KayJay notches up another big milestone.

Cows were sourced from Waiterenui, Cricklewood and Elgin studs with real emphasis on depth of body and fleshing.

In 1980 Terry’s son Neil took over the stud master duties and carried the stud to some great heights over the years from repeatedly topping the Wairarapa combined breeders sales to holding KayJay’s first onfarm bull sale in 2005 where KJ West 422 sold for $30,000.

KayJay now has the fourth generation Kjestrup at the helm of the stud with son Roddy and wife Sam as well as Neil and Joan farming together on the 590ha property. The stud consists of 190 cows and heifers that are born on the hills and stay there through their lives.

The stud operation is run alongside 2300 ewes, with the cows playing a key role in the success of the sheep performance.

The KayJay cow needs to be moderate in frame, milk well and rear calves that display rapid growth through to weaning. Many cows wean about 60% of their own body weight. The aim is to breed an Angus female that will outstrip any cross-breeding programme.

KJ bulls are becoming well recognised for adding depth and thickness into both commercial and stud breeding programmes with bulls being sold all over the country. Clients are consistently topping weaner fairs with a premium being realised from the demand by finishers for these genetics.

This year KayJay is proud to have 28 of its 44 bulls in the sale catalogue sired by KJ sires.

“The test of any breeding programme is the ability to use our own genetics successfully as there is no better way to get a gauge on how your own genetics perform,” Roddy says.

A feature of these homebred bulls will be the first sons sired by KJ BigMac Q324, sold to Shian Angus in 2021 for $56,000.

This year’s sale starts at 2pm and will be followed by a live band and KJ’s great hospitality. Accommodation will be covered for those travelling.

• Find out more: Call Roddy Kjestrup on 027 303 9280