12 | Building momentum ahead of bull sale Hill Valley Kingston. Russell Fredric Hill Valley Simmentals is steadily building momentum ahead of its fifth annual bull sale, with a line-up of performance-focused genetics bred for growth, structure and commercial returns. Owned and run by James (Jimmy) Hill, the stud is offering 18 rising two-year-old Simmental bulls at its annual sale on May 21, continuing a steady expansion of the programme since it was established five years ago. The bulls are the progeny of carefully selected genetics, including sires sourced from Glenside Simmentals, Waitahuna and Kerrah Simmentals, Gisborne. Both bloodlines were selected with clear breeding objectives focused on growth performance and maximising commercial gains. “We’ve been concentrating on weights really – good weaning weights and yearling weights – and buying bulls with those traits,” Jimmy says. The genetics also offer complementary characteristics within the breeding programme. The Kerrah bloodlines provide lower birthweights and calving ease, while the Glenside influence contributes additional length and growth. A strong emphasis is also being placed on homozygous polled genetics, reflecting increasing demand from farmers wanting to avoid dehorning. “There’s definitely more demand for homozygous polled bulls these days. People want to cut back on dehorning with the animal health requirements.” Performance recording is another key component of the stud’s breeding strategy. Animals are measured from birth through to yearling stage, with ultrasound scanning used to assess rib and rump fat, intramuscular fat and scrotal size. Genetic testing is also undertaken to confirm the homozygous polled genetics. Hill Valley Simmentals bulls are typically used as terminal sires over Angus and Hereford cows. MEAT & WOOL » Hill Valley Simmentals Graeme 027 304 4520 Tony 027 667 0627 millersflat.trans@xtra.co.nz School Rd, RD2, Millers Flat Lindisfarne Farms Ltd For all your baleage and harvesting needs - Servicing the Teviot Valley - Phone Daniel on 027 229 7258 At sale time the rising two-year-old bulls generally weigh around 800 kilograms, reflecting the breed’s strong growth performance over Angus and Herefords at the same age, Jimmy says. “Farmers are looking for something with good growth rates that will get their calves away early; they’re looking to supercharge the growth a bit with the Simmental genetics. The stud has gained steady traction in recent seasons, with last year’s sale achieving a full clearance of 15 bulls and an average of about $8600 and with a top price of around $12,000. “We get repeat buyers coming back and they’re happy with what they’re getting,” Jimmy says. “They’re good well-grown bulls and quiet. I spend a lot of time with them and focus on docility.” Hill Valley Simmentals operates within a wider sheep and beef farming system at Teviot in Central Otago. The 1900-hectare property was originally purchased by Jimmy’s father in the 1980s and today supports a large-scale breeding operation alongside the stud cattle. The farm’s home block covers about 250 hectares, including 100 hectares under irrigation, while the remaining country rises into high altitude tussock hill country stretching east towards Lake Onslow. Alongside the stud cattle, the farm supports between 4500 and 5000 Romney breeding ewes with Rawahi genetics, 1200 to 1350 hoggets and a commercial cattle herd of about 180 Hereford breeding cows. The Simmental stud comprises 120 registered cows and 40 heifers. Jimmy established the Hill Valley Simmentals stud in 2021 after purchasing the Lone Pine Simmental stud from Dave and Kath Keown. With strong beef schedules supporting the sector, he believes the outlook for Simmental genetics remains positive. “I’m confident these bulls won’t let anyone down and will add real value to any beef operation.”
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