Page 89 - 2020 NZ Hereford Magazine

World Hereford 4 MARCH - 8 MARCH 2020
Conference 2020
Queenstown NZ

KAIRURU POLLED HEREFORDS – REPOROA

High quality genetics built up over 40 years of breeding, coupled The bulls bred at Kairuru are HOTELS
with a true passion for the Hereford breed, are the hallmarks of accustomed to the harsh climate, 1 STUDS
Kairuru Polled Herefords. which tends to be cold in winter and
The hill country property, located at Reporoa near Taupo, is hot in summer, so they shift well. 2
owned and operated by Jane and Kevin McDonald in partnership The McDonalds focus on 3 4 5
with their son Jeffrey and his wife Nicola. Kevin founded the soundness, fertility, and calving ease, 6
stud in 1979 and Kairuru celebrated 40 years of breeding this also carcass traits and maternal 7
year. “We love what we do and really enjoy providing good bulls genetics. They produce bulls with 8
to people and hearing they have performed well. It’s our life – longevity, and use herd sires with 9
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we live and breathe Herefords and the beef industry.” moderate birth weight, higher growth 11
Thirty bulls are sold each year through their annual on-farm sale rates and good carcass genetics. 12
and at the NZ National Sale. The McDonalds have competed at Over the years, Kairuru has exported semen to Australia,
national level since 1989, with highlights including three NZ Hereford Canada, America, Ireland, Denmark and the EU. The progeny
National Champion Bulls and a New Zealand All-breeds Champion, has won national championships and sold for top prices in
as well as selling the top price Hereford bull a number of times. Australia, USA and Canada.

OTAPAWA POLL HEREFORDS – EKETAHUNA

Otapawa’s focus is on breeding efficient polled Herefords with are bred to perform, especially throughout cold harsh winters.
good conformation and high maternal ability, that are structurally Stud cattle are run in a commercial environment, competing
sound and that can deliver high performance on hill country. with 17,000 ewes and 1200 commercial cattle. Cattle are grass-
The Otapawa herd consists of 220 breeding females farmed fed with pasture hay and silage supplements fed during winter.
on medium to steep hill country rising to 600m on the foothills About 30 to 40 bulls are auctioned at the on-farm Otapawa
of the Puketoi Ranges. bull sale on the first Tuesday of June each year. “Selection of
It is run by the Robbie family – Donald and Marlene, Stuart superior sires has always been paramount within our breeding
and Maria, and Douglas and Dara. programme. Proven genetics equals predictable performance,”
Due to the property’s locality and contour, Otapawa’s cattle Maria says.

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