Te Karaka stud invests $36k in new genetics

Black Simmental genetics from the Woonallee stud in South Australia will soon be flowing into the stud herd at Gisborne Gold Creek Simmentals from Woonallee Tavern T578 PP (above), purchased by the Te Karaka stud for $35,000. Picture supplied

Gold Creek Simmentals have invested in some new genetics for their Te Karaka stud with the purchase of Woonallee Tavern T578 PP, a Black Simmental, for $35,000.

The bull was bought from Woonallee Simmentals in Furner, South Australia.

“We have been visiting Woonallee for 15 years and the stud has continued to evolve over time to meet our needs, now selling more than 250 bulls per annum,” said Gold Creek studmaster Tom Sanson.

“T578 himself is structurally sound with eye-catching presence and an outstanding set of EPDs including top 2 percent calving ease and both indexes in the top 2 percent. Homozygous black and polled, he is the next step in the evolution of our black Simmental programme.”

Black Simmentals have been extremely popular in Australia and the US for their maternal ability and carcase traits.

“We have been breeding black Simmentals for three years now, with the herd based off Kerrah and Rissington cows.

“The aim is to breed a more maternal Simmental that will complement our terminal traditional simmentals,” Tom said.

“They have great EPDs and are homozygous black and polled which means all progeny will come out black and polled so cross well with commercial Angus cows still gaining hybrid vigour from the Simm/Angus cross, and of course, be tested to our high standards on structure and docility.”

The bull will remain in Australia with the semen to be collected and sent home to Te Karaka.