Three generations, one vision

A bull on a freight plane sounds like the start of a funny joke – but for Ian Bryant, it is a fond memory of days gone by. 

As owner of Otago’s Delaware Holstein Friesian stud, Ian is the caretaker of not only a farm business, but a name that has spanned two centuries – with three generations of the Bryant family to have bred Holstein Friesian cattle on the Taieri Plains. 

Before Delaware was established by Ian’s father EJP (Eric) Bryant in 1948, Eric’s father William Bryant had a pedigree Holstein Friesian stud, Tamahine. 

These animals were later to form the foundation of Delaware, which became well known for bulls, show animals and the careful selection of overseas genetics. 

Ian recalls that Eric was known foremost as a bull breeder, holding annual sales for many years that were a major part of the early Delaware story. He sold surplus heifers as well.  

Eric sourced genetics from some of the most notable studs in New Zealand, buying bulls from Rosevale, Lesdale, Pinevale, Pukeroro and Turepo – “big name studs”, Ian says. 

The logistics of cattle transport back then are a vivid memory for Ian. 

“I remember Dad buying bulls from the North Island, and they came down to the South Island in Bristol freighters in cages,” he says. “We picked them up from the airport. Dad even sold one bull, Delaware Skokie Prince, to a stud in Australia, and he was taken by train to Christchurch and flew to Australia by plane. 

“When AI became established the bull market did dry up a bit. Our last sale was in 1984.” 

Showing cattle was another major pillar of Delaware’s identity. 

“Showing was a big part of our lives growing up,” Ian says. “We attended two local shows – the Taieri A&P Show and the South Otago A&P Show – and competed against Peter Robertson (Rannoch) and Don Bathgate (Kinfalloch) and later, Denis Aitken of Broomfield. 

“Then, at the end of January we would go to the Otago A&P Show, held over two days in Dunedin. 

“It was a little more competitive than the local shows, and breeders came from further afield such as Glenstuart, Middlevale and Deloraine.” 

Eric, who was also an NZHFA Councillor for some years, showed Delaware Linmack Cushla at the Royal Show in Invercargill in the late 1970s and she did well, winning several South Island Championship titles.  

After Eric passed away, his wife Isabel continued farming. She farmed the home farm while Ian farmed a second herd on a property next door, both with the Delaware prefix. After Isabel passed away, the home farm was continued by Ian and Denise’s daughter Keryn and husband Matt Luke, while Ian continued with the Delaware prefix. 

Ian’s brother, Murray Bryant, re-started the Tamahine prefix, later selling the herd. 

Ian says today, the business has modernised its structure. A contract milker is employed to milk the 360 mainly pedigree Holstein Friesian cows and after many years winter-milking, they are now seasonal.   

Today, Ian and Denise’s breeding focus is on practicality and production. 

“We use a lot of bulls from Maire, Meander and Busybrook, and they have produced good progeny for our commercial herd,” Ian says. “We haven’t been overly focused on creating cow families as such.” 

Ian says they aim to breed easy-care cows that get in calf easily, aren’t too big, and have good udders and high components. 

“Commercially, we would rather have these kinds of cows, with one or two show cows,” he says.  

Genetic selection continues to evolve too. 

“We are trying to breed more polled animals now,” Ian says. “We’re not going all out, but it’s one less job to do. And we’re wondering if it will become an animal welfare issue going forward, like it has in Europe. 

“We also avoid using A1A1 bulls, leaning toward the A2A2 gene where possible.” 

Ian says a few things have changed since his father was at the helm. 

“Dad was milking 120 cows, and we have three times that number,” he says. “Our infrastructure has also upgraded: Dad used to have a walk-through cowshed, and I installed a herringbone and later, a rotary.” 

This expansion reflects a shift from the smaller, show-focused herd of Eric’s era to a modern commercial-scale dairy operation. However, the emphasis on good genetics remains in the Bryant family’s quest for excellence. 

“Both Dad and I used a bit of overseas bloodlines to get the type we wanted,” Ian says.  

While Delaware is no longer running big bull sales or heading to multiple shows every summer, the heart of the stud remains unchanged: a commitment to breeding robust, productive Holstein Friesian cattle with longevity and balance. 

The Delaware story is one of adaptation without losing sight of its roots; a hallmark of true longevity in New Zealand dairying.