Jersey Genetics shining brightly at LIC Breeder’s Dinner
Tironui GB Montage: a global success story in the Jersey Breed
Jersey Genetics shone brightly at last weeks’ LIC Breeders’ Dinner, with the coveted Jersey International Sire of the Year title going to none other than Tironui GB Montage-ET (319066). The prestigious award recognises the Jersey bull with the highest international sales through LIC in 2024 – and Montage certainly earned it. Danie Swart, Acquisitions Manager at LIC describes Montage’s pedigree as ‘a combination of two of the very best cow families in the industry, Tironui and Glanton. He’s a good all-rounder, with high production and excellent liveweight, capacity, dairy conformation and udder overall gBV’s’.
Bred by long-time JerseyNZ members, Murray and Janet Gibb of Taupiri, Montage is a true example of elite New Zealand Jersey breeding making waves around the world. His international success is not only a win for the Gibbs, but a proud moment for the wider Jersey community, showcasing the global demand for New Zealand-bred Jersey sires.
Montage’s pedigree is a combination of elite genetics. Sired by Glanton SS Bastille, Montage inherited a solid production base. But the maternal side of Montage’s pedigree is equally – if not more – impressive. He is out of Tironui Integ Meg, an outstanding cow with numbers to match. Meg is no stranger to success, with another of her sons, Tironui Superman also receiving international recognition, received the same award previously.
Montage was selected in the 2019 Jersey Future team, going on to be confirmed in the LIC Premier Sires team last year. The Jersey Future programme is a collaboration between JerseyNZ and LIC that identifies and develops promising young Jersey bulls from top-performing cow families across New Zealand. By leveraging genomic selection and farmer-recorded data, the programme fast-tracks elite Jersey genetics into LIC’s breeding pipeline. The programme not only supports genetic gain within the Jersey breed but also gives JerseyNZ members a platform to contribute to the national and international achievement of Jersey sires.
As international Jersey markets increasingly seek out high-efficiency, high-production genetics, Tironui GB Montage has proven himself as a standout. His success underlines the strength of New Zealand Jersey breeding, the value of investing in young sire programmes like Jersey Future, and the lasting impact of thoughtful, consistent cow family development.
Congratulations to Murray and Janet Gibb on this incredible achievement—and of course to Tironui GB Montage.
Hawthorn Grove L Zoltin
Ron and Jackie Monk of Hokitika have cultivated a legacy of excellence in Jersey breeding. Their dedication was spotlighted with their bull, Hawthorn Grove L Zoltin-ET, earning LIC’s Jersey Genomic Sire of the Year at last week’s LIC Breeders Dinner.
Zoltin has an impressive genetic profile and production metrics, with a gBW of 599. He boasts an udder overall of gBV 0.86, indicating his potential to sire daughters with exceptional reproductive efficiency and udder quality.
Zoltin offers breeders nationwide the opportunity to infuse their herds with top-tier genetics. His inclusion in these programmes signifies LIC’s confidence in his potential to make a significant impact on the Jersey breed.
The Monk’s achievement with Zoltin is a testament to their commitment to advancing Jersey genetics. Their meticulous breeding practices and dedication to excellence have not only elevated their herd but also contributed valuable genetics to the wider dairy community.
Congratulations to Ron and Jackie Monk and Zoltin on this achievement.