Gestation length
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Gold Creek, every breeding decision is guided by one simple question:
Will this create more value for our clients?
We believe the most profitable cattle are not those that excel in a single trait, but those that combine calving ease, fertility, structural soundness, growth, carcase quality, docility and longevity into one balanced package. Our objective is to breed cattle that work in real commercial farming systems and deliver measurable returns year after year.
Profit First
Profitability sits at the centre of everything we do. Our breeding programme is designed to produce cattle that convert grass into kilograms, kilograms into dollars, and ultimately improve the bottom line of the farmers who invest in our cattle.
Measuring What Matters
We believe good breeding decisions are built on good information. That’s why we measure as many economically important traits as possible and continually look for new technologies that help us make more informed breeding decisions.
Every registered animal is genomically tested and parentage verified, giving our clients complete confidence in the accuracy of our pedigrees and performance information. Replacement cattle are carcase scanned for Eye Muscle Area, Rib Fat, P8 Fat and Marbling, while growth, fertility, docility and a wide range of other performance traits are continually recorded throughout the herd.
Objective measurement will never replace good stockmanship — but it does strengthen it. By combining data with practical experience, we can make breeding decisions with confidence and integrity.
Continuous Improvement
We are never satisfied standing still. Since establishing the stud in 2009, Gold Creek has invested extensively in elite New Zealand and international bloodlines through artificial insemination, embryo transfer and carefully selected herd sires.
As the herd has grown, increased selection pressure has become one of our greatest breeding tools. Greater numbers allow us to be increasingly selective, ensuring only the very best animals are retained to breed the next generation. Every investment and every breeding decision is made with one objective — to continually improve the quality and consistency of the cattle we offer our clients.
The Complete Package
No amount of data can compensate for poor structure, poor temperament or poor fertility. Every animal retained within our programme must be structurally sound, functional, fertile and quiet to handle.
All sale bulls undergo independent structural assessment, semen testing and comprehensive fertility testing prior to sale, ensuring they are ready to perform when they arrive at their new homes. Temperament is closely monitored throughout life, with docility incorporated into our breeding decisions.
We believe the best cattle are those that excel across many traits rather than one. By combining practical stockmanship with objective measurement and disciplined selection, we continue to breed cattle that are built to perform, built to last and built to improve the profitability of our clients’ herds.
BULL PERFORMANCE RECORDING
We measure multiple performance traits annually, ensuring data is collected consistently, and record the information using Stockbook software.
Traits measured include:
EBV’s AND INDEXES EXPLAINED
EBVs provide the best current estimate of an animal’s genetic merit, allowing for informed, data-driven decisions. The EBV’s available for Simmentals in New Zealand are generated through the International Genetics Solutions (IGS) evaluation.
Indexes simplify bull buying decisions by identifying ‘overall profitability’ and weighing up the balance of genetic merit across all traits relevant to a particular production system and market. The Indexes for Simmentals in New Zealand are generated by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).
