Waiterenui Angus Cattle

About

'Waiterenui' is situated in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. We are a family farm breeding seed stock Angus cattle, farm Romney sheep and fatten Angus steers.

Story

Willie MacFarlane emigrated from the Isle of Tiree, Scotland, with his four brothers in the late 1880's. They were the sons of the Rev. John McFarlane, who descended from a long line of theologians and scholars. Willie and his older brother John were instrumental in the foundation of the NZ Angus Association.

Willie started with Shorthorns when he and his brother James settled in the valley. Their partnership lasted 12 years, until 1912, at which time Waiterenui (Maori for big, fast flowing water) came into existence. Many of the foundation Angus females at Waiterenui were the top lots from the famous Gladbrook dispersal. The first registrations were from the 1914 mating, although breeding had begun in 1912. When Willie died in 1934 the herd passed to (and continued to flourish under) the management of John MacFarlane (1914 - 1988), the present owners father.

Aided by seriously summer-dry environment, the herd of 330 breeders are tested, challenged and evaluated in a totally commercial production environment. Since 1990 the policy has been 100% grass feeding only for all females, all year round (except in times of drought). This selects for thrift and vigour.

The Waiterenui breeding objective is to maximise weaner percentage and weaning weight.

The Waiterenui genetic objectives are to prioritise fertility traits, calving ease traits and maternal traits over growth and carcase; to maintain inherent structural soundness and docility, and to better the genetic breed average.

Objective, linear and visual measurements are all utilised in the pursuit of these objectives.

Waiterenui abides by Bonsma's mantra of 'man must measure', and are firm advocates of population genetics. A.I. is a major tool.

Waiterenui markets its male seed-stock via two on-farm auctions - a sale of approximately 50 R2 bulls in June, and the same number as 12 month yearlings in September. Surplus 15 month heifers are put through the local Stortford Lodge auction mart where they command consistent demand and sell for breeding.

Mission

The Waiterenui genetic objectives are to prioritise fertility traits, calving ease traits and maternal traits over growth and carcase; to maintain inherent structural soundness and docility, and to better the genetic breed average.

Impressum

Will and Viv MacFarlane
Waiterenui Angus
1573 Raukawa Road
RD 4
Hastings 4174
New Zealand

Home: 0064 6 8748762
Mobile 0064 274 479 015
[email protected]
www.waiterenui.co.nz

Products

Pedigree Angus Cattle.