Richard and Carol Conklin wrote:
> Ian, My NZ visitors reported that average milk production/cow varied
between
> 32 and 35#M. 'Duck soup' to rebreed milking cows under that minimal level
of
> stress. And Ian, why were they so enthusiastic about my farm sending some
AI
> semen from our three bulls under contract to your country? Yes, I tried,
but
> your borders are CLOSED!
Dick if you remember you were going to send me some of your bulls semen.
I asked about getting it in but as there are many diseases that NZ does
not have, there were many tests etc that would have to be performed (at
a cost) before it would be allowed, so sadly we did not go ahead.
Over the years I have used bulls from Sth Africa, USA, Denmark, Sweden,
Austria, Canada, UK, Australia. The main reason was to get a wider
genetic base, but also to perhaps improve milk volumes. If we talk
jersey I was very happy with all of them, no better no worse.
Brown Swiss was another matter with the US brown swiss just not
performing compared to Austrian or Canadian sires. Plenty of feed ahead
of them they were on par, but come the dry they did not perform. Health
issue and temperament was not as good (slightly) as well. They were much
taller as well and not putting that extra size (feed) into the bucket. I
loved the brown swiss as a breed, beautiful cattle but I believe the US
has ruined them as pasture producers (nil or limited additional
supplements).
regards
Ian Buckingham
New Zealand
