Power and pedigree at Sherraine Holsteins
- Claire Inkson
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
When fourth-generation dairy farmer Olivia Cahill walks into the rotary, every cow is known by name, number and lineage.
That’s because each cow carries more than a century of family breeding behind it.
This winter, Olivia and her husband Jared took a bold step, shifting the historic Sherraine Holsteins stud from Ohoka to a larger property at Swannanoa, doubling their herd and creating a platform for the next generation.
“It has been a huge move, but everything about it feels right,” Olivia says.
“We were milking 180 cows at Ohoka, and we’ve hit 400 here already. We’re aiming for 500 next season.”
The Ohoka property is still managed by Olivia’s parents, Peter and Rhonda Sheriff, who have run the stud for the last 35 years.
“Dad helps out when I need him with the day-to-day running of the new farm,” Olivia says.
The 191-hectare Swannanoa farm features a 60-bale rotary with DelPro automation, a large feed pad and centre-pivot irrigation.
“We’ve always been big feeders of our cows,” Olivia says. “The more we put in, the more they give out.”
Building a modern Holstein operation
Sherraine Holsteins is built around performance and type. “It’s about dairy character and capacity to milk,” Olivia says. The herd’s efficiency allows a lower stocking rate with high output, aligning with environmental goals and animal welfare.
The couple run a winter-milk, split-calving system that suits their infrastructure and the Holsteins’ work ethic.
“There’s no pressure for a cow to get in calf every year,” Olivia says. “If she goes 18 months, that’s fine. They keep milking.”
Every cow carries a SmaXtec bolus that tracks rumination, temperature and water intake, alerting them to issues before they show. “It even tells us how much a cow is drinking,” she says. “You can catch problems early.”
Their herd is managed by a small, capable team.
“It’s a one-person shed,” Olivia says.
“We’ve got Emma, who’s fantastic, and Ash, a university student who helps on weekends. It works well for feeding calves and keeping things running smoothly.”
The new farm’s setup also supports efficient nutrient management.
Effluent is separated and recycled through a bladder system that flood-washes the yard, and lined feed pits ensure tidy, contained storage.
“It’s very well set up,” Olivia says. “Everything is easy to manage and environmentally sound.”
Family, firefighting and farming life
For Jared, a full-time Christchurch firefighter, the move has meant taking a year off to help with the expansion.
“It’s a big change,” he says. “But the kids are older now, and it’s easier to juggle.”
Their children, Tom (10) and Isobel (7) have grown up around cows and shows. “They’re great helpers,” Olivia says. “They love it.”
The couple’s passion for showing continues at the Christchurch A&P Show, where their Holsteins have won Supreme Champion six times in the last nine years.
“Dad has showed at Christchurch A&P his whole life,” says Olivia.
Star cow Evie has taken the top award twice – in 2022 and 2023.
“We’ve just started preparing this year’s team,” Olivia says. “They get a special program and a lot of hands-on time.”
Olivia says being a woman in dairy no longer feels unusual.
“There are women everywhere doing it now,” she says. “We can do the hard work, the milking, the calving, and still be mothers to our children. We can do it all.”
The next generation of Sherraine
The move to Swannanoa represents the next stage of the Sherraine story.
“This is what we worked for,” Olivia says. “A modern rotary, good infrastructure, and the chance to keep improving our cows.”
Her advice to young breeders is simple.
“Be passionate about what you do. Breed better cows each generation and remember it’s a long-term game. It won’t happen overnight.”
Jared agrees. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of good people in the industry willing to share what they know.”
Comments