Kaiwara Newsletter 2025

George Johns
Feb 26
3 min read

Greetings from Kaiwara Angus!

As we roll into another year, it’s a good time to reflect on how far we’ve come and to look ahead at what’s in store. It’s been a fascinating season, full of challenges and successes, and we’re pleased to share some updates with our valued clients and fellow breeders.

If you haven't seen our new website yet, check it out here, and make sure your contact details (postal addresses are up to date for the bull sale catalogues).

Cheers George

Farm update

Last June, we held our annual bull sale amid a particularly tough autumn and winter. The dry conditions stretched through November, challenging many farmers. Despite this, the sale was a great success. We sold 24 out of 26 bulls on offer, with the top price at $13,000 and an average of $7,700. Buyers came from all over, including Gisborne and Queenstown, along with our loyal Canterbury supporters.

Thankfully, Canterbury has had an outstanding season since November. Where we usually see dry, burnt-off hills at this time of year, we’re still enjoying green pastures, which bodes well for the year ahead.

I hope you're all enjoying the high of sheep farming at the moment with this year’s lambs averaging $155. Our weights are averaging 21kg, as a result of the good season.

Scanning time on the farm has produced some positive results with R2 calves (weaned late January) averaging 220kg, with top weights reaching 290kg. We only had two drys out of 110 from the R1s, thanks in part to supplementation with iodine and selenium. They were playing catch up going to the bull at 330kg but were on a rising plane.

Our new sire from Kenhardt Angus in Hawkes Bay (purchased 2023) is exactly what we look for in our Kaiwara Angus program—an easy-fleshing, free-moving type with great depth and width at the pins and a strong back end. We secured him for $22,000 and have already put him to good use. We've run him with 60 R2's this season and his fertility is proving exceptional, with only one dry cow and a tight 40-day calving spread. He’s certainly been earning his keep!

George Johns

Kaiwara Angus Breeder

Kenhardt Sire (purchased 2023) enjoying some rain Bull calves weaned from R2's

Upcoming Bull Sale – Save the Date!

Mark your calendars! Our next annual bull sale will be held on Friday the 13th of June (Bull walk 22nd May).

This year we are looking forward to offering our first progeny from our Kay Jay Angus sire (purchased in 2022 for $23,000). The interest in his offspring is high and we are pleased with how he has performed in mating again.

This year’s bulls will be catalogued with detailed structural assessments, providing further assurance of quality.

Proud to be supplying Hurunui Farms!

It was great to see Hurunui Farm's story on Country Calendar, which we were lucky to make a wee cameo in. It's always been Penny's dream to work for Country Calendar, so she was thrilled to chat to the crew! I've been teased relentlessly for mentioning Jonna cuts my hair and the bad advertising it might cause her, so let me declare I only get my hair cut once or twice a year! Sorry Jonna!

You can watch the episode here.

We're proud and grateful to be apart of the Hurunui Farms family and bridging the gap of traceability. Head on down to the Riverside market to support them and Hurunui farmers.

Looking Ahead

With a great season behind us and another busy year ahead, we’re feeling positive about what’s to come. I hope to see you out on the road over the next few months, please message me if you would like a visit.

We look forward to catching up with many of you at the bull sale in the 13th of June. In the meantime, if you have any questions about our Angus bulls don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Wishing you all a successful and prosperous year on the land.