Page 88 - 2020 NZ Hereford Magazine

The Hereford Year

NORTH ISLAND PRE-TOUR PROFILES

CRAIGMORE HEREFORDS – HAMILTON

Genetic information is key for Craigmore Herefords. Names like Craigmore Baton, Opium and Gold have been
“Our buyers know what they’re getting because we have influential sires in the industry. Introduced genetics include Koanui
detailed data and information on every bull,” says David Henderson, Unanimous and Kairuru Ike.
who runs the Craigmore stud alongside wife Sue and son Daniel. The stud’s 2019 sale saw 100 yearling bulls sold for an
In 2018 Craigmore did genomic tests on its bulls using a 50K average of $3422. The Maungahina Stud paid top price of
SNP to help improve the accuracy of their Breedplan EBVs. “This $16,000, and 12 stud bulls were sold. In 2018 they sold 90
DNA technology has allowed us to verify parentage, manage bulls for a $4170 average including 18 stud bulls. One yearling
genetic conditions, prove our bulls are polled, and improve sold for $20,000 and the Henderson’s contribution to the Pick
production traits.” of the Heifers at the national sale sold for $10,000.
The stud boasts traits such as moderate to low birth weights David’s parents, Bruce and Betty, started Craigmore
with easy calving and quick growth with carcass data, plus Herefords in 1970. Today, David, Sue and Daniel have 400 stud
good crossing with other breeds and an even temperament. Hereford cows on 600ha south of Hamilton.

BUSHY DOWNS HEREFORDS – TE AWAMUTU

Breeding structurally sound cattle with a quiet temperament is Port. The farm includes a 45ha native bush reserve.
a priority at Bushy Downs Herefords. The farm winters about 500 registered Hereford cattle and
Located in Te Awamutu, the 340-hectare property is owned 1100 Romney sheep. Their annual on-farm bull sale is held in
by Robert and Marian Port and managed by Kelvin and Cynthia late September with about 100 two-year and yearling bulls sold.
Sales have been held on the property since 1965.
Established with pure horned cattle in 1943 by Kelvin’s
grandfather, Martin Port, today the Bushy Downs cow herd is
around 230, including rising two-year heifers. In the 1990s several
standout polled bulls were included in the breeding programme,
and since 2016 polled bulls have been reintroduced and top polled
genetics continue to be used. Pure horned cows are bred to horned
sires through predominately home-bred bulls, and some AI.
Bushy Downs has been mating heifers to calve at two years
old since 1989.
“Since 2014 the top replacement heifers have been mated to
one or two rounds of AI to high indexing sires. Conception rates have
been regularly above 65% to the first round. We place high value on
this programme as it proves growth, fertility and calving ease.
“We farm with commercial realities. Profitability is paramount,
with a focus on moderate, easy-fleshing, fertile animals that will
calve easily whilst maintaining good rates of growth.”

LEFT: Photograph courtesy of Ruby Red Photography.
86