Page 27 - NZ Hereford Magazine 2023

Growth rates at 600 days and carcass weights have improved significantly since the Patersons started using EBVs.

These in-calf heifers were AI mated with Injemira Robert Redford, a bull that sold for about $160,000 in Australia in 2021.

“When I was a boy, it used to be five farms. It had about five with thickness and a good back end because you get paid on
families on it, and they all had someone working for them,” weight,” he says. “But they also have to be able to move around
Laurie recalls. Today the farm is run by Laurie and Sharon the hills and get in calf.”
Paterson, son Ross and his wife Steph, and their children Ollie Historically, Waikaka Station had always calved its heifers as
(12), Emmie (10) and Leo (5). three-year-olds, but has consistently mated heifers since they
The Patersons’ other son, Bill, is a helicopter pilot who started performance recording with Breedplan in 1988.
usually works off-farm in the tourism industry, but he and his “The obvious thing that happened for us was being able
wife Rebecca and son Jimmy (8) returned home during the to mate two-year-old heifers and get an instant return with
Covid pandemic to help run the property. 25 percent more calves to sell from the same stock numbers
Breeding top Hereford cattle and three separate stud carried, so that was a huge economic benefit.”
sheep flocks has been a passion for the Paterson family for By pushing key traits of milking ability, calving ease and
four generations. birth weight, two-year-old heifers are now able to consistently
Laurie and Sharon met at a Hereford dinner. Sharon is also produce a good calf and feed it.
from a well-known Southland family of Hereford breeders Laurie observes that birth weights have remained relatively
– the King family from Waiau Hereford Stud in the Lilburn stable in the time they have been using EBVs, while growth
Valley near Tuatapere. rates at 600 days and carcass weights have improved
With all his experience with Hereford Prime and his time significantly, which points to better efficiency.
spent in meat chillers looking at carcasses during the late 1980s, The other major change in direction for Waikaka Genetics in
Laurie knew what he was looking for back on the family farm. the last decade has been phasing out horned cattle in favour
“I have a particular interest in making sure we have cattle of polled.

Year 2023 HEREFORD MAGAZINE 25