40 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Premier Cattle Company The rise and rise of Speckle Park Karen Phelps Speckle Park is growing rapidly in popularity in Australasia with the breed securing the top three position in New Zealand for highest use beef breed by the dairy industry, says Derek Hayward of Premier Cattle Company. As proof, with a sale price of $24,000, his stud’s yearling Premier N306 Magnus R4, sold to Lagoon Speckle Park Australia, was the highest value yearling bull of all breeds in New Zealand in the spring sales in 2021 and the highest selling Speckle Park of 2021 in this country. As the breed is new to New Zealand, and Premier Cattle Company, owned by Derek and wife Catherine, has been developing their stud using the Canadian breed over their dairy herd since it first entered the country in 2006, it’s quite an achievement. “From a stud point of view it shows our programme is accepted by breeders globally as producing high quality animals,” says Derek. “From a breed perspective it gives people more reassurance that Speckle Park is competing exceptionally well with other breeds.” He says the breed is in demand due to the big benefits it brings to dairy and beef farmers: good carcass, ability to convert grass and produce high marbling yet perfect fat covering with impressive quality, fine tender eating meat. Derek likens this marbling ability as between an all grass fed Angus and a Wagyu. The calves are moderate birth weight with great vigour at birth, up and suckling in minutes, says Derek. The Haywards produce bulls for commercial bull breeders and sell bulls and semen to the dairy industry. They have around 75 purebred females and A bull sale will be held in spring when around 25 Speckle Park bulls and five to six Murray Greys will be offered for sale. in 2022 expect to produce around 100 purebred calves. The aim of a female and genetics sale held in March, where purebred females and embryo packages that qualify for export to Australia, Canada and the USA were offered, was to help the breed grow in New Zealand. It was the first sale of its kind in New Zealand where only Speckle Park females and embryo packages were offered. “We’re happy to put our best females out there and for people to buy,” says Derek. A bull sale will be held in spring when around 25 Speckle Park bulls and five to six Murray Greys will be offered for sale. The Murray Greys are a very recent venture. “My parents have had Murray Greys for close to 40 years so there is a level of sentimentality involved in the decision to start a Murray Grey stud,” admits Derek. “We sourced some females from my parents’ stud to start our herd in 2020. I appreciate the quality of the Murray Greys and consider they are one of the most underestimated breeds in New Zealand.” He likens the qualities to those of Speckle Park citing many of the same benefits including easy calving, easy doing and finishing well. “They are an early maturing breed, killed before the second winter,” he says. Derek and Catherine also 50:50 sharemilk a 440 cow dairy farm on a 165ha effective unit in Fencourt near Cambridge. Derek says Speckle Park add value to the farm business because the calves are saleable rather than wasted. He and Catherine have been on the sharemilking job since 2008. “From a stud point of view it shows our programme is accepted by breeders globally as producing high quality animals. From a breed perspective it gives people more reassurance that Speckle Park is competing exceptionally well with other breeds.” Peter Glidden Honda proudly supporting Premier Cattle Company Ltd 0800 HONDAS Huntly & Morrinsville Your local Honda & Husqvarna dealer Jackson Contracting OUR SERVICES: - • FULL GRASS & MAIZE SILAGE SERVICES • WEIGHBRIDGE • LOADERWAGON• CROP & PASTURE SPRAYING • MOWING & RAKING • BALING & WRAPPING • TRUCK & TRAILER CARTING • GROUND CULTIVATION & DRILLING • MAIZE SIDE DRESSING & SPREADING For all your Agricultural Requirements give JCL a call today on 07 887 6688 Herringbone or rotary Silage bunkers Feed pads E luent systems Authorised licensee Call us today for a FREE on-site design consultation. www.chapmandairy.com 021 780 477 shanan@dcw.net.nz www.donchapmanwaikato.co.nz 07 889 6168 Proud to be associated with Premier Cattle Company ltd Don Chapman Waikato Ltd is your local specialist in farm design and construction. Thinking about amore e icient farm dairy? Your Farm Animal Health Professionals Proud to provide a full range of veterinary services for Premier Cattle Company Ltd Mon-Wed 8am - 7pm Thurs-Fri 8am - 5pm Sat 9am - 12.30pm Sun 9am - 12pm Empire Street 24 Hour Service 827 7099 or 0800 226 838 www.cambridgevets.co.nz
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