Forty-eight-year Angus and Simmental breeding programme brings forth genetics that survive and thrive on North Island east coast 

One of the top Wairarapa beef studs, McFadzean Cattle Company, is preparing to host an on-farm sale of its best yearling bulls.

PGG Wrightson Livestock Wairarapa sheep and beef representative Andy Jennings is managing the 11 September sale. He says the McFadzean’s 48-year breeding programme develops lines based on varying percentages of Angus and Simmental genetics.

“These are cattle with strong confirmation, deep bodies and square back ends. They are renowned for surviving and thriving in the adverse conditions thrown up in various districts on the east coast of the North Island,” Andy says.

On offer at the sale are 36 Meat Maker and Super Angus Bulls, and 55 registered Angus McFadzean Cruizy Calve yearling bulls.

McFadzean Meat Maker bulls have at least 25 per cent Simmental genetics and are selected based on type, constitution, and temperament. McFadzean Super Angus, which are registered, are moderate framed hill country cattle with excellent growth rates, superior muscling and exceptional weaning weight percentage. Bred for heifer mating, the McFadzean Cruizy Calve Angus bulls aim for low birth weight, short gestation and calving ease, without forsaking growth rate and confirmation.

“Te Awamutu farmers Wendy and Dean Lupton produce weaners. In February, after switching to McFadzean bulls, they weighed their spring weaners. Their steers and heifers averaged 329 and 308 kilograms respectively. They report that, since using McFadzean genetics, they’ve basically jumped 100 kilograms per animal,” says Andy Jennings.

Hill country weaners with McFadzean genetics have topped the Masterton weaner fair for 30 odd years, and often achieved the highest prices in New Zealand. Plenty of other McFadzean clients report similar positive results at annual weaner fairs in various districts throughout the North Island.

In consultation with Andy Jennings, McFadzean DNA recorded and tagged 700 bull calves in January, selecting 140 bulls out of this group, picked on structure and muscling, in preparation for this sale.

McFadzean Cattle Company is based at 2500-hectare coastal Glenbrae Station, west of Masterton, and also owns inland Glenburn Station plus other blocks between Glenburn and Glenbrae in the Mauriceville district north of Masterton. The company leases several substantial properties between Pahiatua and Lake Wairarapa.

On Friday 11 September the sale will be held on farm at 216 Wiltons Road, Carterton from 1pm. The bulls will be available for viewing from 11am. 

Links to: 

https://www.mcfadzeancattlecompany.co.nz