32 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Maple Fern Jerseys Maple Fern cows enjoying the good life Tracey Edwardes They share-milked Rodney’s herd, Ashvale Jerseys, before purchasing them in 2023, and combining Glenbrae Jerseys from Taranaki to create their own base. Cows enjoying the good life is crucial to Mark and Ashleigh Dobson at Maple Fern Jerseys in Southland. The Gropers Bush farm is owned by Mark’s family, originally from Waikato. Mark contract milked for parents Rodney and Jocelyn, then met Ashleigh a Veterinarian from Canada. She was here for a working holiday, until falling for the third-generation farmer. They share-milked Rodney’s herd, Ashvale Jerseys, before purchasing them in 2023, and combining Greenbrae Jerseys from Taranaki to create their own base - with a Kiwi/Canadian name. All 41 bulls sold at their second annual stud sale, averaging $2448.00, compared to $2320.00 last year. Rodney still breeds and sells a few within the herd. In their late 40s, the couple have daughter Carmen,10, and 12-year-old Troy helps out on farm. Ashleigh is a rural mixed-practise vet working three days a week plus on-call, after a break working for MPI and Dairy NZ. “As a vet, I contribute to the theory of farm life, often different to the practical side,” says Ashleigh. They calved 530 this season, and the 60-bail rotary shed milking 530 Jerseys is on 150ha, with two 50ha runoffs. “Jerseys are smaller, their higher milk-solid percentages are economically and sustainably more efficient, with more production per kilo live weight. Smaller cows mean less damage to damp paddocks. However, rearing little calves with less body fat requires more care. If unwell and dehydrated, you need to catch it extremely quickly. “Our stud provides opportunity to rear more calves. Farms keep around 25% for future replacement heifers. We kept 430 calves this year, feeding them until at least weaning. It’s a huge amount of work, but we have a market for calves, and we send minimal bobbies away. Most heifer and bulls are sold at weaning, the most elite later at the bull sale, or surplus as in-calf heifers. “The best heifers and bulls born are kept for breeding. It’s a different model, with more investment costs, compared to leaving as bobbies. But then they have more value. “We are paying down debt to own our herd outright, while breeding the best possible cows. The oldest is 2011 born. Ideally, well-bred cows with good confirmation should survive and thrive for many years in the herd. Aside from more milk, it’s healthy animals living their longest productive life. We continue accelerating genetic gain, using AI mating. “I look after cow’s health, feeding strategies and record keeping with MINDA and SenseHub collars, and talk with Rodney on genetics and breeding decisions. Mark is exceptional at managing high-quality grass growth. Ensuring cows eat the correct amount for high production and genetic potential, he analyses every paddock. We have two staff for calf rearing and three full-timers. She says excellent udders mean high fat and protein production while having longevity in the herd. Poor udders, or teats too far apart or close Sustainably sourcing the world’s finest stock feeds to deliver innovative solutions for your farm Call us on 0800 123 753 to discuss your feed requirements or visit www.admnewzealand.co.nz for more information 60 Proud to support Maple Fern Jerseys Contact the team at Rogers 84 Leet street, Invercargill 032189584 www.rogersyamaha.co.nz The name people in Southland have trusted for more than 60+ years no bull, real world pricing. the smart farm choi ce. together cause problems in the shed and the cows don’t last as long. “We don’t use high-breeding worth bulls with poor udder values. If udder and ligament structures break down, they can’t be milked. Our contact takes cows in calf with poor udders for nursing, and putting beef cows on them. “Fonterra exports most of our higher-fat, often higher protein solid milk. Average per-cow milk solids was over 500kgs, our highest producers are 650-700kg. We sell low producers for a high producing herd, without compromising wellbeing. “Mark and I are guardians for animal welfare and the dairy sector. ‘The cow’s come first’ was the biggest thing his Dad drilled into us.”
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