We pride ourselves on our innovative approach to providing you, the farmer, with the latest technologies possible.
Below you will find examples of this innovation dating back to 1972!
Our Innovation Timeline
DIY Training Schools
Began in 1972
We were the first company to realise the importance of
AI training for farmers to do themselves. In 1972 the first course began in Cambridge and today is more popular than ever. Offering farmers the training to AI their own cows gave them the freedom to and convenience to work with their own cows to increase their knowledge and involvement on the farm. Now, with over 35 years experience and 10,000 farmers being trained by us, the quality of our graduated technicians is second to none. We offer 20 AI courses around the country throughout the year with excellent top quality facilities.
AI of Sheep and Goats
Introduced in 1986
We were the first company in NZ to offer a commercial Sheep and Goat AI service. We pioneered this AI service to help farmers to develop several traits of their flocks with a major being the quality of each animals coat of wool.
AI of Deer
Introduced in 1989
We were also the first company in NZ to offer a commercial Deer AI service. We pioneered Deer AI and developed the techniques now used world wide for this species. Vets throughout NZ were also trained to use the laparoscope for AI in these species.
Deer Sire Proving
Introduced in 1990
We were first to introduce a Deer sire proving scheme in to New Zealand. Similar to our sire proving program for bulls, this scheme was designed to ensure the reliability of the bulls genetics over time targeting weight, temperament longevity and velvet.
Flexi-paks
Introduced 1997
Flexi-paks are a cost effective way to select a variety of bulls and straws in a pak as opposed to buying bulls individually. This offers a cost effective alternative and the convenience of choosing a variety of bulls depending on the number desired. The Flexi-paks still continue today with huge success and now with a larger variety of bulls making it one of the most easiest and popular ways of purchasing semen.
Condition scoring of progeny test heifers
Introduced in 1998
Our scientists have found that the overall body condition of an animal is an important and value adding trait that influences a cows the worth as it directly relates to fertility. Research has shown that if an animal looses body condition it is harder for it to get into calf. As a result body condition scoring was added to our TOP assessing and has had huge success.
Fertabull
Introduced in 2000
The concept of the product is to optimise fertilization by having sperm cells in the straw that have different capacitation rates.
This is achieved by combining a number of different sires in the single straw. The bulls are selected so that they complement one another in terms of capacitation rates.
Results from the last 5 years of semen use have shown an improvement of between 6 – 8% in dairy cow conception rates, particularly in cows that are in the lower group of the herd’s fertility. It has been proven that the lower the herd’s conception during mating, the greater the difference between Fertabull and single Hereford sire inseminations.
GeneScreen
Introduced in 2002
We introduced GeneScreen to help clients manage the risk of inbreeding and genetic defects in their herds.
This was new and innovative and was extremely well received, so much so that 1,100 herds and 300,000 cows were processed in the first year. Competitors we taken by surprise and were unable to compete against our successful service GeneScreen service for some time.
GeneScreen uses the individual cow’s breeding as recorded on the National Database to make its calculations.
A Basic GeneScreen reports any mating conflicts of more than 3% that could result in Inbreeding and genetic defects.
Advanced GeneScreen adds to the Basic features by protecting for TOP faults to create the best matings possible to improve farmers individual breeding objectives.
Lactose Testing
Introduced in 2002
As part of our Herd Testing, we were the first to test for lactose in milk samples. Lactose is the sugar found in milk and worth approximately $1 per kg on the international market. We are easily able to test and report for lactose, and although it is not paid for, it is extremely popular as a milk powder filler.
Milk Meter Technology
Introduced in 2002
Specialised Milk Meter technology was introduced into our Herd Testing in 2002 that was first to be fully compliant the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR), the industries highest form of quality control. Like all our products and services, the Milk Meter technology was designed at the highest standard when it was first introduced to the market in 2002. As a result farmers were now finally able to receive Herd Testing information that gave the closest possible readings to the daily factory readings given for protein and fat.
Mistro
Introduced in 2002
To take control of your electronic records, we use MISTRO Farm. In Australia it is regarded as the leading farm dairy management software available.
MISTRO Farm is computer software that is designed specifically for dairy farmers providing access to farm, herd and cow management information.
To meet the needs of the modern dairy farmer, MISTRO Farm maintains a complete stock register and enables all herd recording, mating and health information to be stored. This information can be used by generating action lists or viewing data for individual animals.
Recently Mistro was first to offer a new component to new Zealanders called the InCalf Fertility Focus report. This invaluable report helps farmers to identify and improve the reproductive performance of their herd.
