| 33 nzdairy “She demonstrates what we’re trying to breed for - conformation and production. She was doing 700kgsMS when we sold her. It shows we’re heading in the right direction with our studs.” DAIRY PEOPLE » Nick Gilbert Major success of Glenalla and Snowfed genetics Karen Phelps Glenalla and Snowfed Stud have enjoyed success in 2025 including at the NZ Dairy Event in January. Their cow Pukekaraka Elle Delilah was awarded Grand Champion Ayrshire and Reserve Supreme Cow of the Show. To further accentuate the accolade she was ten years old when she achieved this. “We didn’t breed her,” says one of the stud owners Nick Gilbert, “but we sold a daughter from her in March for $18,000 and obviously have her genetics coming through our stud and commercial herd.” To further demonstrate the success of the family’s genetics, one of the stud’s cows, Snowfed Chief Bonny, that was sold in March, was awarded Holstein Reserve Intermediate Champion at the same show to the delight of her new owner. “She demonstrates what we’re trying to breed for - conformation and production. She was doing 700kgsMS when we sold her. It shows we’re heading in the right direction with our studs,” says Nick. Nick, a fifth-generation dairy farmer, developed a keen interest as a child watching his father show jersey cows, along with his two brothers. His family owns the Glenalla and Snowfed Stud, which goes back to his great-grandfather’s Glenalla stud that has been carried on by the family. His brothers, Michael and Luke, are also involved in the operation, along with father, Peter, who has previously sat on the Jersey New Zealand board, and his mother Anne The family own two 180- hectare farms in Mid Canterbury - Glenalla near Rakaia and Snowfed, which is 20 minutes’ drive away at Winchmore towards Methven. Snowfed also leases a 180-hectare run off block. Nick runs Snowfed and Glenalla is managed by Michael. Both properties milk 600 cows. The herds are approximately three quarters pure Jersey and a quarter Holstein Friesian with a few Ayrshires in the mix. The family focuses on breeding for conformation and production with genetics primarily imported from the USA and had the first stud sale in March: “It was a highly successful sale. We were really ecstatic with the support we had. We average $7500 over 23 live lots so we were very happy.” Pukekaraka Elle Delilah. Photo: Di Malcolm. While showing cows is a successful hobby the real proof of the genetics is in their commercial dairy operation. In total the two farms carry 1200 cows producing around 450kgsMS per cow. Both farms have 54-bail rotary milking sheds with automatic cup removers, auto drafting and on deck teat spraying. Snowfed has cow manager tags and Glenalla Afimilk collars. There is a contract for Jersey bull calves and the family rears these and sells them at 90kgs after weaning. Farm operating costs are generally maintained at under $6.70 per kilogram milk solids produced. HORNE AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING Formally KAMAC Contracting - 11 Years Serving Mid Canterbury OUR SERVICES • Ploughing • Cultivation • Drilling • Precision Planting CONTACT US TODAY! 027 314 4891 camhorne2@hotmail.com Ph 03 308 8049 Nick Gilbert PROUD TO SUPPORT ELECTRICAL YOUR TRUSTED EXPERTS FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS AGRICULTURAL - INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL • SURRY OPERATION • MUCK SPREADING • ROUND & SQUARE BALING • RUT BUSTING • CARTING & HEAVY HAULAGE • FEED SALES & SAMPLING 027 439 3936 www.tacontracting.co.nz 186 Winslow Road, Winslow, Ashburton Proudly supporting Nick Gilbert Fodder beet is grown as a winter crop and the herd is fed grain in-shed and supplied a small amount of molasses. The run off grazes all the young stock and winters Snowfed’s cows on barley and maize grown there. Nick says their current focus for the Jerseys is improving rump angle, feet and legs and for the Holstein Friesians the goal is to breed a moderately sized cow, continuing the family tradition of producing ever better animals through the generations.
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