Needs advise Taraua stock agents
you do it well and select the right bulls for your herd, there’s definitely some money to be made to generate that second income on-farm, instead of carting them away on a truck as bobby calves.
“With our bulls, we have our bull selections and our bull sales. We’ve got a wide choice from our range, we’ve got the same breeds, but not all farms will suit their heifers or bulls for the herds.
“We have finance available, we can finance the bulls, it’s a big outlay. NZ Farmers Livestock has a bull scheme, where we sell the bulls after they are used and the farmer pays the difference.
“At $3000 per bull, for 10 bulls, that’s $30,000. And that’s just as the milk flow is coming in. It’s really important that we can hedge some of that.
“It’s a simple, straightforward process to do that with our company.
“It’s all about growing meat. Some people like Herefords, some like Angus. There’s been a big swing into Murray Greys, Charolais and Limousins, looking for terminal bulls, or Belgian Blue with low birth weight. Some will suit, some won’t.
“At NZ Farmers Livestock, which covers nationally now, we have a dairy specialist, Matt Muggeridge, and myself, for sheep and beef (I also have a dairy background) specialising in dry stock. With the calf sales, Matt has a good supply coming in. I have a good supply of buyers who are needing them.
“I encourage farmers, if there are on-farm sales, go and have a look. It will give you a chance to see what else is out there. Always think of the future. Maybe have a couple of breeds with your bull?”