| 51 Yearling advantages hard to overlook Stokman Angus was started in 1997 with a few embryos from some of Sherrie’s Sitz Angus cows. Karen Phelps Stokman Angus is gearing up for its annual on farm yearling sale on 20 September when it will be offering just over 100 yearling bulls and 40 commercial heifers. Jake Stokman of Stokman Angus says there are numerous advantages for farmers buying yearlings over two year olds. “Firstly it’s a cheaper purchase price,” he says. “The five year average for two year old Angus bulls is around $9,000 per bull. Buying a yearling is about half the price. You also get more use of the yearling bulls as you get an extra breeding season out of them and faster genetic gain as you can introduce newer genetic material into your herds a year earlier than normal.” He says yearlings are usually fitter and more agile as they are still growing and haven’t got all the extra weight. “You just need to ensure they are grown well before joining with cows and look after them once they come out,” he advises. “Cattle producers with experience who use yearlings frequently say they prefer them as they settle in better, mix with cattle better and are easier to handle than older bulls.” Jake says there is strong evidence that bulls used as yearlings have a longer working life because of their improved fitness and their lower body fat levels. “The earlier breeding with these bulls means they are maintained at weights below their genetic potential and as a result less stress is placed on their skeletal structure, meaning less RURAL PEOPLE » Stokman Angus Stokman Angus. Photo by Sarah Horrocks. STOKMAN ANGUS A practical, predictable and profitable program. Next Sale Yearling Bull & Heifer Sale 1pm, Wednesday, 20th September 2023 Hybrid auction with Bidr, 1708 Te Kopia Rd, Rotorua. 07 333 2446 | www.stokmanangus.com | mtkiwi@farmside.co.nz Jake Stokman 027 787 4008 Mark Stokman 027 640 4028 chance of a breakdown occurring. Two of the biggest causes of breakdowns in bulls are arthritis and broken penises. Over conditioning bulls by not using them as yearlings intensifies both this conditions.” All the bulls in the Stokman Angus yearling sale are HD50kd genomic tested, carcass scanned and fertility tested for increased accuracy of the EBVs and ease of mind during mating. Jake says a yearling bull that is HD50kd tested has more accuracy on its EBVs than a two year old that has not been. Some of the sires at the sale this year will hail from exclusive genetics. Jake’s mum Sherrie is an American and has Angus cattle running through her bloodlines. Her family has owned Sitz Angus in the Rocky Mountains of Montana for over 90 years, which her two younger brothers, Bob and Jim Sitz, farm successfully today. Stokman Angus has exclusive New Zealand rights to exciting genetics from that stud including Sitz Resilient and Sitz Incentive. Stokman Angus was started in 1997 with a few embryos from some of Sherrie’s Sitz Angus cows, and today encompasses 370 registered Angus stud cows and 60 autumn calving cows while finishing some steers and heifers. Husband Mark runs the overall farm management with Sherrie who also takes on the administration, promotional work and cattle registrations. Jake has been home on the farm since completing his degree at Lincoln University in 2020 and has taken over some of the farm management. Another exciting development this season for Stokman Angus is the arrival of the first progeny from Stokman Solution S329 this year; a bull that the stud sold the Australian semen rights to for a record-breaking price of $55,000 and is the son of Sitz Resilient. Jake says the calves are demonstrating all the desirable characteristics predicted – short gestation, low birth weight and still lively on the ground – and will probably headline the stud’s 2024 sale.
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