The BEEF Country Podcast

Richard and Jo discuss how farmers can approach running a sustainable beef operation, what the costs are, and ways you can keep costs down while improving sustainability. They discuss learnings from the latest NZRSB Conference in May, where we’re at on a global scale, and the benefits of sitting at a round table with all of the right people.  With two people passionate about beef genetics, they couldn’t help but discuss bull sales and Richard gives his tips and tricks for buying the right bull! Guests include: Richard Scholefield, Chairman, New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Richard is both a Gisborne based farmer, and the chairman of the NZRSB. He shares his insights into the cattle industry from a sustainability lens, with an emphasis on longevity. You can find more information about the NZRSB here.  BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Otago Hereford breeder, Gray Pannett has recently stood down as the president of the New Zealand Hereford Association and reflects with Jo on many aspects of Hereford breeding.  Gray gives his thoughts on what makes the perfect crossbred cow, how Herefords are setting up for the future of what commercial farmers, and also the consumer needs/wants, and of course the episode is full of gems of advice and words of wisdom for bull buying.  Guests include: Gray Pannett, Limehills Herefords Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Gray says when it comes to breeding Herefords, he’s interested in breeding a productive valuable cow that gets better year after year. His focus is on what you can earn from the cow, and how you continue to improve that. He favours Herefords because of their efficiency, temperament, fertility and longevity - and believes that good Herefords can’t be overlooked as the base breed for a modern commercial cow herd.  More information on New Zealand Herefords can be found here. BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear from three experts when it comes to selecting the right bull for your farm. NeXtgen Agri’s Will Gibson and Mark Ferguson, join Jo Scott to answer questions about buying the right bull. Learn more about breeding values and how they impact your business, and find out how to make a plan so that you’re prepared on sale day. Gain a better understanding of what your herd needs. Hosts include: Will Gibson, livestock breeding consultant, neXtgen Agri Mark Ferguson, CEO, neXtgen Agri Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country More information about neXtgen Agri can be found here. BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Manawatū-Whanganui Angus breeder Bryan Bendall, while constitution and fertility come first, Bryan also has the consumer at front of mind with his focus on eating quality. Travelling to the USA most years for the last decade has opened his eyes to the impact genetics can have on his operation but also widened his network for his own breeding decisions to ensure - for his bull buying clients - that’s he’s always ahead of the game.  As he tells BEEF Country host Jo Scott, “if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” Guests include: Bryan Bendall, Seven Hills Angus Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Seven Hills Angus have a focus on providing the most efficient cows possible with the ultimate goal to ensure the eating experience of the end consumer. Through measuring phenotypes, early adoption of technology and taking all opportunities for international education - Bryan stands behind his product with 100% guarantee.  He also tells Jo about his takeaways from spending time in the USA, and learning from their breeding systems. He says his American counterparts were shocked to hear that in New Zealand we don’t have a grading system. In his lifetime he hopes to see a similar meat grading system implemented here. Seven Hills Angus sale: Thursday 27th June 2024, 11.30am More information on Seven Hills Angus can be found here. BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breeding a strong base of productive dams is the foundation of Sudeley Angus to ensure they are suited to hill country conditions.  Andrew & Anna Laing pride themselves on providing honesty and integrity to their clients with thorough genetically testing and attention to detail to have the most accurate EBV's. Guests include: Andrew & Anna Laing, Sudeley Angus Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Sudeley Genetics, based on the hills of the Banks Peninsula as well as the Canterbury Plains,  have been focussing on breeding Angus cattle purpose-built for hill country conditions since 1993.   The Laing’s say they have an open-door policy, and welcome visits to the farm to show and discuss their breeding program. Sudeley Angus sale: Thursday 13th June 2024 More information on Sudeley Angus can be found here. BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With an impressive intergenerational passion for cattle breeding with both the Red & Black South Devon's, the van Asch's Aschwood & Burtegill stud are renowned for the evolution of the breed in New Zealand.   As a minority breed but with one of the longest history of British cattle, the South Devon's have great docility, IMF and milking ability as well as having lowered their birth weight are ideal for cross-breeding both in dairy beef and hill country cattle. Guests include: Richard & Denise van Asch, Aschwood and Burtergill South Devons Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country The stud began in 1976 with Richard's father after putting a South Devon bull over his Angus cows and fell in love with their temperament. Richard went home to the Marlborough stud in 2005 before introducing Aschwood to introduce the Black South Devon originally to compete with Angus. They learnt from the American's that the Black South Devon has lower birth rate and faster growth rate than the Red South Devon.  