Australian Jersey genetics are making their mark in New Zealand with more Kiwi farmers looking across the ditch to improve their herds.

For the second consecutive year, Jersey Australia, Genetics Australia and Agri-Gene hosted a site at Mystery Creek Field Days in June to promote the Jersey breed.

They found that more New Zealand farmers are turning to Australian Jersey genetics in their breeding programs.

The four-day event attracted more than 130,000 people this year, making it the biggest agricultural field days in the southern hemisphere.

The interest was sparked after Australia hosted several New Zealand farmers at the World Jersey Conference tour in early 2025.

Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said the Mystery Creek presence confirmed the growing popularity of Australian genetics.

“It was a very positive event and the most pleasing thing compared to the previous year was the high product recognition and the high re-use factor for local farmers,” Mr Barrett said.

“We saw strong sales last year after the World Jersey Conference and that momentum continues to build. Australian genetics are being more widely used in New Zealand and they are having an influence.”

Jersey Australia in partnership with Genetics Australia and Agri-Gene hopes to build on that momentum and plans to return to the Mystery Creek field days next year and possibly expand to a regional roadshow.

“The most positive thing we found at the World Conference was that they really like the cow we have here in Australia.

“That drove their interest and their desire to increase the use of Australian genetics in their breeding programs and we want to continue to build on that.”

Genetics Australia export manager Rob Derksen said it was pleasing to see the number of farmers visiting the Australian display that were increasing their use of Australian Jersey genetics.

“Farmers commented on the well-balanced cow they are getting by using Australian Jerseys,” Mr Derksen said.

“They liked the size of cow compared to what they can obtain from local suppliers, the better mammary systems and they felt the Jersey breed was ideally suited to NZ farming systems given the efficiencies the breed offers.”

Mr Derksen said sales of Jersey semen from Australia had been growing year on year from top Australian Jersey bulls.

“It opens up the availability of new bloodlines for Kiwi farmers from genetics tried and tested in grazing systems,” he added.

Agri-Gene general manager Chris McIlroy described the event as massive and said it was a good opportunity to showcase Australian Jerseys.

“The interest in Australia Jerseys is very strong, with both pure Jersey breeders and cross-breeders,” Mr McIlroy said.

“Australian Jerseys are backed by good cow families and they are improving the type and udder traits and the size of cows in the Kiwi herd,” he added.

“This year’s sales have grown 30 per cent over last year so we are keen to continue building opportunities in New Zealand.”

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Friday, 8th January 2027

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