Hey Ronny

65284 · #1 03/01/10, 07:34 PM

or anyone else who can answer. Looking at my latest Stockman Grassfarmer magazine and I noticed an ad for New Zealand Grassland Genetics CRV Ambreed. The 1/3 page ad had a picture of some of the prettiest Jersey cows I've ever seen.

Question #1. Are you familar with this company, anything you can tell em about it?

#2. Have the New Zealand Jerseys gotten as gigantic as the American type?

If this is a good outfit and the NZ Jerseys are smaller, more like Jerseys were when I was a youngster, I will buy some semen to try on my cows.

Ronney · #2 03/02/10, 03:48 AM

Hi there,
Ambreed has been around since 1969 and is a well respected name in this country. In 2003 (I think) CRV either bought into them or bought them out but they continue to be a major player in genetic breeding.

In the main, no, we never got to breeding up gigantic Jerseys which isn't to say that they aren't around because they are but most herds that I personally know of have the typically small Jersey. I have 3 Jerseys in my herd, one is larger but nowhere near the size of a Friesian, the other two are little things of the type you will be thinking of. All are good producers with the smallest giving the most - she was a bought in cow from a dairy farm using Ambreed

Do your bull research well and I think using NZ genetics you will be able to breed back to the type of cow your wanting. And remember if you can to let me know what you do and how it all pans out.

Cheers,
Ronnie

65284 · #3 03/02/10, 01:39 PM

Ronney, are there any particular sires or sire lines you are familiar with that you would reccommend?

Thanks

Ronney · #4 03/04/10, 04:45 AM

Sorry, I can't help you with that one. My little herd grew, by accident

, from one housecow to 10 cows that I now milk by machine. Apart from the 3 straight Jerseys everything else are cross-breds and I keep an Angus bull as a terminal sire.

Leave it with me and I will ask around but in the meantime, if getting them in calf soon is a must, I think by doing your homework on the available sires, you should come up with what your wanting.

Cheers,
Ronnie