HB Today - Stud Bull Catalogue 2024

Tothiseditionofourannual StudBullCataloguewhich isanotherbumperedition. Thisyearwehaveanother interestingrangeofarticlesfor youtobrowserangingfrom studoverviewstoequipment reviewsandgenetics.

It’salwaysabusytimeofyearforfarmers butwehopeyou’lltakethetimetosit downwithacupofteaandenjoythe contents.

Thankyoutoallouradvertisersand contributorsfortheirongoingsupport andwelcometonewreaders.Feelfree tobeintouchifyouhaveaninteresting story,orifyouwouldliketoinquireabout advertisingnextyear.

TheStudBullCatalogueiscompiled andpublishedbyHawke’sBayToday andisdistributedinHawke’sBay,Gisborne,Waitomo,Manawatu,Wairarapa, WhanganuiandStratford. CoverphotobyGettyImages PhotosthispagecourtesyMerchiston AngusandRaurikiCharolais.

FeaturesManager: ShirleyRandell021497309

FeaturesEditorialWriter: ChrysAyley0272919229

SeniorProductionSpecialist AlexDSouza0212256402

We re looking forward to catching up with farmers from across the country this bull sale season!

You’ll see the FMG Team at bull sales around the country to ensure you get cover on sale day and fantastic service every day after that

Each year FMG supports over 120 onfarm bull sales, and at an FMG Premier Bull Sale we offer 14 days free insurance cover at the fall of the hammer for all bulls sold up to $50,000. You don’t even need to be an FMG client!

At an FMGPremierBullSale, you’ll find FMG is the insurer on the purchaser s instruction slip - just tick the box to arrange for your bull insurance to be extended to 12 months (this extends the cover beyond the initial 14 days free period) for 76% of the purchase price

We will also insure your bulls at non-FMG premier sales for the same rate

When purchasing your bull make sure you think about:

• matching up the size of the bull with the heifer or cow they ll be mated with – a better size match reduces the risk of pelvis or pizzle injuries

• buying enough bulls to adequately cover the job so your bull doesn’t overdo it and

• consider the land contour the bull has come from and will be operating in

They might sound like obvious things, but our data shows a lot of claims come from injuries or incidents where these factors haven’t been considered

Enjoy your sale season and don’t forget to tag us into your sale day social media posts Facebook - @fmg Instagram - @fmg nz

Any questions, call us on 0800 366 466, email us on bulls@fmg co nz, or look out for an FMG Rural Manager at the sale For more information check out www fmg co nz/bulls

ByDaveWarburton, VetServicesHawke’sBay

Beforeheadingtothebullsalesthis season,it’sagoodideatohavea lookatyourherdandproduction goalssothatyoucanwalkinwithaplan fortheauction,withconfidenceinexactly whatyouaretryingtopurchase!

Thefirstthingyouneedtolookatiswhat isgoingoninyourherd.

•Arethecowsanappropriatesize foryourfarmingenvironment? Cowsizehasbeengenetically increasingby3kgayearforthelast 50yearsintheAngusbreed,andthe environmenttheyliveinandpotential environmentalrisksarenowmore challenging.

•Isthefertilityoftheheiferandcow herdsacceptable?Isgeneticsthe limitingfactororvitaminG(grass) andanimalhealthsuchasdisease andmineralscompromisingthe bestoutcome?Thesearequestions youcanaskyourvettoruleinorout potentialrisks.

•Aremyweaningweightsacceptable? Goodcommercialherdsshould beachievingcalfgrowthratesof 1kgLWG/daywhileonthecow.Ifnot thenconsiderfeedinglevels,milking abilityofherd,geneticgrowth.

Nowhavealookatthebullteamandget themintheyardsforahealthcheck.

•Werethereanyanomaliesat pregnancytestingthatcouldbe duetoabullfailure?Lastyearwe wereinundatedwithbulltestsafter pregnancytestingbecauseofthis.

•Aretheyfitandhealthy?Wealways getafewcallsaboutbullsscrapping andinjuringeachotherwhenyoupull themoutofthegirls.Besttoknow thatnowthaninthespring.

•Haveyougiventheyoungbullsa drenchcomingoutofmating?

•Theyarealsolikelytoneedcopper supplementationandalicetreatment headingintowinter. Withinformationonyourherdanda numberofreplacementbullsneeded, youcanidentifywheretheopportunities aretoimproveperformance. Visitingyourbullbreederpriortotheir saleactuallymakesalotofsense.Itwill giveyoutheopportunitytoengagemore closelyandpickingthemostappropriate bull(s)foryourbusiness.Itmightalso taketheemotionoutofthedecisionand youmightnotblowyourbudget!

VetServicesHawke’sBayandDannevirke workcloselywithindividualbreeders acrosstheEastCoastofferinga comprehensivefertilitytestingpackage calledBreed-A-Bull.Eachbullthatis passedisprovidedwithacertificate documentingtheirvaccinationhistory, BVDstatusandthefertilityassessments completed.It’snotaguaranteeoffuture fertilitybutitprovidesassurancesthat thesebullshavebeenassessedtothe higheststandard.Pleasecontactyour localVetServicesclinictobookyour bullsinfortheirannualBreed-A-Bull pre-saleassessment.

HallmarkAngus.

RaurikiCharolais.

OtapawaPollHerefords

Investinginqualitygeneticsisjustasimportantinthetough timesasitisinthegood,andjustlikeanyinvestment,you wanttoensureitssuccess,andabilitytopaydividends downthetrack.WheninvestinginOtapawaGenetics, notonlydoyougettotakeadvantageofhalfacenturyof performancebeefbreeding,butaprogrammewithintegrity andanindustry-leadingsupportsystem.“Whenthings aretight,itiscrucialtomaketherightdecisionsforyour operation,andusinganOtapawabull,overanybreedof cow,isoneofthefastestprovenwaystoimprovefarmgateprofitswhilemaintainingpeaceofmindwithafull breakdownguaranteeandunparalleledback-upservicefor anyofourclientele”,confirmsStuartRobbieofOtapawaPoll Herefords.

Otapawaunderstandstheneedsanddemandsoftheir clients,running26,000stockunitsthemselvesinthe ruggedfoothillsunderthePuketoiRange.Thebullsare solelygrassfedfrombirthto600-dayweighing.Nocrops, nobreakfeeding,noyardweaning.Everythingistreated thesamehere,andnothingisspoon-fed,allowingforan honestviewofhowthebreedingselectionsfromthestud Herefordherdareimpactingthequalityofthecommercial herd.“Longevity,maternalability,andcarcasequalityare keyprofitdriversforbeeffarmers,andweareconsistently testingandrefiningthosefactorsinourbreedingsystem,”

saysStuart.“ItisgreattoseeourBullsoutinthefieldatthe ageof10yrs,stillprovidingtopqualityprogeny.” “Goodcattlearefed,butgreatonesarebred,andweare committedtodevelopinggeneticsthatcangointoanyherd, inanypartofthecountry,andboostthecarcasequality andyield,whileenhancingoverallherdefficiency.Breeding, identifying,andselectinggeneticsintheruggedhill-country environmentwehavehere,allowsustoproduceanimals thatwillthriveandperforminanycornerofnotonlyNew Zealand,buttheworld”,saysJamesRobbie,Stuart’sson, andthe5thgenerationtoworkonthewindsweptstation. “Therearegoodreasonswhyourforebearsutilizedcross breedingforoptimumprofitability.We’veobservedthat acommercialAngusherdcanexpecttoachievea12% increaseinweaningweightssimplybyusingaHereford Bull”,saysStuart.ProgenysiredbyanOtapawaHereford willbenefitfrommultipleongoingadvantages,ranging fromsuperiorfeedconversion,toincreasesinaveragedaily weightgains,andimprovedlongevityandfertility,whilestill

conformingtotheselectioncriteriaofpremiumsofferedby beefprocessors.“Itispleasingtoseeourclientscontinually toppingweanersalesandachievinghighpremiumsfortheir terminalbeefanimalswithOtapawaHerefordandHerefordcrossprogeny.Thatisaconstantgoalforourbreeding programme”.

Morethanfiftyyearsofscientificevidencepointstothe successofcrossbreedingforHybridVigour(Heterosis),yet thisseemstohavebeenoverlookedinrecentyears,assome breedgroupsaretrendingtowardsasolelygenomics-bred animal,andlosingsightoftheon-groundperformance

requiredbythecommercialbeeffarmersoftheindustry. Anothersignificantadvantagetocrossbreedingisthe utilizationoftheresultingfemale.Thewhitefacecow isnaturallysuperiorinitscharacteristicsforincreasing performanceacrossanyherd.Thesensationalfertilityofa crossbredfemalenotonlyallowsforhertoreachpuberty earlier,idealforheifermating,butshewillalsomaintaina higherrateofpregnancythroughoutherlife,resultingin significantlylessreplacementsneeded,andmoreprofit acrossyourherd.

“Weareputtingforwardagreatlineupofbullsthisyear,we encourageallcattlemenandwomenwhoareseriousabout increasingtheprofitabilityoftheirherdtocomeandseethe bullsfirst-handanddiscussyourbreedingprogrammeand goalswithus.AtOtapawa,wehavealong-termcommitment toourclients,andmakeitourpurposetohelpimproveyour resultsthroughafocusonqualitybreeding.

ThisyearOtapawahave35highperformancestationbred Bullsonoffer.Wewelcomeyoutoourpropertyanytimefora touroftheBulls.

SaleDayisTuesdayJune4.TheOnFarmActionstartsat12 noonandLiveonBidr,withrefreshmentsandfoodatthe conclusion,intheSaleBar.Self-containedaccommodation isavailablepre-andpost-sale.

FormoreinformationcontactyourlocalAgentorfeelfreeto getintouchwithStuart,Douglas,orJamesRobbiedirectly. Contactdetailsareintheadvertbelow.

