| 59 RURAL PEOPLE » Shadow Downs Polled Herefords Most buyers are based in Taranaki but they also attract buyers from the Hawke’s Bay and Northland to their sales. ing on Intra-Muscular Fat (IMF) and have been steadily achieving better readings and quality,” Daniel explains. Most buyers are based in Taranaki but they also attract buyers from the Hawke’s Bay and Northland among farmers from other regions who travel to their sales. When Duncan’s Canvas was started back in 1960 cow and calf covers were one of the main products. And today they are just as popular as ever due to the huge bene its they bring farmers delivering real value to the bottom line, says Duncan’s Canvas owner Georgina Bailey. “With our top quality New Zealand-made covers, farmers ind that when their animals are warm their growth and production improves dramatically,” she says. “We have many repeat clients who wouldn't be without their cow covers as they've noticed such a di erence.” For calves the covers mean they grow faster and farmers using indoor sheds can get them outside and onto pasture sooner. For cows the covers are often used prior to mating as they improve the cow condition score, which means a lower empty rate. Georgina says better animal health means better production which means a more pro itable farming business. Warm cows also eat less further saving feed costs and maximising pasture use. Georgina says covered cows don't trample pasture searching for food and shelter. Duncan’s Canvas makes the covers (which include goat covers) in a range of sizes and breathable materials including jute and canvas, which can be Delivering real value to farmers lined with felt for cows and polar leece for the calves. The natural ibres the covers are made from are either waterproof already or become waterproof after being on the animal for a short time. Georgina says the point of di erence is the special design using high quality straps and buckles means that the covers do not fall o the animal. The covers can be re-used with canvas covers having a life span of many years as long as put away dry and clean. Jute covers generally last two to three years. Being well established in the market Duncan’s Canvas imports its own jute – the company’s biggest selling cover material - which helps pricing to be very competitive. Georgina, who was brought up on a dairy farm, has owned Duncan’s Canvas with husband Je for around 20 years. The company is proud members of the Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand, which is dedicated to exceptional quality. Other Duncan’s Canvas products for farmers include a daisy lifter sling that hooks on the side of a front end loader to lift sick cows to their feet, trough covers, dairy shed aprons and chainsaw chaps, which strap over trousers to help prevent injury. Products can be purchased through Duncan’s Canvas, PGG Wrightson, Farmlands and Farm Source. From stock covers through to boat covers and sun shades, we make a huge range of work and leisure products in canvas and PVC materials. From the far north to the deep south Duncan's Canvas provides working solutions to rural and urban New Zealand from our centrally located Waikato premises. We’ve got canvas all stitched up! 07 847 4540 / Fax 07 847 4541 accounts@duncanscanvas.co.nz www.duncanscanvas.co.nz / Outdoor Screens / Awnings / Retractable Roo ng / Boat Canopies & Covers / Stock Covers “We have a good bunch of helpers that come on the day. My parents Nancye and Ian Smith established the herd and run the 80ha block dayto-day in Waverley. That’s where we graze the bulls and fatten the lambs.” Daniel and wife Rae, with four children Amy, 15, Joe, 12, Millie, 10 and George 9 live on the home block which is 440 ha. “We are always tending to one job or another on the farm. The kids love life on the farm, they’ve grown up with it and take a real interest in all the aspects of farming life”. The Smith family do a small amount of cropping, and annually crop about 10 ha of chicory for finishing lambs which is then sown into an annual for the winter for the bulls. Shadow Downs Polled Herefords will host its bull sale from midday on September 13 at 46 Lower Herengawe Road, Waverley.
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