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VikingNews AU 2019-2
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goldencross
b arry and vicki came to the farm from new zealand in 1996 and started milking nz fresians. after struggling with herd health
issues and trying to breed a smaller cow, they introduced a two- way cross with jerseys. in 2008, bar- ry started to research a more system- atic way of breeding to create the cow he was looking for, and this is when he discovered goldencross. goldencross is a three-breed cross that combines different characteris- tics from vikingholstein, vikingred and vikingjersey, all of which com- plement each other. all three breeds are in the top positions for health and production traits among their peers worldwide. they have been bred in the nordic countries, where testing and record keeping is argua- bly the most detailed in the world. josh
, is a second-generation be- liever in the goldencross system. he has said, ?we wanted to create a healthier herd because we had a lot of problems with mastitis and hooves. during the process of work- ing with goldencross we have also seen an overall lift in our herd?s per- formance? after more than ten years using the goldencross system, josh is well aware of the strengths that each breed contributes to the three-way crossbreeding system developed by vikinggenetics. ?what i have seen, and i am confi- dent to say, is that vikingholstein adds the high milk production, viking jersey increases the compo- nents (fat and protein) and vikin- gred contributes the general health, hoof health, udder health and fertili- ty?, says josh. by combining the three viking- genetics breeds you?ll get a cow of medium size and all different col- ours. ?for me, the colour of the cow is not important, it doesn?t matter. what really matters is that they get in calf, produce milk (components and litres) and are healthy?, says josh. the philp family has a clear goal for the future, to create a sustainable business that guarantees the success of the farm. when asked about the future josh responded, ?we want to have a sustainable herd, where we can support our family and five em- ployees. we don?t try to ?fix? things anymore, we are pleased with the herd we have created, now we just have to maintain consistent improve- ment, and goldencross will provide this.? goldencross ® is the future josh philp farms with his parents at their property ?riverbank? in garvoc, victoria, where they milk 720 goldencross cows on 441 ha. josh, his wife lilli, together with josh?s parents barry and vicki, are known in the area to approach their farming business progressively and with professionalism, often sharing what they learn with other farmers in the district through discussion groups. 12 vikingnews | september 2019
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