Hansen, who lives with her mum Brenda, dad Andrew and siblings Cooper, 12, Alexis, 9, and Mitchell, 7, on a small lifestyle block at Orini near Huntly is the proud owner of Limited Edition Speckle Park stud.
As a young girl attending a country school she always had a calf for calf club but had to give them back to the farmer. She wanted a calf of her own that she could keep.
Her loan calves had always been dairy beasts so decided to mix things up and go with a beef breed because they can be shown longer than dairy calves.
She liked the look of Speckle Park animals and spent hours researching the breed.
Hansen was blown away by the possibilities of the breed and fell in love with it.
The family set out to buy the best Speckle Park they could and found the perfect animal at Ruawai in Northland, bred by John and Jan Bellamy of Below Sea Level Speckle Park stud.
This animal is now at the heart of Hansen’s small but perfectly formed herd.
He was named Master of Mayhem because his name had to start with M but Hansen is quick to say that was a bit of a joke because he isn’t any trouble at all.
“We call him M&M for short.”
Hansen’s first show with M&M was at Orini Combined School then at the Group Day, Waikato A&P Show and several other northern shows collecting first ribbons along the way. Then came the big one and they won the 2017 Royal Easter Show’s Calf Club supreme calf and supreme Speckle Park trophy with M&M.
After the Easter Show the Bellamys invited her to stay with them during calving and they were impressed with her attitude and talent for rearing and handling calves.
They had a number of embryo transplant Speckle Park calves being born from their dairy herd so loaned Hansen a heifer calf to help her progress her Speckle Park herd.
Brenda says the family is extremely grateful to the Bellamys.
Not only did they help make Hansen’s dream of breeding Speckle Park come true but also having the calf has been a real boost for her because she struggles with the need to wear a back brace to help overcome a spinal problem.
“Tayla has scoliosis of the spine, a disorder which causes pain in her arms and back,” Brenda said.
“She has to wear a specially made brace for as many hours in the day as possible but she cannot wear it when she is working with the cattle because it stops her from bending.”
What keeps her going is her love of competing – something she has done since the age of five.
“I have a passion for cattle. I’m not going to stop because of a brace.” Hansen says.
Brenda says the brace has worked well and has decreased her pain levels.
“Her back is straightening up and if things carry on the way they are she may not need surgery.
“Tayla still has a couple more years of growing to do but things are looking positive.”
The brace and her scoliosis condition have not stopped her working with her precious cattle and she has now taken on relief-milking and works at the local fish and chip shop at least once a week to earn money to feed and keep her animals.
Hansen has been to Australia four times in the last year to spend time in both Melbourne and Adelaide at different Speckle Park pedigree studs and to attend the Royal Melbourne Show.
“Just the knowledge of the Australian group was amazing. They were all keen to help and to talk to me, to help increase my knowledge about the breed and about showing and handling cattle,” Hansen says.
“They took their time to show me things – like their clipping technique and other show tips and animal handling. Australia is just bigger – more studs, more cattle but great attitude and all willing to help and to share their time and knowledge.”
Now with six Speckle Park-cross calves, a crossbred cow and a purebred yearling heifer plus M&M, Tayla needs to find a small block of land to lease to grow her stud. Next year she will have her first calf on the ground.
“I am very excited but a bit nervous. I hope the calf comes out safe,” she says.
“I am also looking to buy another purebred heifer calf that I can also show and breed from.”
Brenda thinks Tayla will be living on the front lawn as the birth gets closer to make sure she is right there when the cow has her calf.
Tayla is now also selling semen from M&M to earn money to increase her stud and care for the animals.
Most of her clients are dairy farmers with a few beef breeders, both commercial and some are pedigree users.
“My bull M&M is a lovely natured animal perfect for any dairy operation and his record in the show ring is impressive,” Hansen says.
“He has wins at Hawke’s Bay Royal 2017 Supreme Exhibit, Franklin A&P Junior Meat and Wool, Waikato A&P Supreme Exhibit and won the 2017 Royal Easter Show’s supreme Speckle Park bull trophy so he has all the right attributes and credentials.”
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For more information or to buy Master of Mayhem semen contact Tayla Hansen by email limitededitionspecklepark@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page – Limited Edition Speckle Park with Tayla
