Roy and Kaye Ward have been breeding Hereford bulls on the northern Coromandel Peninsula for more than 30 years and have built a reputation for hardy animals which perform well on all pastures.

The ‘plunket round’ – Roy Ward weighs a Kairaumati Hereford calf on his Coromandel farm.

“Our bulls shift well because they have grown up eating kikuyu grass in summer, so grow really well when they go on to other pasture – it’s a bit like going from bread to cake,” says Kaye.

Buyers will be able to take advantage of those and other traits Kairaumati Herefords are known for when the stud holds its annual sale on September 9 near Turua.

Stud cows were first bought to the home farm, which ranges from river flats to very steep hill country surrounding the village of Colville, in 1996.

Now the herd numbers 120 registered cows. Half of the herd is calved in a seven-week period near August.

The other half is calved in January and February. This has worked very successfully during the last four years.

“Herd and AI sires are primarily selected on calving ease, larger scrotal size, which reflects on fertility, above average carcass traits and structural soundness,” says Kaye.

“There is little emphasis placed on growth as long as bulls are in the average-plus range of growth estimated breeding values and well-muscled, but not to dumpy.

“With traceability of animals there will be more focus on carcass traits, as good premiums are already paid for animals that fit the criteria. These are the values we believe will suit both beef and dairy farmers.”

The herd is fully performance-recorded for all Estimated Breeding Values traits. Bulls are transported to a 17 acre block near Turua where the annual sale is held annually on the second Tuesday of September.

“This year the bulls are exceptionally quiet and easy to handle, in good condition with good markings.”