Meander SB Alias ET S2F was named by Holstein Friesian NZ as the winner of 2021 Mahoe Trophy. Glen Leith Quigley ET S2J took out the Jersey NZ JT Thwaites Sire of the Season.
The Mahoe Trophy is awarded to the New Zealand-bred Holstein Friesian sire whose sire proof (as at the April 2021 animal evaluation run) earns the most points for traits, daughter production, conformation and management.
Alias was bred by Robert and Ann-Maire Bruin of Meander Holsteins, who operate a dairy farm and bull breeding property near Otautau, in Southland.
The Bruins have been breeding bulls for New Zealand’s AI industry for many years and Robert says Alias is one of their best so far.
“We’re really happy to win the trophy and that Alias is doing so well in the TOP (Traits Other than Production) testing. He is also a really high production bull and is one of the highest protein producers on CRV’s books.”
Robert says Alias came from a particularly good cow in their herd, Meander Fmi April S1f. “We have done a lot of embryo work with April and she has also produced a lot of good daughters in our herd.”
Alias’ sire was San Ray FM Beamer ET S2f, who has sired more than 170,000 daughters on New Zealand farms.
Taranaki Jersey breeders Bruce and Margaret Sim are leaving an impressive legacy in the national herd by winning the Jersey NZ JT Thwaites Sire of the Season award for two years running. It is the first time in the history of Jersey NZ a breeder has won the prestigious title two years in a row.
“We’re really pleased to have won the award twice, but we also still have two more bulls from the same cow family that are also going through the progeny test scheme with CRV. So, we’re hoping that Quigley won’t be the last winner,” says Bruce.
Quigley will leave daughters who are efficient producers with strong udders and fantastic shed traits. With superior CRV Health and Efficiency scores (6% and 12%), Quigley has a lot to offer.
CRV Regional Breeding Manager Jenna O’Sullivan says these awards recognise sires who have the potential to significantly influence the quality of cows within dairy herds across New Zealand.
“Alias offers excellent CRV Health and Efficiency scores at 5% and 7% respectively. We all agree, he is a great sire. He offers breeders the full package from production and protein through to good conformation and udder traits”.
“The Sims’ award is recognition of the quality of their herd. To win one JT Thwaites Sire of the Season is impressive, but to take it out two years in a row is outstanding.
“CRV is delighted to be working alongside both the Bruin’s and the Sim’s in delivering these top sires to the New Zealand dairy market.”
CRV is a leader in helping farmers breed healthy and efficient animals and these sires are an excellent example of the standard the company is setting. Jenna says sires with strong CRV Health and CRV Efficiency scores can be certain to breed cows that will become top performers in the herd in the future.