42 | Better animals each year Beef It Simmentals stud: Kermit. Karen Phelps Far North farmers Aaron and Bernadette Gubb are steadily carving out a name for themselves in the Simmental world with 2026 marking the seventh annual bull sale for their Beef It Simmentals stud. What began as a natural extension of their long-standing use of Simmental genetics has developed into a focused breeding operation supplying both beef and dairy sectors. This year’s sale, to be held on 13 May at the Kaikohe Saleyards, will feature more than 40 bulls, reflecting both growing demand and increased herd numbers. Last season the stud sold more than 60 bulls across the annual sale and private transactions, achieving an average of $5,700. The Gubbs run a 199-hectare beef property with 400 cattle near Kaikohe alongside a 260-hectare dairy unit at Umawera, between Okaihau and Kaitaia milking 280 cows. Around 270 stud cows are due to calve this season, including 90 run on the dairy platform. “As the stud is growing this means we will have increased numbers of bulls for clients to choose from,” says Aaron. Their stud breeding programme is centred on producing easy-calving, fast-finishing cattle that can be processed before their second winter, with a preference for polled genetics. The stud draws heavily on established bloodlines, particularly from Kerrah Simmentals, complemented by sires from Riverview Simmentals. “We’re trying to better the animals each year and produce better bulls for buyers,” says Aaron. Bay of Plenty orchard manager Blair Dyer is combining careful expansion with environmental stewardship as he helps shape the future of kiwifruit growing. Blair, who owns orchard management business Dyversified with his wife Sophie, is overseeing operations at Kiwi Heights for the Atkinson family while also developing an orchard of his own. “Running Dyversified allows me to be hands-on across every aspect of orchard performance, from people to production,” says Blair who is a third generation kiwifruit farmer. “It’s about consistency, attention to detail and building systems that can adapt to whatever the season throws at us.” The Atkinsons’ 190ha (145ha effective) Te Puke property features about 27ha of kiwifruit orchards growing for Zespri. Young stock are grazed across 167ha. In addition to managing Kiwi Heights, Blair has embarked on his own development project after purchasing a six-hectare block subdivided from the Kiwi Heights property. The Dyers have built a home on the site and begun establishing vines with the orchard around 30 per cent complete after 18 months of work. “It’s a long-term project for us and we’re taking a measured approach,” says Blair. “We’ve secured the Zespri licence and are building it stage by stage to ensure we get it right.” That staged approach reflects a broader philosophy evident across Kiwi Heights itself, where development has taken place gradually over several years. RURAL PEOPLE » Beef It Simmentals / Dyversified Recent investment in high-end genetics reflects that ambition. The Gubbs paid $28,000 for a Gold Creek bull named Meat Machine, one of the highest-priced Simmental bulls sold in New Zealand last year. Another sire, Gold Creek Kermit, will have his first progeny offered at this year’s sale. “Kermit has plenty of growth, docility and good set of figures in general. His progeny are very chunky solid bulls,” says Aaron. He says the appeal of Simmental cattle lies largely in hybrid vigour, a trait that continues to drive demand among commercial farmers. Progeny are known for rapid growth rates and efficient finishing with weaners consistently attracting strong interest and topping sales. “Simmental bulls have longevity and high libido with the ability to handle a high mating load,” says Aaron. “Most of our bulls will go over commercial crossbred beef herds for hybrid vigour and the progeny finish very fast.” That versatility has also seen increasing uptake from dairy farmers, many of whom are purchasing bulls for use as paddock sires. The Gubbs themselves have integrated Fleckvieh, the milking strain of Simmental, into their dairy herd. “They are becoming more popular and we’ve found they have good udders, good feet, hold their body weight and condition better than Friesians and milk just as well,” says Aaron. “The other benefit is you get a decent calf that is sought after.” On-farm management continues to evolve with the introduction of Halter collars on both beef and dairy herds. Aaron hopes break-feeding via the collars will improve pasture utilisation and calf performance. “The calves should be 20–30 kilos heavier than last year hopefully as the mothers are on Halter and are being break fed across the paddocks and the calves are then free to graze in front of the cows so they get the pick of the paddock. Now we are growing more grass and utilising it better we will go up to 330 cows in the dairy herd next year plus 80-90 beef cows.” Hands-on involvement remains central to the operation with both Aaron and Bernadette actively engaged across the farms supported by a small team. 160 Hariru Rd, Ohaeawai RD2 Kaikohe office@rtacontracting.co.nz 021 813 421 Ryan & the team at RTA Contracting are proud to support Beef It Simmentals • Conventional Hay • Weighbridge Services • Lime and Fert Spreading • Digger Hire • Round & Square Hay and Silage • Cultivation, Cropping & Drilling • Maize Planting & Harvesting • Bulk Haulage Rob Titter Farm Services Ltd Repairs on all makes & models admin@r�armservices.co.nz Ph: 09 401 1774 Mobile: 027 522 6248 34 Station Road Kaikohe www.mpac.co.nz Join the movement to Mpac NZ’s fastest growing packhouse (07) 547 4400 “It’s not a typical orchard development, which is normally converted all at once,” says Blair. “We are keeping to the natural tone of the landscape as much as we can, developing smaller two to three hectare blocks, undertaking minimal earthworks and planting natives around the boundaries.” Environmental considerations are a central focus, which saw Kiwi Heights named Bay of Plenty Regional Supreme Winner at the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards as well as taking home a suite of category awards. “For us it validates that you can balance productivity with looking after the land,” says Blair. “Profit and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, they have to go hand in hand.” Fourteen hectares of land have now been retired into native planting, with a further two hectares added this year. A trial detainment bund, developed in partnership with the Bay of Plenty regional council, has also been introduced to improve water quality. “We’re at the top of the catchment, so we have a responsibility,” says Blair. “The bund allows sediment to settle before water leaves the property, which is a simple but effective way to reduce our impact downstream.” At the same time, investment in infrastructure is helping to protect production. Kiwi Heights now has 15 million litres of on-site water storage enabling full frost protection across the orchard. Expansion of hail netting is also under way, with a target of covering half the orchard. “Extreme weather events are becoming more common and we have to respond to that,” says Blair. “We had a hailstorm in December that cost us up to 30 per cent of the crop so de-risking the business is critical.” With further development planned and a clear focus on resilience, Blair believes the future of kiwifruit lies in adaptability. “No two seasons are ever the same,” says Blair. “If you’re not evolving, you’re going backwards. Our goal is to keep improving while leaving the land in a better state than we found it.” Karen Phelps Careful expansion Toget Creat Soil a Proudly supporting strongorchards and growingopportunities at Kiwi Heights.
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