CommercialCowandCalf

OtapawaSteers

SuppliedbyBeef+LambNewZealandGenetics

Duringthesetougheconomic times,itisevenmoreimportant forcommercialbeefbreeders todotheirresearchanduseobjective measurementswhenbuyingbullsthis season.

AnnaBoyd,Beef+LambNewZealand’s GeneticsOperationsSpecialist-Beef, stressestheimportanceofgoingthrough athoroughdecision-makingprocess wheninvestinginabullthisyearto ensureagoodreturnonthatinvestment.

Shesaysbuyersshouldfocusonthe traitsthatareimportanttothemandthe traitsthatmakethemmoney,notcost themmoney.

“Therearegood-buyingbullsoutthere–anditmaybethebullsfurtherdownthe catalogue–thataren’tfetchingtopdollar becauseofaperceivedweaknessthat doesn’tmattercommercially.Thiscould includecoatcolourorheadshape.

Annasaysgenerally,it’swhat’sonthe insidethatwillgenerateincome,not necessarilywhatabulllookslike,but thereisabalancebetweenthetwo.

“It’simportantnottoletunconsciousbias takeoverthedecision-makinganduse theobjectivemeasurementsavailable.”

Shesaysbullsmakeupatleast80

percentofthegeneticgainofacowherd, sotheimpactofbullbuyingdecisions canbeenduring.

Beforebuyingabull,Annaencourages commercialbullbreederstoundertake anhonestappraisaloftheperformance oftheirbreedingcowherd.

“Considerfactorssuchaspregnancy scanningpercentages,calvingpatterns, cullrates,weaningweights,growthrates andcarcassquality.”

Shesaysdeterminingwhattraitorgroup oftraitsthecommercialbreederwantsto maintainorimproveisacriticalfirststep, asitisonlythenthattheycanidentify breederswithsimilarobjectives.

Onceastudbreederhasbeenfound, Annaencouragesfarmerstoaskfor genetictrendgraphs.

“Thesegraphsshouldshowanupward trendforthetraitsthathavebeen identifiedasbeingimportanttothe individualfarmer.Ifnot,thentheyshould lookforanotherbreeder.”

AnnasaysEstimatedBreedingValues (EBVs)areanincrediblyvaluabletoolas theyallowbuyerstocomparebullswith theaverageoftheirbreed.

EBVgraphsmaketheselectioneven

easier,asbuyersshouldbeconsidering bullswithbarstowardtheright-hand sideofthegraphformosttraits. Percentilebandtablesalsoallowbuyers torankbullsagainstothersofthesame breed.Indexesareanindicatorofoverall profitabilityandweighupthegenetic meritacrossalltraitsforaparticular productionsystem.Itisasinglefigure representedasadollarvalue.

Annasayswhileindexesareausefultool, ifafarmeriswantingtomakeprogress onaparticulartrait,theythenneedtodig downintothedetailandlookattheEBVs thatmakeuptheindex.

“Ideally,buyersshouldtakethetimeto studythesalecataloguesbeforetheygo tothesale.Highlightthebullsthatare strongestinthetraitstheyarelooking forandgostraighttothosebullsto assessstructure.”Shesaysitiseasyto bedistractedbygoodlookingbulls,but thoseanimalsmaynothavethegenetics thatwouldaddvaluetoaparticularfarm system.

Nomatterhowgoodabull’snumbers arestructuralsoundnessiscritical, asthebullneedstobefunctionalto beabletopassonhisgenetics.Anna acknowledgesthatitiseasytoget confusedwithallthegeneticinformation

beingpresentedinsalecataloguesand shestronglyrecommendscommercial buyersattendoneoftheBetterBeef BreedingWorkshopsB+LNZisrollingout acrossthecountrythroughoutMay.

“Theseworkshopswillhelpfarmersset theirobjectives,selectabullbreeder, understandandmakeuseofthegenetic informationinsalecataloguesandcarry outaBeefClassStructuralAssessment. Italsocoversundertakinganannual evaluationtoensurebullsaresoundfor breeding.”

Iffarmerscan’tattendtheseworkshops, AnnasaysthereareanumberofBetter BeefBreedingresourcesontheB+LNZ websiteincludinganonlinelearning module,theBetterBeefBreeding BookandtheBeefClassStructural Assessmentvideo.

“No-onecanaffordtowastemoney onbullsthatwon’taddvaluetothe farmbusiness,soitdoespaytousethe resources,toolsandinformationavailable andbewellinformedbeforeturningup tosaleday.”

Visitbeeflambnz.com/eventstofinda BetterBeefBreedingWorkshopinyour area,orsearch“betterbeefbreeding” onthewebsitetoviewtheresources mentionedinthisarticle.

AnnaBoyd,BeefGeneticsOperationsSpecialistatBeef+LambNewZealand.

ByRichardRowe

Asmytwilightyearsofbreeding areclosingin,Icanlookbackover thelast50yearsofbreedingand reflectonthechangeswehaveseenin thisindustryandintheAngusbreed.

In1980Iwasaskedtotakeoverthe AngusStudandquicklyrealizedthere mustbeabetterwayofbreedingthan

whatIwasfacing.Mylatefathermade thecommentthattheblackcattlelacked anysortofperformanceandthatwe shouldlookatLimousinsthathehad seenintheUK.

Icreatedsomesortofsystem thatmeasuredperformancesoI immediatelyapproachedtheAmerican AngusAssociationanditsdirectorof performanceprograms,JohnCrouch, ifIcouldjointheAAA.This,after

VickiRowe,MikeGee-Taylor,satelliteherdownerandmanager,WillieRow,andAlanBainfromGore, son-in-lawwatchingtheactionatoneoftheonfarmsales.

investigation,provedimpossibleforall sortsofreasonsbutJohncametoNZ aftertheimportationoftheearlyUSbulls andIgottoknowhimverywell. Whilstthesecattle,inhindsight,proved tobetoolargeforNZconditionsand otherreasons,overthe10-yearperiod theygavethebreedamonumentalkick inthebuttthatitneeded.In1990we joinedtheBreedplansysteminAustralia, firstlywithinherdanalysis,butthen quicklymovingtothegroupBreedplan systemwhichwasbetweenherds.At last,wehadasystemwherebywecould measurenotonlywithinherddataand performancebuttoseehowwewere performingagainstotherherds.

Overthese50yearsIhavemovedfrom breedingbullsonlyforclientsto:

1)buyingourclientsweanersteers back

2)fatteningthesecattletoaround 600-650kg

3)analysingthecarcassdatafromthe resultingsteers

4)providingtheseclientswithcarcass information&discussingthetype ofanimalneededforthemarket afterthematernaltraitshavebeen satisfied.

Wow,weneedaperfectbull,butthere isnoperfectanimal,therearejust animalswithjustdifferentstrengths andweaknessesandunlikethepoultry

industryeverythingtakessolongwith generationturnovers.

Youmaybeasking,wellwhatisthemoral tothisstory?Well,thefirstoneis,and asI’vetoldmanyyoungpeopleoverthe years“applythetwoF’s–figuresand ‘f’henotype(althoughitstartswith‘ph’!)”. Oneisnomoreimportantthantheother andareofequalimportanceandapply themassuch.Anothermoralisthatwe needdiversityinourcattlesothatwe canusedifferenttypesandperformance cattletotryandbreedthatelusive perfectbreedinganimal.

Inmyopinionindexescanbe counterproductiveassomeonehasto ‘weightthetraits’measured,andthiscan dilutewhatmightbeneededinindividual herdsunlesstheindexisspecifictoan areaofproduction(e.g.heifermating). Inthemeantime,youmeetsomany wonderfulpeople,itopensmanydoors aroundtheworldanditsgoodfuntrying togetitright.Goodluck!

ByRoddyKjestrup

HereatKayJayweareabreeding programthatpushesthe boundarieswhenitcomesto performanceandproductionwhile maintainingthefunctional,efficient packagethatthetraditionalnguscattle beastisbestknownfor.

Likemany,KJhasneverbeenfortunate enoughtohavegenuinescaleinterms offarmsize.Therefore,cattleandsheep

havehadtoperformateveryageand stagetomakethebusinessviable.Thisis wheretheboundariesgetpushedandwe learnwhatcanbeachievedwhentrying toaddasmuchvalueintoacarcasswhile stillmaintainingthecorefundamentals ofafunctionalanimal.

Overtheyearswehaveseenthedemand forKJgeneticsexplodeandwenowhave bullstravelingnationwide.Withthegoal tobeawellknownandreputablesource ofgeneticsinthemarket,wearepleased toseethiscomingtofruitionwithKJ

TheKayJayType:KayJayFatBoyT641,StrongKJbloodlines-deepMaternalvolumethatweighs,thick heavymusclingthatweighs,widebasewithstrongbone.

bredweanersinhotdemandaround thecountry.HereintheWairarapathe toplineofangussteerswereagain KJgeneticswithAndyandBridget Mathewsonseverstronglinefetching $1230.

Thisyear’ssaleteamisanotherstrong teamofbullswithconsistencyanddepth fromlot1throughto45andsomereal starscomingthrough.

KayJayisalsobecomingknownforthe festivitiesduringandfollowingour

bullsalewithalargecrowdenjoying refreshments,alivebandandtheshuttle toandfromtown.

AccommodationandDeferred paymentavailable.Pleasegetintouch.

Farmfacts

•590ha

•Calving150studcows

•Calving45studheifers

•Lambing2000ewes

•Lambing500hoggets

•Alllambsandcattlefinishedonfarm

Lot10:KayJayBombSquadT619SiredbyDunoonPrimeMinisterP758.BombSquadandhismother preweaningMarch2023,weanedatover70%ofhisdamsbodyweight.ThisyearKayJayhasthe firstsonsbyDunoonPrimeMinistertheAustralasianhighsellerof2020sellingfor$140,000. KayJayistheonlystudinNZtohavethesegeneticsavailable.

