North Otago Holstein Friesian breeders Rob and Katrina Kelly are raising seven pedigree Holstein calves born from embryos they imported from the United States.
''We're pretty excited about their future,'' Mrs Kelly said.
Members of the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association (NZHFA), the couple established the Kailey stud in 2000, began showing Holstein Friesians in 2002 and with some success.
Mr Kelly is also a senior Holstein-Friesian judge.
Along with their pedigree herd, they have a high breeding worth (BW) herd at Ardgowan, near Oamaru. The imported stock would be used to continue to develop and enhance their herd, Mrs Kelly said.
The calves' dam is MS Goldwyn Prom, who is out of Windy Knoll View Permit, who in turn is out of Windy Knoll View Pledge, who was the All American 5-year-old in 2007.
Two of the calves are sired by Regancrest S Braxton and five by Maple Downs GW Atwood.
Sexed semen was used and the embryos were implanted into beef cows chosen especially for their holding rates by Martin Hamer, of EmbryoCo Ltd, in Hawkes Bay. They calved late June - ''all girls, which is quite exciting'' - dates chosen to fit the showing calendar.
Mrs Kelly said they hoped to sell one calf at the Holstein Friesian Canterbury Collection Sale in April next year.
The best might be shown at next year's New Zealand Dairy Event at Feilding in January.
Mrs Kelly said the family was having ''the best year''.
Not only had the embryo importation and implantation process been successful, it continued what had been a year of achievements for the stud, beginning with this year's Dairy Event. The Kelly's 7-month-old calf Fairview Wind Jasmine ET surprised them all and won the New Zealand Dairy Event junior show.
They bought Jasmine at the Canterbury Collection Sale as pick of the flush from Philippa Trounce, of Timaru. At last year's Canterbury A&P Show, she came third in the breed class and second in the all breeds.
And in December, at the South Island championship show, held in conjunction with the Wyndham A&P Show, she won her calf classes, both in breed and all breeds.
This month, she won the NZHFA All NZ Heifer Calf Class in the DeLaval All NZ Photo Competition.
There was the possibility of flushing her for embryos and then getting her in-calf, Mrs Kelly said.