30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast
February 2021 Edition
INSIDE
THIS EDITION Wiltshire sell-out
p5 Sheds & shelters
p12 Smart spraying
p27 Velvet coalition
Jersey man: John Totty with his herd of Jersey cows at Staveley in mid-Canterbury.
Family farm comes full circle with Jersey genetics Four generations have farmed on John Totty’s 465-hectare property at Staveley in mid-Canterbury with Jersey cows featuring prominently throughout the years.
❚ by Michelle Good p39
Photo: redbox Photography/NZ Dairy exporter
The Staveley Jerseys stud was founded by John’s grandfather, a passionate Jersey breeder, in the early 1960s. Back then the farm milked 150 cows and ran dairy replacements, sheep, beef, and crop. When John’s parents took over the business the farm was expanded, purchasing a neighbouring property in 1995 which was
converted the following year. A Friesian herd was purchased and for 20 years the property supported a 750-cow herd while continuing to run young stock. In 2015 John purchased the dry-land farm, which today milks 1,000 cows across two sheds with young stock grazed off-farm. Seven years ago, the farm was 50:50 Jersey and Friesian genetics, today the farm is about 70% Jersey genetics and breeding
back towards a full Jersey herd. John says the transition to Jerseys has been an easy decision. “Every season we have increased the Jersey content of the herd and managed to hold or increase per cow production without any farm system changes. This season we have increased production by 15% while only increasing cow numbers by 10%.”
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