Page 135 - Hereford Magazine 2022

Fay with BB Powerhouse 270. Three grandsons showing Herefords at the Wanaka Show, left to
right, Ross Paterson, Jamie King and Bill Paterson.

Champion bull Waiau Eldorado 1721 at the 1990 Wanaka Show.

Colin and Ted had been friends for years, having had several
business transactions and a mutual grazing arrangement that
was purely a gentleman’s agreement. Never one to shy away
from hard work, Colin enthusiastically tackled the mammoth
project of breaking in and developing the Lillburn property
with the help of his TD6 bulldozer.
Colin had always wanted to farm Herefords and Romneys.
He could see growing animals that yielded well with quality
meat would make freezing works more profitable, and in turn
the farmers. Meat and high growth rates were a priority right
from the start, and the search for these bloodlines would
take them around the world. Imported bulls bred size, length
and increased meat into the stud, while maintaining good People came from throughout New Zealand to purchase
structure and soundness. On one occasion, alongside fellow bulls and enjoy the hospitality at the Waiau sale – a highlight
breeder Bruce McKenzie of Maungahina Stud, they imported of their year. The impressive sale centre at Waiau was built in
three bulls from Canada following an eventful trip. One of 1995, replacing the hay barn with its hay bale grandstand set
them spent a considerable amount of time riding an elevator up in the days prior to the sale, and the woolshed, which was
at the end of a big day, which you can be assured had involved used for the after function. The stud has loyal clients who have
the generous consumption of whiskey. been buying from it for 30 to 50 years and who appreciate the
A total of 13 trips to England, Ireland, Canada and America, quality and reliability of the stock on offer. Stud heifers were
along with eight to Australia, could see up to 29 different sold at the auction until 20 years ago when they were replaced
overseas bulls in the tank at one time. The purchasing of by commercial heifers. This was due to a demand for horned
semen soon became a mutual transaction as the breeders they females in the market and saw a high in 2018 with the sale of
met overseas saw the progress the Kings were making here 50 for $2400/head.
in New Zealand with their breeding. It was not uncommon to Colin and Fay were devoted to each other and made an
have buyers from overseas attending the stud’s annual bull excellent team. Colin had a strong personality and you would
sale. The standout stud sires Colin and Fay were proudest of rarely hear Fay express a differing opinion, so when she did,
were Waiau Quantity and Waiau Eldorado, both of which had he knew to listen. To the amusement of the family, Wrightson
semen sold worldwide. NMA stud stock agent Newton Godsiff once said to Fay, ‘A lot

Year 2022 HEREFORD MAGAZINE 133