TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES
Flat to rolling land dominates the Otterson’s farm
a board and bathroom scales into the paddock,” said Polly. “He picks up the calf and weighs them both, then weighs himself. The Gelbvieh temperament allows him to do this by himself.” Dairy heifers still graze on the property — but the Gelbvieh herd now numbers 28 in-calf heifers and cows this year. Seven of these are carrying embryos from the couple’s better cows. Geoff used to sell some stock at the National Bull Sale in Feilding; however, since that event is no longer held, he has sold from the paddock. “A repeat buyer from the South Island told him that he liked the Gelbviehs because they were the only breed that would graze right up to a ski field on top of his property,” said Polly.
Bulls not sold for breeding purposes are sent to the works in May; at 22 months of age and weighing around 750kg live weight. Flat to rolling land dominates the Otterson’s farm, and with a reliable annual rainfall of 1,700mm, grass grows all-year round. Ryegrass paddocks have been oversown with clover, plantain and chicory. “Plantain and clover have persisted well — but the chicory has been preferentially grazed out,” said Geoff. “Only bought-in feed is PKE for finishing bulls.” Grass hay and baleage are made on-farm. Extensive riparian strips have been planted on the farm and hedges provide shelter from spring storms during calving.
Chris Perrett ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS LTD
SEPTEMBER 2018
Calves are weaned in April
The Ottersons take a thorough preventive approach to stock health, so very few problems arise. Calves receive a 10-in-1 clostridial vaccination, and all animals are vaccinated against leptospirosis and bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD). Bulls are tested for BVD before sale. Breeding females are injected with Multimin before mating and copper injections are usually required in early winter. “Pasture is dusted with Causmag from three weeks before calving until November, depending on soil temperature,” said Geoff. In-calf cows and heifers are vaccinated for scours before calving. Cows and calves are break-fed and closely stocked through spring.
“Coccidiosis used to affect calves but prophylactic drenching with Baycox in the past two years has prevented that. Selenium prills are applied annually at one kg/ha.” When time permits, Geoff shows their cattle and has travelled as far as Auckland and Feilding to competitions. In 2017 he won the Stratford Show Meat and Wool Cup with a cow and calf. A bull bred by Geoff and bought by Richie Cameron and Peter McWilliam of Gladstone Gelbvieh Stud won the Wairarapa Show Meat and Wool Cup. Polly said health permitting, during the next five to 10 years they intend to continue breeding with about 30 stud females. “We would like to see how good we can get them,” said Geoff.
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