Page 4 - Kaingaroa Simmentals Catalogue ebook

Foreword

We’re excited to welcome you to our first on farm bull sale.

Kaingaroa Simmentals was established in 2016 with one Waikite cow and five base cows.
Five years on we have just over 70 registered cows and 15 in calf R2 heifers. In the next
few years we hope to get up around 100 in calf females and sell 20 top quality bulls at
auction. The majority of our genetics come from Ashcott Park, Kerrah and Waikite which
have all had a positive impact on our stud for different reasons.
Our breeding objectives have always been to produce an easy calving animal with high
growth, and good carcass qualities. Remembering breeding is about balance and not
chasing single traits. When we select a new herd sire he has to be the right type first and
foremost, with good structure and temperament. Figures are also a massive part in the
decision making process, but keeping in mind not every bull that’s good on paper is going
to have the right phenotype we’re looking for.

When selecting bulls to be sold they have to pass all the obvious tests first, but really it
comes down to the question of: would I use the bull myself? All replacement heifers go to
the bull at 15 months of age, and over the last five years we’ve had the stud we’ve pulled
just three heifers and one cow. With all four culled from the stud. The same trend is shown
with our Kaingaroa bulls going over the commercial herd, with one calf pulled in the last
five years.

Having 220 commercial cows which are predominantly Angus cross and Simmental cross
has been helpful. Testing our bulls over them to see if we’re on the right track has done us
a big favour. The stud cows and calves are run up on the hills until weaning, then the bulls
are brought down to the flats so they can express their genetic potential.

Traditionally, Simmentals are a terminal breed, but in recent years fertility has improved
in the herd steadily - from around 88% in calf over 9 weeks in 2016, to 91% in calf over 6
weeks this year.
On the whole we’re happy with all the bulls we’re putting up for sale, so any further
questions about them or the stud please ask. We’re open and honest about what we do
and where we’re heading.
Thanks

Shane and Kristy

2 • Kaingaroa Simmentals