J T Thwaites Sire of the Season

Criteria:

1. Bulls Eligible
  • Only new bulls emerging with an initial proof (logic check: bull code in appropriate cohort year)
  • Must be J16 breed makeup and registered with Jersey New Zealand
  • Must be New Zealand born irrespective of ancestry.
  • eg: Imported embryos are considered New Zealand bred

1. Production Criteria. Must have a widespread proof defined as:
  • Reliability of BW not less than 75%
  • Production daughters spread over at least 20 herds
  • Minimum of 40 production daughters in the evaluation
  • Bull must be on the NZ Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list

1. TOP Criteria
  • Not less than +.1 BV for each of Overall Opinion, Udder Overall and Dairy Conformation
  • TOP daughters spread over at least 10 herds
  • Minimum of 20 TOP daughters in the evaluation

1. Interbull Criteria
  • The bull must meet the necessary criteria to be accepted by Interbull for an International Evaluation

1. Evaluation Used
  • Animal Evaluation run in April (Interbull run)

1. The winning bull
  • After meeting criteria, the bull with the highest BW (where equal BW, higher reliability wins).

Recipient of the award
• The breeder of the bull receives the award and may or may not be a member of Jersey New Zealand and may or may not be the owner of the bull

JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026

Paynes Titus Excelsior ET

Bred by Paynes Farm – B & C Payne of Cambridge.

LIC bull wins top national Jersey award

Paynes Titus Excelsior ET, an LIC bull bred by Brad Payne and Claire Brodie in the Waikato, has won the JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026 Award.

The annual award by JerseyNZ recognises outstanding New Zealand-bred Jersey sires whose daughters demonstrate exceptional production and conformation performance.

LIC Livestock Selection Manager Kelli Buckley says the recognition reflects years of dedication and careful breeding decisions by the Payne family.“This is such a special result, and one I’m incredibly proud of. Brad and Claire have put an enormous amount of dedication, care and hard work into breeding bulls of this calibre, and it’s a real privilege to work alongside breeders like them.
“Paynes Titus Excelsior ET is a great example of what’s possible when great breeding decisions are backed by long-term commitment and attention to detail. To see that effort recognised nationally is hugely rewarding – not just for LIC, but for the Payne family and for Jersey farmers who will benefit from these genetics for years to come.”

Excelsior achieved the highest Breeding Worth (BW) of all qualifying new-proof Jersey bulls this season, while also meeting important criteria for management, fertility and conformation traits.
Steve Ireland, Genetics Convenor for Jersey NZ, said Excelsior is likely to appeal with farmers focused on breeding replacement heifers.
“Excelsior stands out for his ability to breed daughters with exceptional, long-lasting udders and top fertility. This should ensure his daughters remain very productive well into maturity.”

The Payne family has built a strong reputation for breeding Jersey genetics over many years, making the recognition especially meaningful. Brad Payne says the award was a proud moment for the family.
“We feel incredibly privileged to receive this award. Looking at the trophy and seeing the calibre of bulls recognised over the years, it’s very special to know one of ours is now among them.”

Excelsior is currently the top ranked Jersey bull on the industry’s Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list.

Article courtesy of LIC

JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2025

GLENUI ZAMBEZI LINCOLN ET – Goreland Partnership, T & L Landers

JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2024

GLEN KAYCEE SHERLOCK JG – Kaycee Farms Ltd, Tucker Family

JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2023

ELLISON INTEGRITY KAKA – Roger and Glenys Ellison

JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2022

SHELBY INTEG LABYRINTH ET– Troy Hughes and Victoria Scott

JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2021

GLEN LEITH QUIGLEY ET S2J – Bruce and Margaret Sim

JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2020

GLEN LEITHAND QUIZ S2J – Bruce and Margaret Sim