About Horawainui Supa Santas

Horawainui is a coastal property located approximately 30kms northeast of Whangarei on Northlands pristine East coast. A tidal estuary bounds the property to the North and the Pacific Ocean to the East. All our cattle are farmed under commercial conditions with both the Stud and Commercial cattle being farmed as one operation. We presently run approximately 3,500su, of which 60 are Registered Stud cows.

Santa Gertrudis cattle were first introduced to Horawainui in 1986 with the purchase of a couple of bulls and some crossbred Santa Gertrudis heifers from the renowned Santalands Stud in the Far North. Further bull and heifer purchases from Santalands were undertaken over the following years, along with a bull from the Tanekaha Stud.

Because this is a family operation, and we have young children, it is extremely important to us that our cattle are quiet and approachable. We have achieved this through regular monitoring, accurate record keeping and rigorous culling.

In 1997 we undertook our first Artificial Breeding programme using semen from King Ranch Lieutenant (AUS IMP) and Santalands Frankie. Since then, an Artificial Breeding programme has been completed nearly every year, using semen imported from some of Australia’s top bloodlines. Waco Freeman, Yarrawonga Franklin, Yarrawonga Boss, Waco Inventor, Yarrawonga G-Man, Eidsvold Station 604, Robenlea Ozark, Elgin Downs A25, Gyranda Magnum, are just a few of the sires that have been utilised

In 1998 our Santa Gertrudis Stud was reinstated (originally formed in 1986) and we purchased five bulls from Ganancia Stud in the Hawkes Bay. These cattle injected some much needed length and depth into our herd. Subsequent cattle purchases from Ganancia, Sail Rock and Shiloh Studs were completed over the next couple of years.

To further enhance this build up of genetics, we took the big step and travelled to Australia to look for some bulls. In January 2003, four classified Santa Gertrudis bulls landed at Auckland Airport where we promptly collected them and transported them home. These bulls were purchased from the Yarrawonga Waco Santa Gertrudis Stud, Southwest Queensland, arguably one of the largest and most successful Santa Gertrudis operations in Australia. The impact these bulls have had on our herd have exceeded our expectations. Weaning weights have increased dramatically, as have the overall weight gains and feed conversions.

Cattle are the only class of stock now farmed at Horawainui. The majority of our pastures are Kikuyu dominant. As with most farming operations, the weather plays a big part at Horawainui. We tend to be very wet in the winters, although we are fortunate enough to be spared the frosty mornings, and then extremely dry through the summer. Also because of our location on the coast our pastures are regularly burnt off by the strong salt laden winds.

To help us meet our high standards and expectations we engage the services of a professional fulltime Field Director from Australia who independently audits our cattle for structural correctness, breed characterists, temperament and general breed soundness. Only cattle that meet this international standard are then classified and branded with the S brand. This is an independent Quality Assurance.

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