46 | MEAT & WOOL » Glenbrook Station Shorthorns Genetics imported from Canadian bull Simon and wife Kirsty farm 3700ha just south of Twizel and a mix of sheep, beef, wool and cropping keep them busy. Their property runs 3500 merino ewes. Karen Phelps Simon Williamson from Glenbrook Shorthorns says there are some exceptional cattle on the ground this year as the stud prepares for its mid-year sale. The bulls are the result of semen imported from Canadian bull Dr Pepper along with genetics from Australian stud Broughton Park and bull Marawhenua Rising Sun from Duntroon. Around 30 bulls will be offered to the market in May and sold privately. “They are run under commercial conditions - no molly coddling. They have to go out and work. For example cows head out to the hills to clean up and the result is the animals transition well to other farms,” he says. Simon and wife Kirsty farm 3700ha just south of Twizel and a mix of sheep, beef, wool and cropping keep them busy. Their property runs 3500 merino ewes with all lambs finished and additional lambs brought in each season. They also finish 400-500 beef cattle each year. The farming operation also includes 400ha of cropping - mustard, bok choy, radish, peas, white clover, chicory, plantain – and their stud Glenbrook Shorthorns, which comprises 50 stud cows and 30 heifers. There are also around 90 cows that were ex stud cattle and deregistered and their progeny are now finished each year. With the meat companies paying a premium for IMF, which the Shorthorns have naturally, the breed continues to gain in popularity, especially as crossbreed, says Simon. “They have the winter coat and all the attributes an English bred animal has combined with the hybrid vigor and the milking and mothering ability, as they are great producers. “At Glenbrook Station we also aim for structurally correct cattle with a good temperament, calving ease and intramuscular fat with good colour and meat that holds together well. 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. An AI programme has seen the stud use sires from Australia and Canada as Glenbrook Shorthorns targets the best genetics globally. Glenbrook Shorthorns is building a strong and loyal following with repeat buyers growing each year as the breed “ticks all the boxes” for farmers when it comes to obtaining a premium for their meat. All bulls offered for sale have been EBV tested and come up exceptionally well, says Simon. 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. SH8 Merino sells not just the Glenbrook Station wool but that of other farmers as well. The wool is further differentiated in the market, as it is Responsible Wool Standard accredited, giving clients traceability of product from farm to finished garment. It’s just another part of the entrepreneurial couple’s desire to diversify and do things differently from the norm, always seeking to innovate and add value to the product that leaves their farm gate. 150 Shorthorn Cows 60 Shorthorn Bulls 650mm Hill Country We bought the stud from Lindy and the late John Dobson six 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)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=