6 | RURAL PEOPLE » 90 Mile View Station Simmentals Next gen stepping up to help on the farm Weaner calves. Karen Phelps Far North commercial beef farmers Reubin and Lisa Wright of 90 Mile View Farms are proud that the next generation is starting to take a more active role in the family business. With their children Will, 16, and Josie, 15, stepping up to help on the farm, the business is entering a new phase. “They are both definitely showing signs of trying to take the reins off us one day,” says Reubin with a laugh. The couple own a 90ha farm where they live and lease an additional neighbouring of 35ha. Around five kilometres away there is another farm totalling 260ha - 190ha effective and another 70ha in native bush. Across both properties they run 440 breeding cows of Friesian-Hereford, Friesian-Angus and Simmental cross genetics, all of which are calved to Simmental bulls. Reubin says that, in his view, other breeds simply cannot compete with the Simmental’s growth and structure. “We’ve been using Simmental genetics for around 15 years and purchase around five bulls annually. It’s a breed that’s always interested me as it’s a leading terminal sire breed. It is a breed that has many positive traits, from fast growth and stature to quiet temperament and exceptional muscling. On the maternal side, Simmental cross females excel in milk and mothering traits, further boosting the weaning weight of their progeny.” Calving ease is a trait of the Simmental breed but Reubin doesn’t specifically select low birthweight bulls. “Calving issues in Simmental are non-existent in my opinion,” he says. “I can’t get a big weaner from a small calf.” The proof is in the pudding and Reubin says that from doing nothing different than before, apart from using Simmental genetics, the results are palpable. “I try and buy bulls that are in the top 10 to 15 per cent of Simmental genetics in Australasia. By doing that my weaners are gaining 40 kilograms more body weight, which relates to 10 to 15 per cent heavier weaners.” He favours genetics from two studs in particular - Beefit Simmental Stud in Kaikohe, and Kerrah Simmentals in Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay. “Both studs have big cow numbers, so everything they put up for offer are the best of the best. I find these genetics both deliver growth, survivability and temperament,” says Reubin. The herd calves from 25 July for 42 days, with the operation targeting top 200 day growth. With Simmentals reaching their optimal carcass weight before their second winter, they are well received at the sale yards. “I sell 200 heifers annually at the Tuakau Weaner Sale, and I’m part of a syndicate that puts up a total of 550 Simmental bulls at the Peria Annual Weaner Sale each year,” says Reubin. “The heifers go to Tuakau on the first Monday of March annually, while the bulls are sold by private treaty or go to Peria Weaner Fair on the second Thursday in March. We sell around 210 to 215 bulls and the same of weaners.” Lisa handles the bookwork for the operation, keeping the business running smoothly and Reubin also has an off-farm job working as a stock agent for Carrfields for 30 years. “It can be difficult to balance with farmwork but the kids are stepping up, which really helps,” he says. “Farming wouldn’t be achievable without the off-farm income at times. So my stock agency and farmwork grew together. This year, with beef prices being at an all-time high, we’re having a really good season.” R2 Bull Auction - Tuesday 19th May 2026 www.kerrahsimmentals.co.nz 1350, Hereheretau Rd, RD6 Wairoa 4196 Ross Mitchel l Fergus Rural 027-404-8965 Nate Lamb PGG Wr ightson 027-275-9836 Jon Knauf - Vendor 021-027-97922 jsknauf@gisborne.net .nz Quality yearling bulls available upon request Docility Growth Performance recorded Where performance meats phenotype MANGONUI HAULAGE Livestock - Logs - Ready Mix - General · Livestock · Bulk Cartage · Water · Readymix Concrete · General Cartage Kaitaia / Mangonui / Waipapa 09 406 0087 | mangonuihaulage.co.nz “I try and buy bulls that are in the top 10 to 15 per cent of Simmental genetics in Australasia.
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