58 | Navigating the beef industry with precision UpTheValley aims to help farmers to capitalise on the premium offered for Speckle Park crossed meat. Karen Phelps In the heart of Mahia, Hawkes Bay, where rolling hills meet the sea at Blacks Beach, UpTheValley Speckle Park Stud has embarked on a new chapter. Established in 2018 by Ray Hirst and partner Corvett Black, the stud’s vision has always been to breed cattle that excel in demanding commercial conditions. Their journey, starting on an 80ha lease farm in the Manawatu, has now led them to the sprawling 340ha property at Mahia that Corvett grew up on in a share farming partnership with her father Alan. Corvett, an ag science teacher at Wairoa College, brings an academic perspective, handling paperwork, data recording, and conducting stud research. Ray, born and bred on a family farm, manages the day-to-day operations alongside Alan. Ray says that they take a very profit driven approach to farming and the new operation will encompass beef breeding, lamb finishing and cattle finishing. The beef breeding herd comprises 40 Speckle Park cows and they aim to sell 10-15 twoyear-old bulls annually through private treaty sales. While their initial emphasis was on breeding for the dairy industry – prioritising low birth weight, easy calving, and temperament – the move to Hawkes Bay has prompted a shift in their breeding program. With an absence of dairy farms in the region, UpTheValley is adjusting to cater to the beef industry’s needs. It’s a strategic adjustment reflecting a keen understanding of the local agricultural landscape and a determination to meet the specific demands of the beef sector. “Now there will be more emphasis on carcass weight, yield, and quality of the meat,” says Ray. The choice of Speckle Park cattle is not arbitrary. UpTheValley aims to help farmers to capitalise on the premium offered for Speckle Park crossed meat at various meat works where the breed’s high marbling and Intramuscular Fat (IMF) content makes it particularly appealing. Ray emphasises the importance of pedigree verification for Speckle Park bulls to gain the benefits RURAL PEOPLE » UpTheValley the breed offers as cross breeding has tended to obscure the specific Speckle Park characteristics. He therefore advises that farmers purchase bulls from trusted breeders or suppliers to ensure the traits and qualities associated with the breed are upheld. Needless to say all UpTheValley Speckle Park are 100% purebred. He says the Speckle Park breed is becoming recognised on the international stage. “Speckle Park cattle are highly efficient converters of grass to consumable beef,” explains Ray. “This results in highly cost-effective beef production on farm, keeping the profitability of operations strong. The bred experiences great success at hook competitions and has become a stand out in breed in trials, consistently producing dressing percentages of 60+ per cent for first crosses. Speckle Park provides a high-standard of beef, quality comparable to Wagyu-cross. This can be achieved while still retaining an early maturity pattern, high yields, and great levels of feed-efficiency.” In addition he says Speckle Park cattle are highly resilient remaining fertile and efficient even after a poor season and significant weather extremities so they are a great breeding option. In addition to private treaty bull sales UpTheValley also offers semen sales.Ray and Corvett are parents to Carter, 8, who loves to be involved with the farm especially mustering sheep. The aim for Ray and Corvett is farm ownership and with the move to Hawkes Bay they are proud to have taken the first step. Off-farm investments are also part of their strategy to build equity for future farming endeavours. BULLS, SEMEN, GENETICS MAHIA, HAWKES BAY www.upthevalley.co.nz ray@upthevalley.co.nz
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