ByChrysAyley

SimonandWendyCollinofRauriki Charolaisareexcitedaboutthe21 salesbullsonofferattheireighth annualR2Charolaisbullsale.Thisistheir 22ndyearofbreedingand“We’vegot somegoodyoungbullscomingforward,” Simonsays.

Ofparticularinterestisabullusedinthe 2021matingseason,RaurikiRansomR51, whowasusedasayearlingandsoldin 2022.“Weonlygotonecropofcalves fromRansomandwe’reprettyexcited abouthowhisprogenyareshaping.They willbesellingninebullshe’sleft-bulls thathavegrowth,depth,softness,nice andsoundandgreatgrowthfigures whichiswhatCharolaisareabout.” RaurikiRansomR51hasgoodEBVdata

andhisprogenyarelookingaverygood prospectsforthebullsale.“Weretained onebullofthatline-apolledbullRauriki RansomT36andlooktoincorporate himintointheherdatagreaterlevelfor the2024matingseason.He’sgotlotsof potential.”

“OneofourSiresSilverstreamOSCAhas leftaconsistentlineofbulls.Lot1bull, RaurikiOscaT81isahomozygouspolled bullandareallygreatprospect,he’s lookingreallywell.He’sveryquiet,with gooddatabehindhimandiscertainly worthconsideration.”Polledbullsare becomingmoreofamarketrequirement and“we’reofferingmorepolledbullsas wegoalong.”

“Lot2bullisRaurikiOCSAT33:I’vegota lotoftimeforhim.Amoderatebullwith

alotofpresence.Greatshoulder,and carryinggoodmuscling”

TheRaurikibullshavealotofstrength andpower.“We’vegotgooddataand alsowe’vegotsomebullsthatmight besuitabletoaheiferorforadairy operation.

“ThisyearweDNAtested,allaretestedas calvesandallbullscarrysireverification sowecanhavesomeconfidencein thatpedigreesirebackground.Sirescan beidentifiedthroughDNAandwe’re headingdownthatroadwithdams.”DNA testinghasbeencarriedoutsince2020 andsireanddamverificationisgoingto becomemoreavailableastheyearsgo by,hesays.

Traitsthey’relookingforinclude homozygouspolled,carcassevaluation

fortenderness,cattlewithagooddegree ofsoftnesscarryingintramuscularfat, combinedwithgrowth“We’regetting prettygooddataonbloodlineshereand we’restartingtogetsomegoodresults onIMFfigures.

“Technologyiseverevolving,andthere aresometraitswecangetonboard withinourgeneticprogram,tooffer bullbuyerssomeaddedbenefittothere breedingprogram.”

RaurikiCharolaisisholdingitseighth annualR2Charolaisbullsaleat18 AhiwekaRoad,Dannevirkeon28May 2024.Thebullwalkwillbeheldon14 May.

Inquiriesarewelcomeandifyoucan’t maketheopendaypleasemakean appointmenttoview.

RaurikiBullsenjoyingthefineweatheronthehills.

Lot1bull,RaurikiOscaT81.

Lot2bullRaurikiOCSAT33.

ByPaulWilliams

AttheendofMarchSarahandI werefinallyonourwaytoNorth Americaafterhavingtopostpone thetriptwicein2023duetoflooding,this wasgoingtobeawell-earnedbreak. Ithadbeenaround15yearssincemylast visitandtheanticipationtoviewsome ofthe“best”Angusgeneticsintheworld

wasbuilding.NorthAmericangenetics havehadasignificantimpactonthe NewZealandgenepooloverthelast20 yearsandIamstilldoubtfulwhetherthe breedhasbenefittedbringinginhigh growth,grainfedgeneticsuntestedin ourenvironment.Itwastimetoseefor ourselves.

Afterspendingaweekholidayingaround Mexicoin35-degreeweatherweflew uptoBilling’sinMontanatovisitsomeof

themosthigh-profilesemencollection centresinUS,andviewover300Angus Sires.Aquicklookattheforecast revealedsomeverywinteryweatherwith snowandhighsof-2,itwastimetoput thesingletandboardshortsawayand donthepuffer.

OurfirstvisitwastoPeakGenetics.Atthe timeofvisitahandfulofbullswerebeing collectedsowegotaverygoodlookat feet,legs,andtemperaments.Initiallywe

wereimpressedwiththehoofshapeand healdepthondisplay,butitwassoon revealedallbullsoncentreareregularly foottrimmed!Iguessthatisonewayto resolveaproblembutinNewZealand weusegeneticselectionandcullingto maintainsuperiorstructure.

Thehighlightwasseeingsupersire BasinRainmaker4044,stillsoundat9 yearsofage,andcontinuestobeused heavilyaroundtheworld.

PaulandSarahwithLDCapitalist.

PaulandSarah’sfavourite-LTConverse.

BasinRainmakershowinggoodfeet.

Anotherbullthatpiquedmyinterestwas DLZoom,butoncloserinspectionhis geneticprofileprovedunsuitablewith toomuchgrowthandnotenoughfertility.

OurnextstopwasWorldWestSires,a privatelyownedfacilitythatcollectsbulls onbehalfoftheowner,andthisiswhere the‘BigGuns’were.Hereweviewed LDCapitalist,HFAlcatraz,BBarBlack Mass,MusgraveJumbo,StirlingPacific, LTConverseandSitzResilienttonamea few.

NofoottrimmingatWorldWestand thedifferencebecameclear,withfar morevariation.Somebullswerequickly slashedoffthelistwhileothergarnered moreofourtime.

Ourfavouriteswere:

LTClarion -AsonofRainmaker4044. Beautifullybalancedwithexcellentfeet andgoodlegs,nicescrotal,decentlength withstrongmuscleshape,temperament wasoutstanding.

SATBravo -AsonofColemanBravo. Verystrongmasculinebullwithgood presenceandexcellentmobility,feet weregood,buthadaquestionmarkon scrotal.

SpringCoveGrant -The$400khigh sellingyearlingbull.Nicelybalanced withdepthofflankandplentyofwidth, excellenttemperament,andstronghead. Juryisoutonfrontfeet.

OurfinalstopforthedaywasOrigen amassivefacilityhousingover120

bulls.ThehighlightswereseeingBasin Payweight1682,asupersireofthebreed andstillgoingstrongrising13! BasinRainmaker8584alsocaughtour attention,anothergoodsonof4044,with alotofthesamestrengths,althoughwe didquestionhisdisposition.

Thefollowingdaywetooka‘roady’down toBuffaloinWyomingtoattendthe SinclairAngusProductionSale.Wewere greetedwithfreshsnowandplentyof sunshinewhichmadeforsomebeautiful scenery.

Theyearlingbullsonofferwere presentedexceptionallywellconsidering howharshthewinterhadbeen.They expressedgoodbreedcharacter withstrongheadsandsolidbone. Temperamentsweregenerallyvery

good,thefeetontheotherhandwere thebiggestdisappointmentshowingtoo muchshapeandlackingheal.Thesale wasagreatsuccesswithatoppriceof $14000USDandanaverageofaround $6000USD.

Overall,itwasaveryworthwhiletrip.I feltthatthebreedershavemoderated thesizeandimprovedstructureand temperamentfrommylastvisit.

Therearestillmajorissueswith heads,jaws,andtailsets.BasinAngus impressedusthemostandweare currentlydecidingwhichbullwewould considerusingto“benchmark”their programagainstours.Anotherconcernis theabilityofthesegeneticstoshiftinto “our”environmentandcompeteinsteep NewZealandcommercialconditions. Onlytimewilltell.

SITZIncentive.

SATBravo.

Lot11SinclairAngusBullsale.

Weseemoreandmoreolder farmersrunningbigproperties withlotsofstockworkand fewerstafftodothework.

Oftenthesefarmersthoroughlyenjoy theirfarmworkandliketokeepfarming asit’sintheblood.“WhatelseamIgoing todo?”weoftenhear.

Thefactisoldrugbyinjuries,anda lifetimeofhardmostlymanualworkhas createditstollonthebody.

AndthisiswhereHydraulicAnimal handlingequipmentcomestotheforeas withhydraulicsthereisnolimittohow manyanimalsyoucanhandleordeal withascontainmentissecureandsafe. TechniPharmhassetitselfapartin thisspaceandhasforsomeyears manufacturedalargerangeofhandler optionswithHydraulics.SteveMuirhead designersays“Overtheyearswehave learnedalotandrefinedourdesignsto accommodatewhatneedstohappen onfarm.It’snotassimpleas justslappingsomehydraulics onamanualhandler.Youare dealingwithmanyvariable situationsandanimalssoit’s importanttounderstandthe fullspectrumofwhatneedsto beachieved.

SementestingatTwinOakAngusStationintheHighflow260 CattleHandler.

Withseverallargerstud operatorshavingthebenefitof theHyflow260hydraulicCattle Handlerweareverysurethat whatwehaveistrulyunique andperformingwayabove whatotheroptionsavailablein themarketplace.Allhandling taskscanbeperformedwith easeandwithoutstressto theanimal.Stressisamajor

WeMakeFarmingEzy

Thedesignofyournewyardswill standardplansorcustomdesigned.

causeofdegradedmeatandlackof performance.

Highlevelsofthestresshormonecortisol causedbystresstakeupto48hoursto dissipate,duringthistimetheanimalis notdoingmuchgrowing!Butitdoesn’t stopthere:reducedratesofreproduction, suppressedmilkproductionandthe immunesystemaswellasgreater diseasesusceptibilityareallnegative effectsofbadhandlingsystemsor operators.

