50 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Jason and Ayesha McCall: Moocall Farming Introducing outcross focus for breeders Richard Loader Transitioning from contract milkers to 50/50 sharemilkers in 2021 has enabled Western Bay of Plenty farmers Jason and Ayesha McCall to establish their own Holstein Friesian stud – Moocall Holsteins. The couple farm on Ayesha’s parents’ property in Pongakawa, 15 minutes from Te Puke. Commencing as contract milkers on the farm in 2014, they invested in the unregistered herd in 2021, and promptly set about classifying the heifers. “We registered the cows in 2022,” says Jason. “This year we have commenced DNA profiling the herd. Breeding Holstein Friesians has driven my passion for farming ever since Ayesha and I bought the herd. We’re currently milking 560 cows with a split calving regime of a third over autumn and two thirds over spring.” About seventy per cent of the herd are registered Holstein Friesians, with the balance predominantly Marlo, 4, Hugo, 5, and Thea, 7, helping out in the cowshed. Friesian with some Friesian cross. Jason says frame, capacity and temperament are the three things that he primarily looks for in a cow. “The Friesian breed offer the widest selection of bulls to choose from. They’re bred all over the world and bred slightly differently all over the world, so you have a massive range to trial and breed from to try and get exactly what you want.” Since buying the herd, a big focus has been introducing outcross or different ancestry into the genetics. “We’ve also been trying to improve the udders, which Friesians are renowned for overseas. We also look for width / capacity of the cows. Capacity is about the frame of the cow as an indicator of how much they can eat, and therefore how they can produce. “ Around the world Holstein Frisians have a proven reputation for producing large volumes of milk and they had a history of producing higher levels of protein, which used to drive more value. We also try to have an easy calving animal.” While the dairy unit is 180 hectares, the total landholding is 380 hectares and also includes 90 hectares of forestry, 20 hectares of avocados with the balance used for drystock. “With trees throughout the farm on the steeper country you are amongst nature, and it is quite a tranquil property. While the forestry is primarily pine, there is a range of other species including gum and lusitanica. The farm is a mixed rolling contour, and about 80 – 120 metres above sea level.” As well as passionate about breeding and genetics, Jason says he gets a lot of reward from utilising the region’s long hot summers and milder winters to maximise growth to drive the cows’ production. “We grow 22 hectares of maize and 20 hectares of chicory over the summer, to make the most of the high temperatures and long sunshine hours. We also grow about five hectares of lucerne. Ayesha and I are on a family farm and we are quite content to be running that and focusing on breeding good cows, utilising everything the farm has here to the best and running everything efficiently. We also want to create a positive workplace where people have the chance to learn and enjoy their work. Currently we employ a 2IC and two backpackers in dairy assistant roles.” “The Friesian breed offer the widest selection of bulls to choose from. They’re bred all over the world and bred slightly differently all over the world, so you have a massive range to trial and breed from to try and get exactly what you want.” • Truck and trailer bulk units • Transporter hire • Aggregates • Race Pumice • Fertiliser • Stock Foods • Reject Kiwifruit For professional and reliable service call the team at Addline Transport Ltd. PROUDLY SERVICING MOOCALL FARMING LTD’S TRANSPORT NEEDS P: 07 542 4693 | E: o ce@addlinetransport.co.nz
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