INTERNATIONAL
Farming large numbers of pedigree cows presents challenges wherever you are in the world, as USA-based Jordan Siemers and New Zealand producer Bryan Beeston told Katie Davidson
Q: What are your current cow numbers? JS: We’re currently milking 2724 cows in the Siemers herd. BB: We have 2650 pedigree cows in three herds, Triann, Blumoon and Berran as well as 4400 cows on other farms in various share farming arrangements.
Q: What is the herd average yield? JS: Average yield is 35,400lbs (16,090kg) at 3.92bf and 3.05p. BB: We tend to measure production on a farm basis rather than a cow basis, with the Triann herd producing about 755,000kg of milk solids in the 2013-14 season. This equates to a liquid yield of just over 8300kg a head.
Q: What age do you calve heifers at? JS: We calve heifers at 22-25 months old depending on growth and service timing. BB: Heifers calve in to the herd at a target weight of 560kg, with service starting at 350kg.
Q: How are cows managed
and do you have many management groups? JS: Cows are managed in 10 groups, with cows housed on deep
bedded recycled sand. We also have an elite group of 20 milkers and a dozen dry cows housed separately on another unit. BB: Cows on all farms are outside all year round, with the Blumoon herd on a robotic milking system, the largest robotic grazing set up in the world.
Q: What sort of ration are the cows on? JS: Cows are fed a mix of maize silage, haylage, high moisture maize and whole cotton seed with minerals and bypass fat added too. BB: All cows graze every day, with top up feed given on feed pads with a ration of maize silage, wheat, rapemeal, fodder beet, palm kernel and straw.
TOP New Zealand producer Bryan Beeston.
ABOVE & BELOW An overview of the Beeston farm in New Zealand where 1200 Holsteins are milked.
Q: How does being pedigree fit with managing a large herd? JS: We’ve always run pedigree cows and want our children to have the same experiences of showing and youth dairy activities that we did. As a result we’ve stuck with pedigree despite significantly expanding numbers. We also enjoy the challenge of breeding and developing elite cattle. This gives us the passion to drive the business forward. BB: For us being pedigree is secondary to being good milk producers, but it allows us to concentrate our breeding efforts and focus on breeding cows which suit our business. That means cows with good udders, protein and type. Being pedigree keeps our focus on elite breeding and improving our herds over time.
Q: What are your breeding
44 THE JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2015
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