WithlevelsofpHunder5.8beefwillbe tenderhowever,whenpHisbetween5.8 and6.2thishasbeenassociatedwith greatertoughness.OverpH6.2results indark-cuttingbeefwithpoorshelflife. ThelevelofpHislargelydeterminedby theamountofglycogenthathasbeen storedinthemusclespre-slaughter. Tendernessisprobablythemost importantbeefattribute,andthiscan bepartlydeterminedbyanimalageat slaughter,andpreandpost-slaughter management.Animalsfedandhandled wellandnotstressedwilllikelyhave highglycogenlevelsandthereforewill achieveamusclepHassociatedwith desirablemeatqualitycharacteristics. Forthesereasonsbesthandlingpractice paysdividends!

Aswesayandhavesaidfor30years, itallstartswithhowweperceiveand verbalisehandlingstockhandling,we havecalledourhandlingequipmenta CattleHandler,notacrush!Youcrush grapes,butHandleCattle.

www.technipharm.co.nz 0800809098

VisitTechniPharmatFieldaysinside thepavilionoroutsidethepavilionat theFarmReadysite.

The#8isdesignedwith animalwellbeinginmind, greataccessandexcellent, comfortablehandlingis whatanyanimalonfarm deserves.Safe,fastand ezyworkingconditions areneededforoperators, contractorsandvetsalike.

Extreme™isdesignedfor theveryseriousstockman. Thisisthestakeintheground whererealhandlingstartsand mediocrehandlingstops.The notjustaboutsteelorpower... it’saboutcleverandintelligent engineeringforapurpose.

TheCattleCurtain™makes youryardworkeasyand safe.Mostyardshavea lotofgates;gatesrequire peopleintheyardsoftenin amongststock.Nowplace CattleCurtain™anywhere inyouryardswherecattle shouldonlytraveloneway.

Highflow260CattleHandlerandautodrafterat Shrimpton’sHilllowgestationHerefords.

MANGA LIMO 1stInaugur

Commencing 1pm ie ing rom 11am 18 2 r Polled Limousin Bulls NZ'SL RGES REGIS

MOND 27th M 2024

RatanuiAngusisownedbytheStory Family:MelandNickyStory,their sonsNathanStoryandSeanStory andtheirwives,AliStoryandLauraStory.

Ratanui’sHistory

ThisyearitisRatanui’s34thannualbull saleand69yearsofbreedingquality Anguscattle.Itallstartedin1955with JackEvanspurchasingaselectgroupof females,someofwhichwereimported fromScotlandfortheChittyFamilyof Tuakau.ThisfoundedtheArdmoreStud. TheherdwasthentakenoverbyPeter

Northcottin1965andrenamedRenata Angus.Dominantearlystudsireswere DollarofOmakereandJexIV.In1978,the completestudwasbroughtbyDickand AverilStoryandwasrenamedRatanui AngusStud.

Dickenjoyedtheartofbreedingandtook greatprideinproducingqualityactivehill countrybulls.Heusedmultipleleading siresatthetimesuchasSpringdale Brosco,SpringdaleBonzo288,TeMania Guardian,TeMania‘Frank’B8.82toname afew.

MelandNickypurchasedthestudfrom DickandAverilin2003andshifted toTolagaBayin2005.Wemanaged tosecureaspotintheEastCoastbull weekandsoldourbullsatMatawhero saleyardsfor13years.Wemadethecall tobuildasalecomplexonfarmandhad threeonfarmsalesinTolagaBay. Wearrivedatacrossroadsduetolimited scaleattheTolagaBayfarm.So,asa familywemadethedecisiontoforge aheadandrelocatethestudtoRosskeen StationinlandfromWairoa.Thishas provideduswiththe necessaryscaleanda greatopportunityforour families.Sincemoving herein2022,we’ve heldtwosuccessful onfarmbullandram salesandpurchased theneighbouringfarm ‘Waimoana’. Whata differencea yearmakes

We’vebeenvery fortunatewiththe seasonwithnodrought. Thegrasshasgrown prettymuchright throughthesummer andautumn.Lambsstill

struggledabittotrygetdecentweight intothemhoweverthecattlehavedone well.

Weareveryproudofthecatalogueof bullsputforward.Thetemperament isoutstandingandthegroupshowsa greatdealofevenness.Weareexcited aboutthefuturedirectionofRatanui andthegeneticswe’vebeenselecting for.Rosskeen&Waimoanaprovidean excellenttestinggroundforthecattle andsheepwhichgivesusconfidence thattheywillstandupanddeliverquality results.

Nathan,left,Ali&theirtwogirls,OliveandAmber,Laura,Sean,NickyandMel.

RatanuiT7.

Thisyear’sline-upofbullshavebeen developingtruemuscleandstrengthon thehills.Thesebullshavebeenbornand raisedonmediumsteephillcountrytheir entirelife.Allofourbullsaresoldtohill countryfarmerssowhatbetterwayto growandfinishthemonthehills.They’ll arrivereadytoperformandprosper.If you’reahillcountryfarmerlookingfor stronggruntyhillcountrygenetics,this salewillbewellworthyourtime!

Ourgoalistobeallstudcattleintwo yearswhichwillenableustoprovidea topselectionofbothbullsandheifers. Winterstockingratewillbesitting around9.5-10osu/hasothestudsvery muchhavetofitin.

Wehavetonnesofgrowthandframein thebackgroundofourherdsowe’llbe lookingtocontinuetothickenupand sourcesiresthatwillsuitourbreeding program.Ourgoalgoingforwardisto breedamediumplussizedfertilecattle beastthatholdsconditionandproduces progenythatwillperformyearin,year out.

Allsalebullswillbevideoedpriortosale andpostedonourYouTubechannel: RatanuiAngus.Thebullswillbesold inlotorderonaprojectorscreen/live auctioncombo(includingBidr)inside ourwoolshed.Thesalebullswillstillbe pennedupforviewingonsaledayasper normal.Feelfreetogiveusacallifyou

RosskeenStationwithPanekireinthebackground.

wanttoviewthebullspriortosaledayor discussthesale-ourfrontgateisalways open!FreedeliverywithinNorthIsland andfreightpaidtoFeildingforSouth Islandpurchases.

Standoutbullsthisyear

Wehaveanotherstronglineupofhill countrybullsforsalethisyear.Wehave newgeneticsonofferfromOrereQ9, TurihauaQ86andbullsbyRatanuibred yearlings.CricklewoodP37andthe popularTurihauaAvengerN59makean appearanceonceagainwithanotherline upofverygoodsons.

RatanuiT66hasbeenastandoutsincea calfandabullthatwehavealottimefor.

Hehastremendousnaturaldoingability andconstitution.

Heexemplifiesthetypeweareaimingto produce.RatanuiT31isaQ86sonthat hasthrivedinthehillcountryandabull thatwilllastalifetime.Heisoutofatop Ratanuicowfamilythathasproduced excellentfemalesandstudbulls.Ratanui T7isoutofa2yrheifermatingshowing theeasydoingqualitieswestriveto breed.

Wehaveinvestedinourdataby genomicallytesting(HD50K)allcalves born.Thishasboostedaccuraciesand EBVinformationforbuyers.Weare cataloguing43genuinehillcountrybulls forhillcountryfarmers.

RatanuiT66.

ByRachaelO’Grady Hawke’sBayAngusBreeders Associationsecretary/treasurer

Withpreparationswellunderway forthisyear’sAngus2-year Bullsales,studandcommercial breedersaroundthecountrywillbe scouringoverbullsalecatalogues.

AngusbreedersinHawke’sBayare excitedforthe2024Bullsaleseason, toshowcasethegreatlineupofAngus bullsacrossthevariousstuds.

Hawke’sBayasadestinationforyourBull buyingofferssomethingforeveryone. NotonlydoestheBayhavetheclimate, thefertility,andthetypeofcountryto growexceptionalproduce,itisproudto boastbeingthehomeofqualityAngus cattle.

StudsintheHawke’sBayAssociation areacoverfromTutiraintheNorthto PahiatuaintheSouth,fromthecoast atPongaroaintheeasttotheRuahine Rangesinthewest.Acrosstheregion Hawke’sBayhasaproudhistoryof breedingAnguscattle.Studsinthe regionrangefromthosewithextensive

breedinghistories,spanningseveral generationsgoingbacktotheearly 1900’s,tonewerstudsestablishedmore recently.Regardlessofwheneachstud wasestablished,collectivelyacrossthe regionthereareAnguscattlebeingbred basedonprovenbloodlinesandsome excitingnewbloodlines,andyearsof performanceexcellence,meaningthat thereisawideanddeeppoolofgenetic diversityforbuyerstoselectfrom. AnguscattleinHawke’sBayarebred byagroupofastutestudbreederswho areunitedintheirpassionforAngus cattleandaredrivenbyadesireto producestrongfunctionalcattleforthe NewZealandenvironment.Thatisthe wonderfulthingaboutAnguscattle,their hardinessandabilitytohandleandadapt toarangeofconditions,andtobehighly productivethroughouttheyear.

Farmingproductivityandprofitability arealwaysunderpressure.Therefore, farmerswanttomaketherightdecisions whenmakingtheirbullselections.BullwalkthisyearisbeingheldMay9and 10providingagoodchanceforclients, agents,andfellowbreederstocomeand havealookatwhat’savailableonsale day.

SalesinHawke’sBaythisyearareamix ofon-farmauctionsandsalesbyPrivate Treaty.Inspectionofcattleandstud operationsareinvitedandwelcomed byeachstud.Enquiriesarealsoalways welcomed.Anyonewishingtovisitanyof thestudsareadvisedtophonefirst. Buyerscanbeguaranteedoffinding whattheyarelookingforfromamong theHawke’sBayStudbreeders,aswell asenjoyingthehospitalityofthosestuds whowelcomevisitors.

TawaHillsAngus

RachaelO’Gradyinspectsbullsatasale.

