Page 37 - 2020 NZ Hereford Magazine

sold in the annual on-farm two-year-old bull sale at Koanui.
They have mated about 300 yearling heifers to moderate
birth weight bulls that are ideal for the dairy industry. Maraetotara
is the breeding block and surplus animals or ones that suit the
dairy industry go to Aokautere, which also runs 1600 breeding
ewes and 600 hoggets. About 400 older ewes move from
Aokautere to Maraetotara each year (for two years) and are
mated to a terminal sire to supply the Christmas lamb market.
While most are bred at Koanui, some of the yearling heifers will
be grown out and mated at Pahiatua, returning to Koanui for calving.
“Within both the sheep and cattle breeding programmes, we
are operating a closed herd policy with the exception of some
bought-in sires,” Chris says.
“The goal of our breeding programme is to produce profitable
beef genetics for use in both the beef and dairy industries. Our
focus is calving ease, moderate birth weight, good structure,
and maximum growth.”
The stud buys in overseas genetics, but also buys New
Zealand bulls every year. In 2019 they have introduced four new
herd sires – Kairuru Ollie 707, Limehills Dragon 7393, Matariki
Kinsit K684, and Otengi Streaker. Koanui also retained six of
their best two-year-old bulls for use in the stud in 2019.
Koanui’s 2019 on-farm auction saw 62 of 63 bulls sold for an
average price of $10,088, and a top price of $21,000 for Lot 38 to
Merrylea Herefords’ James McKerchar of Cave, South Canterbury.
Satisfaction is guaranteed – it’s an old cliché but one the
Chestermans adhere to. Jennifer says they’re strict on structural THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Fred Chesterman moves a bull
through the ring on sale day; Rain doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm
soundness and fertility, and also select for temperament – with for hot barbecued beef on sale day; The bulls are getting wet but
a larger herd there’s no room for sentiment. the bidders are under cover.
“Every animal has to meet that criteria or it gets fattened and
killed as part of our commercial operation. Numbers are part of Chris says the stud needs about 35 herd sires annually and
the competition within the herd. There are no excuses for any the use of yearling bulls is a valuable source of genetics.
animal – if it’s not good enough – it’s out,” says Jennifer. “It allows us to keep a strong influence within our own
“Long term it gives us greater satisfaction with what our bull programme as well as the bulls we purchase. This reduces the
buying clients are getting and it increases their profitability. With risk of things not going according to plan and that’s the reality
intensive recording there is genetic predictability; they know what of the game with genetics.”
they are buying.” Chris says they’re not afraid to try something new. “With
Reputation goes a long way for the family. the size we have, we’re able to trial things and if it doesn’t
“The animal’s no good to you if you can’t trust the people work, you move on. If it does, you’ve added something to your
it came from,” adds Chris’s father, Fred, who started the stud. programme that you can continue with.”
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