Page 20 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2019 Edition

that’s pretty much the last we see of them until docking. We
do check them, but they’re fairly free-moving and better off left
alone [at lambing],” Martin says.
After mating, cows and calves graze among the fattening
lambs until weaning and scanning (done on the same day) in
late February, then the cows move on to clean-up duty behind
the ewes and the calves start on balage.
“The ewes are building up to tupping, so they get the best of
the grass and the cows get the rubbish that’s left. When it gets
wet, the cows head up to the top end of Daniel’s block where
it’s free-draining argillite; most of the lower country is heavy clay
soils and prone to pugging.”
As well as their annual on-farm bull sale, this year, the Taylors
hosted an on-farm sheep auction for the first time in February.
“We’ve been selling ewe lambs for breeding for some time now TOP TO BOTTOM: Ewes pre-lambing, the Taylors run a 100%
shedding flock of Wiltshire sheep; Daniel Taylor, left, farms with his
and they’re becoming quite popular. I get regular enquiries for parents Mary and Martin Taylor.
sheep – the demand well outweighs the supply. And it’s not just
lifestylers; most of our sales are to commercial farmers.” now, the cost of shearing. Wiltshires definitely have attitude but
Martin believes this strong interest is a reflection of the state they don’t get dags, are low maintenance, basically don’t get
of the wool industry. “It’s frustration with the wool price and also, bearings and have a natural resistance to facial eczema.”

SELLING AND BUYING BULLS It’s a process of elimination,” Martin says. “And I’m too old to

The Taylors hold their annual on-farm bull sale, selling rising run,” Mary adds.
two-year bulls, in late May or early June. “About 25 R2 bulls are When it comes to buying bulls, the Taylors buy in what they
put up for sale on-farm, we also sell about 20 to dairy farmers.” consider to be the best genetics they can find. “With EBVs you can
When it comes to selling bulls, their clients are looking for get a pretty good picture of what you’re buying. It’s probably 50/50
excellent growth. “We’re wanting a good, sound, thick, growthy emphasis on EBVs and the physical look of the bull when I see it.
bull. Our clients want growth and moderate birth weight. Steers But there is absolutely no compromise on structure. If we can’t find
and surplus heifers are normally finished to about 300kg hook a bull that suits us, we won’t buy one. We’re very particular about
weight for Hereford Prime,” Martin explains. what we’re looking for and we will pull in a yearling bull of our own
The majority of their clients are commercial hill country beef rather then use a compromised bull. It’s important to like the bull
farmers. “Temperament is really important. People don’t want to when you have to look at it in the paddock every day.”
buy anything that’s got attitude – and we won’t handle anything Daniel explains EBVs are just a tool they use to help guide
that’s got attitude either. All calves are picked up on a trailer at them through the bull selection process. “I’ve never found
birth and if you can’t do that without being threatened by the cow, or bred the perfect animal yet and if you ever think you have
her temperament isn’t good enough. I find attitude can definitely then it’s time to quit and do something else; you have to keep
run in family lines. If that’s the case, we look at the whole family. improving or you will get left behind,” Martin sums up.

18