38 | Proud to carry on the cattle stud Glenbrae Nibbs 1754 Senior Sire. Sue Russell Matt and Megan Humphreys have taken over running historic polled Hereford stud Wilencote, situated some 30 minutes from Gisborne. The farm straddles easy to challenging steep terrain and its picturesque situation is enhanced with a beautiful homestead nestled in a valley, surrounded by established gardens and a stream. Matt’s excited and very proud to have the opportunity to carry on the cattle stud and the timing is perfect! Parents, Peter and Susie will be able to have a little more time for family and some leisure activities while enjoying Matt and Megan’s journey and still being there to help. “Matt’s really come into the role with full gusto. There was not an expectation on Matt to take over running the Seedstock operation at Wilencote; however it was something Matt really wanted to do and he’s brought the experience of working on commercial farms into the mix, which is really great,” Peter explains. Matt has been lucky to have worked for some very good people and take on board their experience and knowledge. Matt has spent the last 7 years on Totangi Stn, as stock manager and before that in Taihape on Siberia Stn. He’s grown a close bond working with dogs and horses through his farming journey. Matt’s team of nine working dogs are an integral part of daily life. Given the terrain, their capability to locate and move stock is essential. Matt’s siblings have all gone on to lead successful lives, pursuing their own interests and careers, something Peter and Susie are very proud of, as their support has been essential in making Wilencote’s farm succession come to fruition. Wilencote Polled Hereford stud is 102 years old, established by father and son George and Fred Humphreys in 1920. Shortly after this signi cant year, the herd was transferred to Fred and relocated to where Wilencote is settled, at 727 Totangi Road. Fred went on to import the rst polled Hereford bull ‘Royal Gem’ from Illinois U.S.A. The mission goals, guiding the breeding program through all the successive years has been to ensure clients receive Bulls t for commercial purpose, with excellent conformation, temperament and durability; and have a 3 year guarantee on every bull purchased. A video on Wilencote’s website pays homage to the quality of the land and all the generations who have come before to add value to the property. A drone sweeps over the heads of Peter and Susie looking down from a high point on the property at the farmstead below and gives the viewer a real RURAL PEOPLE » Wilencote Polled Herefords sense of the grandeur of the environment the Stud calls home. “We know how lucky we are to be part of this property’s story and what is really wonderful is that now Matt and wife Megan will carry that story on,” says Peter. The transition from one generation to the next has gone smoothly, with Matt, Peter says, very much his own boss now, with a clear vision of what he wants to breed. “Having Dad there though makes the job de - nitely easier,” says Matt. Asked what he is focussing on, in terms of adding breeding value, Matt says it is all about structure, temperament, mobility and a certain ‘athleticism’, ensuring progeny from their bulls have quality carcass traits, so that ultimately the end users, have a high end eating experience. Bulls are sold as rising two-year-olds at the annual on-farm sale and Matt says right from the moment a bull-calf is born the focus is on ensuring it gets off to the very best start, is closely monitored, and measured periodically for growth at speci c ages. By the time stock is presented for sale, there’s a wealth of information available to prospective buyers. “Over a nearly two-year period you get to know the cattle really well. I can tell even just after it’s born and tagged, which ones I believe are going to really shine and by the time the sale comes around it is really exciting to see what interest and prices they achieve,” Matt says. The breeding philosophy is about small, steady and incremental improvement, as Peter explains. “You have to be careful not to try to push one particular attribute too much in your breeding programme. If this happens, you tend to lose overall quality and less favourable attributes come to the fore.” It’s all about optimising and balancing the traits within the herd. Driven by a desire to continually enhance the bottom-line for their commercial clients, Matt and Peter, know from feedback that their bulls perform really well. When a client returns to buy more bulls in ensuing years, it’s very gratifying and proof that the breeding philosophy practiced is working well. This year’s sale is scheduled for the 8th of June when the 3 East Coast Hereford Studs will present their bulls on the Tuesday and Wednesday straight after Queens Birthday Weekend. Matt is pleased with the progress this year’s Sale bulls have made, as spring and summer have provided good grass growing conditions and all stock have done well accordingly. The majority of bulls sold go to local farmers, with a small percentage also heading to Hawkes Bay. Matt says their Hereford cows make good mothers and a stringent policy of culling any cows that struggle to independently calve ensures this maternal capability is preserved. This no fuss approach is an important part of the breeding policy. 183 Carnarvon St, Gisborne. 4010 FREEPHONE: 0800 428 429 P: 06 867 9811 | F: 06 867 3963 E: office@ehinsurance.co.nz www.ehinsurance.co.nz REAL PEOPLE HONEST ADVICE Monthly PremiumOptions available TRUSTED AS THE LEADING PROVIDER OF INDEPENDENT INSURANCE SOLUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY • Commercial • Farm • Livestock • Forestry • Insurance • Domestic • Marine • Liability • Travel
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=