| 21 ‘Some beauts’ in Glenbrook line up Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Glenbrook Station Shorthorns There is a resurgence in interest in the shorthorn breed as it “ticks all the boxes” for farmers when it comes to obtaining a premium for their meat, says owner of Glenbrook Station Simon Williamson. Simon and wife Kirsty farm 3700ha just south of Twizel. Their property runs 3500 merino ewes with all lambs finished and additional lambs brought in each season. They also finish 100 beef cattle each year and winter up to 1000 dairy cows for about six weeks. The farming operation also includes 400ha of cropping – mustard, bok choy, radish, peas, white clover, chicory, plantain – and their stud Glenbrook Shorthorns. Simon says he’s always been partial to shorthorn cattle so when John and Lindy Dobson had to sell their stud the Williamsons were keen to carry on the legacy they had started. Over several years they purchased commercial cattle, stud cows and stud bulls, along with heifers, giving their stud, which began in 2014, a great start. In a short time Glenbrook Shorthorns, which comprises 50 stud cows and 30 heifers, has established a sound reputation. “The Dobsons were passionate about their stud and did a great job. At Glenbrook Station we aim for structurally correct cattle with a good temperament. Other traits we target include milking and mothering ability, calving ease and intramuscular fat.” Shorthorn, an English breed, is a great cross with any other breed, says Simon, resulting in meat that has the all-important intramuscular fat, good fat colour and meat that holds together well. An AI programme over recent years has seen the stud use sires from Australia and Canada as Glenbrook Shorthorns targets the best genetics globally. Glenbrook Shorthorns raises its cattle in a natural environment with no molly coddling. For example cows head out to the hills to clean up and the result is the animals transition well to other farms. Glenbrook Shorthorns offers around 30 bulls to the market by private treaty each year in April/ May. Simon says this year’s line up includes “some beauts”. “They scanned very well and it’s been a great season – they were all 500kgs in January. It’s structurally a good line of cattle. They are the cream of the crop from our stud,” he says. Particularly in Europe, Scotland, Wales and England the shorthorn breed is growing in popularity and is delivering outstanding results. For example Simon says that a shorthorn won the Champion Allbreeds Beef Bull title in Australia last year out of some 2600 cattle. “Shorthorns deliver what the consumer wants and the maternal value the breeders looks for for their heifers,” says Simon. Glenbrook Shorthorns is building a strong and loyal following with repeat buyers growing each year. Simon and Kirsty also own and operate SH 8 Merino, which has close relationships with US companies Global Merino and First Lite, and supply merino wool to them through Carrfields Primary Wool Limited. “It’s nice to see improvements in the stud and farm each year. Farming in our part of the world is pretty good at the moment.” “It’s nice to see improvements in the stud and farm each year. Farming in our part of the world is pretty good at the moment.” The farming operation also includes 400ha of cropping. 150 Shorthorn Cows 60 Shorthorn Bulls 650mm Hill Country We bought the stud from Lindy and the late John Dobson five years ago. We aim to breed bulls for use over commercial cows with excellent milking ability and temperament. Muscle and fat scanned. BVD tested and vaccinated TB status C10. Situated on State Highway 8 between Twizel and Omarama. 3700ha How and when you sell your bulls: Privately Past Sires: Moombi Ooktali Brigadoon Isaac Brigadoon Count Stud Sires: Dr Pepper (Canada) Broughton Park Diplomat Broome Powerpack Yambergen Lockyer Marewhenua Rising Sun (Australia) Glenbrook Station Shorthorns offers around 30 bulls to the market by private treaty each year in April/May.
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