A lasting legacy

Today, using imported semen from overseas bulls is par for the course for New Zealand farmers. But back in 1955, it was unheard of – and Auckland dairy farmer Archie (A.W) Montgomerie made a name for himself as a pioneer in the importation of overseas genetics.

As founder of the Sunnybrae stud, Archie – and later, his sons – made a remarkable contribution to both the Holstein Friesian breed, and the industry at large with their decades of service.

Born into a dairying family, Archie took over the family property at Māngere in 1934. The 1930s were difficult years – between the Depression and Auckland’s milk wars, the farm was made redundant from Ambury’s Ltd, the city’s main milk supplier. However, out of those challenges came the beginnings of what would become the Sunnybrae Holstein Friesian stud.

Archie recognised the need for innovation early in his career. A strong advocate for milk protein – both for its nutritional value and cheese yield – he campaigned for a payment system that rewarded protein content, as well as volume. Decades later, in the 1980s, that system was adopted – validating his forward-thinking approach.

Archie was always on the lookout for new opportunities to strengthen the Holstein Friesian breed. He imported some of the earliest North American bulls into New Zealand for natural service, including Carnation Ormsby Cashier (1940) and Hartholm Carnation Joe Posch (1946).

Impressed by Posch’s progeny, Archie went a step further in 1955 by importing frozen ampoules of bull semen from three Ontario sires – a groundbreaking move for the time.

One of the Ontario-bred bulls was Maple Lea Reflection Governor, who left six daughters at Sunnybrae who all classified VHC and produced over 600lb (272kg) milk fat. Governor’s sons were sold to numerous studs around New Zealand and were very successful; one particularly successful son was Sunnybrae ABC Official, who at one stage was the highest rated bull in the country.

Son John Montgomerie recalls the visit to Canada where Archie first made contact with a cow family that would have a large influence on the future of Sunnybrae.

“Dad saw Karnvilla Peration’s dam, Karnvilla Sylvo Sovereign Perseus EX, and decided he wanted to bring some of Peration’s semen into New Zealand,” he says. “Peration wasn’t a popular bull, but he was used heavily at Sunnybrae; Sunnybrae registered 37 daughters of Peration over a four-year period. Peration also went on to sire a number of show cows throughout the country, at studs including Lesdale and Deloraine.”

Closer to home, Archie worked with leading studs of the day, such as Pukeroro, Turepo, Athol and Deloraine.

Archie’s passion for shaping the future of the Holstein Friesian breed went beyond his farm gates. His role on the New Zealand Dairy Board’s Artificial Breeding (AB) Committee was particularly significant: he travelled the country with Dairy Board officers, selecting pedigree bulls for the AB programme in an early adaptation of today’s TOP (Traits Other than Production) inspections.

Archie regarded working with R.A. Candy in the establishment of AB in New Zealand as one of his greatest achievements. His enthusiasm for the potential of artificial breeding placed him among the pioneers of herd improvement, at a time when the technology was still in its infancy.

Another of Archie’s initiatives was the establishment of the Supplementary Register. After a visit overseas in 1952 he became convinced that New Zealand needed a pathway for top-quality cows to enter the pedigree system. The idea that second or third-generation progeny could graduate into the Herd Book was controversial at first, but Archie’s persistence eventually persuaded the Association’s Council. For Archie, seeing those animals progress to full pedigree status was deeply satisfying and the move helped broaden and strengthen the Holstein Friesian base in New Zealand.

Archie’s leadership extended across many roles. He was a councillor of the Association from 1944-1977, serving as President from 1956-57. He also worked as a classifier, a show judge and a delegate to international conferences. While once an enthusiastic showring exhibitor, Archie came to value classification as a more effective tool for improving conformation in the breed.

Beyond Holstein Friesian NZ, he was a central figure in Auckland’s town milk supply industry. For 40 years following World War II, he was a Director of the Auckland Cooperative Milk Producers and served as Vice Chairman of the New Zealand Milk Board.

Archie’s love for the industry was passed down to his children. Archie and his wife Isabel raised six children – four of whom worked on the farm as young men before making their own paths – but all becoming deeply involved with Holstein Friesian breeding and continuing the Sunnybrae tradition.

Jim Montgomerie, the eldest, established the Ngaio stud and enjoyed success with several show champions, and bulls marketed through CRV Ambreed. He mirrored his father’s dedication to the industry, serving as a classifier, councillor and President of Holstein Friesian NZ from 1982-85.

The last calf registered under the Ngaio prefix was SRB Ngaio Hugo Fluke, who went on to be marketed through CRV Ambreed. He sired several show cows and three-four bulls that were marketed by CRV. Another popular Ngaio bull in AI was Ngaio Crisscross Prince, sired by Linmack. He was nominated for a joint agreement between LIC and the Holstein Friesian NZ, achieving widespread use in the national herd.

The Ngaio herd was dispersed in 2003 but Ngaio is still farmed by Jim’s son Tim.

John Montgomerie farmed at Clevedon, after the Māngere property was sold to make way for Auckland Airport. He continued breeding and registering animals under the Sunnybrae prefix for many years, until the herd was dispersed in 2013.

John contributed to Holstein Friesian NZ as a councillor, President (2003-04) and later as a Field Officer and classifier.

“I’m contract milking today as Sunnybrae Farm Trust; the passion is still there,” John says. “I’m happiest when working with cows. It’s in my blood.”

Bill Montgomerie spent two decades breeding Holstein Friesians under the Napuka stud. Bill bred a much-admired herd with the use of the best Canadian sires. One bull he bred, 1984-born Napuka Ragnarok, ended up having an influence on the national herd. Bill later turned to a career with LIC and the national animal evaluation system, applying his knowledge to shape the next generation of breeding tools.

David Montgomerie, another son, established the Brooklea stud.

It was often said that Archie was ahead of his time. Through Archie’s pioneering initiatives and his sons’ dedication, the Sunnybrae name became synonymous with innovation and leadership in Holstein Friesians.