The busy calving period is well and truly wrapped up for most dairy farms, but for the country's largest supplier of dairy genetics, the annual influx has just begun with the industry's most promising young talent arriving at LIC's farm in Hamilton.
More than 200 bulls have arrived at LIC to join the farmer-owned co-operative's Sire Proving Scheme. Most are the result of a contract mating between a top cow and one of LIC's top bulls and all passed inspection by LIC's specialised breeding team.
Simon Worth, livestock selection manager, said the bull calves are chosen based on their potential to produce high performing, efficient dairy cows that New Zealand farmers want to milk.
The bull calf's parentage, DNA profile and physical traits are all taken into account.
"We personally eyeball each and every calf to make sure their physical condition is up to scratch. These bull calves could go on to sire hundreds of thousands of daughters for the national herd, so we need to be stringent," he says.