In this article, a Northern Cape Jersey stud breeder revealed how he was able to steadily improve milk yield by using selection based on production records.
Former policeman Jacob Hayward, who farms on Eldorado farm near Kuruman, has improved the average lactation of his Roscio Jersey Stud by more than 50% over the past 20 years.
Apart from the stunning production increase, this herd is also one of the finest in the Northern Cape with regard to conformation and general quality.
Hayward ascribes his success to always having used good bulls and selection based on production records and conformation. He has always retained the female progeny from the better cows.
His Jerseys average 18,36kg of milk, with a butterfat and protein content of 5,04% and 3,77% respectively.
Hayward’s management is outstanding. The dairy is neat and run methodically by three women workers.
A participant in the national milk recording scheme, Hayward knows his cows and what each one produces. He practises zero grazing, and a single feed comprising maize silage, groundnut hay and maize leaves is fed to all the animals.
DAILY FEED
The cows eat an average of 19,46kg of this feed a day, plus 350g of concentrates (pellets) are fed during the twice-daily milkings.
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の April 22 & 29, 2022 - Double Issue 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の April 22 & 29, 2022 - Double Issue 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
'SA agriculture adapts to challenges and change'
Although the agriculture sector’s contribution to South Africa’s GDP is calculated at under 3%, its extended impact on GDP stands at between 10% and 12%.
Solutions to common cannabis cultivation challenges
Cultivators can improve output, quality and profitability while supporting the sustainability and prosperity of the cannabis industry by implementing best practices in pest management, environmental control, nutrition management, genetic selection, and harvesting procedures.
Training kit boost for small-scale poultry farmers
A new series of training materials to help small-scale poultry farmers improve their methods and incomes has been released by the World Poultry Foundation (WPF).
Eastern Cape Livestock Identification and Traceability System launched
New technology could be the key to help farmers put an end to stock theft, writes Jyothi Laldas.
State-of-the-art abattoir handed over to farmer
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) recently handed over a multimillion-rand abattoir to a Hluhluwe farmer.
Vineyard School helps workers build skills
A new four-day course urges employees to think outside the box to ensure their employability, writes Glenneis Kriel.
SAFDA hosts sugar regulations imbizo
A milestone has been reached on the sugar industry's journey to transformation, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Thailand wants to recriminalise cannabis after earlier unbanning it
The government of Thailand has announced that it will be relisting cannabis as an illegal drug by the end of 2024, two years after lifting the initial ban.
Climatic conditions result in challenging wine grape season
The Western Cape's wine production is expected to be lower this season, reports Glenneis Kriel.
UK promotes trade and investment at Nampo
The 2024 Nampo Harvest Day, themed ‘Agriculture in a Digital Age’, attracted more than 900 national and international exhibitors, with 400 prospective exhibitors on a waiting list. This year the UK also formed part of the event.