SHAMROCK

HaroldandRachaelO’Grady, 22NelsonRoad,Kereru,Hastings.P:0274863901E:harry@ogrady.co.nz

shamrockangus.co.nz

www.facebook.com/ShamrockAngus

ByKylieJohnson

OrereAnguswasestablishedin 2017fromadream.Wehadjust broughtthelandfromLeeand Maria,Ben’sparents.Thiswas735ha ofmediumtosteephillcountry50km southwestofGisborne,wethoughtwhy nottrysomethingdifferentthatinterests usalongsidethecommercialsideofour sheepandbeeffarmingoperationwith anAngusstud?

Theopportunityarosetopurchase19 AngusstudcowsfromtheAlpineAngus dispersalsale.Fromherewehaveslowly increasedournumbersovertheyears pickingupafewcowsalongtheway fromotherstudsanddoinganonfarm embryoprogramwithEmbyroCo.We generallypickthreecowstogointo theprogrameachyear.Thecowsare selectedonphenotype,longevityand performance:aspectsthatwethinkare importantinourstud.

Thisyearwewillbecalving100mixed agecowsand22R2heifers.Allheifers arematedasyearlingsandareexpected toraiseacalfandanypoorproducers anddrysareculled.Wearebreedingto keepthetraditionalEastCoastcattle type,amoderaterobustframewithgood meatandbonecovering,structurally soundwithfertilitytogetincalfeach yearregardlessoftheseason.

Withtherecentaddition(400ha)ofa neighboringfarmlastyeartakesusto 1175hectare,1050effective,running 300commercialAnguscowsand4500 Romneyewes.Weareaimingtofinish alllambsonfarmwitha18kgcarcass weight,andallsteercalvessoldinthe Matawheroweanerfairaveraging240kg. Withadiverselandscapeofsiltflatsto mediumtosteephillcountrywesoon realizedbothBenandIcouldn’trun thefarmourselveswithBen’sparents retiringatthestartofthisyear.Ourkids arealsoawayfromhome:Lachie,18,is shepherdinginHawkesBay.Natalie,16, andSophie,13,arebothawayatboarding schoolintheWaikato.

Thereforeweapproachedagoodfriend DylanYoungthatweknewwasacapable stockmanagerwhoneededmorescale toexpandhisknowledge.Heandhis partnerLexihaveslottedinsmoothly runningthecommercialsideofthe farmingbusiness.

Withthenewlybuiltrostrumlastyear andsecondonfarmsale,therewillbe 18-20R2bullsgoingthroughthering thisyearshowcasingthelastofTuriroa RagnarP224,KaharauP412,andour heifermatingbullTurihauaR87.

Wearereallyhappywiththelineupof bullsthisyearandlookforwardtoseeing youatthesale.

TuriroaAnguswasfoundedin1944by WalterPowdrellandthisyearthefamily arecelebrating80yearsbreeding pedigreeAnguscattle.

Walter’sfatherin-lawREJeffersongave WalterandhisbrideRuthfivepedigree Angusheifersasaweddingpresent.Walter addedqualityfemalesanddevelopedthe studfromthere.Thestudwasthentaken overbytwoofWalters’ssons,Rickand Rowley,whoranthestudinpartnershiptill 2000.RickandhiswifeOliviathentookover thesoleownershipofTuriroaAngusand werejoinedbysonAndrewwhomanaged thestud.

AndrewandhiswifeTraceytookoverfull operationandownershipinAugust2017 andAndrewisthefifthgenerationtofarm thelandatTuriroa.

With80yearsofexperienceTuriroaputs greatemphasisonastrongfemalebase, whichcomprisesof250cowstothebull. Thismaternalstrength,asthebackbone ofthebreedingprogramenablesTuriroa toproduceabalancedgeneticpackage, retainingtheconstitution&structural soundnessoftheAngusbreed.

SuccessoftheStudsbreedingprogram ismeasuredbythesuccessofclients, bothwiththedollarreturnonwhatthey sellandalsotheconceptionrates,calving percentageandbulllongevity.ThePowdrells takeabalancedapproachtoEBVsandhave neverfocussedonsingletraits.Theyhave

startedHD50ktestingalltheirprogeny andthisyear’ssalebullsarethefirstwith genomicallyenhancedEBVs.“Weembrace technologywherewecanbutstillretainour corebreedingphilosophiesthatwehave stucktofor80years,Andrewssays.

TuriroaStudutilizesAIandETandhave beendoingthisforover15years.Itwas somethingAndrewwaskeentodowhenhe arrivedbackhometomaximisethetopend genetics.

Recentlytheyflushedfivecowsandgota whooping90exportqualityembryos.The cattleareallgrassfedwithsalebullsgetting somemeadowhayfromMayonwards.Sale bullsareruninmobsof30whichiscut downbeforethesaletoaround25.

Highlights

1972Turiroawasthefirststudin NewZealandtoexportabullsold atauctionbacktoScotlandtothe WedderlieStud.Theyarestillbreeding today.

OvertheyearsTuriroahasexported cattletoChina,Japan,Australiaaswell asembryosandsemen. SemenhasalsobeensoldtoSouth Africa. 1996highesttoppriceof$28,000and average$5,100forthestud.

2002TuriroasetanAustralasian recordhighonfarmsaleaverageat

thetimeof$9,388with8studbulls soldthatday.

2012Recordsaleaverageof$10,927 with9studbullssoldandatopof $72,000.

2020NewZealandrecordonfarm salepriceatthetimeforTuriroa Ragnar18P224for$104,000.Turiroa Complete18P250alsosellingthatday for$86,000.

2023Achievedsecondhighest averagesalepriceinNewZealandof $12,860

TuriroahasitsannualonfarmbullsaleonJune26that2pmonthepropertyand looksforwardtocelebrating80yearsofbreeding.

TuriroaComplete18P250soldtoOregonAngusin2020for$86,000.

ThePowdrellFamilyGeorge,l,Toby,Ella,AndrewandTracey.

Cookingtime

11-30mins

Serves

2-3

Preparationtime

20minutes

Ingredients

•1packSilverFernFarmsBeefEye FilletSteaks

•3cupssoba(buckwheat)noodles, cookedperpacketinstructionsand keptwarm

•3-4smallchoisum,cutinhalf lengthwiseorsubstitutewithsmall bokchoyor6-8sweetstembroccoli

•1cupshellededamamebeans

•3-4softboiledeggs,peeled

•½cupspringonions,sliced

•Smallhandfulofsnowpeas

•Toastedsesameseedsandchilli flakes,forserving

Broth

•2tspsesameoil

•2Tbspbrownonion,finely-minced

•1garlicclove,crushed

•1Tbspfreshginger,mincedplus1 tbspcutintofinejuliennes

•1Tbspsoysauce

•4cupshotwater

•3Tbspmisopaste

•Salt

•Pepper

Method

Heatthesesameoilinalargepotover mediumheat,addtheonion,garlicand ginger,andcookforafewminsuntil softened.Addthesoysauceandstirto combine,thenaddthewaterandbringtoa boil.

Letsimmeruncoveredfor2mins.Placehalf cupofthebrothintoasmallbowlandstir inthemisotodissolve.Pourthemisobroth backintothepotandstirtocombine.Keep warm.

RemoveSilverFernFarmsBeefEyeFillet Steaksfromthefridgeandpackagingand allowtobloomatroomtemperaturefor10 mins.

RuboilovertheBeefEyeFilletSteaksand seasonwithsaltandpepper.Cookonagrill overhighheatfor3-4minseachside.Allow torestfor5minsbeforeslicingfinelyacross thegrain.Seasonlightlyagain. Placethechoisumandedamamebeans inthegingerbrothandbringtoasimmer for1-2minstosoften.Placeaportionof warmsobanoodlesinthebottomofeach servingbowl.Usingaslottedspoon,place evenportionsofpoachedchoisumand edamamebeansoneachbowl,addafew snowpeasandpourtheremainingmiso brothoverthetop.AddslicedBeefEyeFillet Steaks,andthesoft-boiledeggs.Sprinkle withthespringonionslices,sesameseeds, chilliflakesandpepper.Servewarm.

RecommendedCut: BeefEyeFilletSteaks

Kingofallcutsandagedwithcare, ourBeefEyeFilletSteakspromiseto beexquisitelytenderandsucculent. CourtesySilverFernFarms.

MarkEagle,alongwithhiswife DiandsonAnthonyandhis wifeJessfarmonthreesites, totaling1600ha,inPahiatuaandtheir studKaimoaSouthDevonsislocatedin MangaoneValleyRoad,Pahiatua.

MarkandDihavelivedonthe350haflat rollingtosteepercountrypropertyfor thelast13yearshavingmovedthestud, foundedin2006,fromEketahuna.Di helpsoutwhenneededandtheyhavea valuedteamofthreestaffworkingover thethreeproperties.

Theirpreviouspropertywasadairy, sheepandbeefoperationbutAnthony waskeentotakeoverthedairyunitand Mark,aftermilkingcowsfor35years,was quitehappytotakeastepsideways.“I stillwantedtofarmandwasquitehappy tochangetobeefandsomesheep,”he says.ThedairyoperationwassoldinJune 2022.

Currentlystocknumbersatthestud are:60bulls,1000heifers,about7,500 lambs,460beefcowsincluding130stud cowsand2500breedingewes.They alsogrowmaizeon10-20haandsellto dairyfarmers.

InthepastMarkhadtriedseveral differentbreedsofbullbutwasn’toverly happywiththeirtemperament.But thenheboughtaSouthDevonfroman Eketahunastudandsincethenhasstuck withthebreed.

ThekeyfactorabouttheSouthDevon isthattheyareveryquiet,“Theyare renownedasbeingthequietestofallthe beefbreedsandareoriginallyfromSouth DevoninSouthWestEngland.”

