Page 148 - 2020 NZ Hereford Magazine

Our Breeders

Spotlight on

South Auckland Herefords

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HOOBEES HEREFORDS, COROGLEN

BRYCE AND SUSAN HOOTON
Bryce and Susan bought a block of land at Coroglen five years
ago with the plan to plant it in manuka to complement their
commercial beekeeping operation. Initially it was leased to a
grazier, but after receiving a good offer to sell their business, the
couple decided to graze the land themselves.
“We wanted something we could take a personal interest in.
We tossed up between Herefords and Angus, but after chatting
to a few people it was recommended Herefords were friendlier
and easier to handle.”
Their first eight in-calf heifers were bought from Colin and
Sue Corney from Colraine Herefords.
“They have been great to deal with and a great support
as we’ve slowly learned the ropes. These girls were in-calf to
Waikaka Skytower. Our first-born heifers on the property have
now had their second calf. We did AI in our second year; our “We still have a lot to learn and a long way to go, but would
third mating was with a Monymusk Gallant son and we bought like to experiment a bit more with our breeding, looking at
a Craigmore bull for our fourth mating; we have 15 of his calves improving milk and growth production.
in the paddock.” “We did the Northland tour thinking we might have felt on
The Hootons say their maximum cow numbers for land ratio the outer being such a small herd but felt so welcome and part
is 20 cows. of a big Hereford family! Thanks to all for taking us on board.”

MAUI HEREFORDS, WAIRAMARAMA

STEVEN KITCHENER
Steven was initially an Angus farmer finishing 500 heifers a year
and running 500 yearlings. One season good heifers were hard
to find so Steven’s agent picked him up a line of Herefords at
the Kaeo weaner fair instead.
“I farmed these alongside the Angus girls and was so
impressed with the Hereford temperament and aesthetics.”
Steven was then able to DNA sample the heifers, get
registered and transfer them into his herd.
“I was very proud of these girls and wanted to continue
having that feeling of pride for many generations of stock in the
future, instead of my initial farming policy of buy a weaner and
18 months later it’s off to the butcher.”
Steven’s home base is steep hill country in Wairamarama.
“This is where all breeding cows are run and they have to
work hard to earn their keep. All calves are born here and at
weaning, approximately 250kg, they are transferred to lease he is currently running two Ardo bulls and former supreme
farms with easier contour in Whitford, Beachlands and Clevedon. champion Waikaka Skytower.
“Currently I have 60 registered cows with calves at foot, 20 Ultimately Maui Herefords’ goal is the annual sales. For now
registered 18-month in-calf heifers, 25 R1 heifers, five herd sires the focus is on high calving ease and low birth weight bulls for
and 10 yearling bulls ready for sale.” the dairy market, placing emphasis on producing heifer mating
The nucleus of the Maui herd has been purchased as heifers bulls.
from the Shepherd family from Otengi and Waimarie studs up “Eventually I would like to run a programme that also focuses
north. Other bloodlines come from Woodlyn, Isola, Kamaro and on producing growth bulls for the beef industry to cover a larger
Colraine studs. Bulls have been from Mahuta and Craigmore; client base.”
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