34 | A passion for breeding quality bulls For the last few years between 30 to 40 yearling bulls have been offered for sale by private treaty in September / October. Richard Loader RURAL PEOPLE » Rotowai Angus Rotowai Angus stud was established by King Country sheep and beef farmers Alan and Natasha Cave in 2016, after buying a few stud heifers and cows from disbursal sales and other opportunities, with stud stock coming from Waitewheta, Springdale and Hallmark Angus studs. The couple had always had a commercial Angus herd and initially saw purchasing the stud stock as a way of breeding quality bulls for their own purposes and improving their herd. “Initially we were our own biggest customer,” says Natasha. “We both really enjoy the breeding side of things and Rotowai Angus grew from there. We really focus on the maternal side, breeding for good cows. You need good cows to breed good stock.” Alan adds that the traits they focus on are good calving ease, low to moderate birth weights, and are now concentrating on increasing their 600-day growth rates, carcass and fertility. “We source genetics from Heather Dell Angus, Hallmark Angus, and we’ve had a few Stockman Angus. We’ve also AI’d a little bit from Taimate Angus Bull Breeders, but mainly from American and some Australian genetics.” The stud herd has grown to 30 cows, out of a total Angus herd of 150, with the balance being the commercial herd. For the last few years between 30 to 40 yearling bulls have been offered for sale by private treaty in September/October, usually for about a month. “Typically, we will sell around thirty of the bulls offered, with prices ranging from $2000 to $3500,” says Alan. “Commercial beef farmers buy about twenty percent of the better stock, with another twenty bulls sold to dairy farmers, and the balance finished and put on the hook.” While acknowledging that it is always disappointing to see stud bulls go on the hook, Alan says finishing them provides a very good opportunity to find out how good the breeding programme is for carcass, weights and how they grow. “We’re getting close to thinking about an on-farm auction. We’re just trying to build up our numbers and get the stud to a standard we’re happy with.” We provide professional quality advice and friendly service to dairy, drystock, forestry, horticulture and rural businesses throughout New Zealand. Bailey Ingham are proud to support Rotowai Angus 18 Maniapoto Street Otorohanga 07 873 7325 41 Bank Street Te Awamutu 07 870 1888 | 29 Hakiaha Street Taumarunui 07 895 7315 info@baileyingham.co.nz | www.baileyingham.co.nz PUKETOTARA SHEEP STUD Breeding performance recorded Romney, Poll Dorset and Black face rams. These three fl ocks are all tested for Facial Eczema tolerance, and worms. Get the benefi t of these quality genetics in your fl ock. Contact: Ken and Rebecca Haywood 07 877 8586 Email: krhaywood@farmside.co.nz – Romney The Cave’s farm encompasses 396 hectares of rolling to medium steep hill country in Mokauiti, between Taumaranui and Te Kuiti. The couple have owned the farm for the last two years after purchasing it from Alan’s parents. “The total farm includes about forty hectares of QEII covenant bush, with mainly old totara, tawa and kahikatea,” says Alan. “The bush is also home to a lot of native birdlife, and we’ve just retired some land that has red and white rata growing up through the pigeonwood. There has also been a lot of hill stabilisation planting done over the years, and the farm has a lot of poplars for shade.” Having both grown up on farms, the couple have a keen interest in breeding stock, stock work, and the land. “We’re very fortunate here in that we have lots of native bush and it has been well planted to protect the environment. Part of our passion for farming is being good custodians, cherishing that and passing that on to the next generation.”
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