Business Rural North Autumn 2021

26 | RURAL PEOPLE » Shian Angus: Sherson family King Country stud Shian Angus is offering 45 two-year-old bulls at its popular on- farm sale on June 3. Russell Frederic Growing demand S hian Farms, located in the heart of King Country has been favoured with increasing demand for its premium livestock. The farm, which incorporates Shian Angus along with Romdale and South Suffolk sheep studs, is owned and run as a partnership between Brian and Sharon Sherson and their son and daughter in law Rob and Tracy. The farm is based on a 760 hectare property which started much smaller when Brian was given the opportunity by his parents to buy his first farm in 1971. In 1972 its first Angus heifers were purchased to form the basis of the stud which winters about 300 stud angus cows along with yearling heifer and bull calves. The Sherson’s also purchase 250 yearling steers each autumn to run through to 18 months. The farm is medium hill country of clay-mud- stone with the balance of flat land being pumice soil. There has been increasing demand for Shian Angus bulls during the past three years, with a good clearance at last year’s sale. “We are now breeding a consistent line of cattle, well fleshed and quiet with good structural sound- ness,” Rob says “The cattle are also now showing a good spread of figures on paper as well as being a great looking animal in the paddock.” With the large amount of genetic data available to breeders, there is a risk of chasing a specific trait with the associated risk of skewing the breeding focus, Rob says, but the Sherson’s aim to breed a good all-round animal which can handle extreme conditions. “It was a real eye opener last year during the drought, the cattle just didn’t lose condition, they had the fats to fall back on when times got tough, not only in the cold but also in the dry.” Plenty of buyers agreed with Rob’s assessment about the quality of Shian Angus’ livestock at their bull sale last May, held under Covid-19 level two restrictions following lock-down. The top price paid was $34,000, but the Sher- son’s were particularly pleased with the auction average of nearly $11,000 which was about $2000 higher than the previous year’s average. “The top price is a bit of a perk, but what you are aiming for is a good average; if you can produce a good line of cattle from lot one to lot 45 that’s what was really pleasing about the sale.” To have this kind of support combined with re- peat clientele and other stud breeders buying their bulls was very rewarding for the considerable work that goes into breeding. “It makes it all worthwhile.” Shian Angus is offering about 45 two year-old old bulls in this year’s on-farm sale on June 3. The sheep flock consists of around 1500 breed- ing ewes, including 200 South Suffolk stud ewes and 280 stud Romdale ewes, plus 900 hoggets and bought-in trading lambs. Rob transitioned into breeding Romdales five years ago and is successfully breeding for facial eczema (FE) resistance. Their SIL recorded rams are becoming increas- ingly popular, with 80 sold in December. Much like the Romney with strong constitution and hardy, sound feet, Romdales have a high fertil- ity rate, raising an exceptionally high percentages of twins. Facial eczema is becoming of increasing concern throughout the North Island. Beef and Lamb have reported facial eczema spore counts nationally were nearly twice as high this year as they were in January in the previous three years due to climatic conditions. “This year we are holding our first on farm ram sale in November with a combination of Romdale and South Suffolk rams for sale.” The family are all involved in the farm, with Tracy helping out on the farm as much as she can when she is not busy with their three children, Conor (6) Harley (4) and MacKenzie (1). The Sherson’s are also heavily involved in their local rugby club, Taumarunui Rugby & Sports (Eels), with Rob having played for many years for the Club and also for the King Country Rams. He’s now taken over the reins as head coach of the club’s senior team, with other members of the family on the committee. “The cattle are also now showing a good spread of figures on paper as well as being a great looking animal in the paddock.” * All Tractor Makes and Models Parts & Service * Caltex Oil Supplier * Bertolini Spraying Equipment * ENZED Hydraulic Hoses & Couplings * Tractor & Farm Machinery Sales, Repairs & Maintenance “ Proud to service & support Shian Farms ” Directors: David & Tracy Fife p: 07 895 8954 | m: 027 289 8000 | e: farm.spec@xtra.co.nz a: 38 Meads Road, R D 4, P O Box 103, Taumarunui King Brown Shearing is proud to be working with Shian Angus by providing a professional service to the agricultural industry. We provide service to farmers in the Central Plateau and surrounding area. 21 Bell Road Taumarunui • P: 0278967614 • E: kingbrownshearing @ outlook.co.nz