Maungahina is 600 hectares of rolling hilly lime stone country 8km east of Masterton, in a low rainfall area of about 30 inches. It is here in competition with sheep and commercial cattle that Maungahina Hereford bulls are bred and raised for annual private auction. It has always been the management policy to raise and sell the bulls under natural conditions, and owing to this policy, over the years Maungahina bulls have proved to be outstanding in stamina and constitution. At present Maungahina has 160 Polled and horned Hereford cows, and is selling 40 Hereford bulls yearly, 60% of the bull calf drop. We consistently keep the top standard of cows that are retained in the herd, giving them one chance, if they don't breed they are culled. Maungahina also run 90 Red Charolais cows, 1400 Coopworth, Romney ewes and 400 stud Suffolk and white Suffolk ewes. We treat our stud stock as a commercial operator would. From a commercial breeders viewpoint they need to be good producers, fertile, sound and durable. Maungahina buys the best genetics and where possible, try to see the bull in the flesh first. We only use a limited amount of artificial insemination. Our sources of AI semen are from Canadian studs, as Canadians are some of the worlds top stockmen. We want bulls that will perform extremely well in New Zealand and structural soundness is the key to our conditions. You need to see a bull to judge soundness, to see how it walks, moves and stands. Because the Canadian have a similar commercial outlook to New Zealanders their cattle generally shift and perform well in New Zealand conditions. We use genetics to up fertility, muscling, size and out cross of the genetic base to improve our breed and introduce new bloodline to New Zealand. Maungahina has imported 22 live bulls – the first from England in 1930 through to six from Canada in the last ten years.  Photo: Farm vista (click to enlarge) Judging Experiences
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