Breeding Series 2023: ‘There’S No Square On The Milk Cheque For Ebi’

In 1978, my parents purchased this farm in Emily Country Prairie. They moved here in 1979 and began their journey as second-generation farmers. Originally, we focused on raising cows, eventually reaching a peak of 100 cows by the time quarters were introduced in 1983. This restriction forced us to reduce our cow numbers to around 67-70. However, we continued to buy land and diversified our operations by raising beef calves, which allowed us to maintain a herd of approximately 130 cows per year.

During the mid-2000s, we entered into a partnership with another farming family, giving us access to a quarter. This partnership allowed us to expand our herd to about 140 cows. In 2007, I got married and my wife joined the partnership. Finally, in 2015, when the quarters were phased out, I bought land and my parents transferred the rest of the farm to me.

Throughout the years, we have made significant changes to our farming practices. Our herd has grown from around 170 cows to approximately 250 cows. With the elimination of quarters, we converted the additional accommodation space to accommodate more cows. As part of our grass-based system, we aim to maximize the use of natural resources. Last year, we fed 770 kilos of meal, primarily due to insufficient grass growth in the autumn. This highlighted the limitations of our system and the need for constant improvement.

Maximizing Efficiency and Sustainability in our Grass-Based System

The key to our success lies in the efficiency and sustainability of our grass-based system. Our herd, which currently boasts an impressive 364-day calving interval and a 93% six-week calving rate, consistently maintains an empty rate of under 10%. Furthermore, our cows produce over 500 kilos of mixed salads, with 503 kilos of milk solids and 495 grams of protein. These figures have steadily improved over the years, and we continue to strive for even better results.

Our system is not only labor-efficient and land-efficient but also adapted to the unique characteristics of our land. We embrace on-off grazing and take advantage of the spring grazing season. Although this grazing style can be challenging for cows, our Jersey cows have proven that they can handle it with ease. We made the decision to transition from Friesian cows to Jerseys because it became evident that Jerseys were better suited to our system. They thrived and were more compatible with our goals.

Strategic Bull Selection and Partnership with LIC

One of the critical factors contributing to our success is our strategic bull selection process and our partnership with LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation). I rely heavily on LIC advisors, such as David, who offers invaluable guidance in choosing the right bulls for our herd. This year, the BW team put together by David has recommended bulls with an impressive genetic profile, boasting 0.56 for fat and 4.3 for protein.

David's expert insights and access to the latest information on each bull ensures that we make informed decisions. We have complete trust in his recommendations, and without exception, the bulls he has advised us to use have exceeded our expectations in terms of performance. While some farmers prioritize high ABI (Australian Breeding Index) calves, we focus on high EBI (Economic Breeding Index) to ensure our cows possess the traits necessary for longevity and sustainability.

The Window of Opportunity: Bull Criteria and Maintaining the Right Balance

When it comes to choosing bulls, I have a few criteria in mind. Firstly, I prefer bulls that lean slightly towards Friesian genetics rather than pure Jerseys, as this helps maintain the size of our cows. However, we are open to using slightly more Jersey genetics if the bull is exceptional. It's a delicate balancing act to preserve the right balance of genetics that suits our goals.

In addition to size, I emphasize the importance of capacity, strong teeth, and overall presentation. Pure Jerseys tend to be weaker in certain areas, so I place extra emphasis on those traits. Fertility is another key consideration, and I rely on the fertility index from New Zealand to ensure we choose bulls with positive fertility traits.

While I occasionally suggest a specific bull that catches my interest, I ultimately trust David's expertise in making the final decision. He possesses a wealth of background knowledge that goes beyond what is printed in the catalog. With David, I know I am in capable hands, and he consistently guides me in the right direction, understanding my unique objectives.

Maximizing Performance: Challenges and Triumphs

When it comes to our performance as a farm, we boast five stars for fat, protein, milk price, six-week submission rates, and EBI. However, there is one area where we fall short. Sire selection is the only component where we are rated as one star or even less. Some might find this surprising, but it doesn't concern me because I prioritize overall farm performance.

Our exceptional results speak for themselves. We are in the top one percent in terms of milk price in our co-op and consistently achieve high scores in other key performance indicators. While sire selection may not be our strongest area, the performance of our cows, with their high EBI, more than compensates for any perceived shortcomings.

Small Cows, Big Results: Embracing Efficiency in Emily Country Prairie

One observation that some people may have when they visit our farm is the small size of our cows. Indeed, our maintenance figure is 30, and our mature cows average around 490 kilos, with heifers weighing in at around 400 kilos. However, their size does not limit their efficiency or productivity.

With an impressive yield of 503 kilos of milk solids from our herd of around 250 cows, these ladies prove that size is not everything. This efficiency is further exemplified by the fact that these cows consume only 30 kilos of meal per year. Despite their smaller stature, our cows consistently outperform many larger breeds.

In conclusion, our journey as farmers in Emily Country Prairie has been one of constant improvement and adaptation. We have embraced a grass-based system, made strategic bull selections, and relied on the guidance of LIC advisors. By focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and maximizing the potential of our small Jersey cows, we have achieved impressive results year after year. Our ongoing pursuit of excellence and commitment to our unique farming practices continue to define us as innovative and successful farmers in Emily Country Prairie.