Ngatimaru Jerseys – family, genetics and innovation
By Pam Goodin
From the Jersey Focus September 2025 issue
When Stuart and Sara Russell walk across the paddocks of Ngatimaru Jerseys, there is a sense of continuity and determination woven into the land. The farm, located just a few kilometres from the Canterbury coast, carries with it not only decades of family history but also a strong commitment to breeding and managing Jerseys in a progressive, future-focused way.
Their story is one of heritage meeting innovation: generations of dairying experience combined with the willingness to embrace new technology, genetics, and fresh approaches to animal care. It is also, at its heart, a family story—one where everyone, from grandparents to children, contributes to the rhythm and success of the farm.
Ngatimaru Jerseys has its roots in the 1960s, when Sara’s paternal grandfather who was farming Jerseys in Taranaki registered the stud name. By the mid-1990s, the family had moved south, converting a farm in Hawarden and bringing their Jerseys with them. After selling both farm and cows, Sara’s parents purchased their current property in 2000—a deer farm with fertile soils, flat terrain, and the potential to be something more.
At the time, Stuart and Sara were working on dairy farms in Ireland, gaining valuable experience abroad. When they returned home in 2007 to help convert the deer farm to dairy, the couple brought with them not just practical knowledge but also a shared passion for Jerseys. Their first son Richard was born the same year—a fitting symbol of new beginnings for both family and farm. When the farm converted, their aim was to put together a full Jersey herd, but they did have to purchase some crossbreds. Today, the herd is 85% Jersey (and increasing) and everything that can be registered, is.
Stuart, originally from Waikato, also came from a strong dairying background. His family, too, had shifted south in the early 1990s, initially to Canterbury and then farming alongside well-known Jersey breeder Ron Monk on the West Coast. Stuart’s early exposure to Jerseys helped form the foundation of his breeding philosophy today.
The couple first met when Sara was working for her parents when she was just 17, and their journey together has been marked by hard work, adaptability, and a shared vision for the future.
Today, the farm is owned by Sara’s parents in a family trust, and Stuart & Sara have been sharemilkers since 2012. Moving to a 50/50 agreement that gave them the independence and responsibility they sought. Sara’s parents still live on-farm, and her father helps out. Stuart’s parents are also retired from farming now, and live just five minutes away.
Their children, Richard and Margaret, are the next generation growing up with Jerseys at their side. Richard, now working for a contractor, helps on the farm when time allows, while 15-year-old Margaret has already shown remarkable passion for cattle.
Daughter Margaret leading 2023 South Island Junior Champion Cow at Christchurch Show – Harbourside Tors Jennie owned by Peter and Claire Hansen
Margaret’s enthusiasm for Jerseys has already carried her far beyond the farm gates. A keen competitor in youth programmes, she has made three trips to Australia this year alone, each time gaining valuable experience with some of the best herds in the business. She was part of the JerseyNZ Youth Challenge team, representing New Zealand with pride and building lifelong connections with other young breeders. She has also worked ringside for respected farms at International Dairy Week, Sydney, and the Victorian Winter Fair—helping Brookleigh Guernseys, Hayley Boyd, and Glen Gordon of Gorbro Holsteins while soaking up practical knowledge.
Back home, Margaret has been active in the New Zealand show circuit, exhibiting Jerseys and Guernseys at Ellesmere, Oxford, and Christchurch. This year, she is preparing to take her own animal to Christchurch—a milestone for any young breeder and a sign of her growing confidence in the show ring.
Margaret’s ambitions are clear. Whether she chooses to continue farming or pursue veterinary science, her foundation in stockmanship and her love of Jerseys will be central to her journey. For Stuart and Sara, watching her embrace the breed at such a young age is immensely rewarding. It also offers reassurance that Ngatimaru Jerseys has a bright future in the hands of the next generation.
Today, Ngatimaru Jerseys runs a herd of 935 at peak milk, supported by 225 R1s and a similar number of calves reared each year. Around 85% of the herd are Jerseys, with a handful of crossbreds, plus some Guernseys and Brown Swiss that add interest to the mix. The Russells are determined to keep their Jerseys pure, so this year the top half of the crossbreds were mated to Holstein-Friesian, while the bottom half were mated to beef with the intention of selling the calves. Only the Jerseys, and the few Guernseys & Brown Swiss are retained as replacements.
The farm itself covers 283 effective hectares, with flat, heavy soils and excellent irrigation infrastructure. Five centre pivots provide almost full coverage, supported by moisture probes to guide water use. Irrigation usually starts in November and goes through to March. The farm is part of the Eiffelton Community Irrigation Scheme, which helps manage limited water resources and their local waterways remain healthy for fish and aquatic life. With the farm well currently at capacity, Stuart & Sara are looking forward to a good summer. They employ two full-time staff year-round. With annual rainfall of around 1200mm and just 60 metres above sea level, the farm is considered relatively summer-safe, though the nearby Hinds River poses a flood risk. A well-designed drainage system and high-set cowshed mitigate much of this, while the proximity to the coast—just three kilometres away—keeps conditions relatively mild.
Production is strong, with a target of 440,000 kg MS this season. The recent purchase of a local runoff Sara’s parents has meant that they will increase by 100 cows this season. This has been achieved through the purchase of 32 pedigree Jerseys from Jeremy Gloyn’s Matagouree herd in the Manawatu, and the higher retention of calves over the past couple of seasons thanks to some great reproduction results.
