High lifetime production thanks to successful breeding strategy

profile

Great balance and strong legs

For Marco Hekert, optimally utilising the grassland in this location is vitally important. “In summer, our cows graze outdoors day and night,” says the farm manager. He explains that in addition to intensive grassland management to ensure nutritious grass, sound genetics are also essential. “We focus on well-balanced cows without too many extreme traits that have sufficient width and depth in the body and can cope with a high volume of forage. Our cows also have to travel long distances occasionally from the meadows to the barn so strong legs are also important.”

Proven cow families with high lifetime productions

The Triple A system has been used for six years to select bulls that produce cows that meet these requirements. “I prefer to use bulls from proven cow families with high lifetime productions,” Marco continues. “I also pay attention to good component percentages, an average stature and a correct pelvic position. To sum it up, I want cows that can intake plenty of forage and grow old,” says Hekert.

K.I. Samen philosophy

“In the Netherlands, I studied with Arno van Velzen of Amsweer Holsteins. At the time, he sold some bulls to K.I. Samen, such as Amsweer Super-Joc and Amsweer Joshua. This introduced me to the K.I. Samen philosophy,” says Marco. “This philosophy is based on proven practical breeding, a concept that greatly appeals to me. In addition, K.I. Samen offers a very varied range of Triple A codes. codes 1, 6 and 5 create cows with power and performance. K.I. Samen has a better choice of bulls with these codes,” he explains.

Wonderful daughters by influential bulls

When asked which bulls perform well, Marco answers with a smile: “Amsweer Super-Joc, Timmer Climax and VVH Repairman, among others, are outstanding. Hoekland Maik also performs well. Maik’s daughter Sarah 730 (VG 86) achieved lifetime production of more than 120,000 kg in seven lactations.” However, the bull that stamped the greatest influence on the herd is Big Malki. Marco laughs: “Numerous jet black daughters with excellent legs and well attached udders are living proof of his genes. during the open day we organised on our farm in June 2024, visitors were able to admire our cows. Three Malki daughters and a daughter by Repairman, Red Max and Maik were on show at the K.I. Samen stand.”

use of K.I. Samen bulls

WR centrum, Big Redstar and VDR Slash are K.I. Samen bulls that have produced particularly goods cows at the farm. Hekert uses Repairman’s son Aussendeicher Ragnar on cows that need improvement with Triple-A code 243. He bred this bull himself out of Hanna 912 (ex 93) who had lifetime production of 141,000 kg. Ragnar’s eldest daughters have already calved and are performing well. Hanna 912 claimed first place in her class at the ‘Schau der Besten’ in Verden (Germany) in 2020. This show is the highlight of the German show scene. Although Hekert enjoys participating in shows, he says: “In Germany, it’s mainly a tall stature and an extreme milk type that are important to score high points. But that image does not match my breeding philosophy.”

Successful breeding strategy

“The success of the breeding strategy is reflected in the figures. The herd currently numbers five cows with lifetime production of more than 100,000 kg. In the past 10 years, 32 cows have already reached this milestone. The culled cows achieve an average lifetime production of 53,000 kg of milk,” concludes Hekert.

---

---