Page 46 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2018

on the ground and the Donalds are excited about the opportunities
the new genetics will bring. They have been using Australian sires
since they started in 2000 and, with a blend of pure New Zealand
genetics, they believe they have something unique.
The bull goes out to the heifers on November 20 and to
the cows on December 12, single sire mating. “We do a
synchronised AI programme normally, but this year we’ll be
using bulls.”
The cows start clean up duties with and behind the ewes
from February 1, through until August, when they are set-
stocked on the drop in September.
“The cows are treated commercially here. A big thing is
that if we can’t emulate what a commercial farmer is doing and
have our bulls go out and breed a resilient type of animal that creating mud. “I’m allergic to mud now. It’s better for the farm,
is required in the commercial industry, then we’re in the wrong the animals and me. It’s a more sustainable way of doing it and
game. Cattle will always be a tool, a pasture conditioner for you find out which cattle have a better natural instinct to find
sheep on East Coast hill country, and we have to keep that good calving spots or not. If she doesn’t she will never get the
commercial focus in mind.” opportunity to do it again,” Bruce says.
The Donalds are also mindful of farming in a sustainable and The Donalds are strict on replacements. “We’re adamant
biological way, minimising the use of chemicals and high analysis we don’t keep second-rate cattle for replacements. I will not
fertilisers. They are undertaking a tree planting programme, compromise on the type coming into the herd. I’m not set on a
both riparian and pole planting. “We believe that shelter, shade number, so growing the herd can get difficult sometimes.
and stabilisation is paramount everywhere stock are farmed. “This year we have trimmed the low performing cow numbers
We are custodians of the land so it’s trying to leave the land in for better heifers coming in. That has also allowed us to do
better shape than how we found it,” Chrissina explains. the embryo programme to improve that top end and therefore
Previously, the Donalds calved cows behind a hot wire on the whole herd.” They are flushing the top four cows, selected
saved up feed and then set-stocked them. Now they save up on their performance as breeders and individual attributes, so
feed and set-stock the cattle, which works well in terms of not increasing the herd size should be easier in 2019.

FAMILY FIRST

Bruce and Chrissina have involved their three daughters in the
farming and stud operation from a young age, and believe it is
important they understand what drives the business.
Molly, 15, Hannah, 13, and Georgina, 10, love the farm and
take an active interest in the cattle.
“Our girls are really keen on the stud and are actively
involved. They’ve always showed calves and did Future Beef this
year, they each had a steer and learned about the breaking-in
process, animal husbandry, and showing skills,” Chrissina says.
“They show an interest in who the sire and dams are, the
animals and the business, doing the margins on the sheep and
cattle trades – we’ve done that so they get an understanding of
how we make the money.”
Bruce believes involving the children from a young age and
creating an interest and involvement is the key to keeping youth
in agriculture.
“There are so many positives in the industry and it’s our
responsibility to share those with our kids.”
The Donalds achieved outstanding results at Future Beef
last year, with five steers sired from the Ngakouka stable gaining
places on the hoof and hook. They see this as a sign they are
heading in the right direction with their genetics.

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Cows are treated commercially
at Ngakouka and are a pasture conditioner for the sheep; It’s a
family affair at Ngakouka – Bruce and Chrissina have involved their
daughters in the farming and stud operation from a young age; Bruce
and Chrissina worked hard to realise their dream of farm ownership.
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