Cows average 500 kg MS from a liveweight of 420 kg, a testament to both the genetics behind the herd and the management systems in place. Supplements of 800 kg per cow, including grain plus a DDG/palm kernel blends fed throughout lactation, are fed through the in-shed feeding system in their DeLaval 54-bale rotary, installed in 2007. Supplementary feeding is tailored by condition and production per cow. Pasture production remains high, averaging 17 tonnes DM/ha annually, and a little silage is grown on farm. The herd is predominantly A2, and while they are Synlait suppliers the A2 market is currently closed. Cows are walked to & from grazing at the nearby Longbeach Estate just 3 kilometres away, and Sara is thrilled to now have a cattle trailer to transport the odd cow that calves early.
Few things matter more at Ngatimaru Jerseys than the way calves are reared. For Sara, calf health is a passion as much as a responsibility, and her approach combines tried-and-true care with modern tools.
The introduction of automatic calf feeders has been a turning point. Calves now feed more naturally, are noticeably happier, and suffer fewer post-weaning health issues. Sara explains that Jerseys are often misunderstood at calf stage: “They’re no more fragile than any other breed. They just need attentive management and a bit of extra warmth when it’s cold.”
Most calves quickly learn to use the feeders independently, while genetics, mineral status, and careful observation ensure they thrive. Jerseys’ smaller size requires patience, but Sara sees this as an advantage—it encourages calf rearers to be more observant and proactive.
The use of male sexed Jersey semen has also added value. Bull calves are now in demand from rearers, with strong demand exceeding supply. For the Russells, this represents both an extra income stream and recognition of the breed’s growing reputation for versatility.
Calves traditionally stayed on the home farm, but with the new runoff young stock will now graze off-farm before returning as in-calf heifers close to calving. This system has eased pressure on the home block and allowed the Russells to increase cow numbers this season and keep more replacements. The Russells have long embraced innovation and nowhere is this clearer than in their use of technology to monitor animal health.
“Jerseys aren’t fragile, they’re intelligent and efficient. If you look after them properly, they’ll outperform any breed”
The Smaxtec bolus system has transformed herd management. Placed internally, the bolus continuously tracks body temperature, flagging early signs of infection, metabolic issues, or other health concerns. For the Russells, it has virtually eliminated the need to strip cows for mastitis checks—saving labour and dramatically reducing mastitis incidence. Cell counts are now consistently low, averaging around 75,000, and no down cows have been lost this season. The boluses, with a five-year lifespan, can be fitted to cows as yearlings, although it is more common as they come into the herd, and a cow can have up to three over her lifetime. Smaxtec Bolus’ can also be used in conjunction with Halter for pasture management.
Sara’s part-time role with Smaxtec adds another dimension. Working as a customer support specialist, she brings both her on-farm experience and wider industry insight to the role. “It’s the ultimate in terms of animal health,” she says. “The boluses give us the information we need to act quickly and confidently. It’s better for the cows, and it’s better for us.” The Russells were well-established Smaxtec clients before Sara started working for the company.
The Russells’ use of innovation has not gone unnoticed. Their progressive approach won them Synlait’s “Doing Milk Differently” Award this year, adding to a list of past recognitions for animal health, welfare, and environmental stewardship.
Breeding at Ngatimaru Jerseys is a careful balance of tradition and progress. Stuart and Sara like long-lived cows with sound functional traits, production and excellent fertility. Temperament is a non-negotiable trait for their ideal all-round cow, while BW is treated as a guide rather than the sole focus with more emphasis placed on individual breeding values.
Overseas genetics, particularly through Semex, now dominate their breeding programme. The Russells have seen first-hand the durability and quality of overseas Jerseys, with many of their early importations still milking strongly after a decade. They are looking to breed bigger calves that mature into strong cows with a focus on health traits with less mastitis and fewer feed issues.
All AI is carried out by Stuart, often twice daily during mating to support conception rates. This hands-on approach, supported by the Semex Optimate programme, ensures precision matings across the herd. Around 10–12 bulls may be used in a season, giving the Russells a wide base of genetics to build from.
Polled genetics are now featuring, with around a quarter of calves born naturally polled, while replacements are carefully selected from the best heifers. Jersey bulls from top cows are DNA tested, registered and retained for use over the heifers at grazing. About half the heifers were also selectively AB mated last season.
Beyond their own farm, Stuart and Sara are committed contributors to both their local and breed communities.
They are supporting efforts to revive the Canterbury Jersey Club, working alongside Culverden breeder Tom Davies. Two catchups have already been held, bringing together a diverse group of farmers from across the region. The Russells believe that building community around the breed is vital, both for knowledge-sharing and for maintaining enthusiasm among breeders.
Sara’s most recent role as Associate Director of JerseyNZ reflects her commitment at a national level. Having completed the JerseyNZ governance development programmes, she has just been elected as a full director. She is passionate about securing the future of the Association: “People see the value in breed societies, but they aren’t always willing to put in the effort. If we want Jerseys and an Association in the future, it comes down to ‘use it or lose it.’”
“People see the value in breed societies, but they aren’t always willing to put in the effort. If we want Jerseys and an Association in the future, it comes down to use it or lose it”
For Stuart and Sara, the path forward is about balance—between scale and care, tradition and innovation, family and community. Their herd continues to grow in quality as well as numbers, while their children, particularly Margaret, are already making their own mark in the world of Jerseys.
Ngatimaru Jerseys represents the very best of New Zealand dairying: a herd built on deep roots, guided by clear values, and enhanced by a willingness to adapt. The Russells’ journey is far from over, but their passion ensures that Jerseys, and the people who love them, will remain at the heart of Canterbury’s farming landscape for generations to come.
