114 | nzdairy RURAL SERVICES » NZ Grazing Company Replacement heifer management specialists The emphasis on monitoring reflects a growing understanding of the importance of replacement heifer performance. Russell Fredric Helping dairy farmers raise the next generation of their herd is a responsibility New Zealand Grazing Company takes seriously, with animal performance, reporting and support all central to its approach. Based in New Plymouth, the company specialises in managing replacement heifers on behalf of dairy farmers, connecting them with graziers across the North Island while overseeing everything from animal performance and health treatments to transport and reporting. New Zealand Grazing Company operations manager Bridget Clark says the business is designed to remove much of the complexity involved in managing young stock away from the home farm. “We’re a one-place, one-person, complete system.” Rather than coordinating multiple graziers, transport providers and animal health requirements, dairy farmers have a single point of contact who manages the process from start to finish. Graziers receive the same support, with regular reporting and guidance to help keep animals on track. The reporting systems are a major part of the service. Dairy farmers can see exactly how their animals are performing relative to target weights, while graziers receive information showing how stock are tracking to help with what management changes may be required to improve growth rates. “Dairy farmers don’t actually need to do anything other than read their reports and pay their bills. We’ll sort everything for them.” The company has been operating since 1987 and has grown into one of New Zealand’s best-known specialist heifer grazing providers. Today it manages grazing programmes across much of the North Island, matching dairy farmers with graziers while coordinating the systems required to support animal performance. Alongside organising grazing placements, the company oversees animal health programmes, mating requirements, transport logistics and performance monitoring. This approach allows replacement stock to be managed through a single system even when animals are spread across multiple properties. The emphasis on monitoring reflects a growing understanding of the importance of replacement heifer performance. These animals represent the future genetics entering a dairy herd, making their development a key factor in long-term productivity. Achieving appropriate liveweights before first calving remains one of the most important factors in preparing young dairy heifers for a productive life. “You want a heifer to be well grown so that she lasts longer in the herd. The closer they are to mature target weight by the time they have their first calf, the better off they are for the demands of being a lactating dairy cow.” Technology is also becoming increasingly influential across the dairy sector, shaping how both dairy farmers and graziers manage their businesses. Wearable technology is becoming more common, OLIVER’S TRANSPORT PROUDLY SUPPORTS NZ GRAZING COMPANY SPECIALIZING IN: LIVESTOCK CARTAGE HAY & SILAGE Phone: 07 873 7772 240 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga
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