| 57 Exciting prospects for Murray Grey stud Mangatoa’s on-farm bull sale will be held in September. RURAL PEOPLE » Mangatoa Murray Grey Stud: Zarrah Blackwell Mangaotea Murray Grey Stud, in central Taranaki, is looking forward to calving this year with some champion genetics poised to be in uential this season. Mangaotea is a 339ha effective family farm of ats and hill country near Stratford. The farm’s Murray Grey stud was established in 2010 and run by Robin and Jacqueline Blackwell, who also breed quality stud Angus and Hereford cattle. An on-farm bull sale is held in September. After purchasing her rst Murray Grey cows in 2016, the couple’s daughter Zarrah took over ownership of the remaining Murray Grey cows from her parents in 2018. Since returning to the home farm six years ago, Zarrah has been making her mark. She runs all the bulls for the annual September sale and, in partnership with her father on the home farm, buys replacement heifers to build the Angus herd. As well, she is strongly focussed on developing the Mangaotea Murray Grey Stud and is a member of the New Zealand Murray Grey Beef Cattle Council. Barry McDonald, who runs Torrisdale Murray Grey stud in Southland, has been a good source of support and guidance for Zarrah, with Torrisdale Ringmaster R10 now an exciting addition at Mangaotea. “To be honest, I wasn’t looking for a bull when I bought him [in Spring 2021]. I’d had a look at Barry’s catalogue and thought there was a bull there that would suit me and what we’re doing here, but it was still a bit of a spur of the moment decision. He’s turned out to be an absolutely exceptional bull with everything you could want.” Ringmaster’s arrival at Mangaotea came a bit too late to in uence last year’s calving season – though those that were born to him have impressed with their quality. Having gone out to all the Murray Grey cows this time round, anticipation is building ahead of calving this year. “It’s quite exciting for us – Ringmaster’s EBVs are truly exceptional. He’s going to make a real impact on the herd.” One of Zarrah’s goals for coming years is to be able to start selling quality Mangaotea Murray Grey bulls to breeders in the industry. This year she will also be using SNP genomics testing to further support herd improvement. At Mangaotea, the Murray Greys have a proportionately smaller but growing part to play in the farm’s diverse bull breeding and dairy support operation. “Everything is farmed the same with no special treatment. The only times they’re farmed Karen Phelps separately is for mating. Other than that, all the breeds are run together in age groups.” With a focus on selling into the dairy industry, good temperament is top of the list, along with desirable attributes like calving ease, and lower than average birth weight. “We’re breeding the right animals for the job and people are coming back year after year for our Angus yearling bulls. We’re heading in the right direction.” Meanwhile, a big date on the calendar for February is Zarrah’s wedding to Inglewood farmer Richard Giddy. With wedding day preparations in full swing, a late growing season has been very welcome with no worries on the feed front in the lead up to the big day. Proudly associated with Zarrah Blackwell LIVESTOCK - EXPORT - GRAZING WE DO IT ALL Contact your local PL Agent Colin Old 027 870 4434 www.progressivelivestock.co.nz Proud to partner with Zarrah Blackwell Hay & Silage Baling | Round & Square Bales | Maize & Pit Silage Hedge Mulching | All Cultivating Work | Effluent Spreading 067568066 | www.morattiagri.co.nz Agricultural Spraying & Earthworks • Precision & Liquid Fertiliser • Earthmoving & Cartage • No job too big or small! 027 635 3723 www.hartcontracting.nz
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