76 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Manaia View Farms Murray’s confidence in Jersey-cross beef quality stems from years of breeding. Expanded its beef production capacity Karen Phelps Manaia View Farms has significantly expanded its beef production capacity by leasing an additional 250 hectares next door, transforming what was once a sideline into a fully integrated value-added enterprise. Operated by Murray and Helen Jagger at Whangarei Heads in Northland, the couple now finish around 100 steers and 100 heifers annually from a Jersey-Angus cross programme. “It’s been due to Fonterra changes that every animal must go into the value chain and utilising the benefit of Jersey-Angus beef,” explains Murray, whose family has farmed in the district since the 1850s. “It’s maximising the value from the calf that’s born. We know we have a good quality product and are meeting the market.” The operation also includes the original 320 hectares used for beef production alongside a 230-hectare dairy platform producing around 200,000 kilograms of milk solids annually from 580 Jersey cows. Murray’s confidence in Jersey-cross beef quality stems from years of breeding programme refinement. “It’s a common misconception that if you use Jersey for beef, then the fats are going to be yellow and that’s not quite true,” says Murray. “Straight Jerseys yes, but when you cross them with good high growth rate Angus bulls they are just as good, if not better than other beef crosses.” The breeding approach involves artificial insemination of the top-ranking Jersey cows for replacements during the first five weeks, then shifting to short-gestation Angus for the remainder of the season. Bulls are carefully selected from Chris Biddle’s Te Atarangi Angus stud, focusing on calving ease and exceptional growth rates. “We chase EBV figures of our beef bulls looking for easy calving traits as well as high 600-day growth rates,” explains Murray. The expanded beef operation has attracted interest from premium markets. “We’ve got some interest from someone wanting to take our Angus-Jerseys and use them for the high end restaurant trade. “It’s a common misconception that if you use Jersey for beef, then the fats are going to be yellow and that’s not quite true,” says Murray. “Straight Jerseys yes, but when you cross them with good high growth rate Angus bulls they are just as good, if not better than other beef crosses.” PETER McQUINN GROUNDSPREAD NORTHLAND Phone Peter - Mobile: 0274 931 394 WE SOW IT, YOU GROW IT • Lime / Fertiliser • Muck / Waste Spreading , POST PEELINGS | WOODCHIP | SAW DUST PALM KERNEL | FERTILISER DELIVERIES SILO DELIVERIES Phone Steve 021 931 300 or 09 436 3306 www.nfws.co.nz Pump supplier & installation • Trenching • Irrigators & Effluent Rainguns FARM WATER SOLUTIONS NORTHLAND
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