The Beef Country Podcast – Simmental New Zealand: Delivering growth, yield and temperament
In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with Tom Sanson from Gold Creek Simmentals, representing Simmental New Zealand. Tom highlights why Simmental bulls are ideal terminal sires, citing growth, carcass yield, and docility. He explains hybrid vigour and its benefits in crossbreeding systems.
The discussion includes tips for bull buyers, the importance of aligning with like-minded breeders, and updates on the IGES evaluation system. Tom also points listeners to online tools like Helical and encourages farmers to explore Simmental genetics to boost performance and profitability.
A collective voice
The newly formed Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities aims to give a collective voice to catchment groups across the country, with a goal of providing security of funding for the future, and sharing the good news stories of farmer stewardship of the land. Words Rebecca Greaves.
Crowdfunding to help our national icon
Farmers have a long history of helping world-class conservation enterprise Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, and now the call has gone out to crowdfund two side-by-side vehicles needed to support its inspirational kiwi translocation programme.Words Rebecca Greaves, Photos Christine Cornege.
Predator Free 2050 – fantasy or reality?
Predator Free 2050 is an ambitious goal for New Zealand to achieve in just 25 years. As part of the Lincoln University Excellence Series, Professor James Ross shared his insights on predator free by 2050 – is it merely a fantasy or could this become our reality? Words Rebecca Greaves.
Farming for the future
With an eye to the future, North Canterbury farmers Jock and Pip Foster see NZ Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP) Plus accreditation as an opportunity to access markets and generate a premium for what they produce. Words SandRa Taylor, Photos Kelly Shakespeare.
Enhancing the environment with dung beetles
Are dung beetles your new farm worker? Working round the clock, and paid in dung, dung beetles could be a valuable addition to the toolbox when it comes to improving soil health and water quality on our farms. Words Rebecca Greaves
It takes technology and talent to finish 2,000 cattle
A South Taranaki property finishes thousands of prime cattle annually on challenging sandy soils with a great balance of technology and stockmanship. Words Tony Leggett, Photos Brad Hanson.
Unlock cashflow to keep growing
For farmers, managing cashflow while keeping stock numbers up can be a constant challenge. Words PGG Wrightson
Tackling drench resistance in cattle
Drench resistance is a critical issue for New Zealand farmers and state-owned Pāmu is facing the challenge head-on. At Rangitāiki Station in the Central North Island, feeding and growing young cattle has been the key to continuing their dairy beef programme, while protecting the lucrative bull beef finishing component of the operation. Words Rebecca Greaves.
North Otago dairy farmers hosting Dairy Beef Progeny Test
Eager to add value to their non-replacement dairy calves, Hayden and Robyn Williams have put their hands up to host Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Dairy Beef Progeny Test. Words Sandra Taylor.
Farm technician’s dream job
Bella Taylor is living her dream. Based in Manapouri, Bella works as a farm technician for Pāmu, collecting data from the stud breeding and research programmes under way on four of the 13 Pāmu farms in Southland’s Te Anau Basin. Words Sandra Taylor.
Markets move faster than regulations
Mark Guscott and wife Susannah farm 1434 hectares of sheep, cattle and crops near Martinborough, Wairarapa, with three teenagers keeping them honest.
Technology – a game changer
Dani Darke lives and farms with her husband Anthony and their three daughters on their sheep and beef farm in Aria, the King Country.
The rural woman’s balancing act
Kate McBride is a fifth-generation farmer from Western NSW. She is a vocal advocate for rural Australia and continues this while working on her partner’s sheep station.
The competitive edge
Nigel Woodhead runs a sheep, beef and production forestry farm near Milton in Otago with his wife Leanne and children Sienna, six and Finn, four.
Reflections of a travelling Kiwi
Roger Barton, Carterton, Wairarapa, with his wife Barbie, farms a glorified lifestyle block (480ha total) amongst the rocks at Woodside, west of Greytown. They have four adult children, two of which are farming on their own blocks.
She’ll be right mate!
What would happen if a key person in your farming business was no longer around, or unable to work? Getting your financial house in order helps avoid unnecessary stress at a difficult time. Here’s what you need to know. Words Carissa Fairbrother, Financial Advisor, RIVAL Wealth.
Investing off farm What’s the right strategy?
Selling a farm is a significant milestone, particularly if the farm has been in the family for generations. Words Angus Marks, Andrew Austin and Harriet Jones, Wealth Management, Jarden Wealth
Capturing deforestation data
The deadline for the European Union deforestation law has been delayed by 12 months, but New Zealand will still need to prove that a number of commodities, including beef, have not been produced on land deforested after 2020. One Kiwi company may have a tech solution to help us map our progress. Words Rebecca Greaves.
Investing off-farm seeking advice
Words Angus Marks & Andrew Austin, Wealth Management, Jarden Wealth.
Rural insurance market insights
An online survey of 518 people was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 with those who work or live on farms to understand their insurance needs, perceptions and behaviours.
MORE
New Zealand’s own beef indexes roll out for 2025 bull sales
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has rolled out three New Zealand-specific indexes to help bull buyers make more informed decisions in time for buying bulls this season. Words Sandra Taylor.
Collaborative data for the common good
International Genetic Solutions aims to serve the beef industry by providing resources for genetic improvement using the best technology available and unprecedented collaboration. Words Jackie Aitken, International Genetic Solutions.
New EBVs and traits on the way for Angus
Shared data and collaboration among breeders are helping to expand the mix of traits measured for estimated breeding values. Words Dave Warburton.
Better Beef Breeding resources aid bull selection
The incorporation of nProve Beef into Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Better Beef Breeding resources has made selecting bulls a whole lot easier. Words Sandra Taylor.
Balanced mineral nutrition equals better performance
Ensuring cattle receive a balanced and adequate mineral intake is paramount for optimal health and productivity. CP Lime Solutions’ new Vitalise range for sheep and beef farmers means ad-lib feeding of minerals in the paddock is more effective 5 year vitalise user of the Dairy blend. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
