Week 1

What a week to begin my New Zealand exchange!

On the 23rd of June I flew into Wellington to encounter my first overseas trip. As daunting as this was I was reassured by many that this would be a trip of a lifetime.

From Wellington I hired a car and drove  3 ½ hours north to Napier, Hawke’s Bay where I met up with Max Tweedie, who would host me for the initial few days of my exchange.  The next morning Max and I travelled 2 hours further north to Tahaenui Station, Wairoa where the Cricklewood Angus Stud is based. Tahaenui Station is approximately 2000ac running commercial cows, ewes and fat lambs as well as 180 Cricklewood stud cows.

This was an amazing eye opener into different type of country New Zealand producers are taking on. The picturesque country side with vast hills surrounding the valleys demonstrated that there was more to it than first thought. Over my visit I gained further understanding into the challenges beef producers are faced with regarding sky rocketing returns within the dairy industry. The highly productive flats are being snapped up by dairy, and for every dairy converted, requires a further two support properties for additional grazing and growing out. Beef producers are therefore being forced into the steeper country and the cattle are required to perform under the pressures of these harsh environments. Below are some photo taken at Tahaenui Station.



Tahaenui Station, Crickewood stud bulls and cows in the background



Cricklewood spring J drop heifers

Cricklewood spring J drop bull calves

One of the Cricklewood bred bulls to be used within the commercial herd



Looking out onto the Mahia Peninsula from Tahaenui Station

A favourite activity of John's is his Clydesdales, these beautiful animals accompany his extensive cart collection which are brought out on special occasions.



Very friendly that's for sure!

Tuesday afternoon we travelled to Turihaua Angus for their bull sale. Turihaua is the oldest established stud in New Zealand and exhibited a consistent line up for the commercial cattleman that are made to last with longevity a key objective within the Williams’s operation.  73 bulls were sold with 100 percent clearance topping at $12,000 with an average of $8,065.

The Gisborne combined bull sale featured Cricklewood Angus, Tangihau Angus, Alpine Angus and Kenhardt Angus. I don’t think I have ever seen a sale barn so packed before with people having to stand outside due to it being so full. Tangihau took out the prestigious Wonder Cup for another year, a competition of the ‘best bull’ of the sale winning the right to be sold first on the day. Tangihau featured again gaining the top price of the day of $45,000. The sale had full clearance with the four studs gaining respectable averages for the bulls sold.

In the afternoon we travelled south to attend the Turiroa sale a total of 44 bulls were sold averaging $8,350 with the top price of $30,000. Another sale with a strong following the stands again being completely full and buyers were not afraid to put their hand in the pocket to get the right bull. It was an eventful day and a half travelling to the final sales of the North Island, gaining perspective into the local area and the bulls being produced.

At Turihaua Stud on Tuesday afternoon

   The adventure hadn’t finished yet, Max and I travelled to the farm where he grew up on Thursday at Tutira.  We had been blessed with amazing weather making the time spent at Mokara Farm  quite pleasant, perfect for having a look around and the spot sightseeing on the way back to Napier as shown below.

Bulls purchased at the recent sales



Replacement ewes



Yards at Mokara



Lake Tutira

Hanging out with the Locals

    I met up with Richard Rowe Merchiston Angus, on Friday at the Fielding Saleyards. We watched on as his R2 (rising 2 yr old) steers sold for above average prices with a solid kick in the market present in both cattle and sheep during the weeks sale. We went on to the Tararua Breeding Centre that afternoon paying a visit to Merchiston Generate 243. Generate was the National Angus Champion and Reserve Champion All Breeds at Beef Expo this year and was purchased by the Cricklewood Stud at Wairoa for $17,000

  Over the weekend Richard showed me around his property at Marton.  The diverse enterprise established in 1955 takes into account stud females, cropping, stud sheep a fat lamb operation as well as selling 50 rising 2 yr olds and 30 yearling bulls per year.  This year Merchiston offered 46 bulls; the sale topped at $11,500 and averaged $5602.

Front paddock

Merchiston CRUZE 281. Cruze has been kept to use within the stud

Merchiston Spring drop J bulls

 

 Merchiston Persuade 448 son of Merchiston Outlook 179

 Merchiston Spring drop J bulls

Merchiston Spring J drop Heifers

Enjoying the serenity 

 

Whilst looking around we discussed the high expectations he places on the females in the herd. Fertility is at the top of the list closely followed by performance. Rowe’s also have a satellite herd at Rangiwahia run by Mike and Kate Gee-Taylor. There are an additional 60 stud cows which they buy all the bull calves back to run at the main property. 

  Beautiful views in the hill country

Mike and the family's pet pig Crackle

 Mike, Richard and Vicki

Mike and I

From here I will move onto Atahua Angus, where I’ll be spending a few days with Michele and Alan Dalziell, I look forward to sharing with you the next adventures of my exchange.


Watch this space!