40 | Breeding the best stock ‘in the blood’ Mark and Bruce McKenzie. Richard Loader Located on the Castlepoint-Riversdale Road, just out of Masterton, Maungahina is a 607 hectare sheep and beef property, and home to the Maungahina Hereford Stud. Steeped in a pioneering history, the property has been in the McKenzie family since 1899, and the stud wends its way back to 1906. Passionate about farming and the Hereford breed in particular, the McKenzies have been hosting on-farm bull sales for 78 years, making it the oldest on-farm auction in Australasia, as far as is known. Mark McKenzie is the 5th generation to operate the farm and reckons stud breeders are bred, not made. It’s about the little people listening to the grownup conversations around the dinner table, by the fireside or out on the paddock. It just becomes second nature. “Over the generations this is what we’ve done, and our forefathers have told us what to look for. It’s all we talk about. It’s in the blood, you just know what to look for. We’re not hot on EBV figures. Never have been. We just use that data as a tool. We still feel very strongly on type, structure and using your eye. “You have to like the way the animal looks, and it’s proven that what we’re doing works. I have a daughter coming through. She’s sixth generation. She’s keen and has a very good eye.” Maungahina runs two herds. There is a herd for the more powerful, muscling bulls that will find their way into the two-year-olds’ auction held in June of each year. “We’ve always been strong on structure, good bone and plenty of strength, grunt and meat,” says Mark. “And we will never go away from that. We had 32 two-year-old Herefords on sale this June and had a great sale. “We sold thirty of the bulls and averaged $9780, with a top price of $22,000, to commercial beef farmers. One bull was sold to a breeder. We were very pleased with the results. RURAL PEOPLE » Maungahina Stud www.timcoombsdeerandstock.co.nz • P: 027 444 1937 • E: coombs@vetta.net.nz NZ Wide Accredited Transport - Proud to Support Maungahina Stud - sellar.co.nz 0800 SELLAR 06 377 3199 81 Queen St Masterton Here when you need us with professional and reliable financial advice Proud to support Maungahina Stud
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