Hamilton, New Zealand-based Dairy Solutionz Ltd has led an expert genetics team to develop a new dairy cow breed conditioned to thrive in lower elevation tropical climates and achieve high milk production under heat stress.
“Our new composite breed will be used on the large-scale dairy farm systems we are constructing in partnership with governments and land owners in countries such as USA, Colombia and Ecuador,” Dairy Solutionz Ltd. chief executive Derek Fairweather said.
Dairy Solutionz will open its first dairy demonstration farms in Colombia and Ecuador before the end of 2014.
The genetics project was supported with Callaghan Innovation funding to develop the new composite breeds, some of whose origins are based on years of research at the University of Florida.
Researchers at the University had originally bred a recently discovered ‘slick locus1’ (originating from Senepol cattle) into American Holsteins.
This gave the new American composite breed an improved ability to regulate its body temperature while maintaining milk yield under heat stress.
“The Dairy Solutionz team has now taken the slick locus and introduced it into New Zealand pasture genetics for the first time as part of what is now a seven-year program,” Mr Fairweather said
The new composite animals will be branded as Kiwipole dairy cows. The company has a range of cows and bulls all containing DNA proven as holding the slick locus.
genetics consultant to Dairy Solutionz Dr Vish Vishwanath said: “The point of difference for Dairy Solutionz New Zealand, world-first composite Kiwipole dairy cow is that it has great heat tolerance coupled with the best pasture genetics in the world.
“This creates an animal ideally suited to maximise production in grass-based, tropical dairy systems.”
Earlier this year, research performed by Serdal Dikmen and the University of Florida indicated up to two litres per day improved milk yield per animal through better heat tolerance.
“Multiply this increased milk yield over a large or national herd and the end result is a very significant prize,” said Mr Fairweather.
The first Kiwipole bulls – Kiwipole Slick Grazer son of Scotts Comanche, Efficient, Supreme and Super are ready to make to order.
Many cows have been bred with Kiwipole genetics over the past few seasons and Dairy Solutionz has begun a three-year proving program.
For information on all breeds or to order genetics, visit www.dairysolutionz.co.nz.
