Holstein Innovation is a joint sire proving scheme between Holstein Friesian New Zealand and LIC to select and prove elite young Holstein Friesian bulls for New Zealand dairy farmers, through the use of genomic testing for artificial breeding.
The Holstein Innovation programme will offer increased diversity through bulls that need to be of suitable genetic merit (BW), giving LIC an opportunity to tap into diverse cow families in HFNZ member herds for its breeding programme. This will enable faster rates of genetic gain on farm and see the Holstein Friesian breed’s genetic strength increase.
To nominate your bull calves, submit them for consideration to the HFNZ and LIC subcommittee. Up to 50 bulls will be accepted for genomic testing, and from there up to five bulls will be accepted to join the LIC Sire Proving Scheme (SPS). Breeders will be offered purchase agreements with LIC, and the purchase price is negotiated between the Breeder and LIC.
- 2025 born bull calves (must be born before 15 September 2025)
- All bulls nominated must be a minimum of F16
- Three generations of Holstein Friesian pedigree
- Ideally minimum GP83 Classification on female line
- Bulls with diverse sire pathways will be given preference, but still need marketable breeding values
- Only uncontracted bulls are eligible for nomination
- Breeders are eligible for the same LIC remuneration as standard contract bull purchases
- LIC will genomically test up to 50 bulls annually
- Up to 5 selected bulls to join LIC’s Sire Proving Scheme (SPS) annually
- Bulls have the potential to be marketed from two-year-olds through to daughter proven, both domestically and internationally
- Holstein Friesian NZ can sell semen to members in the bull’s first year of semen production
- Holstein Friesian NZ will receive royalties from marketed bulls
- Breeders are eligible for LIC remuneration as follows:
