Building a high BW herd - one decision at a time | Ep. 101

Update: 2025-06-10

Description

What does it take to breed a high performing herd - now and into the future?

Earlier this year, DairyNZ and Fonterra co-hosted a series of on-farm events focused on lifting genetic gain through better breeding decisions. One of those events was held at Clovalley Farms, run by Donovan Croot and Sophie Cookson in South Taranaki. Now, we’re bringing that conversation to you.

In this episode of Talking Dairy, hosted by DairyNZ Taranaki Area Manager Talissa Squire, Donovan and Sophie share how they’ve built a herd that ranks in the top 1% nationally for Breeding Worth (BW). They explain how they’ve applied DairyNZ’s 'Five ways to a high BW herd' in a way that fits their farm, their values and their goals.

They talk openly about what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’ve learned along the way.

Whether you're just starting out with genetics or already fine-tuning your approach, this is a must-listen for any farmer wanting to breed a better herd.

Listen now to learn how to make smarter breeding decisions, improve genetic gain in your herd, and future-proof your business.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz

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