Page 17 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2019 Edition

Consistency is key for On Farm

Glenbrae Herefords

THE TAYLOR FAMILY OF GLENBRAE STUD HAS HAD A CRACK AT BREEDING
MANY DIFFERENT ANIMALS OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE ONE CONSTANT

HAS BEEN THEIR POLLED HEREFORD CATTLE STUD. NOW BASED AT
PORANGAHAU, THE FAMILY STRIVES TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENCY AND

QUALITY IN THEIR CATTLE.

WORDS REBECCA HARPER
PHOTOGRAPHS REBECCA HARPER / SUPPLIED PICTURED: Herd stud sire Okawa Stamper 160084.

GLENBRAE POLLED HEREFORDS,
PORANGAHAU, Tragically, Daniel Taylor died in an accident
in early February while this magazine
CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY was in production. The family wished for

OWNERS: MARTIN AND MARY TAYLOR, their story to remain with Daniel’s photos
SON DANIEL TAYLOR AND and quotes included. We all express our
DAUGHTER EMMA MARTIN. heartfelt sympathy to Martin and Mary and
CLIMATE: Summer dry but heavy clay soils hang on the Taylor family.
well, very wet in winter
RAINFALL: Annual rain fall about 1100ml
TWO PROPERTIES: WHEN MARTIN AND MARY TAYLOR shifted from Dannevirke
Two blocks (one owned by Martin and Mary in trust, the to Porangahau 10 years ago, it was supposed to be a semi-
other owned by Daniel) run together, trading as Glenbrae retirement move – instead, son Daniel has joined the business
Farming Ltd. and the operation has expanded.
• Home block, 316ha. Their daughter, Emma, is also involved with the stud business,
• Daniel’s block (3km away by road), 257ha. acting as publicity officer, so it’s very much a team effort.
• Mix of flat to easy rolling country through to steeper The Taylors run a closed breeding and finishing sheep and
hill country. beef operation, with an aim of finishing all their own progeny.
Rising two-year-old cattle are sold at their annual on-farm
STOCK NUMBERS: bull sale, held in late May or early June, with the rest taken
SHEEP up to works weight, normally for Hereford Prime, the premium
• 1500 Wiltshire breeding ewes – 100% shedders. branded beef programme.
• 450 hoggets.
CATTLE BUILDING A BUSINESS
• About 150 Hereford breeding cows. Martin grew up on the family farm in Takapau and started his
• About 150 yearlings/weaners (aim to finish all progeny). career as a building apprentice, then a solo butcher, before
• Sell about 25 R2 bulls annually at their on-farm sale. moving to work on The Brow as a shepherd.
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