Genetics Drive Dairy Production Profitability

The use of top genetics and agrotechnology enables Kluitjieskraal Jersey Stud in the Western Cape to weather the impact of volatile prices and rising input costs. Stud manager Arno Schoonwinkel outlined his methods to Glenneis Kriel.

- Glenneis Kriel

FAST FACTS

Kluitjieskraal Jersey Stud adapts its breeding programme every four months.

The use of agrotechnology helps to improve production efficiencies and animal health.

Cows are replaced after an average of 2,5 lactations to make room for better performers.

Kluitjieskraal Jersey Stud has established itself as one of South Africa’s top Jersey studs, and has a string of SA Stud Book Elite awards to prove it.

The Schoonwinkel family, who owns the stud, has been farming Jerseys on its mixed farms near Swellendam in the Western Cape, and selling its milk to a nearby cheese factory, for many years.

As the family had always kept thorough records of each animal, the Schoonwinkels decided to register the herd as a stud in 2007.

“Doing this made sense, as it enabled us to make better-informed breeding decisions by giving us access to more genetic information.

“This is important, as everything boils down to genetics when it comes to Jersey production,” says Arno Schoonwinkel, who manages the farm’s dairy division. To identify the optimal genetic matches for the stud, the Schoonwinkels use the World Wide Sires program Select Sires Inc, which is free and open to any breeder.