Milestones of Process

The Milestones of Process was first collated as a record of the first 25 years of the Association. It has since been updated for the Golden Jubilee and for the Centennial. It is a timeline of important happenings in the lifetime of the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association.

23 June 1910

The New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association is founded

Coleman Phillips of Wairarapa was elected President with a Council of four.

New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association Herd Book Volume 1

1913

First President Coleman Phillips was awarded Life Membership for services to the breed – the first person to be bestowed this award.

1916

On patriotic grounds the name of the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association was changed to New Zealand Friesian Association.

1919

The South Island Championship was established at the Canterbury Show. Champion Bull was Longbeach Big King exhibited by J Grigg and Champion Cow was Bounty Maid Segis exhibited by R Mugford.

1934

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the importation of the first pedigree Friesians by the late Mr JCN Grigg of Longbeach, a perpetual challenge cup, the Grigg Jubilee Cup, was secured by the Association.

1939

The first classification of herds in the South Island is undertaken. 21 herds in Canterbury submit 191 cows for inspection

1951

The method of electing the President of the Association is amended, transferring the power of such election to the Council.
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Mr Grigg of Longbeach imported the Friesian bull Terling Brabazon, which now figures widely in the pedigrees of most studs in New Zealand.

1955

The first 600lb (272kg) milk-fat average by any dairy herd in the Dominion was recorded when 14 pedigree Holstein Friesians in the Floresta herd of HJ Dunn (Edendale) were credited for the 1954/55 season with an average of 15,456lb (7,011kg) milk and 602lb (273kg) milk-fat.

Performance Register Volume 1

1963

The Association purchases for the first time in its history, its own office premises at 30 Great South Rd, Newmarket, Auckland, and these were officially opened by the President, Mr MJ Parker.

1970

The “off colour” section of the Herd Book was opened to allow the registration of females who are black and white but do not conform to the rigid standards set down in the main Herd Book.

1974

The Council of the Association approved the introduction of a “Supplementary Register” for the purpose of recording the registration of non-pedigree Holstein Friesian females which meet certain qualifications.

1977

The New Zealand Friesian Journal was published for the first time in February 1977.

1979

Trials held in Poland by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation show heifers sired by New Zealand Holstein Friesian semen, were top for milk-fat followed by Israel and the U.S.A. The New Zealand heifers are rated third for milk volume.

1984

At the AGM a motion was passed that the name of the Association be changed from New Zealand Friesian Association to New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association.

1986

Bay of Plenty Branch move a remit at the AGM for Council to promote the A + B – C protein payment system (The first dairy companies started using this payment system in 1989).

1989

A new Classification system was introduced in line with the introduction of TOP (Traits Other than Production) linear measurement of type.

2002

A program upgrade of the National Herd Testing Database allows for the introduction of E-Registration.

2009

A new logo and trading name for the Association was introduced – Holstein Friesian New Zealand.

Coleman Phillips, first President

1912

At the second Annual General Meeting, the first patron of the Association was elected with Mr JCN Grigg, the importer of the first Friesians into New Zealand, being asked to accept the appointment.
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The first herd names were registered for the exclusive use of breeders.

1914

The first of the Association’s production records (known as Year Books for the first 13 volumes) was published.

New Zealand Friesian Association Logo

1920

The numerical strength of the Association’s Council was increased to 12.

1937

Voluntary classification of Holstein Friesian cattle is introduced. HE Johnson, J Hart, EM North & RH Dickie are appointed as the first classification inspectors for the Association.

1943

Approval was given permitting the registration of animals bred by artificial insemination and a Committee was set up to draft a set of rules to govern the registrations.

1952

A shed identification card system governing the identification of all pedigree Holstein Friesian cows placed under test or submitted for classification was introduced.

1957

Alterations to the rules of the Association were introduced restricting the length of names of animals so as to assist in the recording of and in eliminating errors in their performances.

1960

The Associations Golden Jubilee was celebrated at Hamilton and was attended by over 500 breeders and supporters.

1965

Mr MS Rennie (Mangere) was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List, the first NZ Holstein Friesian breeder to be decorated by Her Majesty the Queen.

1972

Red & White cattle were allowed to be entered into the Herd Book after consideration by the Association’s Council.

1975

The Association office at Papatoetoe was named “Roper House” this being considered a fitting memorial tribute to the late NR (Noel) Roper, former secretary/manager.

1977

A major step forward for good breeding was the new ova transplant techniques. Council sets guidelines for the registration of resulting progeny.

1980

NZ Dairy Board and LIA approached the Association regarding the integration of pedigree records into a computer program with the testing associations and breed societies.

1985

The National Herd Testing Database was introduced for the collection and storage of information. Each animal was given a unique herd code and number, which includes year of birth and farm code.

1987

Youthline (later named Black & White Youth) is established.

1995

A joint sire proving venture was established between New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association and Ambreed called Genetic Leaders.

2003

The Association adopted ETOP (Electronic Traits Other than Production) as part of the upgrade of the National Herd Test Database. Council is reduced from 24 to 12.

Holstein Friesian New Zealand Logo

1911

Herd Book Volume 1 was published

containing registrations for 128 bulls and 349 cows. Appendix I – 139 females, Appendix II – 1,319 females, Appendix III – 473 females

JCN Grigg, first Patron

New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association Year Book Volume 1

1917

The North Island Championship was established at the Dannevirke Show. Grigg Laddie exhibited by Mrs J Well was Champion Bull and Champion Cow was Woodcrest Johanna Tehee exhibited by J Donald.

1924

With the inauguration of the Royal Show, the Association donated two challenge cups valued at 50 guineas each for the male and female champions.

1938

The first classification of Friesian herds was undertaken. 90 cows in six Wairarapa herds are graded by the inspection committee and 15 cows were classified VHC, 31 HC and 29 C.

1944

The first artificial breeding work in the breed is carried out when the American bred sire, Carnation Ormsby Cashier, is made available at Ruakura by his importer, AW Montgomerie.

1954

An arrangement was mutually agreed upon between the Artificial Breeding Committee of the New Zealand Dairy Board and the Association whereby the Association has the right of veto of any sire not considered up to standard for use.

1959

The first volume of the Association’s current annual publication, the Performance Register, was published.

Golden Jubilee "50 years of Friesians"

1966

History was made in the export field by the shipment of a pedigree heifer calf by the Meikle Farm Trust to Spring Farms, Ontario - the first time a New Zealand-bred pedigree Holstein Friesian female had been exported to Canada.

1973

The Longbeach herd, established in 1884, was dispersed.

Roper House, Papatoetoe

1978

The Star Brood Cow award was introduced to give recognition to pedigree Holstein Friesian cows proven to be good breeding matrons measured through progeny performance.

1983

A Stud Stock Journalist was employed by both the Association and Dairy Exporter to report on promotion of Friesian breed in the Journal and Exporter 75% and other breeds 25%.

1985

Council representation increases from 12 to 24 Councillors.

Youthline Logo

1998

The Association purchased a new office premises at 23 Vialou Street, Hamilton.

2004

Discovery Project – a programme to identify top genetic females tested in a nucleus herd situation began.

2010

For only the second time a Patron was appointed. Brian Knutson accepted the appointment.