Jo Scott discusses with Richard & Denise about the challenges of selling a less common breeder group, and the advantages of having the most robust data for buyers. Data is the heart of Aschwood & Burtergill South Devons with a focus on EBVs and genomic data. 2024 Burtergill South Devon bull sale: 17th June 2024 More information on Burtergill South Devons can be found here. BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fundamentals of breeding good cattle are the same, says multi-breeder Tom Sanson from Gold Creek Simmental and Whangara Angus. With progeny trial results rolling out across both traditional and exotic breeds, commercial beer farmers will be able to capture the genetic value of hybrid vigour with terminals such as Simmentals across Angus.  Guests include: Tom Sanson, Gold Creek Simmental Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Simmentals are the third largest population of cattle in New Zealand, with 45 registered breeders across the country and Gold Creek Simmentals has been part of the Simmental Council since 2020.  “When it comes to the global beef industry, New Zealand’s industry collaboration needs to improve and invest more collectively,” believes Tom Sanson, Gold Creek Simmentals.  Gold Creek Simmentals are proud to be the first breed in New Zealand to move over to IGS (International Genetic Solutions) analysis to guarantee more accuracy by DNA sampling their calves after weaning.  Tom discusses with Jo about his recent trip to North America and the learnings for both his stud and our premium beef programmes here. Gold Creek Simmental sale: 16th May 2024 More information on the Gold Creek Simmental sale here: Gold Creek Simmentals NZ – Bull Sales BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fertility, growth and carcass quality are top of mind for Tim and Kelly Brittain at Storth Oaks Angus.  Transparency is top of mind with every calf born on the King Country stud being genomically tested at birth, a practice Tim believes he may have pioneered in New Zealand.  Guests include: Tim Brittain, Storth Oaks Angus Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country The King Country stud pride themselves on combining science and farming since they started farming in 1980 focused on increased profitability for their commercial farming clients.  Their ethos is to measure and record everything they can about their studs from the moment they are born, so they can present this information to their clients.  Tim talks to Jo about his various different roles in the industry as well as his time visiting various other Angus systems around the world to give him a better idea of what direction he should take his business at home.  2024 Bull sale: 5th June 2024 More information on Storth Oaks here: https://storthoaks.com/  BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 2 - Russell Proffit, Raupuha Shorthorns Raupuha farm runs over 11,000 stock units on its Mahoenui based farm, in the King Country south of Te Kuiti. They run 85 shorthorn studs, a hardy breed with great milking abilities.  Russell Proffit talks to Jo Scott about the benefits of shorthorns, what systems they’re using to measure the studs, and where genetic technology can take them in the future.  Guests include: Russell Proffit, Ruapuha Shorthorns Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Russell Proffit’s family have been at Raupuha farm since his grandfather bought a block on Ruapuha road in 1948. Since then they’ve moved twice to settle on the current section in 2003, taking over the farm from his parents in 2008. They’ve been working with shorthorn studs since 1972, adding sheep studs in 1977, to keep things interesting.  The family are passionate about shorthorns, which have been in New Zealand for over 200 years, and are hardy animals that are good for milking.  Raupuha Bull Sale date: 28 May 2024 Learn more about Raupuha studs here: https://www.raupuhastud.co.nz/  BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 1 - Bruce Donald, Ngakouka Herefords With the belief that ‘cows work for us, we don’t work for the cows’, Ngakouka Hereford's 200 registered stud cows are bred and raised under a hard, hill country environment in the Ponatahi Valley near Martinborough. Guests include: Bruce Donald, Ngakouka Herefords Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Bruce & Chrissina Donald began Ngakouka Herefords in the late 90’s from buying cows from a mid-Canterbury Hereford stud based on Braxton genetics.  They select low input, worm resistant genetics for their stud to mirror their commercial farmers conditions where cows are grooming pastures for sheep. Jo Scott hears Bruce’s advice to farmers of the damage to your herd holding onto a bull that’s not working for you. He also shares his tough culling policy on his cows and the learnings from importing genetics into their group progeny test. Learn more about Ngakouka Herefords: https://www.ngakoukaherefords.co.nz/  2024 Sale Date: 30th May 2024 BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 1 - Bruce Donald, Ngakouka Herefords With the belief that ‘cows work for us, we don’t work for the cows’, Ngakouka Hereford's 200 registered stud cows are bred and raised under a hard, hill country environment in the Ponatahi Valley near Martinborough. Guests include: Bruce Donald, Ngakouka Herefords Hosts: Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Bruce & Chrissina Donald began Ngakouka Herefords in the late 90’s from buying cows from a mid-Canterbury Hereford stud based on Braxton genetics.  They select low input, worm resistant genetics for their stud to mirror their commercial farmers conditions where cows are grooming pastures for sheep. Jo Scott hears Bruce’s advice to farmers of the damage to your herd holding onto a bull that’s not working for you. He also shares his tough culling policy on his cows and the learnings from importing genetics into their group progeny test. Learn more about Ngakouka Herefords: https://www.ngakoukaherefords.co.nz/  2024 Sale Date: 30th May 2024 BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.