Cawdor tops NZ production worth rankings

What started as a passion for genetics has culminated in an extraordinary achievement for Fraser and Christine Macbeth. Their Cawdor Jerseys stud now boasts the highest Production Worth (PW) Jersey herd in New Zealand, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and profitability in the industry. “We’re passionate about genetics,” says Fraser. “We’ve always wanted to create balanced cows and good bulls for the industry. Although we’ve had success, we’re still working towards that ultimate goal. Genetic gain becomes an addiction.” The Macbeth’s herd, consisting of 160 Jersey and crossbred cows (with around 100 pedigree jerseys), has a current Breeding Worth (BW) of 434 and Production Worth of 532. Fraser says these figures not only top the national rankings but also reflect their unwavering commitment to breeding efficient, profitable cows suited to New Zealand’s farming conditions.

The Macbeths have optimised their farming practices to suit their unique environment. Their 115ha ha farm is high altitude and has long dry summers. Fraser says that Jerseys are ideal as they are more friendly, loyal and willing than Friesians, and aggressive grazers, even when covers are low. They perform well in pasture based systems and hold steady production even in dry conditions. Their herd averages around 400 kilograms of milksolids per cow from a 270-day lactation, achieved through a full-season once-aday milking system. The Macbeths have also achieved remarkable reproductive performance, averaging around an 80 percent six-week-in-calf rate with approximately a 10 percent empty rate from just 8.5 weeks of mating. Fraser says this efficiency is crucial to maintaining their high genetic standards and overall farm profitability.

The Macbeths’ breeding strategy is both meticulous and forward thinking. They rear all heifer calves and bring through about 30 percent replacements, selling the rest as in-calf heifers. Fraser says the high replacement rate applies selection pressure, and that has helped drive the herd’s genetic gain. This approach has not only improved their own herd but has also contributed significantly to the wider dairy industry with bulls in sire proving schemes. Cawdor Jerseys also regularly sells bulls for use as natural mating sires, with their high indexes and self-contained operation making these bulls particularly attractive to buyers. It’s also reflected in their own herd which boasts several cows with PW’s of 700-plus by their own natural mating sires. Additionally, they hold annual online auctions where they sell a selection of their top cows, allowing other farmers to benefit from their genetic advancements.

Written by Karen Phelps