Tom and Edward Gubbins recently travelled to Conway Flat, North Canterbury, to visit Te Mania Angus New Zealand, hosted by directors Will Wilding and Thomas Grothe.
During the farm visit, Tom and Edward gained firsthand exposure to Te Mania New Zealand’s Net Feed Intake (NFI) facility, reinforcing the shared commitment between both organisations to improving feed efficiency. They also observed the use of methane chambers, part of ongoing efforts to better understand and reduce herd emissions, Te Mania NZ has partnered with Beef and Lamb NZ to deliver this research project.
Will was pleased to report the excellent rainfall they have experienced at Conway Flat, North Canterbury, with 520mm of rainfall recorded since the start of this year, providing a positive outlook for feed availability and seasonal conditions ahead.
Te Mania New Zealand operates across a combination of coastal flats and rugged mountain country, an environment suited to moderate, resilient cattle and commercial production systems.
The visit followed Tom and Ed’s attendance at the Zanda McDonald Award Impact Summit, where they connected with industry leaders and gained insights into global innovation across agriculture.
The History of Te Mania Angus
New Zealand, 1928
Te Mania Angus New Zealand began in 1928 when Edwyn Wilding and Esther Armstrong were gifted an Angus bull and four cows by Esther’s father, Frank Armstrong, as a wedding present. These walking gifts from Akitio, New Zealand, were used to establish the Te Mania Angus stud, at Wilanda Downs in Southland. The stud later moved to Conway Flat in North Canterbury.
Australia, 1971
Te Mania Angus extended to Australia in 1971, when Andrew and Mary Gubbins imported 58 females and two bulls from Mary’s brother, Frank Wilding, son of Edwyn at Te Mania New Zealand. This marked the beginning of Te Mania Australia, based at Pardoo, Barongarook West, near Colac, Victoria.
