26 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Josh and Kareena Sneddon 179 Tahau Blondie OG Polled Cow. Karen Phelps Tokoroa dairy farmers and breeders Josh and Kareena Sneddon are creating more opportunities for their Tahau Jersey and Dairy Shorthorn studs after relocating their herd to a larger platform that allows them to retain more homegrown genetics. The Sneddons recently moved their operation onto a 197ha dairy farm, increasing their land base from 94ha and bringing their heifers and young stock back onto the property. The opportunity came after the owners of the neighbouring farm purchased Josh’s previous property, opening the door to a larger operation just 9km up the same road. The move was a straightforward one, with the couple walking their cows up the road to their new home. The herd completed the journey in just 55 minutes and settled quickly into their new surroundings. The unusual sight also attracted attention online after a former staff member discovered a Malaysian social media influencer had filmed the cows making their way along the road. “They were stopped in their car in the middle of our cows, talking about seeing cows on the road. My worker tagged me in it and I shared it, and it was doing really well. It had only been up a short time and already had 6500 views.” The larger property has created efficiencies across the operation, allowing Josh to keep more replacement heifers on farm rather than sending them elsewhere for grazing. “We were only keeping about 60 heifers before, but now we can keep 100. It means we can keep our own genetics and not have to buy in extra numbers.” The farm’s flat to rolling dairy country, with similar soils to Josh’s previous property, and improved infrastructure have provided more flexibility. The 28 aside herringbone cowshed is smaller than the previous setup, but the additional land allows different classes of stock to be managed more effectively. “The heifers and calves can go onto the steeper parts, and we can keep the flatter land for the cows. It gives us a lot more scope.” The family has also enjoyed the lifestyle benefits of the move, including a larger home and the Relocated their herd to a larger platform Tahau Jerseys and Shorthorns Josh Sneddon 027 251 8440 jksneddon11@gmail.com 1411 old taupo road Putaruru Semen available from Polled Shorthorn sires and Jersey bulls. Offering ● Quality in-calf Jersey & Shorthorn heifers ● Strong Spring-born calves ● Proven Jersey & Shorthorn genetics for production and type Highlights ● Fertility and strength for seasonal herds ● Consistent production performance ● Well-grown replacements ready to enter the herd 027 277 7993 www.sansonagriculture.co.nz For all your Agricultural Contracting needs PROUD TO SUPPORT JOSH & KAREENA support of a proactive farm owner. “He is happy to do anything we need, and that is so important. We have already upgraded fencing and if something needs fixing, it gets fixed.” The Tahau herd includes more than 300 Jerseys from a total of 400 cows, alongside a growing Dairy Shorthorn stud that Josh has developed alongside his established Jersey breeding programme. Josh now has 80 Shorthorns in the herd after purchasing additional animals, including 75 Jerseys and 25 Shorthorns as part of the expansion. “I’m really happy with the way they work together, and we have had some really nice crossbreeds come out. They are Jersey sized, quite red in colour with pink noses, and some have even come out with tiger stripes.” A key focus of the breeding programme is moving towards a fully polled herd, with more than 80% of this season’s calves expected to be polled. “It’s getting a lot easier to find polled genetics. There is so much more available now, and the major breeding companies are starting to offer more options.” Josh says polled genetics are becoming increasingly important from an animal welfare perspective. “When Fonterra asks what you are doing for animal wellbeing, having polled cows is one of the boxes you can tick.” Josh’s first homebred polled cows are now progressing through the herd, with their first herd test expected in September, providing the next step in proving the genetics behind the Tahau breeding programme.
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