Page 66 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2018

“We’ve got to evolve a system where we can protect country
and feed cows better.”
Digby goes as far as to say there is more emphasis on cattle
than sheep at Paparata. “I would call Trevor a cow man before
a sheep man, he loves his cattle – I’m surprised he doesn’t start
a cross-breeding stud!”
Trevor says one potential solution could be more strategic
use of nitrogen at the right time, especially in early autumn, to
make sure the weaner paddocks have grass.
He is also developing a computer-based stock programme
for the station, underpinned by a feed budget. “I’m very strong
on planning, making sure we are not just guessing - knowing
what grass is in front of you and knowing the demand from
animals. The idea is it’s a tool for the manager to enable us to
feed our stock better and be more profitable.”

“WE’VE GOT TO EVOLVE A SYSTEM
WHERE WE CAN PROTECT COUNTRY
AND FEED COWS BETTER.”

TOP RIGHT AND BELOW: Cows at the station must be able to
maintain bodyweight and get around the hills; Cows and calves at
Paparata – Herefords are valued for their hybrid vigour.

HEREFORDS A GOOD FIT sufficient, so calving ease is a huge consideration,” Digby says.

Hereford bulls are purchased from Craigmore and Kokonga and They save up feed for older cows and heifers to calve on but
Digby says the Herefords offer hybrid vigour and are good in mixed age cows are set stocked among the ewes at a rate of 1
the dry. cow: 2 hectares. This means they’re looking for cows that can
They purchase about 30 yearling bulls annually, 50/50 split maintain their bodyweight and stay upright on a hill.
between Hereford and Angus. At weaning last year they averaged about 230kg in mid-
Calving ease is important and Trevor looks for a medium March, mixed sex, which Digby felt was a reasonable result.
birth weight figure – he likes it to be under 5 but no lower than “We’re trying to feed the cattle and grow the cattle when they
3. He finds that Hereford bulls are competitively priced and are young so we can market the steers as two-year-olds. Heifers
believes both Craigmore and Kokonga are doing a good job. need to be grown as well so we can calve them as two-year-olds.
“I think the Hendersons have done a very good job, they’re They need to be grown out to the max, really,” Digby says.
good bulls. Kokonga are a bit more like station cattle, but they Although Trevor says there have been challenges in the
have invested a lot in genetics. Craigmore’s birth weights are past 10 years, he has a clear passion for farming, a dedicated
excellent and Kokonga is going that way too, they’re a newer team around him, and a thirst for knowledge that will likely see
stud but they are selling very well. Paparata continue to thrive in the future, albeit in a changing
“We buy all yearling bulls. They are July-born bulls, grown and more challenging climate.
out well, and we don’t put the bull out until the middle of January
so they are about 18 months old by the time they go out. They
are used over both the heifers and cows in the first year.” BELOW: Sheep also have an important role to play at Paparata.
They point out they have noticed less breakdowns with
smaller bulls too.
Digby likes a bull with a bit of stretch, a good back end and
good confirmation, while Seymour looks for something that’s
not too blocky in the shoulders and can put the weight on.
“They don’t want to be too slabby.”
For the heifers, the bull goes out on December 22 and they
calve in October. The target is for heifers to be over 320kg to
be mated to the bull, but the average is normally about 340kg.
Cows are November 1 calving and the bull goes out on
January 22.
Cows are all mated on the hills in mobs of 40 to 100, with
roughly one bull to every 30 cows. “First calvers (heifers) are
calved behind a wire, but apart from that everything else is self-
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