Judge impressed bynz dairy cattle
Holstein friesian Dairy Event judge Brian Carscadden from Canada says the best New Zealand cattle would stand up at any show around the globe.
A total of 330 dairy cattle were in Feilding last week for the fourth Dairy Event, which attracted some of the best dairy cows and heifers in the country.
‘‘I think the quality here is quite good. It’s hard to have an opinion because I am seeing a cross-section of cattle. I need to see more cattle.’’
As well as judging at the event, Mr Carscadden has visited four dairy farms, all in Horowhenua and Manawatu.
‘‘Some of the winners would be quite competitive in other countries. The biggest difference between here and North America is that some of the animals at home might be a little bigger and have more volume to them, but all the correctness is here.’’
In New Zealand, dairy cattle are largely grass fed, which Mr Carscadden thinks is the natural way to go.
‘‘They’re well put together for that. Animals being on pasture yearround, to me, is a healthier fit for an animal. We ask animals to stand on concrete (in North America), sometimes 12 months of the year. You know yourself, when you are standing round all day, it gets a little tiring.’’
He has travelled to 20 countries judging holstein friesian cattle.
‘‘I have seen grazing systems many times. So I had a good idea about that.
‘‘But it has been kind of neat to see it in practice again and talk to the breeders about what’s important to them.’’
Mr Carscadden grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Ontario until he was 14, then the farm was sold.
‘‘I started in the grooming and fitting career with cattle and showed them. Then I went to university and became a sire analyst.’’
A promoter of youth in agriculture, he held a seminar on a Manawatu farm for young people and talked about showing dairy cattle in their best light.
‘‘My job in Canada is to purchase bulls for Semex. It’s Canadian-based and we have distributors in more than 100 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.’’