The BEEF Country Podcast

Episode 9 - Richard Scholefield, New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

Richard and Jo discuss how farmers can approach running a sustainable beef operation, what the costs are, and ways you can keep costs down while improving sustainability. They discuss learnings from the latest NZRSB Conference in May, where we’re at on a global scale, and the benefits of sitting at a round table with all of the right people.  With two people passionate about beef genetics, they couldn’t help but discuss bull sales and Richard gives his tips and tricks for buying the right bull! Guests include: * Richard Scholefield, Chairman, New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef [https://www.nzsustainablebeef.co.nz/] Hosts: * Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Richard is both a Gisborne based farmer, and the chairman of the NZRSB. He shares his insights into the cattle industry from a sustainability lens, with an emphasis on longevity. You can find more information about the NZRSB here. [https://www.nzsustainablebeef.co.nz/]  BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ [https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/]  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Bonus Episode - Bull buying decisions

Hear from three experts when it comes to selecting the right bull for your farm. NeXtgen Agri’s Will Gibson and Mark Ferguson, join Jo Scott to answer questions about buying the right bull. Learn more about breeding values and how they impact your business, and find out how to make a plan so that you’re prepared on sale day. Gain a better understanding of what your herd needs. Hosts include: 1. Will Gibson, livestock breeding consultant, neXtgen Agri [https://www.nextgenagri.com/] 2. Mark Ferguson, CEO, neXtgen Agri [https://www.nextgenagri.com/] 3. Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country More information about neXtgen Agri can be found here. [https://www.nextgenagri.com/] BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ [https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/]  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Episode 8 - Gray Pannett, Limehills Herefords

Otago Hereford breeder, Gray Pannett has recently stood down as the president of the New Zealand Hereford Association and reflects with Jo on many aspects of Hereford breeding.  Gray gives his thoughts on what makes the perfect crossbred cow, how Herefords are setting up for the future of what commercial farmers, and also the consumer needs/wants, and of course the episode is full of gems of advice and words of wisdom for bull buying.  Guests include: * Gray Pannett, Limehills Herefords [https://www.limehillsherefords.co.nz/] Hosts: * Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Gray says when it comes to breeding Herefords, he’s interested in breeding a productive valuable cow that gets better year after year. His focus is on what you can earn from the cow, and how you continue to improve that. He favours Herefords because of their efficiency, temperament, fertility and longevity - and believes that good Herefords can’t be overlooked as the base breed for a modern commercial cow herd.  More information on New Zealand Herefords can be found here [https://www.herefords.co.nz/news-events.html]. BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ [https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/]  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Episode 7 - Bryan Bendall, Seven Hills Angus

For Manawatū-Whanganui Angus breeder Bryan Bendall, while constitution and fertility come first, Bryan also has the consumer at front of mind with his focus on eating quality. Travelling to the USA most years for the last decade has opened his eyes to the impact genetics can have on his operation but also widened his network for his own breeding decisions to ensure - for his bull buying clients - that’s he’s always ahead of the game.  As he tells BEEF Country host Jo Scott, “if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” Guests include: * Bryan Bendall, Seven Hills Angus [https://sevenhillsangus.co.nz/] Hosts: * Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Seven Hills Angus have a focus on providing the most efficient cows possible with the ultimate goal to ensure the eating experience of the end consumer. Through measuring phenotypes, early adoption of technology and taking all opportunities for international education - Bryan stands behind his product with 100% guarantee.  He also tells Jo about his takeaways from spending time in the USA, and learning from their breeding systems. He says his American counterparts were shocked to hear that in New Zealand we don’t have a grading system. In his lifetime he hopes to see a similar meat grading system implemented here. Seven Hills Angus sale: Thursday 27th June 2024, 11.30am More information on Seven Hills Angus can be found here. [https://sevenhillsangus.co.nz/] BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ [https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/]  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Episode 6 - Andrew & Anna Laing, Sudeley Angus

Breeding a strong base of productive dams is the foundation of Sudeley Angus to ensure they are suited to hill country conditions.  Andrew & Anna Laing pride themselves on providing honesty and integrity to their clients with thorough genetically testing and attention to detail to have the most accurate EBV's. Guests include: * Andrew & Anna Laing, Sudeley Angus [https://sudeleygenetics.co.nz/] Hosts: * Jo Scott, host of BEEF Country Sudeley Genetics, based on the hills of the Banks Peninsula as well as the Canterbury Plains,  have been focussing on breeding Angus cattle purpose-built for hill country conditions since 1993.   The Laing’s say they have an open-door policy, and welcome visits to the farm to show and discuss their breeding program. Sudeley Angus sale: Thursday 13th June 2024 More information on Sudeley Angus can be found here. [https://sudeleygenetics.co.nz/] BEEF Country is an annual journal packed with New Zealand's inspirational and technical information in the aim to breed and finish ultimately the world’s best beef. The journal is distributed early May 2024 free to all Beef + Lamb New Zealand levy payers.  Purchase the BEEF Country annual journal for $15 plus postage annually (available from 1 May 2024): https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ [https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/]  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.