Page 16 - Hereford Magazine 2022

Tracy and Andrew Paterson's commercial beef operation.

They’ve also turned up the dial on EBV for IMF: whereas
in 2017 the average was 0.3, last year’s Hereford purchases
scored a +1.3 average, with some as high as +2. Over the same
time, they’ve focused in on EMA, which is another important
selection parameter of the Alliance Group’s Pure South
Handpicked 21 day aged beef programme the Patersons have
been targeting since 2019.
The changed genetic parameters, along with feeding, have
led to a pleasing success rate. This year 50% of the cattle
supplied during May and June qualified for the 21 day aged
category.
“Making the marbling grade has earned us up to an extra
$1/kg, which is substantial for a 350kg carcass,” Andrew says.
Maize silage is the X factor in Matakanui’s cattle feeding
system, ensuring cattle can be fattened over winter and Richard Hore and his father Alan on Beaumont Station.
achieve the marbling score required.
“We know from kill data that the longer they’re on the establishment of shorter rotation tetraploid hybrid ryegrasses
silage, the higher our marbling score.” such as Shogun and Mohaka in conjunction with the continual
It was by accident that the Paterson’s hooked onto the development of the extensive inland Otago property.
feeding effect of maize, when young steers pushed over a Beaumont Station runs 6000 Herefords, one of the
fence around a bun of silage maize intended for ewes. country’s largest purebred herds. A non-recorded stud herd
“We left them on it and the growth results were soon apparent.” established in 1993 provides the bulls with the right genotypic
For winter 2022 there will be three maize silage buns instead and phenotypic credentials to produce cows that will perform
of one, supplemented with lucerne hay for cattle segregated in the hard hill and higher altitude Beaumont environment,
into three weight mobs. It will make management easier than and progeny that finish to specifications on a South Otago
a large single mob, and Andrew is keen to see how the three- finishing farm. Building of the non-recorded stud to 120
way wintering will influence growth and marbling. cows has happened on the back of AI, embryo transfer, and
Consistent achievers careful replacement selection. The herd is topped up with
the purchase of stud sires, with particular attention paid to
temperament and EBVs for IMF and EMA. For the past three
Richard and Alan Hore of Beaumont Station are delivering years, all yearlings have been eye muscle scanned, and for
quality cattle throughout the year to Silver Fern Farms. the first time this year yearlings were DNA tested to identify
From January until November 2021, Beaumont supplied 825 parentage and production traits.
animals at an average carcass weight of 311kg, of which 53% met “We’ve invested a lot in genetics over the years and we’re
EQ grading system specs. That puts them well above the 31% getting the payback,” Richard says.
average EQ pass rate and in the top 10% of farmer suppliers. “We’re getting better quality bulls, which is giving us a
The Hores are justifiably proud of what they’re achieving better chance of producing cattle that will hit premium
and credit the result to ongoing investment in genetics, and grade requirements.”

14 HEREFORD MAGAZINE Year 2022