42 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Reshure Farms TOP programme proving a valuable tool Rosa Watson Being part of the Traits Other than Production (TOP) evaluation and breeding system has given Waikato dairy farmers Kay and Bill Aubrey valuable data to target desired traits for their herd. The couple run two dairy units – one a 96ha property with 300 dairy cows on a low-system 4, and the second a system 5 operation three kilometres away, also running around 300 dairy cows on 86ha. TOP scoring is organised by Holstein Friesian NZ and data is collated and issued through them. The Aubreys initially became involved in the TOP programme after making changes to their breeding programme and ethos,” Kay says. “We moved away from New Zealand genetics after realising they weren’t delivering the kind of cows that we needed to last in our system. “We decided that to correct some issues in our herd it would be hugely beneficial to have an unbiased yearly appraisal and breakdown by traits of the two-year-olds and from there we could specifically target the traits we needed to work on.” This has been instrumental in their bull selection criteria, she says. “We wanted to improve our herd by specifically targeting the traits that were lacking or needed improving in our herd. We can quickly see how our cows are scored, where their strengths and weaknesses are and can target those areas either specifically, individual cows, or generically across the herd.” They receive a breakdown that they can then use to select bulls that will improve the herd. This means that the cows they are breeding will have better conformation and will persist in the herd, Kay says. “Breeding cows that have good strength, capacity, udders, etc are all important traits that lead to longevity.” She says New Zealand has a tiny and relatively young genetic pool compared to overseas. “Like anything when it comes to scientific sampling, it is so important to have a large pool to select from. By selecting from significantly larger pools, in this case mostly American genetics, we have the added benefit of multi-generational information. “This means that inferior genetics have already been selected against.” She says independent evaluation of their stock is vital to developing superior conformation across the herd. TOP scoring is organised by Holstein Friesian NZ and data is collated and issued through them. “The evaluators are so full of knowledge and are happy to share their expertise.” The couple are also members of Holstein Friesian NZ that regularly organises farm visits and on-farm discussions, which provides access to local breeding consultants and like-minded farmers. Kay clearly has a passion for the breed, she says comes from her stepdad, George. George is a third-generation dairy farmer whose grandparents came out from Ireland and farmed in Taranaki. Eventually they drove the cows from Taranaki overland to Opotiki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. It was George’s parents that changed from Jersey to Friesian. Kay and Bill bought one of the family herds about 15 years ago. Friesians have a number of desirable traits, Kay says. “The calves are easy to train, the bull calves are easily sold, and we have very few bobby calves.” Incorporating since 2022 62 Firth St Matamata 3400 Phone 07 888 4405 Email office@milknwaterservices.co.nz Website www.milknwaterservices.co.nz Proudly Supporting our Community • Trenching • Bore lifting • Water Systems • Filtration • Tools • Engineering supplies • Milking machines • Trailer hire • Dairy essentials Phone 07 888 7264 or 027 240 8415 • jimmy@jimmynealelectrical.co.nz When it comes to all things electrical, we’ll see you right. • Whether it’s domestic, commercial or rural electrical • You have my commitment to consistency and continuity • Personal service and consultation Proudly Supporting Reshure Farms She said while most farmers would love to have stud bull teams, she and Bill are more focused on breeding the best cows for our farm that will persist in the herd and provide high quality milk in the vat. “We trying to tighten our herd conformation by using less bulls with greater selection criteria on the traits we need to improve on.”
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