Fifteen of the central North Island's top stud farms will open their gates to farmers next month as part of the 2014 National Hereford Herd Tour.

Newcastle Grand 1133 was sold by Noel and Betsy Smith at the National Beef Expo at Fielding in May 2013 for $12,500 to the Okahu Stud of Kelly ONeill from Raetahi. His progeny will be on show at the Newcastle Stud, during the National Hereford Herd Tour.

The stud farms range from inland to coastal, Waikato to Bay of Plenty, relatively small to quite large – but all of the owners have a common passion for the Hereford breed.
Organised by the South Auckland Hereford Club, the Gallagher Coast to Coast National Hereford Herd Tour is expected to attract at least 100 participants.

Among the first properties to be visited is Newcastle, near Ngaruawahia, owned by Noel and Betsy Smith. It was once part of more than 200 ha held by Betsy's family from the late 1880s; and has been farmed by the family continuously for 97 years, and by Noel and Betsy since 1981.

The stud was founded in 1987 with females purchased from the Nyroca stud with subsequent purchases from the Midlands, Kahu, Freelance and Harbour-Hills studs.
Bulls have been sourced from studs such as Freelance, Koanui (3), Platform (Expo – Platform Quebec), Craigmore (2), Maungahina, Leelands and Kairuru.

AI sires have included Otapawa Spark, Okawa Youth and Koanui Unanimous 3152; and many home-bred bulls have also played a significant part in the development of the stud.

'Numbers have been slowly built to around 55-60 breeding females, focusing on quality rather than quantity,” says Noel.

A booklet detailing the history of each stud, its Herefords, land and management practices of their owners has been produced for those who take part in the tour.

A visit to the headquarters and manufacturing plant of major sponsor Gallagher is also on the programme, which begins with registrations on March 9 and ends with a dinner on March 12. For more information, go to: www.herefords.co.nz