Awhea Immense weighs 1300 kg but the Hereford bull is so placid his owners were happy for children to have their photo taken with him at the Te Aroha Race Course in April.

Steven and Lauren Morgan of Joshstar Herefords of Huntly were invited by Silver Fern Farms to take Immense along to the race course for a photo shoot as part of the company's community open day for its new Te Aroha plant.

Nicholas White (12) and Luke Thompson (12) pose with Awhea Immense and his owner Steve Morgan at the Silver Fern Farms community day at Te Aroha.

'We were happy to bring him along and to use the opportunity to promote Hereford beef,” said Steve.
Among those to pose for their picture were friends Nicholas White (12) and Luke Thompson (12). It was the first time the boys, and indeed most who had their pictures taken with the bull, had been that close to such a big animal, but Immense appeared unimpressed with the attention.

'He has a very quiet nature, which is fairly typical of Herefords.
'Over the years any bad temperament has been bred out of the breed,” said Steve.
That quiet nature contributes to extra tender meat because the animals are much less likely to become stressed, said Steve. Immense is now five and last year won the prestigious Meat and Wool Cup at the Royal Show in Hamilton.

It was the second year Joshstar had been presented with the cup for sire Awhea Immense – the supreme beef animal of the show. To be eligible for the Meat and Wool Cup, animals must first be judged supreme champion of the breed.

Steve and Lauren also took major awards at the 2012 Auckland Royal Easter Show with their pure-bred Hereford cattle, including the supreme champion Hereford and the Beef Breeds supreme champion.