Matakohe Museum celebrates champion breeder

A legend in the dairying industry was recognised at a special function held at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe last month.

The occasion was the opening of the museum’s latest exhibition honouring Nederick Sterling, of Matakohe, and the Big Hollow Jersey Stud.

Over 35 years beginning in 1935, Big Hollow became one of NZ’s leading stud herds. Stock sold for record prices and the bloodlines accumulated honours and status. Stock purchased by a Waikato dealer in 1965 led to the bloodline being introduced into the Queen’s royal herds and in 2002, the NZ Jersey Cattle Breeders Association named Big Hollow’s Kevilor Sameen the ‘Breeding Cow of the Century’. Over 10 seasons at Big Hollow, Sameen produced 2268kg of butterfat and bred four outstanding breeding bulls and two highly classified daughters. Seven families of Big Hollow were developed, recognised for their strong constitution, ample size and productive ability. Among the female families were Bouquet’s, Beauty’s and Bell’s.

Speaking at the exhibition opening, Mr Sterling, aged 90, joked that it wasn’t all high prices and success.

“My father gave me a couple of cows that I milked under a lean-to next to the shed,” he said. “The cream went to the Maungaturoto Dairy Factory and in one month I sent 235lbs of cream and was paid £5.14s. At the end of the season, mother and I bought a few cheap pedigrees. That’s how it started.”

Mr Sterling said he bred for timing and temperament, and was indebted to his sister Fiona and brother-in-law Gordon for their help and support.
Colleague Ken McCabe, of Hamilton, described Mr Sterling as the greatest jersey breeder in the Southern Hemisphere.

“We will never see his like again,” he said “It was Ned’s intuitive judgement that led Big Hollow to become one of the paramount jersey herds of NZ. In 1966, when through circumstances the herd had to be down-sized, a three-year sold for 2020 guineas, which in today’s market would be about $200,000.

“There are herds being developed in Argentina today, bred from embryos and calves that were exported some years ago, that will carry the Big Hollow lineage.”

Jersey NZ president Brian Carter paid tribute to Mr Sterling’s contribution as a pioneer breeder who had established the industry on “very sound footing.

From left, Graeme Collins, of Wellsford, with his parents Ina and Herbie, congratulate Nederick Sterling on his lifetime’s achievements.