What is a kiwiX?

[Will7]

Excuse my ignorance but what is a kiwiX? I am assuming kiwi Friesian crossed with Jersey but is there a min or max of each? I am looking at Hereford KiwiX calves for a pasture based grazing system but am concerned about too much Jersey affecting size/ growth rates. And if there is a market for them.

Many Thanks

 

[sidjon]

Kiwi friesian cross Jersey and some will have Ayrshire in them, we sell lots of Herefords heifers out of our kiwi cross cows, never had a complaint about size as cows.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

There'll plenty of Hereford x kiwi x here in a couple of months if you want some more.

 

[Devon lad]

Excuse my ignorance but what is a kiwiX? I am assuming kiwi Friesian crossed with Jersey but is there a min or max of each? I am looking at Hereford KiwiX calves for a pasture based grazing system but am concerned about too much Jersey affecting size/ growth rates. And if there is a market for them.

Many Thanks

What I think beef calf buyers don’t take into consideration when Dam of calf is a x-bred particularly NZ genetics/block calvers
1. Superior health traits of the farm it is coming from/dam (easy care/hardy), they can be reared outside/cheaply
2. Usually reared on lots of colostrum because there’s plenty about when block calving.
3. Usually a deal to be had from reasonable numbers purchased, but don’t be too picky.
It’s usually done on an all/nothing basis as when your calving 10-20 calves a day you haven’t got time for muppets, but sheds need to be emptied regularly to make room for next bunch.

 

[Devon lad]

Speak to the farmer on tips on how to rear the calves, they’re usually a helpful bunch. Cost of production always trumps output, that will be especially true for anyone who’s bedding on straw In 2020/21 or feeding meal in 2021.
I sell blues and Herefords and people come back year after year and they’d have 25%+ jersey in them

 

[Homesy]

There is no doubt that the finished beast from a Her x KiwiX will be smaller than something out of a friesian or holstein. You should be able to get them to 600kg+ though. How big do you want them ?

 

[Will7]

There is no doubt that the finished beast from a Her x KiwiX will be smaller than something out of a friesian or holstein. You should be able to get them to 600kg+ though. How big do you want them ?

600kg will be fine. Do they grow slower than a friesian/holstein? I think their breeding would suit my system of winter grazing

 

[Will7]

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful

 

[Beef farmer]

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful

Winter grazing and a forage based diet would be perfect.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

There is no doubt that the finished beast from a Her x KiwiX will be smaller than something out of a friesian or holstein. You should be able to get them to 600kg+ though. How big do you want them ?

You must have a lot of patience to get them to 600kg.
When I had some of these admittedly a few years ago when they first arrived they never grew any size at all and I was pleased they got to 500kg.