Cam & Michelle are seen here with Bell-Booth Product Specialist Glen Callaghan

CAM AND MICHELLE BERRY MILK 446 COWS ON TWO DAIRY FARMS IN THE WAIKATO.

Having raised all their calves on the Queen of Calves programme for six years, Cam and Michelle have observed the programme’s short and long term benefits. “90% of our heifers calved within 3 weeks,” says Cam. “And with one quarter of the herds now comprised of heifers and production being a way ahead of last year, they’re smoking.

DAVID AXTENS IS A SECOND GENERATION DAIRY FARMER, BROADLANDS, CENTRAL PLATEAU REGION

Drought forces some serious thinking

Having recently experienced two droughts, David says, “We’ve had to take a serious look at the whole farming operation, beginning with the way we raise our calves. By changing to the Queen of Calves programme in 2009, we have a more-developed calf, no more uneven lines at weaning, and it produces a more robust, better-developed cow. Despite the dairy industry being perceived as progressive, and there have been a lot of great initiatives, some aspects are very conservative; calf rearing is one. It’s just one of those things you don’t talk about. It’s taboo.”