36 | Second oldest angus stud in New Zealand Moanaroa’s bloodlines were originally derived from the neighbouring Marainanga Angus Stud. Russell Fredric Located in coastal Manawatu-Whanganui, Moanaroa Angus is the second oldest angus stud in New Zealand and is run from one of the North Island’s oldest sheep and beef farms. Moanaroa Angus is part of a 1600 hectare farm, Moanaroa Station, run by Hugh and Kate Ramsden. It supports 12,000 stock units comprising 60% Romney sheep and 40% Angus cattle. Hugh’s parents Dan and Barbara came to the coast 50 years ago when they purchased a 1215ha (effective) inland property, Ware Ware Station, from members of Barbara’s family. Dan began supervising Moanaroa in 1980 and in 1999 the couple took over the 1450ha effective station which was also owned by family members. Dan and Barbara now live in Havelock North. Moanaroa Station is one of three properties owned and run as one entity by Moanaroa Farming Company. Hugh’s sister, Fiona, is based at Ware Ware Station, 15km inland from the coast. Both breeding properties are supported by a 485ha finishing property near Pongaroa which provides flexibility during dry seasons. The farms total 24,000 stock units and employ six full-time staff including a manager on each block. Hugh says the staff make a significant contribution and are a great asset to the farms’ operation. “Without them none of what we do can be achieved.” Kate is a registered nurse who works one day a week in Dannevirke as well as doing the farms’ administration and bookwork. The couple have three children, aged 12,10, and 7. Moanaroa’s cattle comprises 400 Angus cows of which 140 are registered stud cows, 130 commercial replacement R1 heifers and 80 R2’s. The farm lies on a variety of soil types largely on medium to steep hill country, with Angus cattle being well suited to the property, Hugh says. Moanaroa’s bloodlines were originally derived from the neighbouring Marainanga Angus Stud which has the first recorded landings of Angus cattle in the North Island. Moanaroa is a rugged property, summer dry, winter-wild and Hugh, who describes the past year’s weather as “dysfunctional”, has found the Angus to be well-suited to these conditions. “They certainly can handle the climates that come our way, they are agile around the hills; they are certainly a very popular breed worldwide as far as selling the product is concerned.” RURAL PEOPLE » Moanaroa Angus “We sell store cattle so obviously our clients want a good solid weaner, and then you’ve got those that carry their progeny right through so you want a 600 day weight as heavy as you can.” Proud to be Providing Shearing Services to Moanaroa Angus. 063768096 / 0273868789 tararuashearing@xtra.co.nz Hugh aims to breed a moderate framed cow with a focus on quiet natured bulls. The stud sources its genetics from a variety of bloodlines, from both the North Island and South Island and uses sires from artificial insemination that have performed well in Angus carcass programmes. “We look for good structurally sound bulls that stand well on their feet and are going to provide us with an economic, productive unit.” “We’ve been focusing on selecting for IMF (intramuscular fat) and growth rates.” “We sell store cattle so obviously our clients want a good solid weaner, and then you’ve got those that carry their progeny right through so you want a 600 day weight as heavy as you can.” Moanaroa Angus bulls are sold through private treaty from July/August each year. Hugh describes this season’s lamb schedule as a break-even exercise, but beef prices are holding up despite “coming off the boil a bit.”
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