Although they did not grow up on a farm, Isaac always wanted to be a farmer and Emma’s love of breeding the next champion began at the early age of five whilst helping a friend on their farm.
After leaving school to further his studies, Isaac met Emma and together they took on their first farming job in the Manawatu ten years ago, before moving to Dannevirke.
The Kelsens have been showing cattle together at the New Zealand Dairy Event for the past 12 years and purchased their first animal, a Holstein calf by the name of Aldersyde Sid Adrina, at the Summer Sensation Sale in 2014. From there, the passion for breeding and showing cattle grew.
Isaac is the lower North Island area Manager for Semex NZ and showing cows has really wanted him to connect with his clients to assist with the breeding of their cows.
At this year’s New Zealand Dairy Event (NZDE), the Kelsens had five entries all of which got placed including 2nd in the Junior Yearling Ayrshire calf section. But the highlight for Isaac, Emma and son Charlie was to see Lakeview Bigtime Pennelope, (owned by Charlie), take out 1st place in the Ayrshire three year old in-milk section. And as if that wasn’t a great achievement, she was judged Best Uddered Intermediate Ayrshire Cow and then received the ultimate award as 2024 Intermediate Ayrshire Champion.
And to top that off in the Youth Handlers Competition, Charlie won the Junior Handlers in the five to seven year old section.
For everything to run smoothly at NZDE, team work is the key. This year Lakeview Stud worked together with Flathills Farm, Joyclas Friesians and Te Hau Holsteins, with the help of Margaret Russell and Patrick Aitkens from the South Island and Tammy Stone and Nathan Smith from Victoria in Australia.
Lakeview Bigtime Pennelope pictured with Isaac and Emma Kelsen and son Charlie and handler Nicole Maher