26 | The curtain coming Virgina Wright MEAT & WOOL » Kirkland Simmentals / Lone Pine Simmentals Bringing in Simmental genetics allows another cross option for farmers. Great potential for breed • from page 25 When Dave and Kath Keown sold their farm, Lone Pine, three years ago they kept 80 of the 1600 hectares, as well as the Lone Pine Simmental Stud which they had established in 1984 with the purchase of their first five purebred cows. The Raes Junction sheep and beef farm had been in the family since 1977 and the stud had grown to 110 cows and 40 heifers. But the grazing of the stud over the three years had been getting problematic and when he was approached by a local farmer, Jimmy Hill, last February, Dave decided it was a good time to sell it. It’s not the end of Dave and Kath’s farming however. When they were looking for another venture around the time they were selling Lone Pine they bought an interest in Glashan, a farm in Wilden, West Otago. The new equity partnership in the 400 hectare sheep and beef farm is with friends and neighbours Clark Scott and Judy Miller. Whereas Lone Pine was tussock hill country with a northerly aspect giving it a Central Otago climate, the new property even though it’s only 20 minutes away, is summer safe with rolling hills. “It’s an easier property,” says Dave. “We are enjoying the challenge this different type of farming brings and using the experience gained at Lone Pine to develop improvements such as a new water scheme and cattle yards.” In the meantime he’s enjoying the animals that he has spent years carefully breeding to establish the traits he wanted. “I bought my first couple of Simmental bulls off Troy Hill stud and I liked them so much that when the stud had a dispersal sale I bought my first five cows,” says Dave. “I had a strong interest in cattle, and I saw Simmentals as an opportunity to diversify our farming operation. I thought the animals had great potential; they were good do-ing cattle and I just liked the look of them,” says Dave. “That was the beauty of Lone Pine as well because it’s hard country and these cattle are made to work. If they do well on this property they do well anywhere.” There will be around 18 bulls for sale this year in what will be Dave and Kath’s 25th and final sale. The usual stud prospects plus good commercial bulls will be among them according to Dave, which means a bull that is ‘well-fleshed, quiet temperament, well marked, and just a good grunty bull; good pigmentation on both eyes, good jaw setting, good top line, and a lot of meat in behind.” Simmentals can be totally red, red and white, or cream, and while Dave’s personal favourites show a pure red coating with a white head and brown patches on their eyes, there will be a mix of all colourings on sale. “The bull sale is on May 26th in the same venue as always: the bull pen in Raes Junction,” says Dave. “I thought the animals had great potential; they were good do-ing cattle and I just liked the look of them.” The stud uses genetics mainly from Glen Anthony and Leafland. Recently the Johnstons purchased a bull from each of the studs that targeted thickness, good temperament and growth rates. Brad says the bull from Glen Anthony was specifically bought for heifers because of his high milk EBVs placing him in the top 1% in Australasia. Brad grew up on a sheep and beef farm at Waitaki Bridge and worked in various jobs before returning to farming. He and Dana have a 1 ½ year old son called Blake. Dana is the main caregiver of Blake and also completes the paperwork for the stud although a staff member, Dale Boat, has just been employed who will take on this role due to the increasing amount of time that needs to be dedicated to this as the stud grows. Kirkland will probably have its first sale in the next 18-24 months and Brad sees great potential for the breed. “While Hereford and Angus are traditional breeds, bringing in Simmental genetics allows another cross option. With the availability of the black bulls coming through with light birth weights, short gestation and high growth rates it doesn’t mess up a farmer’s preferred colours and allows for faster turnaround and more productivity. That’s why I like Simmentals. At Kirkland we’re still picking fruit from someone else’s tree at the moment as we’ve been buying in animals for the stud due to the speed at which we wanted to build it up. The next aim is to produce stock with Kirkland’s name on the title” 11am WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2022 22nd annual on farm simmental bull sale Leafland Simmental is proud to support Kirkland Simmental Looking forward to seeing you at our Annual Bull Sale 22 Roxburgh Street, Heriot, 2 RD Tapanui Ph/Fax: (03) 204 2029 heriot@xtra.co.nz HARLIWICH CONTRACTING LTD HERIOT SERVICE CENTRE SOUTH WEST SHEARING CONTRACT - SEMI CONTRACT - OPEN YOUR FUTURE IN SHEARING LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED Enquiries Welcome Ph Daniel Murray (03) 485 9322 or (027) 276 4566 Email: southwestshearing@outlook.co.nz Like us on facebook NEW ZEALAND SHEAR I NG Cont ractors Associat ion Inc
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=