TGRM
Introduced 2002
Total Genetic Resource Management is a powerful software tool that is driven by specific desired outcomes in genetic gains, exploiting heterosis, maintenance of genetic diversity, operational costs and logistical constraints to be satisfied. Those breeders wanting to get the best matings possible were now able to thanks to the TGRM software as breeders needs in particular now had something successful to work with.
EstroTect®
Introduced late 2004
EstroTect is a revolutionary tool to identify animals in standing heat.
It is a friction activated system that is easy to apply, highly visible and extremely accurate. From a single mounting the reflective signal layer begins to show while after 3-5 mountings more of the signal layer is exposed. After more than 5 mounts most of the signal layer is revealed, indicating several mountings of an animal in true standing heat. This product is simply the best heat detection device available on the New Zealand market. No other product can compete for reliability, simplicity and accuracy.
New Zealand Merit Index (NZMI)
Introduced 2005
In 2005 we implemented the now hugely popular and world wide merit index to allow farmers the opportunity to decide on what their desired gains are for their herd, taking account of traits not always recognised by traditional Breeding Worth (BW) analysis.
The
New Zealand Merit Index has been developed after extensive research as a result of collaboration with leading geneticists in Australia and Holland over the past 5 years.
NZMI is designed for those farmers who are wanting to breed cows that produce at high levels, are easily managed in terms of calving ease, fertility and temperament, as well as having capacity and udder quality to ensure durability over multiple lactations.
NZMI is working towards the ‘2015 cow’ that we believe will be suitable for New Zealand conditions by developing 11 key traits.
The NZMI 11 traits are broken into three important groups;
• Production (43%): Protein BV (kg), Milk BV (lt)
• Management (36%): Liveweight BV (kg), Fertility BV (%), Somatic Cells BV, Res. Survival BV (days), Calving Difficulty BV (%), Overall Opinion (BV)
• Type (21%): Capacity (BV), Rump Angle (BV), Udder Overall (BV)
Desired Gains Index
Introduced in 2005 as part of NZMI
NZMI is a 'desired gains index' that is designed to look into the future to evaluate what the cow of 2015 will look like and how she needs to respond to different New Zealand farming conditions. Therefore the Desired Gains Index model puts weightings on different traits accordingly to ensure success. Internationally desired gains indexes like NZMI are now the accepted best practice because it works towards the long term future goal. Other indexes such as BW use economic models to look back at past results to drive forward growth. This can be can be very volatile and cause unexpected changes than can be costly to farmers as the past does not always determine the future.
Air Conditioned Bull Housing
Built in 2006
Having the top producing bulls staying in the air conditioned bull housings has brought many advantages to both us and the market. This unique housing reduces damage and protects the quality of the semen from the heat and humidity during the hotter months. As a result the semen becomes more reliable and more can be produced for the market.
Test Day Model
Introduced beginning of 2007
We introduce the Test Day Model into the market only just recently. This model more accurately predicts Breeding Values for Protein, Fat and Milk Yields. It is also accounts for a better lactation, persistency and maturity than previous methods. Despite its freshness into the market, the important information it produces and the success it has had has now seen Animal Evaluation as well as the entire dairy industry of New Zealand adopt the philosophy.
Sexed Semen Trial
September 2007
Top Dutch bulls Paramount, Olympic, Louson, and Fabin were trialled in September 2007 to test
Sexed Semen in New Zealand.
49 herds within the North Island participated. Results are now in and looking to be a very successful for New Zealand conditions meaning a considerable return on investment can now be made for farmers.
Genomic Selection
Introduced in 2008
Through the use of advanced technology,
Genomic Selection provides the means of predicting an animal’s genetic make-up through their DNA.
With the help of our parent company CRV Delta is able to tap into international networks to gain the most up-to-date and advanced information and technology available in the world to ensure our clients get the highest possible standards in Genomic Selection.
Genomic Selection accelerates the rate of genetic gain for productive traits in dairy herds, boosting genetic gain by half without having to wait four to five years fro sire proving through progeny testing.
Fertility Report
Introduced in 2008
To help increase calving results, we have been the first to introduce the new InCalf Fertility Focus Report for farmers. This report gives a detailed description of the reproductive performance of the herd, submission and conception rates and the key indicators for areas for improvement. This report has been conveniently added to the Mistro Farm software program to allow farms instant access to this information on their herd to help identify and improve fertility.