“BecauseSouthDevonsweremoreof ahornedbreed,ratherthanpolled,we haveabigemphasisonpollingandwe alsotestDNAsoweknowwhetherthey arehomozygouspolledorheterozygous polled.AllourbullsandheifersareDNA testedforsireverificationbutthatpolled aspectisveryimportantthesedayswith animalwelfareinmind,andforpeople buyingbullsfromus.Goingforwardwe don’twantanyscursatall.It’ssomething we’reachievingbutwe’vegottokeep thebreedingpolicyintherightdirection,” Marksays.

“Ienjoyworkingwiththemjustforhow quiettheyare,I’veworkedwithalot ofcattlebutthere’snothingquitelike

mine.Docilityisimportant.Youwantto feelyou’realwayssafe.Somebreedsare definitelybetterthanothers.Wewant tothinkthatthatdocilityflowsthrough whenselling.Ananimalthat’sdocile willgrowbetterbecauseit’srelaxedand chilledandit’sgoingtogrow.”

Saledetails

Markisveryhappyforanyone interestedintheSouthDevonsto contacthimtoarrangeavisittoinspect thecattleand/orcomealongtothe saleday.

KAIMOA

SuppliedbyBeef+LambNewZealand

AstheBeef+LambNewZealandledseven-yearInformingNew ZealandBeefprogrammehits thehalfwaymark,thefocusischanging toeducationandextensionand encouragingtheuseofhigh-quality geneticsinthebeefindustry.

B+LNZ’sGeneralManagerFarming ExcellenceDanBrier,saysoverthe pastfouryears,theprogramme’sfocus hasbeenoncollectingdatafromthe Across-breedProgenyTestsandNext Generationherdsandgainingabetter understandingoffarmerandindustry needs.

Thisdatawillbeinstrumentalinthe developmentofNZ-specificbreeding indexes,whichwillbeoneofthe significantoutcomesofINZB.

Ultimately,INZB,whichisapartnership betweenB+LNZ,theMinistryforPrimary IndustriesandtheNewZealandMeat Boardaimstoboostthesector’sprofits by$460moverthenext25years.

DevelopingNewZealandspecificbreedingindexes

InasteptowardsdevelopingEstimated BreedingValuesforNZ’sbeefindustry,

DanBrier,B+LNZ’sGeneralManagerFarming ExcellencesaysthefocusoftheInforming NewZealandBeefProgrammehasbeenon collectingdatawhichwillbeinstrumentalinthe developmentofNZ-specificbreedingindexes.

B+LNZhasbeenrunningworkshopsin theNorthandSouthIslandtogivebeef breedersthetoolstomeasurebeefcow BodyConditionScoresandassignteat andudderscores.

RunbyB+LNZGeneticsBeefSpecialist AnnaBoydandGeneticsSpecialist JasonArcher,theworkshopshavebeen breederfocusedastheprogramme neededbreeder-recordeddatainthe developmentofNZ-specificEBVs. AnnasaysBodyConditionScores(BCS) andudderandteatstructurewere identifiedasbeingimportanttobeef farmersthroughtheindustry-wideTrait PrioritisationSurveycarriedoutinthe earlystagesoftheprogramme.

Runningprogenytestherds

Nowinitsfourthyear,Beef+LambNew Zealand’sacross-breedBeefProgeny Testcontinuestogainmomentumwith over50bulls(Angus,Herefordand Simmental)beingnominatedassiresfor useinthe2023-matingseason.Thetest, whichcomparesbullsundercommercial farmingconditions,isbeingrunon Pāmu’sKeplerFarminManapouriandat LochinverStationnearTaupo.

Dataiscollectedfromconception throughouttheanimal’slife.

OnKeplerfarm,AngusandHereford cowsarerunside-by-sidewithcrosses undertakenbothways.Simmentalsires havebeenaddedtothemixonLochinver Station.Acommercialherdprogramme isalsolinkingShorthorndataintothe progenytestdata.

Nextgenerationherds

Commercialbeeffarmersplayan importantroleinINZBthroughNext Generationherds.Thesearefarmers whohaveaninterestingeneticsand arewantingtoassesstheirbullteam’s performance,havemoreaccurate informationforselectingheifer replacementsandarewillingtowork withtheirbullbreederstospeedgenetic gain.Thistypically,butnotnecessarily, involvesusingartificialinseminationto createdirectgeneticlinkages.

Todate,21farmershavecomeonboard ontheprogrammewith15morejoining in2024.

Educationalfocus

Therewillbeastrongeducationalfocus inthesecondhalfofINZB.

Twenty-twoBetterBeefBreeding workshopsareplannedforthisyear, on-linelearningmodulesareavailable onB+LNZ’sKnowledgeHubalong withhow-tovideosofcarryingouta StructuralAssessmentofabullsand BodyConditionScoringcows.

toolsofthetrade.Havingsomeonelike Alistair,whoshowcasesboththenew andoldTePariequipmentinsuchan honestandgenuinemanner,bringsa uniqueperspectivetothetable.Through hisentertainingandeducationalvideos,

TheKiwiFarmerYouTubechannel givespeoplealookintothedaily lifeofasheepandbeeffarmerin NewZealand.AlistairBird,thecreator oftheKiwiFarmervideos,kickedoffthe channelin2021withasimplegoal:to showeveryonewhatfarminglifeisreally likeinNewZealandandtosharehis genuinelovefortheland,animals,and theenvironment.

Alistair’svisionwiththeKiwiFarmer channelisallabouthighlightingthe positivesideoffarmingandsharing thewayhedoesthingsonfarmsothat peopleallovertheworldcantuneinand learnhowit’sdoneinNewZealand.He firmlybelievesinthedeepbondfarmers havewiththeirland,animals,andthe environmenttheydependon.Alistair knowsthatfarmingisn’tjustajob;it’sa wayoflife.

Alistairkeepsitrealanddown-to-earth, givingviewersanhonestlookintothe lifeonhissheepandbeeffarm.Whether it’sgrazingmanagement,mustering, breeding,tailing,fencingorjustrunning thefarm,Alistairshowsyouthewhole

shebangwhileexplainingeverythingand keepingitrealaboutthegearheuses. FindoutmoreaboutAlistair’sfarmand farminginNewZealandheadovertothe KiwiFarmerYouTubechannelatwww. youtube.com/@kiwifarmernz/ TohelpsupportAlistairinhiswork onfarmTeParihasgivenhimanew LentaMX3VetSqueezeCattleCrush toupgradehiscattleyards.TheLenta MX3isloadedwithinnovativefeatures thatmakehandlingcattleabreeze, fromweighing,tagginganddraftingto veterinarywork.Alistair’svideosgiveyou anup-closelookathowthismodern crushmakestaskssaferandmore efficient.

Alistairhasbeenaloyalcustomerof TePariformanyyears,relyingontheir high-qualityequipmenttosupporthis farmingendeavours.Fromthesturdy TeParisteelgatesinhiscattleyardsto thetrustyRacewellSheepHandlerin hissheepyards,andnotforgettingthe tried-and-trueTePariDockingIronsfor tailing,AlisterhasalwaystrustedTePari’s

Alistairnotonlyentertainshisviewers butalsooffersvaluableinsightsintothe lifeofafarmerinNewZealand.

FindoutmoreaboutTePariCattle HandlingEquipmentat:www.tepari.com orcalltheteamon0800-837274

TheLentaMX3Vet SqueezeCrushispacked withgreatfeaturessuch as3-piecesideaccess gates,parallelsqueeze, offsidedraftinghandle,vet accessarea,fullyhotdip galvanisedsteel,reliable C1000walkthroughhead bailandanintegratedEID tagreader.

AlistairBirdthecreatoroftheKiwiFarmervideos.

MAYtoJULY

MAY

13KingCountryBreedersOpenDay

Taumaranui

14TaumaranuiAngusBreedersOpenDay Taumaranui

Rangitikei/WhanganuiAngusBullOpenDayRangitikei

15KingCountryBullBreedersOpenDay

KingCountry CentralWairarapaHerefordBullWalk 16RuaviewAngus&Simmental,12pm Ohakune

OkakaHereford,PrivateTreaty Raetihi

CentralWairarapaAngusBullWalk

20KaimoaSouthDevon,1.30pm

Eketahuna

GoldCreekSimmental,2pm Gisborne

21KerrahSimmental,1pm Wairoa

ColemanFarmCharolais,1pm Kaikohe

23MoretonShorthorn,1pm Katikati

24LongviewShorthorn,1pm Kerikeri

27Kia-ToaCharolais,1.30pm TeKuiti

PotawaSimmental,11am PioPio

WhananakiCoastCharolais,2pm Whananaki 28RaupuhaShorthorn,1pm Mahoenui

RaurikiCharolais,2pm Flemington ColvendShorthorn&Angus Tamaranui

29TarangowerAngus&RockendHereford,11.30amMahoenui

TeTaumataHereford,1pm Masterton

30GlenbraeHereford,2pm Porangahau

NgakoukaHereford,1pm Dannevirke

DandalooAngus,12pm Masterton TapiriAngus,9.30am Masterton

HingaiAngus,1pm Wharepunga

31KaiuruHereford,1pm Reporoa

OregonAngus,11am Masterton

KayJayAngus,2pm Masterton

JUNE

4ShianAngus,11am

Taumaranui

BlackridgeAngus,2pm Taumaranui

Puke-NuiAngus,4.30pm Taumaranui

OtopawaHereford,12pm Eketahuna

WairereAngus,1pm Meremere 5StorthOaksAngus,1pm Otorohanga MatauriAngus Dagaville MokairauHereford,10.30am Gisborne WilencoteHereford,2.30pm Gisborne

MerchistonAngus,2.30pm Rata HinewakaShorthorn,3pm Masterton 6PineParkAngus,11.30am Marton

RanuiAngus,3pm KaiIwi

IpuraSouthDevon,1pm TeKuiti

WaitangiAngus,1pm Waitangi

MaungahinaHereford&SpecklePark,1pmMasterton 7TwinOaksAngus,1pm TeAkau

RollingRockAngus,10am TeAkau

TotaranuiAngus,1.30pm Pahiatua 10AtahuaAngus,11am Kiwitea

NgaputahiAngus,3pm Pohangina

MtMableAngus,2.30pm Kumeroa 11DandaleithAngus,10am Dannevirke

ElginAngus,3pm Elsthorpe

BrookwoodAngus-PrivateTreaty Takapau 12PlatformHereford,7pm Masterton/online 13KoanuiPolledHereford,1pm HavelockNorth 14GlenAnthonySimmental,12.30pm Waipukurau

SnakeGullyLimousins,1pm Maungakaramea 21RatanuiAngus,2pm Tuai

GlenrossieShorthorn&SantaGertrudis,1pmWhangereiHeads 24OrereAngus,9am Gisborne

KaharauAngus,4.30pm Gisborne

TangihauAngus,12pm Gisborne 25TawaHillsAngus,9.30am Matawhero

WhangaraAngus,12pm Gisborne

TurihauAngus,3.30pm Gisborne

26TuriroaAngus,2pm Wairoa

KenhardtAngus,10am Nukaka 27GlanworthAngus,2.30pm Pahiatua

JULY

1TePunaHereford,12.30pm Okaihau

23ArahouHereford,1pm Tangiteroria

Allinformationcorrectattimeofprinting.

