Business Rural Autumn 2021

| 39 Investment in right genetics paying off MEAT & WOOL » Kaiwara Angus Russell Fredric K aiwara Angus’ annual sale this June spring- boards off the back of consistent genetic gains and a favourable season on the Culverden hill country farm it runs from. For its 2020 sale, the stud sold 23 of 26 bulls for an average of $7652. The day’s top price was $17,500 for Kaiwara 332, a son of Kaiwara 480, sold to Inverloch Angus. Kaiwara 480 has been used extensively in stud and commercial operations around New Zealand Owned and run by the Johns family, Kaiwara Angus operates from a 1000 hectare property com- prising 80% hill country and 20% cultivatable land. The farm supports 140 bulls, 140 heifers, 300 cows, 1000 romney ewes and store lambs. Established 50 years ago, the stud has been run by George Johns for the past eight years. The family still owns a 330 hectare farm at Waiau about 25 kilometres away on which about 200 cattle are finished and 200 traded each season. The property also provides grazing for cows from the Johns’ dairy farm. Kaiwara Angus’ genetics have been sourced from both artificial insemination and natural mating, George says. Overseas genetics have been introduced to “split the genetic pool”, especially as the vast national cattle herd in North America creates great genetic diversity, while the breeding policy is to run the cows under strictly commercial conditions. The Johns are prepared to invest heavily to get the right genetics for the cattle type they are aiming for. In 2011 Kaiwara Angus purchased a Te Mania bull for $32,000 and Tuiria Bravo for $30,000. The stud subsequently purchased a Turaeata Regent son in 2014 for $32,000 and the following year acquired Northland stud Matauri Angus’ high- est priced bull. “They’ve got to be easy fleshing on this sort of hill country, easy doing, good growth rates and trying to get a good IMF (intramuscular fat) in them; you’ve also got to focus on the end product.” Having good estimated breeding value (EBV) growth rates that are matched by actual growth rates in commercial conditions also rates highly. However, it is also important to keep in mind when it comes to selling calves that these buyers are not concerned about IMF, consequently mater- nal traits are also important, George says. During the past decade the Johns have been aiming to achieve some more length in their bulls while still retaining structural soundness. “The old saying length plus depth equals weight, that’s quite true.” The favourable season was underpinned by being flush for clover, boosted by topdressing half the farm with sulphur fertiliser as well as oversowing with clover. “The response to that has been amazing.” The sheep side of the business has undergone a significant change with romney’s replacing the farm’s half-breds four seasons ago. “They didn’t quite produce the fat lambs I was after and they just chewed up the ridges rather than getting into the gullies so we’ve gone back to romney’s and they do produce a fat early lamb.” “The old saying length plus depth equals weight, that’s quite true.” Forestry Establishment: Desiccation & Release Spraying • Gorse & Broom Matagouri • Crop weeds Spray out • Winter Lucerne Spraying Fertiliser Application: Urea DAP Pelletised lime Super phosphate Mustering • Fire Lighting 027 433 1917 andy@hurunuihelicopters.co.nz BULL WALK THURSDAY 27 MAY BULL SALE THURSDAY 10 JUNE PROVEN HILL COUNTRY GENETICS PH GEORGE JOHNS, 0221983599, CULVERDEN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK A son of Kaiwara 480 (above) fetched the top price of $17,500 at the 2020 Kaiwara Angus bull sale. Profile your farm with Business Rural DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST ?