Northern Victoria has beenrecognised for its breedingprowess, achieving the numberone herd in four of the sixbreeds calculated underAustralian Breeding Values(ABVs) — including a nationwidefirst.

But despite being recognised asthe best herd in three breeds, one dairyfarmer said he was not putting too much weight in the results and has called for anindependent analysis of the index.

Katunga”s Daryl Hoey achieved the topHolstein, Jersey and Australian Red breed in the release of the December results in anever-before-achieved feat.

Mr Hoey has previously held the numberone Jersey herd and the second-bestHolstein herd, but said he was surprised bythe latest results.

‘It does take years and a certain amountof luck … I knew I was there or thereaboutsbut I fully expected not to be the top Jerseyherd, so I was a bit surprised to hold ontothat one,’ he said.
Mr Hoey”s 300-strong herd is a mix ofabout 70 per cent Jersey and 15 per centeach of Holstein and Aussie Reds.

Yet he said it was still the milk chequethat paid the bills and he would rather havean extra three tonnes per hectare of feed.
‘I don”t believe it adds anymore to mybottom line, it doesn”t drive profit,’ he said.

‘I do think I”ve probably changed mythinking in the past 10 years or so, butI don”t believe ABVs reflect what is bestsuited for Australian conditions. I thinkthey”re more designed for Americanconditions.

‘I think we need a completelyindependent analysis of the index.’When it comes to introducing newgenetics into his herd, it is a focus onfertility, mastitis resistance and greateremphasis on fat than protein thatinfluences his decision-making.

‘It”s all about profit,’ he said.

‘For me when I look at a farmingsystem, it”s about control. (Split calving)cows give me better control and I think it”sabout being disciplined and not continuallychanging the system to suit the cows, butmaking the cows fit the system … I thinkthat”s part of what”s diluting the profit indairying,’ he said.

‘I think an assumption that a cow thatproduces more milk than the next cow isbetter is wrong and flawed.’

And, with three breeds making their waythrough the dairy, Mr Hoey said for his farmmanagement it was key that the Holsteinsand Reds were made to compete in aJersey herd, rather than altering the systemto suit the naturally larger breeds.

Rochester”s Restdown Pastoral wasagain recognised as the top Brown Swissherd in the ABV release, with Dingee”s BenGovett”s herd ranked second.

Trevor Saunders and Anthea Day fromAraluen Park in Gippsland were recognisedfor the best Ayrshire herd in the country,while South Australian L and J Cleggetttook out the top Guernsey breed honours.

The rankings are based onBalanced Performance Index, a blendof ABVs for the traits that influence adairy cow”s contribution to the farmbusiness — production, fertility, functionaltype, survival, cell count, workability andfeed saved.”

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