Profitable crossbred cows with VikingRed

Mark McDonald farms 540 cows at The Red Cow Farm in Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand. What started as a sharemilking endeavour has grown into one of the largest Milking Shorthorn herds in New Zealand, featuring a diverse range of red genetics sourced from around the world.

These cows possess a unique blend of Red Dairy Cattle genetics from various countries, emphasising Nordic bloodlines. The farm encompasses 190 hectares of land for milking and 100 hectares in Mayfield, northwest of Ashburton, for rearing young stock.

After purchasing the land for The Red Cow Farm in 2000, Mark had managers overseeing the farm until 2006. That year, Mark and his team took on the responsibility, which they have done for the past 16 years.

The unique climate in Ashburton, which occasionally experiences snowfall during winter, requires resilient cows that can handle harsh conditions. The farm's elongated shape necessitates cows that can easily walk long distances.

"We generally find we have far fewer foot problems with the VikingRed cows with the black hooves than we do with the black and whites," says Mark, highlighting the benefits of the VikingRed's strong, dark hooves.

VikingRed New Zealand Crossbreeding Dairy Cows

Introducing VikingRed

Mark started incorporating Nordic genetics into his breeding program in the late 1990s and now strongly focuses on VikingRed. As a result, most of his herd now consists of red cows, with only around 15% being black and white cows.

Mark adopts a more flexible approach rather than focusing on specific crossbreeding techniques. He treats the cows as part of the Milking Shorthorn or red breed and employs a mix of genetics from different regions.

Some cows in the herd may have VikingGenetics spanning multiple generations, while others may trace back to New Zealand Milking Shorthorns. Illawarra from Australia and Australian Red – a variation of VikingRed – are also incorporated into the breeding program.

“VikingGenetics has helped us get up to pace with commercial cows, faster than we ever would have been able to do if I’d stuck to absolute purebred Milking Shorthorn,” he says.

A tailored approach to crossbreeding

Mark aims to develop a uniform herd of low-maintenance, medium-sized New Zealand dairy cows with strong legs and udders well-suited for the farm's grazing system.

Over the years, Mark and his team have experimented with various breeds but found the VikingRed advantageous, thanks to the breed's excellent sire-proving scheme. The increasing importance of A2A2 proteins led them to focus on breeding cows with this trait, and VikingGenetics offered a reliable source of A2A2 bulls.

Additionally, the breed provided more options for polled gene selection, and, as a result, a growing percentage of calves are now born naturally hornless. In selecting breeding bulls, Mark chooses two or three sires each year and uses them extensively instead of fewer doses from multiple bulls.

Colour is also a consideration, as the farm aims to maintain a predominantly red appearance. Mark sometimes requests that specific bulls be imported if unavailable in the New Zealand catalogues, ensuring a tailored approach to crossbreeding.

Meet Mark McDonald

“VikingGenetics has helped us get up to pace with commercial cows, faster than we ever would have been able to do if I’d stuck to absolute purebred Milking Shorthorn,” says Mark.

Calm, easygoing cows

When Mark started breeding Milking Shorthorns, he realised that the global genetic pool was limited, making progress challenging. With VikingGenetics, he found an opportunity to accelerate genetic progress and have cows that could compete with other commercial breeds. Due to this, there has been a notable shift in New Zealand's dairy industry, with VikingRed crosses becoming more popular.

The cows at The Red Cow Farm exhibit excellent production levels, on par with black and whites, while excelling in health and temperament. The surplus stock is in high demand, reflecting the increased recognition of these cows' qualities.

The farm's staff are great fans of the cows' temperament, known for being calm and easy to work with. The cows are curious and friendly, often seeking human interaction and never kicking. The exceptional temperament of the red cows, combined with their robust health, is a significant attraction for the staff and Mark.

"One of the things we always ask the staff is what cows they prefer most. They always say the red ones over the black and whites, and a lot of it has to do with just how easy they are to farm," he says.

The farm follows a straightforward breeding process, starting artificial insemination (AI) in late October for six to seven weeks, followed by a period during which the bulls are introduced for three to four weeks. The resulting 9-11% empty rate is excellent for the Canterbury region.

"One of the things we always ask the staff is what cows they prefer most. They always say the red ones over the black and whites, and a lot of it has to do with just how easy they are to farm."

Mark McDonald,
Owner, The Red Cow Farm

A thriving and sustainable business

The Red Cow Farm benefits from irrigation, with 80% of the land being irrigated. This consistent water supply helps maintain stable production levels, with weather fluctuations having minimal impact on productivity. Additionally, one of Mark’s hobbies is tree planting, providing a welcome break from dairy farming and ensuring a continuous cycle of regeneration and growth.

Mark recently reduced the number of cows to improve feed quality but soon realised that more attention should be given to pasture management. Consequently, the herd size will likely increase again next year to optimise pasture utilisation.

Through VikingGenetics and a thoughtful breeding program, Mark has achieved a resilient and productive herd of crossbred Milking Shorthorns, and the VikingRed’s exceptional health, temperament, and performance have made them increasingly popular with New Zealand dairy farmers.

The Red Cow Farm is an excellent example of the successful integration of diverse red genetics into a commercial dairy herd. The farm is a testament to the rewards of crossbreeding with VikingRed and how it contributes to a thriving and sustainable dairy business.

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