BETTER BULLS BETTER CALVES James Dallinger is an equity partner in a 220ha Waikato farm that is aiming for zero bobby calves. James with his 580-cow herd.
Combination for success By Anne Boswell
Maungatautari dairy farmer James Dallinger has admirable goals when it comes to his herd’s breeding strategy – and his use of technology ensures the cows are on the mating platform at the optimal time, every time.
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ames Dallinger, an equity farmer on his 220ha Waikato farm, is striving to reduce the number of bobby calves born to the 580-strong herd, while increasing genetic gain. An electrician by trade, he is always interested in what technology is available to the dairy industry. In his third season using Senztag CowManager, it has allowed him to pinpoint the cows’ heats with precision. Full AI mating lasts 10 weeks, which he hopes to reduce to nine weeks going forward. His Samen representative Victor Kooter has categorised the herd to three bull teams based on conformation: Red team, Blue team and Beef; the latter being undesirable to breed from. “With this coding system we should end up with a more uniform herd,” James says. He spends the first four weeks mating for replacements but if a good cow comes on heat in the fifth week, they will still mate her for a replacement. After that, all mating is to beef – the low end of the herd not worth breeding future replacements from. Sexed semen goes to the better
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producers in the herd that have historically held to their first mating, and have no health issues in the current season that could compromise conception. Samen Belgian Blue short gestation genetics are used to ensure all beef calves are of a good quality.
“Sale prices for the Belgian Blues have been great so far,” he says. “We have definitely noticed the demand for them is getting stronger year-on-year. “With help from Trudy at Dairy Beef Collective, we have been matched with a buyer for the coming season, so all our
James Dallinger’s cows are drafted using his CowManager and Protrack software.
DAIRY FARMER
May 2021
