Page 145 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2018

“This system gives us confidence to get through dry summers,
and wet winters, with minimal feeding out, and provides time
efficiency.” Willy and Keely also mention that it ensures no over-
grazing on some of the fragile soils under their stewardship.
Willy’s parents own 300ha of the 520ha of leased land.
This property is in close proximity to their Otaua farm, and has
been in the Muir family for four generations. “It is here that beef
cows perform their key role of pasture management. Cleaning
up rank, mature pasture, which allows fresh growth for young
stock. At the same time, the cows produce and grow a valuable
calf,” Willy says.
Calving of the herd starts in June and goes through to the
end of September. Willy finds that this suits the varied calving
patterns of the local dairy farmers, which is his target market for
his bull sales.
“With Hereford X cattle being the number one beef breed in
the district, the key characteristics that our buyers are looking
for are quiet temperament, calving ease and good markings.
We sell around 50 bulls per year at 2-year-old, 18-month
and yearlings.” Willy does most of these sales privately, with
conditions that suit the purchasers’ requirements. The Muirs
have repeat customers, with a few new ones each year.
The Muir family joined the South Auckland Hereford Club
in 2007. At that stage they had grown to 60 cows, which were
built up from a couple of purchased lines and cows they had
bred themselves.
In 2014 they purchased the entire Westwyn stud, bringing
the number of cows to 120. Half of the purebred herd is now
registered under the Otamatea prefix. “The Westwyn herd was
thick with Koanui bloodlines, complementing the high quality
sires from Kairuru, Hukaroa, and Craigmore studs that we use.”
Recently Willy has also purchased bulls from Kokonga and
Grassmere studs. Willy likes well-marked, moderate sized cows
that convert second-class feed into milk and weight – cows that
can wean a calf half their weight.
The Muirs feel that the genetics that they have been using
are fulfilling their goals, and they are always looking to improve.
Although the Herefords are not the core of the Muir family’s
business, they play a vital role within the enterprise. They intend
to keep growing their numbers, and increase the number of
registered animals.

“WITH HEREFORD X CATTLE BEING
THE NUMBER ONE BEEF BREED
IN THE DISTRICT, THE KEY
CHARACTERISTICS THAT OUR
BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR ARE

QUIET TEMPERAMENT, CALVING EASE
AND GOOD MARKINGS.”

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Willy Muir with Hukaroa Nikau,
purchased at Beef Expo; Willy likes well-marked, moderate-sized
cows that convert second-class feed into milk and weight; Willy and
his wife Keely have three daughters – Brookelyn, Eva and Carlia,
pictured with dog Ruby
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