Hereford stock showcased at Power of the Bulls Field Day

BLNZ Genetics national beef genetics manager Max Tweedie was one of the speakers at a recent Southern Districts Hereford Club field day at Stonehenge Station, Paerau. Photos: Yvonne O'Hara

About 70 farmers and rural consultants spent the day on the Hore family's Stonehenge and Patearoa stations, near Paerau, on April 24.

The ''Power of the Bull'' field day focused on Hereford bulls and was organised by Southern Districts Hereford Club (SDHC) chairman Daryl King, of Tuatapere, in association with Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

Mr King was delighted with how well the day went and said the main purpose was education and looking at how to use data and other tools available for better beef production.

Stonehenge Station's Jim Hore discusses various aspects of the property during a recent Southern Districts Hereford Club field day at the Paerau station.

BLNZ Genetics national beef genetics manager Max Tweedie and Caberfeidh Station's farm manager, Matt Smith, talked about the BLNZ Genetics beef progeny test, which was being run on their property and others throughout the country.

There was a discussion about the benefits of hybrid vigour, Hereford Angus crosses and the white-face advantage.

''A lot of people choose white-face calves, as they have 8% hybrid vigour,'' Mr King said.

That meant an 8% increase in weight, which was a 24kg increase on a 300kg carcass, and multiplying that by $5/kg received meant nearly $125 in additional value for the farmer.

As well, the additional hybrid vigour meant an increase in pregnancy rates, longer-lived cattle, more calves on the ground and fewer dries.

Bruce Robertson, from the Duncraigen Stud sheep and beef farm, near Wyndham, discussed structural correctness, using several Hereford bulls as models, and Laurie Paterson, of Waikaka, talked about the advantages of estimated breeding values.

''I was very happy with the day,'' Mr King said.

''I think we could have heard a pin drop during the speakers.''

He had received positive feedback about Mr Robertson's workshop as well as from Mr Tweedie and Mr Smith's presentation.

''The Hores have done a magnificent job and their calves are cracking.

''If you have good stock and buy good stock and breed good stock, then you get a good return for investment, that's the crux.''

The visitors drove over the farm, reaching 3200m on the Rock and Pillars before having lunch on a paddock overlooking the entire Maniototo.

Mr King would like to see another field day held on another property and he hoped to bring in students from Telford and the AgITOs.

Silver Fern Farms hosted a barbecue meal to round off the day.

-By Yvonne O'Hara