64 | Group of this years sale bulls. Rush to higher IMF cattle will settle Richard Loader Monymusk has taken head on the tough challenges for bull breeding in New Zealand, says Southland polled Hereford stud breeder Chris Douglas. “The perception of Angus premiums has distorted the store market even though Hereford cattle are widely sort after by finishers and processors alike, with meat quality at the processing end the ultimate test. The transition period in the rush to higher IMF cattle will settle down, but in the meantime, a lot of false claims are being made.” Chris acknowledges that cattle two years old and older will marble better, but says under an efficient breeding and fattening system, killing before the second winter is by far the most profitable and environmentally friendly policy. “The Hereford breed is progressing quickly into higher IMF genetics, and the most exciting outcome is that the breed is maintaining very good rib and rump fat with higher IMF. This results in greater doing-ability, greater fertility and the ability to finish cattle to weights the market requires — remembering marbling requires a high feeding regime. At Monymusk we have excellent carcass traits including IMF and we are now taking that further with the use of three high IMF high fat bulls by AI —Wirruna NixonN168 Limehills, Stardom 168 and Ingemira Robert Redford Q287. MEAT & WOOL » Monymusk Herefords Monymusk cows and calves.
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