Near Te Awamutu in Korakonui, the Stacey family faced challenges with their herd’s ability to withstand the rolling and steep terrain, the Stacey family implemented a crossbreeding strategy to add resilience and adaptability while still maintaining their production of milk solids. Riddings Farm is led by Chris and Jude Stacey, together with their children Tom and Stella, and supported by workers Bert and Charlie. They manage a 450-cow operation with 155 hectares of milking platform, and more land for young stock, beef on dairy animals, and native bush.
Facing challenges and setting goals
Running a farm with 450 cows on steep and rolling land was creating challenges for the Stacey family. They found that their heavy Friesian herd struggled to hold their condition on the steep hills of their farm. They tried crossbreeding with Jersey sires to bring the stature down, but this made the cows weaker, and they still couldn't hold their condition.
The Stacey's strive to have a herd that is medium statured, around 550 kg liveweight, produces around 500 milk solids, and gets in calf every year. Being in the rolling terrain and able to walk long distances is very important, they need minimal lameness and low somatic cell count.
Minimising how much body fat and weight the cows lose throughout the four seasons, has been both a goal and a challenge with the Jersey Friesian crosses.
Reaching goals with a third breed
To bring strength into the herd they looked into the Three-Way-Cross program from Samen NZ and using a third breed, the Norwegian Reds. They got more strength and capacity, without too much stature. Gained health traits, increased fertility, less lameness, and lower somatic cell counts all while maintaining a good production level.
The Norwegian Reds have been holding their condition very well, they calve fat and lose minimal weight. The empty rates have been low, and Chris Stacey recalls that they haven't had any empty Norwegian Red sired animals in the last two years.
While the Norwegians Reds have lived up to the expectations of the Stacey family, they have also been surprised by some factors. The cow's health traits improve with the implementation of Three-Way-Cross, the change in fertility is mind-blowing and their ability to hold their condition no matter the season is another box ticked. The Stacey’s like having friendly and cuddly cows, but the temperament of some calves wasn't as expected, they were a bit fiery, but after some time they settled down and are now like the others.
Driving profitability
The Stacey’s have found an additional form of income in using beef on dairy. They use Samen NZ beef breeds, specifically the Short Gestation Belgian Blue and Black Herefords on lower-producing cows at the tail end of their herd.
It is important for the Stacey’s to seek improvements and set goals. The whole team is on board with all the decisions that are made, and their two children get to understand where the income comes from, how you make use of the things you have, how you can create more, and be innovative.
Working with the Samen NZ breeding consultants has been a pleasure for the Stacey family, their local Samen Rep Ernst helps them improve their herd and is open to any proposals they give him. They are grateful for the help and the great communication Ernst and the whole Samen NZ team provides.
