Tronnoco triumphs at HFNZ/Semex On-Farm Competition

Timaru-based Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd is celebrating a standout performance at the 2025 HFNZ-Semex On Farm Competition, with their Holstein Friesians earning places in three of the six national classes.

Winners were revealed last night at the awards evening, hosted at Invercargill’s Ascot Park Hotel as part of the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ AGM & Conference. Among the standout results was Tronnoco Lambda Lilith, who took out the Comestar Leader – Three Year Old Cow title. In the Conant-Acres JY Broker – Mature Cow class, Tronnoco Sonic Glory and Tronnoco Modesto Cairo were awarded first and second respectively.

Owned by Tony and Keri O’Connor, Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd has cemented its position among New Zealand’s leading Holstein Friesian breeders through consistent excellence in type and structure.

The HFNZ-Semex On Farm Competition promotes the Holstein Friesian breed by judging individual cows at their home properties in natural conditions—without fitting or halters—allowing animals to be assessed in a true production environment.

This year’s event saw 780 cows from 106 herds evaluated across eight regions. Judging was based on structural correctness using a specially designed linear scoring system. The top two animals in each region advanced to the national final, judged by Luke Gilbert of Hamilton.

Of the six national Champions crowned for 2025, four hailed from the South Island—Rangiora, Timaru and Christchurch—with two from the North Island—Hamilton and Morrinsville—highlighting the strength of the breed across the country.

Semex NZ’s Ryan Lett said it was a pleasure to be part of the HFNZ-Semex On-Farm Competition.

“2025 was a record year in terms of numbers and entries, which was exciting to see and we hope it will continue in the future,” he said. 

National Judge Luke Gilbert said the HFNZ-Semex On Farm Competition was an awesome competition to be a part of.

“We judge cows from Invercargill all the way up to near Kaitaia, and the quality of cows right throughout the country was just exceptional,” he said. “We’re after functional, productive dairy cows that are going to last a long time, and we saw that in all the herds we went to.”

2025 HFNZ SEMEX ON-FARM COMPETITION RESULTS 

MAUGHLIN STORM – TWO -YEAR-OLD COW

1. Belbrook Ferraro Jess (Belbrook Farming Ltd, Rangiora)
2. Quinedale Perseus Famous (B & H Singh, Taupiri)
3. Waipiri Lambd Tonio (D & P Fullerton, Hamilton)
4. Waipiri Moovin Atomic-ET (Trainor/H Verwaayen Partnership, Dannevirke)
5. Tronnoco Lambda Gloria (Lyncrest Dairies Ltd, Invercargill)
6. Tronnoco Rgade Jazan (Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd, Timaru)

COMESTAR LEADER – THREE-YEAR-OLD COW

1. Tronnoco Lambda Lilith (Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd, Timaru)
2. Bushview Sidekick Phoebe (L Vanner, Kaponga)
3. Tahora Sidekick Legacy2-ET (Tahora Farms, Christchurch)
4. Fantastic Crush Marley (Fusion Genetics, Palmerston North)
5. Busybrook Unix Alana-ET (D & P Fullerton, Hamilton)
6. Quinedale Octane Camila (B & H Singh, Taupiri)

TOWNSON LINDY – FOUR-YEAR-OLD COW 

1. Lawwal Skick Kereden S1F (K & MK Singh, Hamilton)
2. Tahora Pharo Abriana (Tahora Farms, Christchurch)
3. Parkville WA Woody (P & D Capes, Eketahuna)
4. Halls Silvio Dana (Hall’s Enterprises Ltd No 1, Wallacetown)
5. Belbrook Crushbul Elspeth (Belbrook Farming Ltd, Rangiora)
6. Hukaview Chief Gina S3F (Kenair Partnership, New Plymouth)

HANOVERHILL RAIDER – FIVE-YEAR-OLD COW

1. Charbelle Tatoo Pix (Charbelle Holsteins, Morrinsville)
2. Sherraine Solomon Lemon (Sherraine Holsteins Ltd, Ohoka)
3. Rock View Solomon Demi (WA & LG Taylor, Waitara)
4. Raetea Pigment Sweety-Red (Schnuriger Family Trust, Rotorua)
5. Ronnoco SK Odessa (B & J O’Connor, Timaru)
6. Tahora Loverboy Toniana (Schnuriger Family Trust, Rotorua)

CONANT-ACRES JY BROKER – MATURE COW

1. Tronnoco Sonic Glory (Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd, Timaru)
2. Tronnoco Modesto Cairo (Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd, Timaru)
3. Ferdon Doorman Prim (Ferdon Genetics, Otorohanga)
4. Joyclas Sammy Moo S3F (Joyclas Friesians, Palmerston North)
5. Raetea Devour Sceaux (Schnuriger Family Trust, Rotorua)
6. Parkville Meri Ann S3F (P & D Capes, Eketahuna)

COMESTAR LAURIE SHEIK – VETERAN COW

1. Annalea Supersire Taylor (Tahora Farms, Christchurch)
2. Brookview Wisc Sceaux (Schnuriger Farming Trust, Rotorua)
3. Waiview Windbrook Cheeky (GM & AM Woolley, Tuamarina)
4. Parlan Tro Clear (Johnson & Parkes, Hawera)
5. Kauri Glen Wind Prim-ET (Ferdon Genetics, Otorohanga)
6. Karatane Dempsy Sally S3F (Paretai Farm P/ship, Gore)