Business Rural Winter 2021

| 45 Breeding regime underpinned by 60-year history A Kowai Angus bull (top). Yearling bulls go to both dairy and beef farms for heifer mating – bulls sold the following winter as rising two year-olds go to the beef industry. Russell Fredric “In Southland you want to be able to get the cattle off before the second winter so we concentrate on the carcass for the R2 beef production bulls, whereas for the bulls selling as yearlings our concentration is on calving ease.” MEAT & WOOL » Kowai Angus U nderpinned by a 60 year history, Kowai Angus aims to consistently produce sires that will breed steers finished to market requirements by 18 months, and fertile heifers that will wean a good calf annually. Located in Wendon Valley north of Gore, the stud is owned and run by Dougal and Gay Stringer and their son Joe. The business comprises the home farm, a breeding block on 240 hectares, plus 100 hectares nearby which runs trading stock. Kowai Angus was established in 1961 by Colin Stringer, of Tapanui, West Otago, when he pur- chased fifteen foundation cows featuring Lincoln College, Canterbury and Brackenfield bloodlines. The home farm runs 230 Breedplan registered breeding cows and their progeny. Every year about 110 female calves are born from a mix of naturally bred and artificially insemi- nated cows. AI allows the stud to use proven bulls from Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand. Surplus heifers are sold at 18 months old after they’ve been pregnancy tested and the first of the bulls are sold as yearlings in spring. The yearling bulls go to both dairy and beef farms for heifer mating. Bulls sold the following winter as rising two year-olds go to the beef industry. “In Southland you want to be able to get the cattle off before the second winter so we concen- trate on the carcass for the R2 beef production bulls, whereas for the bulls selling as yearlings our concentration is on calving ease.” The specifics of calving ease are how easily the bull’s calves will be born, including shorter gestation length for lower birth weight aimed at 28kg to 32kg. Currently about 40 yearling bulls are retained for selection each year for an on-farm private treaty sale held late May for beef clients. Kowai Angus uses the Zoetis i50K test, a low density DNA test to assess the genetic makeup of their black Angus cattle. The test creates a profile for an animal which verifies parentage and assists selection, mating and marketing decisions. The Stringer’s aim for a carcass without exces- sive fat, cows with adequate milk, structural cor- rectness and balance with a moderate frame and maintaining bone, based in their experience that light-boned cattle do not perform in adverse condi- tions such as drought or cold winters. A quiet temperament is also important and all animals are individually assessed for this trait. For the 100ha, the Stringers buy calves that have been bred by their own bulls which means they can assess their performance through to processing. The block winters about 250 R1’s, R2’s and 30 breeding cows. Higher carcass yields is a feature of the 60 years of the stud’s operation, and while there is a plethora of genetic information available today, most of the carcass data available from Australia is based on grain-finished animals, Gay says. This means selection of desired traits can still be hit-and-miss for grass-fed livestock, however this is likely to change over time as the adoption of new grading criteria provides better New Zealand-based data. “We are all still trying to breed that perfect animal.” 03 203 9010 Your local transport specialist 03 203 9010 | hokonui.rural@hwr.co.nz find us on facebook | www.hokonuirural.co.nz Call us today to discuss all your transport requirements Proud to be associated with Kowai Angus For a competitive, no obligation, free quote, contact us today! ADSL VDSL Fibre Wireless Need to be connected? YrlessPlus is dedicated to supplying fast, reliable, affordable broadband. CONTACT: 0508 975 377 • yrless.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT KOWAI ANGUS FOR ALL YOUR ANIMAL HEALTH NEEDS Heriot Clinic/Shop hours 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday 22 Roxburgh Street 03 204 2255 Gore Clinic/Shop hours 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday 36 Hokonui Drive 03 208 0140 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE 03 208 0140 RETAIL & FARM SERVICES FREE DELIVERY Congratulations to Kowai Angus Stud on their 60th Anniversary