure what the judges at any given event will be focussing on, but we always have a sense of which animals to present for showing some time before the events roll around.” Selection of calves for showing happens as early as 2 or 3 weeks of age. By presenting calves, if they continue to grow into cows with the right traits for showing, they have already experienced show conditions. Each year, Shelley selects which animals will be presented at a variety of shows, commencing with the Waikato A & P show at the end of October. From then, its a busy schedule of events including the Waihi A & P, Rotorua, then the biggest event in Feilding at the end of January. The season ends with Morrinsville early March. Pat Schnuriger with wife Shelley. Pat says the number one trait they look for is production. “If she doesn’t make the show ring then she needs to pay the bills.” Other traits include capacity, udder composition and good feat and legs. Health traits, mainly fertility, are also considered. “The biggest noticeable change in the herd over the past decade is per cow production now exceeding 650MS along with the overall dairy conformation.” Prior to attending an event, the stock selected are given a special diet delivered via containers, so that when they’re travelling and at each show site, they’re used to eating this and drinking this way. “We take them off grass and on to meal with hay and silage. They adapt very well to the change.” Judges consider the overall look, proportions and condition of the cow as well as how it moves, the shape of their legs, udder capacity and conformation. • Drainage • Earthworks • Septic Tanks • Race work • • Stone Traps • Storage Bunkers • Under Passes • Roading • Driveways • Tree Removal • Environmental Works • Erosion Control • Landscaping • Rock Supply CENTRAL DRAINAGE & EARTHWORKS “That’s the thing about shows. You never know how they’re going to be seen by the judges, even though you’ve selected them for all the reasons that are important to you. It doesn’t necessarily mean the judges will see the animal in the same light.” Pat says looking back over their journey with the holstein breed, he’s pleased with their herd. “We have many strong holstein families, going back several generations and its always great when the next calving season comes round just to see what has been produced and where the gains have occurred.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=