Talking Dairy
Talking Dairy is your go-to podcast for New Zealand dairy farmers. You'll hear from farmers, scientists, and experts who share practical tips and insights to help you succeed. It's all about giving you the tools and knowledge to make the best decisions for your farm. Brought to you by DairyNZ, we help farmers lead the world in sustainable dairying by investing in research, new solutions and advocacy. Follow now and stay informed with the latest episodes.
Talking Dairy
Building a high BW herd - one decision at a time | Ep. 101
What does it take to breed a high performing herd - now and into the future?
Earlier this year, DairyNZ and Fonterra co-hosted a series of on-farm events focused on lifting genetic gain through better breeding decisions. One of those events was held at Clovalley Farms, run by Donovan Croot and Sophie Cookson in South Taranaki. Now, we’re bringing that conversation to you.
In this episode of Talking Dairy, hosted by DairyNZ Taranaki Area Manager Talissa Squire, Donovan and Sophie share how they’ve built a herd that ranks in the top 1% nationally for Breeding Worth (BW). They explain how they’ve applied DairyNZ’s 'Five ways to a high BW herd' in a way that fits their farm, their values and their goals.
They talk openly about what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Whether you're just starting out with genetics or already fine-tuning your approach, this is a must-listen for any farmer wanting to breed a better herd.
Listen now to learn how to make smarter breeding decisions, improve genetic gain in your herd, and future-proof your business.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Breeding Worth - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Tools - Animal Herd Averages | DairyNZ
- Bull Search - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Bull Team - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) | DairyNZ
- InCalf reproduction gap calculator - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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