Page 78 - NZ Hereford Magazine 2023

Happy

Matapouri’s Jamie Clements with his father Ian.

Three New Zealand Hereford studs celebrated 50th
anniversaries in 2022 – Matapouri, Locharburn and Koanui.
The third generation of the Clements family has officially
joined the Matapouri Herefords team, with 20-year-old Jamie
Clements working on the Northland farm with his parents Ian
and Lorraine. The stud was started by his grandparents Brian
and Jean at Matapouri Bay in 1972 with just six cows. In 2023,
it has 500 registered cows on 1000ha (effective) between the
Tutukaka coast and Hikurangi, and sells 180 to 200 bulls each
year into both the beef and dairy sectors, as well as 80 to 100 R2
in-calf heifers to commercial and stud breeders. Matapouri’s 50th
annual on-farm bull sale will be held in the Maraua Road sale
complex on September 1. Bulls are also sold in May by private
treaty for beef farmers and autumn calving dairy farmers.
Locharburn is one of the few horned studs left in New
Zealand. Operated by Geof and Joyce Brown, the property is NZ Herefords president Gray Pannett with Geof Brown at
almost 2000 hectares and is also home to 2300 extra fine Merino Locharburn’s 50th sale in 2022.
ewes. The stud is located between Cromwell and Wanaka and
was established in 1972 with the purchase of six heifers. In 2023,
the Browns have 250 registered cows and take all the progeny
through, wintering about 600 cattle. Their annual on-farm sale
is held on the Friday of Queen’s Birthday Weekend and they sell
up to 30 rising two-year-old bulls. In 2019 they achieved their
top price ever for a bull of $37,000.
Koanui Polled Hereford Stud was established by Fred and
Annette Chesterman in 1972. After purchasing a few complete
herds, the Koanui herd rapidly grew to 200 cows, and in 2023
has more than 800 registered females. One of the high points in
the stud’s success was the arrival of Koanui Blueprint in 1989.
He was a multiple Meat & Wool Cup winner whose progeny sold
for record prices on farm and in 11 countries overseas. With
shifts in technology, next generation, Chris and Jennifer, have
shifted the emphasis towards accurate genetic evaluation.
Fred is still involved through his native nursery – busy
planting trees such as kauri, matai, totara, beech, and rata for
the enjoyment of future generations.
The first of the fifth generation to come home is Glen. With a
Lincoln agriculture degree and corporate experience with Farm NZ Herefords board member Colin Corney, second from right,
IQ, he is the stud’s business development manager, looking congratulates the Chestermans, from left, Chris, Fred and Jennifer,
ahead to the next 50 years. on their 50th sale.

76 HEREFORD MAGAZINE Year 2023