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LIC Australia draws directly from the world-leading genetic engine of LIC New Zealand, giving farmers access to the same disciplined breeding approach that has transformed New Zealand’s national herd.
Proven long-term genetic progress
Over the past 30 years, LIC has delivered outstanding improvements in milksolids across all our main breeds in New Zealand. These gains underline the power of sustained, disciplined breeding paired with rigorous data.
The genetic gain formula
Genetic gain is governed by a few essential levers. While we can’t control everything, the areas we can influence make an enormous difference.
LIC NZ's breeding strategy
LIC’s breeding goals are clear and strongly aligned to pasture-based, cost-efficient dairy systems. The aim is to breed cows that convert feed into farmer profit – cows that are productive, fertile, healthy, and easy to manage.
Key goals include:
- High genetic merit (high BW)
- Strong pasture-based efficiency (high production per kg of liveweight).
Aggressive grazers.
Excellent fertility (high 6‑week in‑calf rate).
Longevity (average > 4.5 lactations).Good temperament and fast milking speed.
Strong, durable udders.
Easy‑care cows suited to commercial systems.
By breeding:
- Holstein-Friesian: moderate size for efficiency.
- Jersey: slightly larger than NZ Jersey.
- KiwiCross: consistent, balanced all-rounders.
The focus is not on producing bigger cows, but better cows – animals that stay in the herd, get in calf consistently, and deliver more production from grass.
The levers of genetic gain we control
1. Selection intensity
LIC applies extremely high selection pressure:
- From 4.5 million dairy cows and young stock, less than 1% qualify as potential bull mothers.
- These cows need to be herd tested at least three times per year, calve as two‑year‑olds, recalve as three‑year‑olds within the bounds of New Zealand’s tight mating lengths, and maintain strong fertility.
- Each year contract matings produce genomically screened bull calves, of which only about 10% graduate to market.
This intensity is one of the key drivers behind LIC’s world‑class genetics.
2. Accuracy of selection
Accuracy is only as good as the data behind it – and LIC’s data set is unmatched.
- New Zealand has the world’s largest recorded crossbred cow population.
- 82% of NZ cows are herd tested annually.
- LIC operates one of the last major progeny testing schemes globally, ensuring genomic predictions remain reliable and validated – a responsibility to its farmer‑owners.
- The Sire Proving Scheme consists of:Â
‑ 160 herds
‑ 79,000 cows
‑ Around 11,000 daughters from progeny test sires each year.
- Every daughter has:
– Confirmed parentage
‑ Full herd testing
‑ TOP (Traits Other than Production) classification
- Liveweight measurement to validate production efficiency measures.
This robust data underpins the accuracy of LIC’s genomic evaluations and ensures farmers receive predictable, reliable performance.
3. Generation interval
Shortening the generation interval fast‑tracks genetic progress.
LIC does this through:
- An aggressive embryo transfer (ET) programme that accelerates the turnover of elite genetics by guaranteeing that LIC can screen bull calves from the most elite yearling females in the industry.
- Extensive use of genomically tested young sires, reducing the time between genetic improvement and on‑farm impact.
The result is faster gain, earlier access to superior genetics, and a more progressive national herd.
LIC is proud to bring our proven genetic engine to Australian farmers.
With disciplined selection, unmatched data accuracy, and cutting‑edge genomic and ET programmes, LIC continues to deliver cows that thrive in pasture-based systems – fertile, efficient, robust animals that return profit year after year.
