One of New Zealand’s most successful cows has been inducted into the Livestock Improvement Corporation’s hall of fame.
Meander FMI April, known as April, was just the second breeding cow or ‘mother’ cow to be inducted into the herd improvement co-operative’s prestigious honorary list, which dated back to the 1950s
A mix of New Zealand and American genetics, 13-year-old April had 45 direct daughters, 107 maternal granddaughters and 104 maternal great-granddaughters, through genomic breeding which involved artificial insemination and embryo transfer.
She had 25 sons purchased within the industry, as well as 23 maternal grandsons purchased by Livestock Improvement Corporation, and 22 maternal great-grandsons that would be marketed this year.
The list usually recognised bulls that had made significant contributions to the dairy industry.
It followed the induction of her mother ‘Illustrious’ into the hall of fame last year.
Dutch emigrants and breeders Robert and Annemarie Bruin of Southland started supplying eggs to artificial insemination companies LIC and CRV about 15 years ago from their dairy farm in Otautau.
Southland breeders Annemarie and Robert Bruin of Meander Holsteins were awarded for their genomic breeding work with one of the country’s most successful brood cows, April, at LIC’s Breeder’s Day in Hamilton last week. Photo: SUPPLIED/LIC
Robert Bruin said April was a very special Holstein Friesian with “fantastic” characteristics that were passed on to offspring in New Zealand and also exported to 16 countries, including across Europe, Australia and South America.
“To see her genetics shine through in so many daughters, granddaughters and sons is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
“She transmits her super genetics in her offspring consistently with her particular strengths being shorter gestation, high litres of milk with very high fat and protein percentages, and fertility.”
Bruin said she was a “once in a lifetime cow”.
“She’s 13-years-old now, so her genetics are a bit older, but she’s still got sons on the index list. That’s pretty amazing for an old cow.”
Bruin said LIC chose April for the hall of fame because of her long legacy on the Freisian side of dairy farming, which meant a lot to the family and farm team.
“We’re incredibly proud to see her take her place in the Hall of Fame, right alongside her sire, Illustrious,” he said.
“It was an enormous kick for us, of course.
“It’s very special and a fantastic acknowledgment.”
LIC chief executive David Chin said April’s story highlighted the vital role genetics played in strengthening the national dairy herd.
“Herd improvement is an intergenerational investment, with the genetics farmers select today shaping herd performance for seasons and generations to come,” Chin said.
“It’s a real privilege to work with breeders like Robert and Annemarie, whose dedication continues to lift the performance of New Zealand’s national herd.
“This is what herd improvement is all about – building stronger herds that set our farmers up for the future.”
April was the 61st inductee into the LIC hall of fame.
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