28 | MEAT & WOOL » Overland Simmentals Overland stock good tempered and tough Overland Simmental cow and calf. The South Canterbury stud comprises 60 stud cows and 40 non registered pure Simmentals. Hugh de Lacy Temperament, and the ability of their bulls to thrive on the usually dry medium-to-steep hills of South Canterbury, just north of the Waitaki River, are some of the traits being developed by Simon and Louise and James McRae at their Overland Simmental stud. Producing a polled line of Simmentals, Overland has been in the stud business since 2012, resuming where Simon’s father left off in the mid-1980s. They have built up the current stud to comprise 60 stud cows supported by 40 non-registered pure Simmentals. “Some of the cows were sourced from round the country with the balance being their progeny, and with the accent on performance and high EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values). “I like bulls to look as good as their EBVs suggest – genotype versus phenotype – because this is not always the case. “When buying sire bulls we’re committed to acquiring what we consider to be the best bulls from around New Zealand.” Other stock carried on the 2150ha farm include 7000 Corriedale sheep and 50 Hereford cows and their replacements. The farm itself has been in the McRae family for 107 years, and Simmentals in the family’s blood for the last five decades. The McRaes decided to get back into Simmental stud-breeding with the aim of producing a line of animals that performed at a high level on hill country, and exhibited excellent temperament and good shifting ability. Their Simmentals are grown as tough animals that run only on the hills with no winter feed crops. “There’s grass, but they’ve got to work for it, and for us temperament is a vital factor: our bulls have Simmentals have been part of the McRae family business for the last 50 years. got to be quiet and easily handled.” Over the last two years the farm has gone through droughts which required supplements to be fed out, but this year, one of the wettest on record for the Canterbury region, there has been good grass growth and no supplementary feed needed. “This has given us the chance to see how well our Simmentals respond to having lots of green grass available on a farm that is all hill with usually no capacity for fattening stock through the long dry summers,” Simon says. Overland bulls are sold from the paddock in early May, mostly as terminal sires, and mostly to South Island farmers. The McRaes are gradually expanding the stud operation as their clientele grows. Their overall strategy is to identify animals that perform well in our admittedly challenging environment, while the bulls we take through to sale flourish in any environment they’re shifted to. “The modern Simmental is a quiet, fast-growing and well-fleshed animal that is under-utilised in New Zealand.” Of the McRaes’ three sons, James is committed to carrying on the work of Overland Simmentals, though currently spending some of his time on a neighbour’s farm, while his brothers work off-farm as respectively an engineer and a diesel mechanic. The McRaes welcome inquiries through the Overland Simmentals website, or through PGG Wrightson agent Kelvin Sadler (Ph 027 4302-029). Simon McRae can be reached on 03 689 2832. Contact Simon P 03 689 2832 E louisemcr91@gmail.com W www.overlandsimmentals.weebly.com Overland Simmentals For stong, well-muscled polled bulls • Paddock sales from 1st May 2022 by prior inquiry • Farm visits and any viewings welcome at any time of year Kelvin Saddler PGGWrightson - 0274 302 029 or visit our website
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