10 | Big demand for easy calving Charolais The Charolais from Auahi are renowned for their polled nature. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Auahi Charolais Long-established Charolais stud, Auahi Charolais, is set to disperse around 60 prized heifers on April 16. The decision, made by John Henderson, the stud’s owner with 43 years of breeding experience, is driven by the unfortunate loss of a lease block crucial for the stud’s operation and the inability to find alternative land for the valuable stock. “I’m disappointed at having to sell them. I’d love someone to come and buy them all, and then we could see the stud continue and go forward. There is a big demand for easy calving homozygous polled Charolais in the dairy world,” says John. The dispersal follows a sale last year where approximately 90 cows, including in-calf heifers and stud sires, were sold, averaging $3670. The upcoming sale is an opportunity for purchasers to acquire the offspring of carefully bred genetics that have been honed over four decades. Among the notable bulls involved in the breeding program is Silverstream Sandown, a bull John acquired for $50,000, known for short gestation, lower birth weight, calving ease, and homozygous polled traits. The upcoming sale will feature heifers in-calf to homozygous polled bull Silverstream Sandown, showcasing the proven characteristics that have made him exceptional. The sire of a lot of the heifers for sale is also a $27,000 bull called Hemmingford Maximus. “He’s proven to produce calving ease of +15, which is phenomenal for the Charolais breed. We sold some of Hemmingford Maximus’ calves last year and the reports are that people are very happy with them. They were in calf to Silverstream Sandown and some have turned out to be homozygous polled.” John and his brother Perry, driven by their childhood passion for Charolais, established Auahi Charolais in 1981. They began with a cow and two heifers purchased at a dispersal sale, gradually building up the stud using artificial insemination to source the best genetics available. The stud’s name, Auahi, is derived from the road on the family farm in Piopio, a 140ha property used to carry Charolais bulls and younger heifers. The Charolais from Auahi are renowned for their polled nature, calving ease, quick maturation, and good temperament. Farmers frequently use them to crossbreed with Hereford Friesians. The Piopio farm is owned in partnership John and brother Stuart. John is also in partnership on three dairy farms in Otorohanga milking around 850 cows with brother Perry and his wife Kate. Perry’s son Michael is a sharemilker on one of the dairy units. Michael is expected to carry on the legacy of Auahi Charolais, albeit with a smaller number of stud cows. John, passionate about the Charolais breed, emphasises his commitment to assisting his nephew in continuing the stud’s success. As the dispersal date approaches, John says farmers have a rare opportunity to acquire heifers from Auahi Charolais, benefiting from the culmination of 40 years of selective breeding and dedication to the Charolais breed. John remains optimistic about finding a new farm in the future but, as of now, is compelled to sell the stock. Sale date Tuesday 21st May end of April/EarlyMay Bulls available on farm 42 years Breeding
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