Turihaua expands to unlock more for farmers

Turihaua Angus is stepping into a new growth phase with the purchase of a neighbouring 300 ha (240 ha effective) property near Gisborne – a move designed squarely with their commercial bull clients in mind.

“It gives our herd a lot more depth as we look ahead. Now, we can expand to offer more choice for our buyers and keep up with the growing demand for the brand we’ve built over the past 120 years,” explains Paul Williams. With no housing on it, it was only ever a practical option for the Williams’ to acquire.

Turihaua already calves up to 400 stud cows including 120 yearling heifers and up to 50 embryo transfer cows. Paul says the acquisition gives them more depth and choice by allowing the increasing cow numbers to test more genetics and broadening the bull sale line-up without diluting quality.

“Higher in-calf rates allow us to accelerate our herd expansion and realize genetic gains more rapidly. Ultimately, that progress flows directly to our clients through the enhanced performance of the genetics they source from us.”

A key part of the strategy is scaling up the embryo transfer programme, targeting 150-200 embryos implanted annually to accelerate herd growth while maintaining strict quality thresholds. This approach also supports biosecurity on the new block.

Alongside expansion, Turihaua is leaning into technology such as CowManager cow wearable tags for heat detection in a heifer fertility trial and exploring Halter technology to fine-tune grazing and pasture management. These tools aim to lift fertility, efficiency and ultimately the value of the genetics on offer.

“As demand for Turihaua genetics continues to grow, our recent expansion allows us to stay ahead of the curve. By getting more calves on the ground, we can meet that increasing interest while ensuring our prices remain sustainable and affordable for the commercial farmers who are the backbone of this industry.”

For more information visit turihaua.co.nz