On a 215-hectare (effective) Hawke’s Bay block in the North Island of New Zealand, a commercial beef producer is running his operation with the discipline of a stud. The results are making people sit up and take notice.
Category Archives: News
Managing mature cow size
Mature cow weight is a consistent theme of discussion among seedstock and commercial beef producers.
Several recent Beef Central genetics columns have looked at implications associated with mature size, ranging from concerns associated with increased feed demands and fertility implications through to impacts on profitability. The emphasis from these articles is that larger cows require more feed and infrastructure, and they may not yield proportional gains in productivity.
Cows return to hill country
Beef cows are making a slow but steady comeback to the hill country of Limestone Downs. Massey University modelling shows that decreasing sheep and increasing cattle numbers is more profitable, and is likely a win-win for both stock classes.
B+LNZ focuses on Beef on Dairy
How does the beef industry accommodate the 1.8 million calves born on dairy farms every year that are not currently entering the beef supply chain?
They are both an opportunity and a challenge, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is working alongside other organisations to find solutions that benefit both the dairy and red meat industries as work continues to minimise calf wastage.
Duncan Elliott, who has recently joined B+LNZ as an Operations Specialist, is certainly up for the challenge.
Young Cambridge Herd ticking the Boxes
From policing the beat to walking the hills, Nick Rolley’s pathway to farming is not what you’d call conventional, but he’s found a clever way to maximise efficiency from first calvers on his Cambridge block, while minimising the impact on the land.
Worm Egg Counts in Angus Cattle
Internal parasites remain one of the most persistent productivity challenges facing beef graziers across New Zealand. While seasonal conditions vary, the impact of worms on growth and overall performance is consistent — and costly.
At Angus Australia, we are investing in research aimed at providing breeders another tool in the box: the ability to genetically improve resistance to internal parasites through Worm Egg Count (WEC) data.
Angus Proves Performance in Beef Progeny Test
For AngusPRO breeders, the latest results in Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Beef Progeny Test report deliver a clear message; Angus continues to perform strongly, and in several key maternal traits, the breed is showing real strength.
Black Angus in a Valued Relationship
In search of a profitable yet enjoyable balance between farming and family life, Rob and Jane McClure have flipped farming on its head at their Five Forks farm, Mole Hill Downs, moving from sheep to a 100% Angus cattle system.
Fostering Relationships in Raetihi
Raetihi farmer Mark Bennett is a cattle man through and through; his beloved Angus cattle are the priority stock class on the farm, and he refers to them as his “little black goldmine”, never failing to deliver a return.
Unlocking Genetic Potential for Feed Efficiency and Reproductive Success
It’s important to note that the Mature Body Condition EBV provided by Angus Australia is genomically enhanced and has a very strong reference population, bolstered by the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program. Within the Angus Australia database, there are over 68,800 animals that have a phenotypic score for body condition. The greater the reference population, the greater the accuracy.