Cookingtime

Serves 3-4

Preparationtime 15minutes

Ingredients

•1packSilverFernFarmsBeef Medallions

•4Tbspoliveoil

Teriyakisauce

•¼cupsoysauce

•¼cupmirin

•¼cupbrownsugar

Ricecakes

•1½cupsrice,cookedandcooled

•1egg

•2Tbspplainflour

•¼cupspringonions,chopped Edamamepesto

•1cupfrozenshellededamame beans,thawed,blanchedinboiling water

•2garliccloves,crushed

•2Tbspfreshbasil

•2Tbspcorianderleaves

•¼cupvegetablestock

•2Tbspfreshlemonjuice

•½tspsalt

Method

RemoveSilverFernFarmsBeef Medallionsfromthefridgeand packaging.Seasonwith1tspoliveoil andpepper.Allowtobloomatroom temperaturefor10mins.SalttheBeef Medallionsjustpriortocooking.

Combineteriyakisauceingredients.Stir wellandsetaside.

HeatafrypanorBBQtohighandcook BeefMedallionsfor2½-3minseachside (medium-rare).Transfertoaplate,cover andrest.

Inthesamefrypan,pourteriyakisauce mixturein,bringtoaboil,andsimmer untilreducedandthickened.Remove fromheat.

Placecooledrice,egg,andflourinabowl. Stirthroughspringonion.Dividemixture into4portions.Pressfirmlyandrollinto ballsinthepalmsofyourhands.Lightly flatten.Heatremainingoilinasmall frypan.Cookricecakesforabout4-5 minseachsideoruntilgoldenandcrisp.

Placepestoingredientsinafood processorandblenduntilquitesmooth. Addalittlemorestockifitseemstoo thick.Setasideuntilreadytouse. Placeaspoonfulofedamamepestoon topofeachricecake.SitBeefMedallions ontopanddrizzlewithteriyakisauce.

RecommendedCut: BeefEyeFilletSteaks

Kingofallcutsandagedwithcare, ourBeefEyeFilletSteakspromiseto beexquisitelytenderandsucculent. CourtesySilverFernFarms.

Cloverrot

DrAdusei-Fosu’scurrentresearch includesscreeningandtestingpasture grassesfromSouthAfricaagainstother strainsofrustpathogens,toseeifthey canofferuslessonsasclimatechange impactsbegintobite.

AgResearchscientistswanttoplugamajorknowledgegap ondiseasesinpasture,andaddressbiosecuritythreats,by reachingouttofarmers.

Thepathogens(germs)thatcause diseasesinpastureplantssuchas Crownrustandcloverrotcanhave significantcostsforfarmersandtheNew Zealandeconomy,andinachanging climatetheconcernisthatthoselosses willescalate.

AgResearchscienceteamleaderKwasi Adusei-Fosusaysthereisarealgapin awarenessandunderstandingabout currentdiseasesandtheimpacttheyare havingonpastures,aswellaspotential futureimpacts.

“Bybuildingourknowledgearound pasturediseases,wearealsohelping raisetheawarenessandpreparedness forthreatstoNewZealand’sbiosecurity, includingtheriskofnewdiseasecausingorganismsthatcouldinvade NewZealand.”ThelasttimeNew Zealand’sformalresearchonthistopic wasreviewedwasin1996,andbefore thenin1965.

“Thelagcouldbebecausestudyof theimpactofpasturediseasesismore speculativeinnature,poorlyunderstood orneglected.”

DrAdusei-Fosuandhiscolleaguesat AgResearchhavepreparedanonline surveyaimedatfarmers,togaugethe levelofunderstandingofdiseases presentinNZpastures,control/ managementstrategies,financial implications,farmers’education/ capabilitytoidentifydiseasesand varyingclimaticconditionsforexisting/ persistingdiseases.

“Farmersdon’tneedsignificant knowledgeofpastureandforage diseasestotakepart–infact,oneofthe aspectsthesurveyisprobingiswhether farmershavetheabilitytoidentifya disease,orenoughsupportfromthe likesofMPIandscientiststoconfirm diseases.”

“That’sthekindofworkgoingon,but Irealiseditwouldbefantastictohear fromfarmers,farmmanagersand agribusinessesonwhatthey’reseeing intheiroperations,andinthescreening experimentsthey’redoingaspartofthe processofproducingseedsandcoming upwithnewseedlines.”

Surveyresultswillalsoinforman AgResearchprogrammeaimingto

reducesyntheticpesticideinputson farm.

Asecondsurveytobecarriedoutata laterdatewillfocusonunderstanding growerawarenessofkeyinsectpests andtheircurrentcontrolmethods.With therecentincursionofFallarmyworm andpotentialforotherbiosecurity threats,itisalsotimelytoupdate knowledgeinthisspace.

Thepasturepathogensurvey,which willtakenomorethan10minutesto complete,canbeaccessedathttps:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/YR68GHJ. Thosewhoparticipatewillgointoadraw towinoneoffive$100Prezzycards. SourceAgResearchMarch2024

RotowaiAngusislocatedatMokauiti, abeautifulvalleylocatedinthe KingCountry,halfwaybetween TaumarunuiandTeKuiti.Thisishome toAlanandNatashaCaveandtheir fourchildrenCharley,Oskar,Austinand Elliot.Recentlytherehavebeenseveral changeswiththeopeningofafarmstay ventureandtheintroductionofHalter.

Thelandis396totalha360effective haofeasyrollingcountrytosteeperhill country.Herestudcowsgrazealongside theircommercialAngusherdand Romneyewes.

TheystartedRotowaiAngusstudin 2016whenthebullstheywantedto purchasetogivethegenticgainsthey werelookingforwereoutofreach

financiallyforthem,makingthemtheir ownbiggestcustomerinthebeginning. Theirapproachistousegenetictools alongsidephysicaltraitstomovethebeef businessforward.

Thecouplemovedtothemainfarm housejustdowntheroadwhenthey tookoverthebusinesswhichlefta fairlymoderncottage,only15yearsold, vacant.Itseemedagoodideatoputitto useandhavepayingguestsappreciate thebeautyandsolitude.

Thethreebedroomcottagecansleepup tosixguestsandisfullyequippedwitha fullkitchenandlaundryfacilities.Guests cantakeadvantageofhomegrown vegesandherbsandsprayfreefruitfrom theorchard.Natashahasfurnishedthe

homeinaminimaliststylewantingto promotetheoverallambienceandviews. Guestssofarhavereallyenjoyedthe experience.OneguestfromAuckland boughthistelescopeandwasamazed bytheclearnightskiesandlackoflight pollution.

It’samagnificentspotwithstunning viewslookingoverthefarm,nativebush anddownthevalleytowardsĀria.The bushattractsanumberofnativebirds includingkereru,tui,bellbirds,morepork andnativefalcon.Thisisalsoanaspect thatguestscanenjoy.Thereisplentyto doandappreciateintheareasuchas MokauBeach,PureoraForestandTimber Trail,WaitomoCavesandForgottenWorld Adventures.

AttheendoflastyearHalterlaunched abeefproductandtheyjumpedatthe opportunitysothisFebruaryalltheir breedingcowswerecollared.

Theaimistoreduceworkloadandit’s anopportunitytotakethecowsoutof thewaterwaystoimprovefreshwater quality.Theyarealsolookingatpotential increasesinproductionbyusingthe technologytoimprovepastureutilisation sotheycanmoveutilisationfrom65%to 80%whichisquiteamarkedincrease, soit’sgotquiteafewthingsgoingforit. Allinallit’sprettycooltechnology althoughprofitabilityhasyettobe provenandtheyhaven’tmadeanyfarm changesyet.Potentiallyitcouldmean increasingstock.

RaupuhaStudsislocatedinthe MahoenuidistrictintheKing Country30Minutessouth-west ofTeKuiti

RussellandMavisProffitwiththeir threechildrenUriah,AlarnaandTe AnatookoverRaupuhaStudsfrom Russell’sparentsJeffandLynin March2008.

Thefamilyowns1100hawith 1025effhawintering12000su.The landiseasyrollingtosteepand approximatelyaveraging100metres abovesealevel.Heretheyruna Perendale,Romdale,Suffolkand Suftexsheepstudwithcommercial ewesandrams,hoggetsand Shorthorncommercialcattle.

Russellloveshisred,whiteandroans whicharegreatcattlewithabig focusonmeatquality(IMF)inthelast tenyears.Toprovethishasbeena greatinvestmenttheNewZealand BeefShorthornAssociationhas investedmoneyalongsideBLGNZinto ShorthornHillCountryprogenytest.

