40 | RURAL PEOPLE » Potawa Simmentals Farming bug stays Pure bred Simmental bull calves at weaning - Potawa. Yard weaning Simmental cross calves at Potawa. Tracey Edwardes Tracey and Andrew Neal’s world is the love of the land they grew up in, and a passion for their animals – farm life has always been as much pleasure as it is a business. Potawa farm in Piopio, 24 minutes from Te Kuiti, is a 630ha home to the Potawa Simmental Stud - the Swiss/German breed being the third biggest in the country. Their second farm is Ruatawa, 380ha 24 km away. Along with the stud, they have a commercial herd of Hereford Friesian cross cows and a breeding ewe ock of 2800 over the two properties. The majority of their progeny are nished and extra cattle bought as required. Tracey has been determined to be a farmer for as long as she could remember, despite her father’s words, ‘you can’t be a farmer, you’re a girl’. Living a few years in town didn’t cure her of the farming bug and in 1991 she moved to nearby Piopio for her two son’s schooling. Offered a job working with show cattle and farm work by a local farmer with a Saler stud, her cottage was on Andrew’s farm. “Little did I know my landlord would be my future husband!” Now their son, Hamish, who works on another farm, is in line to join the family business on the 113 year old home property. “In 2002, we were approached by a retiring couple we’d been buying bulls from. We were interested in Simmental breeding and genetics commercially, and they didn’t want their herd dispersed. A week after purchase, we had the rst calf on the ground.” As proud new herd owners they joined a South Island herd tour. “That was our benchmark moment, travelling with like-minded passionate people.” Both have served on the NZ Simmental Society, Andrew served a term as councillor and Tracey is currently President of the Society. Since 1998 they have worked the land in sync together. “We trialled every beef breed out there and eventually tossed up between the Simmentals and the Charolais. We dabbled in several niche breeds, but kept coming back to Simmentals. When a Simmental is crossed with a British breed, it ticks every box: high yield and rapid growth being premium. “We know instinctively what each other is doing. Andrew’s great at managing the feed, knowing our farm like the back of his hand. It’s rolling to steep hill country, with some silage and crop, this year trialing Rape for R2 bulls and fat lambs. Bulls are like 18-year-old teenagers, they want good feed and want it now.” “We would rather see healthy animals doing well and producing well. We also operate at a lighter stocking rate, and are not so target focused. We are always thinking forward to invest in good genetics without cutting corners.” Trained as a vet nurse, animal health and welfare is Tracey’s forte. With a preceding open day, the on-farm Auction is the last Monday in May, this year the 29th. It is run in conjunction with the online auction platform, which allows buyers to participate from anywhere. Potawa Simmentals fully guarantee to replace or refund their bulls if required and are proud in 20 years of selling they have had only 3 claims. “Our rule is simple: we would never sell a bull that we would not use ourselves.” “In 2002, we were approached by a retiring couple we’d been buying bulls from. We were interested in Simmental breeding and genetics commercially, and they didn’t want their herd dispersed. A week after purchase, we had the rst calf on the ground.” Proven animal health supplements. FREEPHONE 0800 848 276 www.palamountains.info
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