The objective of Discovery Project is to support the opportunity for breeders, through advanced breeding technologies, to develop top cow families and breed bulls for the AI industry.
Do you have a high BW heifer calf(ves) with the potential to provide Holstein Friesian bulls for the industry? If so, nominate her for the Discovery Project!
Do you have a high BW heifer calf(ves) with the potential to provide Holstein Friesian bulls for the industry? If so, nominate her for the Discovery Project!
- Sponsored by LIC.
- Genomic screening of up to 300 registered rising one year old heifers – with 50 ultimately selected to participate (of potential bull dam standard).
- Dependent on the service provider and option chosen, heifers will either travel to the provider or remain on the owner’s farm.
- Matings will be mutually agreed to by both Breeder and LIC.
- TVR/MOET will be available with service providers in New Zealand.
- Free genomic evaluation of heifers (and uploading to LIC database).
- Absolutely no breeding restrictions on heifers screened or resulting female progeny .
- Free parentage and defect testing.
- Negotiated pricing for TVR and MOET services with New Zealand service providers.
- Discount on classification of all two-year-olds classified in the year the Discovery Project heifer(s) is inspected as a two-year-old. Discounts: 10% for one Discovery heifer and a further 5% for any subsequent Discovery heifers classified at the same time (up to a maximum 30% discount). All two-year-olds must be inspected under the Conditions of Classification for the discount to be applicable.
- Free semen for TVR/MOET (and AI mating if agreed to by breeder).
- Preferential access to elite young sires (if of interest to the breeder).
- All resulting bull progeny are genomically screened through LIC:
- Bull progeny may be purchased by LIC – under the following options:
- Royalty option – $2,000 at the time of bull purchase plus $0.75/non sexed straw sold or $3.00/sexed straw sold royalty (per qualifying sale), if the bull is marketed by LIC
- Fixed Price option – $5,000 at the time of bull purchase plus $15,000 if the bull is utilised through any LIC team
- Both options include an additional payment of $1,000 per bull purchased should they result from an embryo transfer (ET)
- Any bulls not subsequently purchased by LIC are eligible for LIC’s rearing fee at $300 per bull
- Holstein Friesian NZ also receives a royalty per straw of semen sold if any bull generated through the Discovery Project is marketed by LIC
- Free LIC Customate Plus for the entire home herd.
- Nominated yearling heifers must meet the DairyNZ liveweight standard to be accepted on any TVR/IVP service providers property (if this option is selected)
- Obligation to Discovery Project: When 18 Holstein Friesian embryos have been produced, the animal is free to transfer to an alternative LIC TVR/IVP programme
- The yearling heifer must complete a minimum of four TVR/IVP sessions OR one MOET session or produce at least 10 embryos for the owner to receive the full benefits of Discovery Project
| Holstein Innovation Female Programme | Discovery Project | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme Description | Contract mating programme. Female component aimed at identifying elite genetics and providing access to LIC elite young sires. Open to all ages. | Advanced embryo/TVR/MOET programme supporting breeders to develop top cow families and breed AI bulls. Embryo programme for elite heifers. |
| Objective | Identify elite Holstein Friesian genetics to breed from | Support breeders in developing top cow families and breeding bulls for the AI industry |
| Age/eligibility | Elite females, open age. Minimum F16 pedigree. Classification GP83 or above, female line. | Registered rising one year old heifers screened. Approx 300 tested, 50 selected. Heifer calves born the previous spring (e.g., 2025-born for the 2026 team). |
| Genomic Screening | Up to 200 nominated females annually. | Genomic screening of up to 300 heifers. 50 selected as potential bull dams. |
| Benefits | Parentage testing, genomic evaluation, AI mating.
Contract mating through LIC's elite young sires. |
Free genomic evaluation, parentage & defect testing, free semen for TVR/MOET (and AI mating if agreed).
No breeding restrictions. Classification discounts. Free LIC CustomMate Plus for home herd. |
| Mating Programme | AI programme accessing LIC’s elite young sires. | TVR/MOET options with NZ providers.
LIC semen supplied, optional for AI mating. |
| Bull Progeny | LIC may purchase bulls with both fixed price or royalty options available. LIC pay a rearing contribution for non-purchased bulls. | LIC may purchase bulls with both fixed price or royalty options available. Potential extra ET payments and LIC rearing contribution for non-purchased bulls. |
| Royalty Notes | HFNZ receives royalties from marketed bulls and the opportunity to sell semen from any young bulls accepted into LIC’s Sire Proving scheme. | HFNZ receives royalty per straw for marketed bulls. |
