Bulls compared under commercial conditions

Mendip Hills Station 

Mendip Hills is a 6130ha property 20 minutes north of Cheviot, North Canterbury. The rolling to high country is supported by two irrigated blocks and the total operation winters nearly 40,000 sheep, deer and beef stock units. It is owned by the Black family and managed by Simon Lee. 

Beef policy

The farm runs 1150 breeding cows and 180 rising one-year-old heifers. The herd is a mix of Hereford, Angus and crossbreds. 

Male progeny and excess heifers are finished as rising two-year-olds with a target 310kg CW and 230kg CW respectively. Replacement heifers are Hereford and crossbred animals. 

Heifer selection 

Heifers must work on the property’s harder hill country which is summer dry and winter cold. Simon wants cows that are not too large or rangy, have an easy temperament, and have the constitution and confirmation to handle the property’s sometimes trying conditions. 

Bull selection 

Simon “does and does not” look at EBVs. “I pick on type – a good barrelly, easy doing animal – then look at EBVs, particularly mature cow weight. He peruses the catalogues of
his favoured studs then works with his stud stock agent to shortlist the specific bulls to view before visiting the studs about three weeks out from their sales.

Beef progeny test

Involves 430 cows and 95 heifers. Semen from a total of 11 Hereford bulls was used this year; further bulls will be added next year. These were selected with input from the Hereford Society, property manager Simon Lee, Mendip Hills’ stock agent Graham Sidey and Hereford breeder Gray Pannett. 

Hereford bulls were selected to give a range of types, but making sure they fitted with Mendip Hills’ commercial goals. It also included bulls with high percentage IMF EBVs, and both horned and polled Herefords.

Breeding philosophy 

Simon says there is no compromise for good breeding. It’s good value for money. You need good females, because they’re the backbone of your business.” He is as curious as the next farmer about what the test will reveal. I believe there’s value in good genetics. But is there? We’ll find out.”