Nigel and Dianne Payne, dairy farmers in the picturesque Rerewhakaaitu region of New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, have embarked on a remarkable journey to elevate their milk production through strategic genetic improvements and enhanced feeding practices.
When the Paynes started dairying in the 1990s, they were advised that the most profitable approach was to milk fewer cows and focus on increasing the yield per animal. At the time, this advice may have seemed counterintuitive, but the Paynes have since come to appreciate the wisdom of those words.
The turning point for the Paynes came when they employed the services of nutritionist Andre Reidel from All Farm NZ Ltd. Reidel's expertise in custom-blended meals and mineral supplementation opened Nigel's eyes to the significant underfeeding of cows that has been prevalent in the New Zealand dairy industry.
It formed part of the jigsaw for us, Nigel explains. When we added in-shed feeding and focused on our minerals and lead feed, I realized just how much New Zealand farmers have been underfeeding their cows.
The Paynes' initial reliance on crossbred cows soon revealed their limitations. As the higher-end feeds boosted production, the cows' conformation struggled to keep up, leading to issues with udder health and longevity.
Determined to find a solution, Nigel turned to the genetic expertise of STgenetics New Zealand, a decision that has proven transformative for their operation. Nigel began sourcing Holstein Friesian genetics from North America, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France, and the results have been remarkable.
They were bigger, longer, and they had more capacity, Nigel says of the young stock. Once I realized I wasn't going to have calving problems with them, I made the complete change.
The impact of these genetic improvements is evident in the Paynes' herd performance. This season, 25% of their herd produced over 500 kgMS, including 12 cows with more than 600 kgMS. The two-year-olds averaged 406 kgMS, the three-year-olds averaged 466 kgMS, and the cows aged nine years or over averaged 511 kgMS.
Nigel credits the partnership with STgenetics New Zealand and their breeding consultant, Jean Macky, as a crucial factor in their success. Jean has been a part of our breeding decisions for five seasons, Nigel says. She brings her knowledge to break down the figures in the catalogue, and it's a bit like having a good bank manager and accountant.
The Paynes' commitment to genetic improvement has not only boosted their milk production but has also future-proofed their business. Nigel is excited about the quality of their young stock, which he visits every six weeks at their grazier's property. The heifers are looking magnificent, he says. You can see the jump in conformation from generation to generation. They are big and strong, as opposed to NZ genetics, and they show more general quality.
As the Paynes look to the future, they are confident that their partnership with STgenetics New Zealand and their focus on advanced genetics will continue to drive their dairy operation to new heights of productivity and profitability.
