Genetic gain drives herd productivity, year by year

For sharemilkers Tania and Johno Burrows, improving herd genetics was about building a more efficient, more valuable farm system over time. Their approach – focused on getting the basics right and using tools well – was front and centre at a recent DairyNZ Progressing Dairy Event on lifting productivity through genetic gain.

Held at Alpine Dairies in Darfield and hosted by the couple, the event was supported by Fonterra, LIC and CRV and focused on practical ways to lift genetic gain on-farm.

The couple milk 750 cows on 211 hectares and focus on a tight calving spread to drive production and reduce animal wastage. Their efforts have been recognised and they were named one of three winners of the Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.

Last spring, Johno and Tania saw a lift in the six-week in-calf rate from 74% to 79% and a drop in the not-in-calf rate from 11% to 9% over a 10-week mating period. They credited the progress to their efforts to identify and manage non-cycling cows early.

In addition, they synchronised their heifers and used sexed semen, resulting in a 64% conception rate. This approach enabled more replacements from their youngest and highest-breeding worth animals, supporting greater rates of genetic gain.

The Burrows use DNA testing and animal evaluation reports to guide breeding decisions, alongside breeding worth (BW) and production worth (PW) to help determine which animals to retain. They also use wearable technology for heat detection, helping to improve mating outcomes and reproductive performance within the herd.

They also support their team to build capability. Johno manages their herd’s artificial insemination, which provides a unique opportunity for the team to learn about breeding and be fully involved in the process, so by the end of mating everyone is able to identify which cows to put forward for mating.

“We spread the workload and encourage ownership in the process amongst the team. We discuss how important each of their roles are in nailing the basics of farming as we prepare for mating,” Tania says.

“Milking 750 cows through a 40-a-side herringbone shed, with yard space for 500 cows only, requires a higher number of staff. The farm is also a challenging shape that requires the cows to walk a long way to the back, so we employ three full-timers and a Dairy Training NextGen* student.”

Why genetic gain matters for whole-farm productivity at Alpine Dairies

Tania says that, in the big picture, they are financially driven to make the most of the opportunities available within their farm system.

“We see genetic gain as assuring a scalable asset, with a financial focus in terms of investment.

 “Improving the genetic quality of our cows helps us breed more efficient, higher milk-yielding and more fertile animals, making them a more valuable asset as a 50:50 sharemilker.”

A key focus is reducing wastage across the farm system. To achieve this, they use dairy-beef, sexed semen and genomic bulls, supported by a tight calving spread that gives more cows enough time between calving and mating, which supports better cycling and heats to lift submission and conception rates. Strong culling policies also help keep the system efficient.

When making breeding decisions, Johno says, they consider BW and PW, analyse data collected through wearables and work closely with sector professionals to make the best decisions for their individual herd.

They “aim for the best outcomes and are always looking for the next small gain each year”.

They use a large genomic bull team with a minimum of 10 bulls, alternating bulls each day to spread risk while still capturing gains from high-genetic-merit sires.

Looking ahead, they plan to mate the lowest-BW cows to beef semen from the start of mating, while the highest-BW cows will be mated to sexed semen. Mid-range animals will be mated to genomic bulls to continue lifting herd quality.

Their key message to event attendees was clear: “No matter what, you have to nail the basics first.”

This includes feed levels, mineral status and consistency in farming routines and practices.

 “Simple and sustainable systems are always better; it needs to be user friendly for people.”

Turning practical breeding decisions into genetic gain

Alongside on-farm experience, science and data are continuing to shape how breeding decisions are made and refined – including ongoing improvements to the BW index.

DairyNZ geneticist Becky Curry says these tools are helping farmers take a more targeted approach to herd improvement and productivity.

In her presentation, Becky highlighted practical approaches to breeding and genetics to boost herd productivity and support long-term success.

“Once farmers would keep anything that had four legs, but now we need to be more targeted in the animals we have.

“We don’t just want more cows; we need better cows that are more efficient.”

Cows are producing significantly more than they were 10 years ago. In 2005, the average New Zealand cow produced about 355 kilograms of milksolids; by 2024, that had increased to 439kgMS.

Analysis from the DairyNZ Strain Trial showed that about two-thirds (56kg) of that 84kg increase could be attributed to genetic gain.

“So, the old saying ‘20% breeding, 80% feeding’ doesn’t really stack up anymore,” Becky said.

“Genetics has played a massive role in lifting cow production in this country. Genetic gain compounds, and every year you select better animals, you build on the previous generation.”

Picking the best bulls to suit your farm is key to accelerating genetic progress, Becky explained, starting with identifying clear priorities.

“Be clear on what matters most for your herd and system, using herd data to understand strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement, while defining a clear breeding objective with simple, measurable goals that guide bull selection and inform breeding decisions.

“Confirm your AB plan and work with your AB provider to select bull teams so that your breeding goals translate into a practical mating plan.

“And remember, reproduction underpins your farm’s genetic gain, with monitoring key reproduction metrics crucial to keeping the breeding plan on track and aligned with breeding goals.”

The message was clear – focus on the basics, use the tools available, and keep building on small gains.

Over time, those decisions compound, lifting herd performance and whole-farm productivity.

This article was originally published in Inside Dairy August-October 2026.