| 41 A highly practical focus is paying off Dave says temperament is a trait they do not compromise on. The Stuarts run 75 per cent sheep and 25 per cent Angus cattle. Alexia Anderson RURAL PEOPLE » Stuart Farms Dave and Nicole Stuart’s Komako Angus stud property has gone from strength to strength since purchasing their property in 2012. Over the past decade, the Stuarts have expanded and refined their business, including the recent purchase of a neighbouring 378 hectare farm, bringing the total area to 858 hectares. Of that, 720 hectares is an effective farming area, while the remainder is a small plantation in pine forest and native bush, providing a balance that supports both productivity and the environment. In 2014, the couple registered Komako Angus as a stud, combining genetics from their own herd, of which they were already performance recording, with carefully selected bloodlines from established breeders. Today, their herd includes both Herd Book Registered (HBR) and Angus Performance Registered (APR) cattle, bred to perform under real commercial conditions. That practical focus is paying off after Komako Angus recently achieved pleasing results in its annual yearling bull sale. Komako Angus achieved an outstanding result at their latest sale, resulting in a full clearance of 48 bulls at an average price of $10,127, the highest yearling bull average in New Zealand this year. “We have always had a passion for breeding Angus cattle,” he says. “Our cows have to fit into a commercial farming system, they are tested in the environment, similar to a lot of our clients’ operations.” The property features 40 per cent steep hill, 40 per cent medium and 20 per cent flat land. The Stuarts run 75 per cent sheep and 25 per cent Angus cattle, doing the basics well and breeding easy doing cattle, with the aim of good calving ease, moderate birth weight, with a balanced growth curve and low mature cow weight, ensuring cows can maintain condition and rebreed under pressure. Dave says temperament is a trait they do not compromise on. “We score the cows for mothering abilities, temperament, and udders during calving time. Anything that shows signs of poor temperament or mothering ability is noted and culled from the herd at the end of the season.” Feedback among clients has been positive. “We’ve got clients who’ve had our bulls working for eight years and are still sound and working,” he says. Another client, through the introduction of our genetics into his herd, has not had to pull a calf in three years. While breeding performance cattle is key at Komako Angus, environmental responsibility is also a focus. The Stuarts continue to fence waterways, plant willows on erosion-prone land, and farm only what is sustainable long-term. “We are constantly looking at ways to improve our farming operation in all aspects, environmentally and profitably.” Dave acknowledges that climate variability remains one of farming’s biggest challenges. “We need to be breeding cattle that can adapt to challenging seasons and can handle New Zealand farming conditions and seasonal extremes.” Looking ahead, the couple remains motivated to keep improving. “We feel we have so much more to achieve and offer,” Dave says. “We are very focused on breeding cattle that perform consistently for our clients.” However, for the Stuarts, the rewards go beyond sales results. “We love hearing stories from our clients about how the bulls are going and how they are improving their herd,” he says. “We are passionate about the industry and love doing what we do. Having the opportunity to bring up our family in this environment is something special to us.” Totally Vets, proudly supporting Dave and Nicole Stuart and Stuart Farms by providing all aspects of animal health care. feilding@tvg.co.nz | www.totallyvets.co.nz Totally Vets Feilding 06 323 6161
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