| 13 Big expansion for Colvend Shorthorns The addition will complement their current landholding, comprising 502 hectares. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Colvend Shorthorns BULL SALE DATE 30th MAY AT 3:30PM. ANNUAL ON FARM AUCTION HELD UNDER COVER. C vend Angus established in 2016 females the Oakview Stud. C vend Shthns established in 2000. Successes at Beef Expo 3 Supreme Champi bulls and 2 Resve Champi s. BVD tested free. TB C10 Colvend Shorthorn & Angus Stud ALAN & VAL PARK p: 07 894 6030 e: colvendfarm@gmail.com Located o state highway 4. 841 Tapuiwahine Valley Road Ongarue, Taumarunui 3997. By combining our Business and Farming knowledge with Xero and Figured for all your Planning, Forecasting and Monitoring Helping you move forward. 378 Crozier Street, Pirongia 3802 07 871 1866 Supporting success to improve your wellbeing CTSHEARING ColinThirkell —Proudly supporting NZ ShearingChamps ctshearing@hotmail.co.nz 027 446 1800 / 07 878 6765 Servicing TheWaikato&King Country 2024 marks a pivotal year for Colvend Angus and Shorthorn stud as the Park family embarks on significant expansion with the acquisition of an additional 208-hectare property, strategically located just 25 minutes away from their existing operations. The addition will complement their current landholding, comprising 502 hectares nestled midway between the towns of Taumarunui and Te Kuiti, tracing along the scenic Tapuiwahine Valley Road. Characterised by a diverse terrain encompassing flatlands, undulating slopes, and challenging steep hill country, the combined land serves as the canvas upon which the Park family raises a herd of 115 cows, a blend of 70 Angus and 45 Shorthorns. There is also a flock of 1250 ewes, encompassing commercial Romney ewes alongside approximately 140 Suffolk and Dorset Down ewes. At the helm of operations stand Alan and Valerie Park, alongside their son Ashley, collectively steering the course of the family business. Ashley’s initiation into the realm of farming was initially met with tepid enthusiasm until a visit to the New Zealand National Beef Expo in Fielding, where the family’s Shorthorn bulls garnered resounding acclaim, clinching the esteemed Supreme Champion Shorthorn Bull award for three consecutive years spanning 2013 to 2015. Alan’s affinity for Shorthorns traces its roots to his formative years on the family farm nestled in the vicinity of Te Awamutu with his parents Lola and Colin. In 1998 when the Park family purchased their home farm, situated in stark contrast to the exposed terrain of their previous abode atop Mt. Pirongia the seeds of Colvend Shorthorns were sown. The stud was started in 2000 with the acquisition of 40 cows sourced from Ina Philips in Darfield. Though initially conceived as an endeavour to gradually escalate bull sales culminating in the hosting of an annual on-farm sale, the trajectory veered unexpectedly with expansion in the form of the inception of an Angus stud in 2016, fuelled by the procurement of 73 females from the esteemed Oakview stud in Cambridge. The forthcoming annual on-farm bull sale, slated for May 28th, promises to showcase some of their best genetics with 17 Angus and 12 Shorthorn bulls to be put up for sale. Central to Alan’s breeding philosophy is the equilibrium between hindquarter quality and growth imperative for contemporary farming. While some breeders may be swayed by the allure of sheer size, Alan remains steadfast in prioritising the do-ability of his livestock, especially given the grazing lifestyle prevalent in New Zealand. The result is a medium-sized Shorthorn bull capable of thriving in hill country conditions, sought after by both stud and commercial farmers nationwide. “We use our steep country as our testing ground for our Shorthorn cows,” explains Alan. “During the winter calving season, we assess their performance, retaining only the top performers. This selective breeding approach has been our practice for over two decades.”
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