| 53 nzdairy Waipapa 401 6654 Kawakawa 404 0842 Kerikeri 407 7354 Kaikohe 401 1536 Proudly supporting Longhill Farms DAIRY PEOPLE » John and Jill Bluett / Longhill Farms Crucial data refined Exciting new chapter Russell Fredric Richard Loader Standards New Zealand has completed a review and update to the Dairy Herd Testing Standard. The change mostly impacts herd testing providers and was implemented from 16 June 2025, with further changes over the three-year transition period, ending September 2027. The updated standard increases the requirement for recording calving data from 75%, and mandates certified herd testers must ensure at least 85% of cows currently lactating and expected to supply a milk sample have their latest calving data recorded at the herd test, before the herd test data can be released. The standard, which is Government-mandated by legislation and administered by Standards New Zealand, specifies procedures for certified herd testers and farmers, including animal identification, data recording, and sample handling. Waikato dairy farmer and Matriarch Genetics committee member John Bluett says the data from the herd testing is vital to the long-term well-being, reputation and performance of the New Zealand dairy industry. The standard ensures the quality of data, is important for accurate animal evaluation and to identify elite animals to select the best sires in New Zealand which benefits the dairy industry and New Zealand’s economy. It is aligned with other measures in the dairy sector to harness faster genetic gain, unlock increased profitability and improve environmental outcomes. John was part of a committee involved in the comprehensive review, with a broad collaboration of 21 member organisations selected by the New Zealand Standards board from a variety of sectors of the dairy industry. “It was about the whole process and then how the data gets transferred to NZAEL (New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited) to be used. The first iteration [of the review] went to public consultation and we took feedback from the public.” Modernised to align with current farming practices, the updated standard incorporates a broader range of management groups which have differing preferential treatment of animals and variable milking regimes and in shed milk metering, also taking into account the higher level of technology in many farm systems. Alongside the dairy herd testing standards update, the Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD) which which holds pedigree and performance information for every recorded dairy cow in New Zealand has been pending review and is developing a set of standards to incorporate those not currently included, such as body condition score, liveweight and TOP (traits other than production), John says. “[DIGAD] were waiting on the herd test standard to get through because a lot of it interlocks the same. It’s not just the herd test data; it’s all the data that goes NZAEL (into New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited).” John and his wife Jill’s herd is a prime example of what can be achieved through good data and genetic gains to improve the efficiency and profitability of a farm. They milk 800 cows comprising two herds on 270 hectares at Te Pahu, southwest of Hamilton. For many farmers, genetic gain and breeding and is their life’s work, John says. “For us, we’ve built up a herd over 46 years that’s probably now in the top 2% of PW (production worth) in New Zealand and each year we sell 10% of surplus cows. Last year we got good mating results and we sit around the 5% empty rate. “Also the six week in-calf rate was 82% this year out of 800 cows so that allowed us to sell a whole lot of surplus cows. We’ve already sold 90 cows for 1st of June next year that are going down to the South Island.” John estimates the revenue they get from stock sales is probably more than double of what “the average dairy farmers earn.” “The genetics we’ve got now is probably the most profitable part of our business.” After 25 years of dairy farming, Bevan and Johanna Taylor are embarking on an exciting new chapter, transitioning their 170-hectare Northland farm from dairy to focus entirely on their passion for Charolais stud breeding. “We’ve been dairy farming for a long time, and with the compliance changes in the region, it seemed a good time to exit the industry to get more of a work-life balance,” explains Bevan. The couple’s journey into Charolais breeding began in 2021 when they registered their stud Longhill Farms Charolais after purchasing seven purebred, registered Charolais cows from Craig and Greta Harman at Whananaki Coastal Charolais. With the purchase of the last two lines of Harmans top heifers, Bevan and Johanna’s herd now include over 50 pedigree, registered females and the numbers are growing each year. The Whananaki herd is one of the oldest herds in NZ and has some of the very best females you would come across. “We are fortunate to start our Charolais breeding journey with such high-quality cows and are very grateful for Craig and Greta’s continuous advice and help along the way. Bevan and Johanna had been artificially inseminating their 190 Kiwicross dairy cows with Charolais semen after trialling various beef breeds over the years. “The dairy side of things is what got us excited about Charolais: the even colours, growth and calving ease from the bulls we’ve selected. We don’t have any issues in that regard and get such a nice, even line of beef offspring from them.” In the past, they sold a small number of Charolais yearling and R2’s bulls suitable for the beef and dairy industry by private treaty, having mainly bred them for their own use and just selling surplus ones. The idea of breeding their own service bulls and operating a closed breeding system has always been the goal of the farming couple. Besides, more and more people kept asking if they have Charolais bulls for sale. “Our main breeding objective is to breed easy-calving bulls with a short gestation while not compromising the ability to finish well. Additionally, to us, a quiet and responsive temperament is a non-negotiable in all our cows and breeding bulls. Life is too short to deal with feisty animals, and we know first-hand how important this trait is.” Their current operation includes a 20-aside herringbone shed with an in-shed feeding system built in 2014 plus an additional 33-hectare block where weaned beef calves are kept until sold at 15 months old. They mate from the top 30% of the herd for replacements and the rest go to Charolais. The couple plans to complete their exit from dairying within the next year or two, marking the end of one era and the promising beginning of another. Bevan also praised the great support from other breeders and members of the Charolais Breeders NZ Association. “Everyone is so welcoming and is happy to answer any questions that come up, it’s a fantastic community. • BALING / WRAPPING • GROUNDWORK / FULL CULTIVATION • DRILLING • CARTAGE • CHOPPING • CROP SPRAYING • LIQUID FERTILISER SPRAYING • LOADER WAGON • MAIZE PLANTING / STRIP TILLAGE Mike: 021 942 120 • Chris: 021 942 121 • Phone Office: 07 871 9565 e: agreymer@gmail.com • www.reymerag.co.nz • 768 Pirongia Rd, RD6, Te Awamutu REYMER AG
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