Holstein NZ Conference tour with Garry Carpenter

The 2021 Holstein Friesian New Zealand AGM has been marked a success by Holstein Australia’s President Garry Carpenter who attended the Conference held in Manawatu, NZ.

The conference was hosted by the North Land sub-branch between the 21st and 24th June and covered topics on the future of bobby calves and getting the most value out of beef calves to farming systems in the new world of environmental regulation.

The Holstein Friesian NZ Semex On Farm Competition Award Presentation and Official Opening Dinner was the first to take place on Monday night.

HA President Garry Carpenter said On Farm Judge Michael Gilbert from Rakaia was 'incredible'.

“He was an impressive young man who did a marvellous job judging and his presentation at the welcome dinner and ability to describe each animal was exceptional; he definitely knows a good cow.”

The AGM was held Tuesday morning followed by an open chaired Forum in the afternoon where members and industry representatives largely discussed bobby calf exports.

Mr Carpenter said “from what I heard at the forum, by 2030 there won’t be a bobby calf going to an abattoir”.

He continued “they are facing really tough issues and need to plan for the excess calves who will no longer be exported to China”.

On Tuesday night a large crowd gathered for the Awards Presentation Dinner with approximately 100 guests in attendance.

The following day conference attendees took a trip along the Kauri Coast where they visited Crossroads Holsteins, Kaipara Kumera, Matakohe Kauri Museum and Kaiwaka Clothing before they returned to Whangarei for the Holstein Friesian NZ Black & White Youth Auction which raised a whopping $13,845.

“They did a fantastic job raising money for Youth and the sponsors and industry representatives donated all sorts of valuable goodies” said Mr Carpenter.

“They have very generous sponsors who do a marvellous job of combining industry along with social activities and it’s a good trip for anyone to go to” said Mr Carpenter.

On the final day, attendees toured Barry Foote's Dairy Goats, Waiotu Holsteins, the Mid Northern Rugby Club, NIWA Fisheries Research Facility and enjoyed a presentation on climate change, finishing off with a drive through Northport and Marsden Point before returning for happy hour and the Farewell Dinner.

Mr Carpenter said “the experience was just incredible and North Land is an unbelievable part of New Zealand with grass of plenty”.

Next week, the Holstein Australia and Holstein New Zealand Boards will hold a zoom catch up to continue their collaboration.

Mr Carpenter said “overall it’s quite apparent that the Associations are all facing the same issues at the forefront and there is a lot of information we can share and learn between us”.