Calves from the Bay of Plenty will be involved in a ground-breaking research programme aimed at lifting fertility rates in the dairy industry.
The logistical exercise had involved collecting hundreds of calves from all over the North Island, including heifer calves from 619 farms across the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, so they could be reared and milked together as one herd.
The "Animal Model" research herd would comprise equal numbers of Holstein Friesian calves with very high and very low fertility genetics, carefully selected from contract matings in spring last year and purchased from farmers by DairyNZ.
The calves were being reared at a property in Te Awamutu to around 13 weeks of age before being moved to a large grazing property further north. The aim was to have at least 200 high-fertility and 220 low-fertility heifers calving in 2017.
Each animal would be monitored and tests performed throughout growth, puberty, and first and second lactation as researchers look to understand more clearly what drives fertility.