Genetics focus improves dairy herd for Fernside farmer

A strong focus on genetics and DNA has paid dividends for Fernside dairy farmer Julie Bradshaw, with four of her cows selected for Livestock Improvement Corporation's (LIC's) breeding programme.

Bradshaw is participating in a project which examines how the next generation of farmers use innovative approaches to improve their farming practices.

Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI's Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

The four cows were selected for the breeding profile based on their DNA profiles.

In the next mating season, these cows will be mated to bulls specifically selected by LIC for genetic traits which will complement the cows' traits.

The aim was to improve the overall genetic profile of the herd, Bradshaw said.

"LIC has looked at their mothers and analysed their production during the selection process."

If a cow had a bull calf, it would be genetically tested to determine if it met the criteria for LIC's breeding programme, she said.

A passion for genetics has paid off for Fernside farmer Julie Bradshaw after four of her cows were selected for Livestock Improvement Corporation's (LIC's) breeding programme. Photo / Supplied

"DNA testing the calves shows which genes it has inherited from its parents and then they can analyse how well it will perform in the future."

Bradshaw first became interested in genetics 20 years ago.

She said technology had become far more precise than when she did the first DNA tests on her herd and this provided economic benefits to her farming operation.

"The rate of change with science and technology is amazing. DNA testing is a vital part of our farming operation now and I am glad we started when we did because it has enabled us to have the best herd we can which is based on science and facts."

It was important to be as accurate as possible, especially with potential reductions in animal numbers in the future, Bradshaw said.

"If you are relying on your own calving records, they are generally only about 65 to 70 per cent accurate compared to DNA testing."

Calving data was "never perfect" because farmers were under a lot of stress at this time, she said.

"If you use your own records, you are keeping animals that you think are going to be great, when you haven't got the animal you think you have in terms of its value to the herd.

"DNA testing sorts out your mistakes and you avoid spending time and money on a calf that is not going to produce anything once it joins the milking herd."

Bradshaw's Production Worth (PW) and Breeding Worth (BW) herd sit in the top five per cent of Canterbury herds and just under the top five per cent of all herds nationally.

She said this proved her investment in genetics enabled her to refine her herd to ensure she had the best cows.

Working with LIC over the last 20 years has really paid off, Bradshaw said.

"We have all our DNA data for the herd, and it really is the best it has ever been. You know that you are on the right track, and we are passionate about the future of genetics for farming in New Zealand."