Commercially tested genetics
Tom and Anna Hargreaves, at Kakahu Farm, are proving that the best results aren’t found in theory, they are proven in the paddock. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
As one of New Zealand’s most integrated cattle genetics businesses, Kakahu Farm combines long-established stud breeding on a 1,600 ha commercial sheep and beef property in South Canterbury and a 175 ha dairy farm.
Owned and operated by Tom and Anna Hargreaves, Kakahu runs a 400-cow Angus stud, Charolais and Changus stud herds. While Angus remains the foundation of Kakahu’s cattle business, this structure allows the Hargreaves genetics to be tested under genuine commercial pressure, rather than relying on theory or single-system performance.
The Kakahu Angus stud was established in 1954 and holds two annual bull sales each year that supply genetics to commercial beef producers focused on consistency, fertility and carcase performance. Kakahu Angus genetics are now also used offshore, with semen sales into Australia, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.
The Charolais programme has driven strong growth over the past 18 years. Developed with a focus on calving ease, growth and yield, Kakahu Charolais bulls have found demand not only across dairy cows, but increasingly within traditional beef herds seeking higher carcase weights and faster finishing cattle.
The impact of Charolais genetics has been particularly evident in the beef-on-dairy sector, where Kakahu bulls are widely used to lift the value of non-replacement calves. Flagship sire, Kakahu Gerry, helped accelerate uptake, with semen sales growing from just 5000 straws annually to hundreds of thousands in recent years.
A key strength of the Kakahu programme is proof. Both Angus and Charolais genetics are tested internally, including the use of Charolais bulls across the farm’s own KiwiCross dairy heifers, providing confidence in calving ease, temperament and performance.
For Kakahu, success across both Angus and Charolais comes down to a simple approach: breed for commercial outcomes, prove performance at scale, and back genetics with results farmers can see in their own paddocks.
For more information visit kakahufarm.com. The Kakahu Angus bull sale – 1pm Monday 15 June 2026 and Charolais Bulls for sale now by private treaty.
