34 | RURAL PEOPLE » Shian Angus Structural soundness key trait for stud Shian Angus bull in the sale ring. Two Shian bulls grazing. Russell Fredric Selling a rising two year-old bull for $92,000 last June was a great way for the Sherson family to celebrate 50 years of running Shian Angus stud. The stud is part of Shian Farms, a partnership between Brian and Sharon Sherson and son and daughter in-law Rob and Tracy who have four young children. The farm covers 760 hectare on medium hill country 11 kilometres south-east of Taumarunui. It also runs a sheep stud which consists of Romdales, South Suffolks and, as well as commercial stock. Achieving genetic gains, both in running the stud and in the commercial livestock is a game of patience, Rob says. “When you buy a bull off someone for quite decent money, it’s a good three years or so before you get the opportunity to sell his progeny, so you’ve got to put a lot of time and effort in because it’s quite a big investment both of time and money. “You want to get things right when you do splash out a bit.” The new owners of the $92,000 bull, Gisborne Angus studs, Kaharau and Orere described it as a complete package with a great spread of EBV (estimated breeding values) data, very well balanced, very correct, thick and deep and 100 percent structurally sound. For Brian and Rob structural soundness is a key trait. “If he can’t stand on his own feet and walk around the side of a hill there’s not much point. It’s the rst thing we look for,” Rob says. The Sherson’s are not shy themselves when it comes to shelling out for a bull they believe will add value; during the past two years paid $56,000 for KayJayJay Mac from KayJay Angus, Masterton, and $52,000 for Taimate Major from Taimate Angus. “In the next couple of years we’ve got some pretty exciting prospects coming through from our purchases, so hopefully they’ll produce the goods for us.” Shian Farms winters 3,000 sheep and 800 cattle which includes 250 Angus registered stud cows. Annually about 250 yearling steers are bought in with about 100 fattened for killing and the balance sold as stores as 18 month olds, usually in March. The sheep ock consists of around 1500 breeding ewes, including 250 South Suffolk stud ewes and 280 stud Romdale ewes, plus 900 hoggets and bought-in trading lambs. For the past two years an on-farm ram auction has been held in November with about 80 eczema tolerance tested Romdale’s offered, plus about 70 South Suffolks. “We also have our own composite; it’s a Southdown over a South Suffolk ewe, we sell about 20 of them in the sale as well.” “They produce lambs that nish earlier on tougher country. They’re lower to the ground and are packed with plenty of meat and length, with good fertility.” Limited 168 Totara St, Manunui 3924 Ph 07 895 8492 • Mobile 027 418 670 Fax 07 895 7687 •ongaruetransport@xtra.co.nz Proud to be associated with Shian Angus i i i PROUDLY SUPPORTING SHIAN ANGUS We provide professional quality advice and friendly service to dairy, drystock, forestry, horticulture and rural businesses throughout New Zealand. We are pleased to support Shian Angus
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=