The once-popular Jersey cow is making a comeback.
One of the foundation breeds of the New Zealand dairy industry, Jerseys accounted for 70 per cent of the national herd until the late 1960s. Numbers diminished in the following years as farmers favoured larger-framed Friesians and now the Jersey has been reduced to only 12.1 per cent of the national herd.
Jersey cows are known for their high fat production and efficiency, so their genetic inclusion as a purebred or contributor to the popular Kiwicross breed is vital to allow this breed to continue.
The problem facing the industry is the Jersey gene pool is getting lower each season and there is a need to build up an elite and diverse genetic pool for farmers to choose from.
Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) is aiming to increase Jersey numbers in the national herd to 25 per cent by 2025.