Thiswillfollowthemaleprogeny thoughtoslaughterlookingatgrowth ratesandmeatqualityaimingfor premiumcarcasestoincreasethe bottomlineofourcommercialbull clients.

“Weneedourbeefcowclientsto

increasetheirbottomlinetostay sustainableintothefuturefortheNZ economy.”

Thefemaleprogenywillbefollowed fortwomating’stoseeincalverates assecondcalverswhichseemto bethebiggestwastageareainthe beefherdsinNZwhenmatingR2 Hfrs.Thisisanexcitingprojectandis linkedtothetwocurrenttrialsrunby BLGNZInformingBeefProgramKelper &Lochinver.

Inmid-AprilRussellhostedmembers ofNewZealandBeefShorthorn Associationaspartoftheannualherd tourandAGM.participantslooked atthefirstdropofsteercalvesathis propertyinMahoenuiandvisitedthe firstdropfemaleprogenyandthe350 cowsintheprojectinWhanganuithe secondday.“Itwasagreatcouple ofdaysthatwouldn’tbepossible withoutourgreatsponsorsand supportersofourbreed.”

Russell’skeentoencouragepeople toconsiderbuyingashorthorn.“Try something,comeandhavealook, everydayisopenday.”Keeplivingthe dream!

“Tryashorthornyou’llbeimpressedthemeat’sallthesameontheinside.”

Elevenbullswillbeforsaleon Tuesday28Mayat11.30am.

KiaToaCharolaisislocatedon TroopersRoad,Oparure,TeKuiti. PaulandClaireGraingerruntheir studonarollingtomediumcontour, limestoneoutcrops,540-hectare farm,15minutesfromTeKuiti township.

BothPaulandClairearefromfarming backgrounds,withPaullivinginthe OparureareaallhislifeandClaire growingupintheneighbouringarea ofPiopio.Claire’sfatherhadaRomney sheepstud,soshewaswellversed intheadministrationrequiredwhen farmingastud.

Historically,theKingCountryisknown tobesummersafebutthishasnot beenthecaseinrecentyears.They have,however,hadconsistentrainfall thissummer,unlikeotherareasofthe country.

WhiletheKiaToastudcarriesPaul andClaire’sname,theirfamilyoftwo sons,RhysandMark,and2daughters, StaceyandHannah,alongwith daughters-in-lawHollyandBriar,all playduringtheyearandleadingup tosaleday.SaleDay,whichisheldon thelastMondayofMayeachyear,is definitelyafamilyaffairwithallhands ondeck,includingthegrandchildren. Thesedaysarespecial,coming togetherwithfriends,allhelpingto ensurethesalegoesoffsmoothly.

AtKiaToa,theiraimistocontinue calving100femaleseachyearto sourcereplacementsandensurethat theyhaveagoodline-upofbullswith sufficientnumberstosatisfytheir clientsneeds.

Theycontinuetolookatdeveloping thegeneticsoftheirstud,andthe hopeisthat,intime,thestudwillbe takenoverbyoneorbothoftheir sons,whowillcontinuetheKiaToa suffixinthefuture.

Thisyearistheir21stannualbullsale.

In2014,apurposebuiltsalepavilion wasbuiltonfarm.Thisdecisionhas beenagreatone,bringingthesale homeafterinitiallyholdingthemat theTeKuitiSaleyardsasitisaless stressfulenvironmentforthebulls. Italsoprovidesamorepersonal atmospherewhichenablesthe Graingerfamilytobettergettoknow thoseattendingeachyear. TheKiaToaCharolais2024saleisto beheldon-farmMonday27Mayat 1.30p.m.with30R2yrbullsonoffer. Studcowsandcalves.

MAHUTAHEREFORDSTUD

HINGAIA ANGUS

Apersonalised purchasing arrangementto suityourneeds Yearlingbullsare alsoavailablein September

Wednesday26thJune2024

10.30am,StateHighway2Nuhaka

2024SIRES

MillahMurrahNectar

SudeleyHerculesQ55

MtPossession28

BlueDuck1824

MurdedukeQuarterback CricklewoodPandemicPO56

Seeforyourself thequalityof bullwesell atHingaia INSPECTIONANDVISITORSALWAYSWELCOME “Abalancedbreedingprogrammeforallenvironments” AnnualBullSale Thursday30thMay2024147HingaiaRoad,TeAwamutu-3.00pm

RichardJolly 147HingaiaRoad,RD4,TeAwamutu3874

Mobile:0274997159

Email:jollyrt57@gmail.com

AndrewJolly Mobile:0272090037 www.hingaiaangus.co.nz

AndyTransom PGGWrightsonLtd Mobile:0275965142 BrentBougen NZFarmersLivestock Mobile:0272104698

Grant&SueCrawshaw -027686753kenhardtangus@xtra.co.nz

AllianceGrouphasunderlinedits reputationforfoodexcellenceby winningfourgoldmedalsatthe OutstandingNZFoodProducerAwards, achievingtophonoursforeverycut entered.

Theco-operative’sPureSouth Handpicked55DayAgedBeefribeye, PureSouthbeefwholeribeye,PureSouth venisonfiveribrackandPureSouth Frenchlambrackallwongoldinthe prestigiouscompetition.

TheawardscelebrateinspiringKiwis whoharvest,growandproduceNew Zealand’soutstandingfoodanddrink. Entriesarejudgedonarangeofcriteria includingaroma,visualappearance, flavour,consistency,quality,sustainability, brandstoryandpackaging.

AllianceGroupchiefexecutiveWillie Wiesesaidtheawards,addingtothe manynationalandglobalaccolades, reflectedtheco-operative’sfarmers’ dedicationtoqualityandAlliance’s commitmenttobuildingadifferentiated premiumportfolio.“Wearenowsixyears intoourjourneyofsteadilyexpanding

ourrangetoprovideourfarmerswith opportunitiestopartnerwithusonnew productstomeettheexactingdemands ofcustomersaroundtheworld.Our productsaregettingravereviewsacross theglobeandweareraisingthebarfor world-classbeef,lambandvenison.”

JudgessaidthePureSouthHandpicked Beef55DayAgedRibeyewas “heartwarming”.Thecutwasdescribed ashaving,“brilliantcaramelisation, intenseflavour,greatchewand mouthfeel,withmarblingandfatadding tothebrilliantflavour.”

They“justloved”thePureSouthBeef WholeRibeye,describingitasmeatthat delivers,tenderasbutter,beefywith sensationalcaramelisationanddelicious fat.ThePureSouthVenisonfiveribwas, “meltinthemouthandtender.”ThePure SouthFrenchlambrackwasfoundtobe lovelyandtender,withabeautiful,sweet lambaroma,substantialmeatratiotofat, acleantasteandcleanfat.

InNovember,Alliance’sHandpicked55 DayAgedBeefribeyewasnamedbest grass-fedsteakandthebestribeyein theworldattheWorldSteakChallenge.

Okaka is a relatively new Angus stud that’s holding their fourth sale this year Seventeen moderate and meaty R2yr bulls will be up for sale, grown on a steep hill country property in Taihape A feature of this sale is the three sons of Kaharau Q430 lots 1 to 3, as well as the consistant line of bulls from Pinebank P80, Resurgam F3180 and Meadowslea Q347 Several bulls are also ideal for heifer mating. Any of these bulls we would use in our commercial herd on our steep hill country

Paul and Susannah Revell established Okaka Angus based on Paul’s overenthusiasm for their commercial breeding herd and the feeling they could add extra to the process Their main goal is to produce Angus bulls that give a consistent line of moderate meaty progeny for steep hill country farmers and to produce cattle that can cope with any environment they are put in The family is active in their local community playing active roles in The Papanui horse Sports, Papanui Ball and Papanui Junction School events, where Susannah is the teaching principal All three children are at high school, with youngest daughter Sally at Nga Tawa and Thomas and William at Palmerston North Boys High.

Currently the Stud herd is 100 registered cows, with 40 % pure New Zealand

genetics The base of the Okaka Stud has been formed with the purchase of females from the Waitawheta Stud of Alistair and Pat Sharpe, the Meadowslea Stud of David Giddings and Red Oak Stud of Richard Orr Dispersal sales have also been a source of cows, the latest being 4 cows from the Atahua Stud dispersal

The stock selection process is to use EBVs and DNA data in conjunction with eye appraisal and the Falkirk system targeting a well-balanced moderate animal Ultrasound and DNA technology, including i50k and sire trace, are used to help select stock and provide info on unseen qualities More importantly Ian Walsh’s Falkirk Index System holistic method of stock selection helps set the standard of cow and bull used with the aim of producing consistency through the mob, a uniform type of animal, which means less waste ”

The property, at Papanui Junction, Taihape is a total 565ha (540ha effective) and consists of 350ha steep hill country, 80ha easy hill and about 120ha cultivatable country - a nice breeding balance Other stock on Okaka are a herd of commercial cows, and 2500 Romney ewes (including two-tooths) The farm has historically been summer safe with average rainfall of about 1100mm but Paul has noticed the weather patterns becoming more variable and dryer

During winter the stud cows are put to work cleaning up the steep hill country pasture, following the ewes before coming down to easier country for calving, and easier tagging and weighing. The cows are on the steep hills most of the time, no different to the commercial cows so calves spend their first part of life on steep hills

Bulls will be sold via the online helmsmen Yourbid auction system again created by the Giddings family This is a very efficient system where stock agents can still be well rewarded It will climax

on 13 June from 1pm at Papanui Junction

Bulls are available to see like a normal sale on the day Buyers will be able to attend this and bid at the sale site

An open day on the 27th May 1-5pm, but viewing the bulls at other times can be organised

To keep up to date with Okaka Angus follow them on Facebook or to find out more about the bulls they have to offer, phone 06 388 7519.

There will also be videos of the bulls on line at yourbid co nz from about 2 weeks out.

PaulandSusannahRevellwiththeirfamily