FAVOURITE DAIRY SIRE HEADS FOR HOME

CRV AmBreed super-sire, Tawa Grove Maunga-ET SJ3, was the centre of attention again today making his final appearance before retiring to his breeders’ farm in Taranaki.

Bred by Robert and Rosemary Cartwright, Maunga turns 12 later this month and, since his launch by CRV AmBreed in 2003/4, has consistently remained near the top of the Jersey rankings.

“The goal of the artificial breeding companies is to offer better and better animals every year,” said Phil Beatson, CRV AmBreed Genetic Strategist.  “Maunga’s continued appearance at the top of the rankings is a real illustration of what a special bull he is.”

Throughout his career, demand for Maunga has outstripped supply and farmers that used the bull early have returned to him as daughters get even better as they mature.  “This is the sort of Jersey New Zealand needs,” says Mr Beatson.  “Fantastic udders, production, longevity and fertility come in a package that has the shed traits farmers love.  Top this off with great dual indexes and it’s no surprise that the bull has been in such demand.”

Over 10,000 daughters in around 1,500 herds will carry on Maunga’s success, along with progeny in Australia, Chile, Argentine, Philippines, South Africa, Columbia, Guatemala, Kenya and Uruguay.  An impressive number of sons and grandsons are also set to make their mark on the AI industry in coming years.

The Cartwrights are clearly very proud of the bull, who they hadn’t seen since he was sent to CRV AmBreed as a calf in 1999.  “Even then, we could tell that he was something special but it’s great to see him again – fully grown,” Mr Cartwright said.  “We continue to use him in our own herds at home – he’s really one-in-a-million.  We’ve had a few bulls go to AI over the years, but Maunga is a once-in-a-lifetime bull – he’s stayed at the top of the industry for such a long time – it’s been great to be a part of that.”

Maunga will travel back to the Cartwright’s farm, just out of Inglewood, where a paddock has already been chosen for him.  “It’s a nice spot,” says Mr Cartwright, “he’ll get used to taking it easy there.”

Final Maunga straws were put up for auction earlier this year, with all proceeds from ‘Maunga’s Legacy’ going to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.  $12,110 was raised and CRV will match this amount, bringing the total donation to $24,220.  Top bidders, Stephen and Sandra Law of Te Pahu in the Waikato joined the Cartwrights to see Maunga off in style.  Good karma has already taken note of the Law’s generosity in the auction – they were also the winners of a year’s supply of ESTROTECT Heat Detectors at CRV AmBreed’s Fieldays site.

On show alongside Maunga were some younger CRV AmBreed Jersey stars, including a son and grandson sired by the bull.  Maunga blood will continue to make an impact, also appearing in CRV AmBreed’s new FE-Tolerant Dairy Sire teams that were launched in time for the upcoming mating season.