Advanced And Exciting Genetics To Be Found At Kakahu

"Out with the old and in with the new," says Gerald Hargreaves - "but we still keep the basics".

For the past four years, Gerald has travelled thousands of miles throughout America, Australia and New Zealand and seen a huge number of cattle. In that time he has decided that Kakahu must breed cattle that can be plotted for productivity (i.e. EBVs), not just for head, bone and jaw - though he allows that these can be part of the new era.

For example, it was after visiting the Gardner's ranch in USA he decided this was totally possible. This stud has not naturally mated for 30 years, but has some of the structurally most sound cattle in America. Besides this they have a huge following, selling 740 cattle for a gross of $US5.4 million this year! With the vast source of bulls, he has been able to select from the very best, producing the RIGHT productivity and carcase traits to make great gains for himself and his clients.

These best bulls make it possible to combine moderate birth, good growth (+70 to +90), and low mature cow weight with large eye muscle area, a little fat, and marbling, the trait that we all need to make beef a great eating experience!

Back to basics though: Longevity - Kakahu is the only stud in New Zealand to provide information about the number of calves per grand dam as well as the dam's.

Constitution: With over 400 cows, run during the winter in the high country in a mob of 800 plus, there is plenty of room for culling. Besides this, it is feasible to experiment with bulls without losing the basics of the herd. Kakahu is the only South Canterbury stud to have consistently sold bulls to the biggest beef farm in the South Island for the last forty years.

Fertility: This has been a priority since the stud was established in 1954, not just a latest fad. All heifers born in the last 15 years have been mated with an average in calf percentage of between 90 - 92%.