Jersey New Zealand says its innovative breeding concept is increasing the rate of genetic gain in the national dairy herd's jersey population for the benefit of farming in New Zealand.
The organisation's genetic policy group chairman, Ron Monk, said the scheme, launched in 1999, was bringing together each year 40 or
50 of the top 2-year-old heifers.
These formed an elite nucleus or central herd and were used to multiply their genes into their own herds and herds of other breeders who might want to buy embryos.
The technology used was "multiple ovulation and embryo transfer," where cattle were stimulated to produce many eggs.
These were then fertilised by artificial insemination, and the embryos removed and put into donor cows.
The couple managing the elite herd of heifers on their Oaonui property are top Taranaki farmers Barbara and Louis Kuriger.
"I'm always looking for a challenge and I've always been really interested in genetics," said Mrs Kuriger. "It's like having our own research station here. And I'm a jersey cow fanatic."
The biggest worry, said Mr Kuriger, was having the responsibility of other people's valuable animals.
For Mrs Kuriger, "the hard part will be sending some of the good ones home at the end of the season."
The 40 heifers arrived on the farm, from as far afield as Kaitaia, Invercargill and Hokitika, in late May and early June.
Each month the animals are herd-tested, weighed, condition-scored and any health problem logged.
Mr Monk said the $1000 entry fee charged to breeders who had a heifer selected for the scheme had made some farmers reluctant to take part.
"But the whole intention was for farmers to make money out of the scheme. Like any programme, some will, some won't and for others there'll be a cost," he told a large crowd who attended a field day to inspect the elite heifers last week.
- NZPA
