Page 137 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2018

of Braxton Great Southern and were a part of the Canterbury Chris believes both Monymusk bulls, Eiffel Tower and
syndicate of buyers who paid $38,000 for Braxton Westwind. Gallant, really hit the nail on the head as the type of bulls needed
Matariki bloodlines have been a consistent influence in the by the industry. With excellent phenotype and a carcase that
stud’s bloodlines over the years. Chris and James have always is thick, deep-set and muscular, they also possess optimum
valued similar attributes in cattle, appreciating easy and deep- EBVs across the board. Another mark of success is the positive
bodied bulls that are commercially viable and will perform. The feedback Chris has received over the years about the females
obvious standout being Matariki Dunstan, the sire of Monymusk sired by these bulls, which continue to benefit clients’ herds.
Gallant, along with other successfully used Matariki bulls such With Beef Expo being the national platform for displaying stud
as Vercoe and 10380. Recent purchase 140245 has calves on bulls and setting the benchmark for the breed each season, you
the ground now that already look outstanding. will always see a Monymusk bull in the line-up, with one or two
The annual Monymusk rising two-year-old bull sale animals being sent each year. As a NZHA council member since
consisting of around 35 animals is the culmination of a year’s 2007, Chris was one of the major drivers to have unled bulls
work. Held on the morning of the last Thursday before Queen’s included in the Super Sires and for the event to be consolidated
Birthday weekend, the May weather can throw up anything from into a single day. This was achieved last year with the result being
glorious sunshine to snow underfoot. Jayne and Ally handle the a dramatic improvement in the sale, due to the atmosphere that
catering, with people returning each year requesting Jayne’s was created and the cohesiveness of the event.
famous tomato soup. A recent initiative that has gone down well With his roles on council covering registry and promotion he has
with sale goers has been the inclusion of an on-site coffee cart. seen first-hand the challenges the breed faces, including the never-
The Douglas family pride themselves on putting up a ending marketing and promotion of the breed on a limited budget
catalogue of bulls accessible to all budgets and with a line-up and the current transitioning to genomics. It has taken a lot of time
of high quality cattle from start to finish. and work but he believes it was necessary to get it done right.
With the aim of producing commercially focused cattle, Highlights to date have been the promotion of the hybrid
the stud has developed strong support from regular buyers vigour advantage when using Herefords over Angus, achieving
throughout Otago and Southland, including Cheviot Downs, who wider circulation of the NZ Hereford magazine through its
have been buying from them since their inaugural sale in 1988. distribution with the Country-Wide magazine, and the success of
Clients are prepared to pay good money for quality bulls, with the Power of the Beef Cow field days, held annually in alternate
two to three stud bulls being sold at the on farm sale annually. years between the North and South Islands.
Since 2013 the sale has been held in a converted woolshed with Chris has also been a Hereford Prime director since the company’s
a selling ring and tiered seating. The first year in the new complex inception in 2011. He is passionate about his involvement stating, “It’s
witnessed the sale of Monymusk Gallant for $72,000, setting a a fantastic brand and we need to continue the growth in it”. He has
new sale price record that still stands for a Hereford bull sold at an been impressed with how well received and supported it has been
on farm sale. During the auction people sitting near Chris said he by fellow Hereford breeders, particularly with the sponsorship they
turned white when the auction reached $40,000 and by the time have provided to help with the continued promotion of the product.
the hammer fell he was completely speechless. Purchased by the With the capable and experienced hands of Laurie Paterson
Grassmere and Westholm Studs, and semen rights to Matariki and (ONZM) as chairman, Natalie Campbell’s excellent management
Duncraigen, he has gone on to produce many quality sons. and four very strong processors on board, the future is looking
Westholm have had success at Expo and on the farm, with positive for Hereford Prime.
a son selling at their annual sale for $21,000. Grassmere made Chris, Jayne and their family are extremely proud of the
the top price for a Hereford in New Zealand two years running impact their Monymusk Hereford Stud has had on the Hereford
with bulls sired by Gallant. They made $42,000 in 2016 and breed and the wider beef industry in New Zealand. Chris
$40,000 in 2017. As breeders, it has given the Douglas family and Jayne have enjoyed the comradeship of fellow breeders,
great satisfaction to see Gallant go on to reap rewards for his especially around Expo and during Chris’s time on council, an
purchasers, justifying the investment made. opportunity he has never regretted taking up.
Another example of a Monymusk bull that has carried on We look forward to the next great thing to come out of this
to prove its worth and exceed expectations was Eiffel Tower. stud, to continue its reputation as breeders of exceptional sires
Purchased at Beef Expo by the Waikaka stud for $12,000 in 2011, carrying the industry forward in safe hands.
he went on to sire Waikaka Skytower 1289 who sold for $33,000 at
Expo, the highest price the Paterson family had achieved for a bull.
In 2015 Waikaka Skytower 1329 was named Champion Bull
at Expo, going on to sell for $11,000 to the Colraine and Kanuka
Studs. He remains a senior herd sire at Waikaka and they have sold
his semen extensively in New Zealand, Australia and South America.

OVERLEAF, LEFT TO RIGHT: Monymusk Eiffel Tower 90140,
purchased by Waikaka in 2011 for $12,000 at Beef Expo;
Monymusk Gallant 110089 sold in 2013 for $72,000 to Grassmere
and Westholm, and semen rights to Matariki and Duncraigen,
setting a new New Zealand on farm price record.
THIS PAGE, RIGHT: Herd sire Matariki 10380.
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