Extra milk production is expected to generate more than $11 million for farmers this spring as short gestation, dairy genetics gathers momentum, breeders say.
LIC's shorter gestation length breeding programme manager Malcolm Ellis said an estimated 148,613 calves were due to be born an average 7.5 days earlier this spring and those animals would have a big impact on a farm's bottom line.
"Seven or eight days are pretty significant for a farm's calving pattern and production, especially in these times of lower payout - because the sooner the cow calves, the sooner she'll be back in the shed making milk.
"Cows that calve early can provide a range of benefits to the farm but ultimately it means more money for the farmer and let's be honest, I'm sure they could all do with a bit more of that at the moment."
The company had experienced unprecedented demand for its extended range of short gestation genetics last mating season (September to December 2014), for its ability to naturally deliver offspring up to 10 days early, bringing late calving cows forward and increasing days in milk.
The cows would also start cycling earlier and get back in-calf quicker, Mr Ellis said, providing flow-on benefits beyond the current calving period.
He calculated the extra days in milk to be worth up to $11.2 million in milk production this spring, or $75.60 per cow based on the opening forecast milk price of $5.25 per kg/MS (milk solids) and the average daily production of a cow at this time of year at 1.92kg/MS per day.
"Multiply that across 100 cows, and that's an extra $7500 for the farmer. In total, short gestation genetics will generate up to $11.2 million this spring and after 15 years of research I am absolutely rapt to see it delivering for our farmers - now and for seasons to come."
In line with the extra days in milk, farmers would also need to be mindful of the impact on feed in spring, Mr Ellis said, but most would have planned for that.
Short gestation genetics options from LIC for the 2015 mating season were expected to include options for Hereford, Angus, Friesian, Jersey, and KiwiCross. On-farm results would range between five and 10 days.
Tauranga Vets veterinarian Phil Rennie said short gestation was a benefit for most farmers.
"It allows cattle to re-breed at a more optimal manner. It's basically a benefit which enables cattle to calve again at the same time next year and gives them time to recover from the previous calving."
Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty Dairy chairperson Steve Bailey said it was good news for the industry.
More days in milk worth $11 million
148,613 cows with offspring due to be born, based on inseminations last mating
x 7.5 extra days on average in milk from early calving
x 1.9 kg/MS per cow production, per day through peak, August to November
x $5.25 current opening forecast Fonterra payout
= Total of $11,235,142.80