Case study

JAMES COOPER

FARM OWNER, LAURIESTON FARMING

 

LOCATION

  • Taupo, Waikato

 

BACKGROUND

  • Purchased property 15 years ago
  • Owns 130 hectares, leases a further 200
  • Pumice rich soil
  • Beef breeding/finishing & lamb finishing operation
  • Farm runs 160 breeding cows and finish up to 10,000 lambs annually

simmental farming

SIMMENTAL
INVOLVEMENT

  • Inherited Simmental cattle with property purchase.
  • Through targeted and careful bull selection over the years he has seen a great improvement, especially in regards to temperament.
  • Sells bull calves as weaners and retains heifer calves for breeding.
  • Purchases bulls annually from Kerrah Simmentals.

 

Download PDF

RESULT

  • Bulls and progeny are easy to deal with – good temperament.
  • Great growth rates – sells weaners at close to 300kg which earns him a premium.
  • This premium is vital for James who had to diversify some years ago when stock number caps were introduced to protect water quality.
  • Replacement heifers serve as strong maternal animals with great milking ability.
  • Great calvers – rarely have to intervene.
  • The modern day low birthweight Simmental has given rise to a whole new market for us in Dairy Beef.

 

More Case Studies