20/04/2009, "prepared to see farmers through tough times..."
Samen NZ ... "prepared to see farmers through tough times ahead without compromising genetic gain."
2009 will be a challenging year for most NZ dairy farmers. It will also be the year in which New Zealand farmers will realise that New Zealand is still the best country in the world to be a dairy farmer. Dairy payout may be down on last year’s but is not as bad as some other dairying countries are experiencing. “I advise people to be persistent and not to cut corners, says Cees van Baar, Managing Director of Samen NZ. “Breeding good cows is a long term process and remains an important tool to secure future returns”.
Samen NZ has over the past 12 years established itself to become a serious partner in helping New Zealand farmers to achieve their breeding goals. With new premises, a local bull breeding program, overseas alliances and continuous investment in technology and qualified staff they are able to deliver the complete package.
The 2009 catalogue comprises of about 175 bulls from various breeds and origin.
Their local breeding program is proving to be very successful with 60% of the graduates returning to active service. These New Zealand bulls in combination with those of the world largest international breeding programs, offer the widest range of outcross bloodlines available in New Zealand today.
In our selection process, we have focussed on production but also genetics which will improve daughter fertility and lower somatic cell counts. At the same time we look for improvement in size and particularly body capacity and rump width. It is fair to say we now have overseas genetics which are as good as or better than pure New Zealand genetics for daughter fertility.
Selection for somatic cells is becoming more and more important. It’s a trait with a very high level of genetic inheritability and getting it wrong will have an immediate effect, even on cell scores and mastitis in heifers.
On the current RAS list, more than half the bulls will actually increase Somatic Cells. “That’s what I call very poor performance from our index focussed competitors. It’s calculating yourself rich with hot air and not focussing enough on things that really matter, we all know what happened to index makers in the financial sector” says van Baar.
“The days of the BW index and the ‘One shoe fit’s all’ mentality are numbered. Especially farmers using higher levels of feed input need a more custom designed program to get the best returns from their investment.”
Over the years Samen NZ has developed some very practical ways of using a selective nominated service for large herd programs, based on “BREED THE NEED” in an easy to use Colour Code Mating Program. It has proven very popular with farmers and technicians.
“We are practical guys, just like most farmers. Samen NZ is privately owned and operated, allowing us to be very flexible in our approach and pricing - we mean business”, says van Baar. “Talk to us and let us help you develop a program to suit your budget”.
