'The green cow': World's Jersey breeders coming to New Zealand

Dozens of dairy farmers from across the world are set to visit New Zealand next year as part of the World Jersey Conference 2027.

The conference will bring together Jersey breeders, farmers, scientists, and industry leaders for a three week tour across Aotearoa showcasing our industry, farms, people and genetics.

The theme of next year's conference is 'The Next Generation', looking at where the Jersey breed is heading, and exploring how genetics, technology, sustainability, efficiency and innovation are shaping dairy farms of tomorrow.

The president of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau and event organiser described Jerseys as a "green cow".

"She's a lighter weight, so there's a lower footprint. She's very, very efficient. It's not unusual for a 450 kilogram Jersey to produce 450 kilograms of milk solids.

"Her calving ease is well noted. Her ability to be heat tolerant is a well-known fact and that's why places like in Africa the Jersey is a favoured breed because of her ability for heat tolerance."

The timing of the conference comes as the dairy industry is increasingly focused on producing more from less, and improving farm efficiency while responding to environmental, economic and animal performance challenges.

Genetic progress is another key part of the conversation.

DairyNZ's latest national animal evaluation data showed Jersey cows continuing to sit strongly for breeding worth and production worth, while current Jersey genetics are being selected for a combination of production, fertility, functional survival, conformation and efficiency traits.

Gibb said more than 80 delegates from up to 39 World Jersey Bureau member countries are expected to take part.

It also marked a significant milestone for JerseyNZ, with 2027 being the organisation's 125th anniversary.

"New Zealand has always been seen as having the highest Jersey population and I believe we still do but sadly Jerseys are diminishing in New Zealand.

"But on a world scale we still I believe have the highest population of Jerseys."

The conference will be held over six days in February next year, followed by option tours across both the North and South Island.

It includes visits to the Zenith and Ebboni Jersey Farm in Taupiri, other herds, as well as a day at LIC, including a bull farm visit, industry presentations and a methane research farm tour, before attending the Jersey Pride Sale.