When applying for their herd to be classified, members undertake to comply with the terms and conditions of classification approved by the Board of Holstein Friesian New Zealand as set out herein and to be fully paid up financial members of Holstein Friesian New Zealand.

  1. ANIMALS TO BE SUBMITTED
    1. All animals (two-year-olds and older) submitted for classification in a season MUST be clearly identifiable. Acceptable forms of ID are the test (management) number on either a tag or collar. This number MUST correspond with the test number on the inspector’s mobile device. At the inspector’s discretion, if an animal is unable to be clearly identified by test number, the inspector may request that the animal be yarded for identification, via Birth ID which must correspond with the mobile device. Any animal that is not able to be clearly identified will be refused inspection.
    2. All two-year-old heifers by breed, by sire, whether pedigree or grade, must be put up for classification within a season.
      Please note: All two year olds includes all autumn and spring calving two year olds not previously classified. Any member who does not comply with this condition of classification will receive a warning for the first time offence and the second offence, all two-year-olds classified in the season will have their TOP scores and classification awards removed.
    3. No two-year-old heifer will score more than 87 points.
    4. Any animal not shown as a ‘PF’ or ‘SF’ (i.e. a grade animal) on the inspector’s screen will be given a final classification award and an ‘ER’ at the owner’s agreement. These animals will then be registered automatically by the office and a registration fee charged, as well as the classification charge.
    5. The scale for pointing excellent cows is 90 – 97, and will be introduced from the 2025/26 Classification season.
    6. No cows will be considered for excellent (90-94) unless they have had at least three natural calving’s recorded on BreedIT. The maximum excellent points for a cow that only has 3 natural calvings is 94.
    7. To be eligible to score any subsequent excellent points (91-97) a cow must have calved naturally at least once more between each excellent pointing.
    8. After the initial excellent points, the number of excellents will be counted after every second natural calving i.e. if a cow scores excellent 90 after her initial 3 calvings, and then moves to 93 points on her next inspection, she must have calved naturally twice in between points to gain the E2 status – 93 E2.
    9. To count the number of excellents a cow has received i.e. E2 or E3 etc. the count of E’s is equal to each excellent that a cow has received in her lifetime where she has met the calving requirements i.e. a cow that scores 90, and then 92 after 2 more natural calvings would be E2.
    10. If a cow remains on the same excellent points, it will still be counted as excellent if the required number of natural calvings criteria is met.
    11. If a cow receives excellent points that are less than the original excellent points, then the excellent adds to the count of excellents if the required number of natural calvings criteria is met, but the points will remain at the higher level i.e. the trait scores and lower points are withdrawn (RW).
    12.  If a cow is deemed eligible to score above 92 points and has met the calving criteria, she will require a second inspection to verify her final points. The second inspection (re-inspection) will be carried out by an HFNZ Board approved Senior Inspector.
    13. For cows deemed eligible to score above 92 points, the inspector will notify the HFNZ Office. The office will confirm that the calving criteria has been met and then contact the owner for approval to complete the re-inspection. The owner has the right to opt out of having the cow re-inspected and must confirm to the office in writing, within 3 days of receiving the notification, if they wish to proceed with the re-inspection or not.
    14. Cows submitted for re-inspection may or may not improve their excellent points at the re-inspection. This will be at the discretion of the HFNZ Senior Inspector completing the re-inspection.
    15. Re-inspections will be completed within one month of the initial inspection, and a re-inspection fee of $100.00 plus GST per animal will be charged. The re-inspection fee will be charged whether or not the cow’s points are moved following re-inspection.
      Please Note: Where a cow is awarded Excellent points, the correct number of natural calving’s must be recorded on BreedIT within the same lactation as the classification is given, for it to stand.
  2. PRESENTATION OF ANIMALS
    To assist the inspector to carry out their tasks efficiently, and keep to their timetable, the following conditions MUST be adhered to:
    1. Where possible all animals are to be inspected through a concrete yard. If animals are inspected in the paddock, cows are to be in groups of no more than 25 and a list of cows to be inspected must be available to the inspector. For inspections taking place in the paddock, the grass must be no longer than 100mm maximum and the paddock must not be severely pugged. If the inspector deems the paddock to be unsuitable (i.e. to pugged and a Health & Safety issue) then they can request that the animals are moved to a concrete yard. If the farmer does not cooperate with the inspector’s request, then the inspector has the right to cancel the inspection at the farmer’s cost.
    2. Over bagging animals is an animal welfare issue. Please ensure that your animals are milked so as not to cause them discomfort/harm around the timing of your classification inspection.
    3. For large herds wishing to classify, please contact the office to discuss the options available to you for completing your inspection.
    4. All cows presented for re-inspection MUST be inspected on a concrete yard.
    5. Where a cow is presented for re-inspection and is full of milk, the inspector at their discretion may request that the cow is milked out to complete the re-inspection.
  3. FARMER TRAITS

    TOP Farmer Lists or the TOP Farmer Trait App will be available to all applicants prior to inspection. It is a mandatory requirement for members to fill in the scores for each animal on the two-year-old list (older animals optional) as the information is invaluable for calculation of sire proofs. If you wish to have Farmer Traits entered for your older animals, please indicate this to the office staff on application.

  4. RE-SUBMITTING PREVIOUSLY CLASSIFIED ANIMALS

    If in the opinion of the inspector, an animal does not merit an increase in her points, she will be recorded as RW (recommended withdrawal) and charged a withdrawal fee.

  5. INSPECTORS
    1. The Holstein Friesian NZ Board has the responsibility for the selection, training and appointment of Classification Inspectors who must also hold a current TOP Inspector’s Certificate.
    2. When applying for classification, members MUST accept the inspector appointed.
  6. CANCELLATION OF CLASSIFICATION APPLICATION

    Once all tours for the classification season have been finalised, members will be advised of their allocated date and time in writing. Cancellations received by the office seven working days or less before the inspector is due at the farm will incur a cancellation fee.

  7. VARIATION BETWEEN NUMBERS

    Members who offer for inspection 20% more or less than the number of animals nominated on the application form or via standing order will be charged a penalty fee.

  8. CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS TWICE IN A SEASON

    Three-year-olds and older animals’ in-milk can be classified twice in a season.

  9. HEALTH & SAFETY

    All members applying for classification MUST ensure that all Health & Safety requirements are met while the inspector is on farm.

  10. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

    Should any member not be happy with any aspect of their classification inspection, they must put their concerns in writing (email acceptable) to the CEO, within one month of the Classification taking place. All written complaints will be dealt with by the HFNZ Board.

  11. SUMMARY OF FEES

    Refer to service fees. A member may request a Special Classification at any time convenient to them. Any Special Classification requested will be charged at full cost recovery.

  12. SHERRIFF MEMORIAL TROPHY

    All people who have been members of the Association for less than 10 years, that classify, will be considered for the Sherriff Memorial Trophy. This trophy is awarded to the herd owner with the highest average classification score for two-year-olds.