Andrew Mann manages a 450-breeder herd on his Coolah property, Yattendon, supported by an off-farm base. With a focus on efficiency, Andrew embraces a straightforward approach to running his operation: keep it simple.
To put this principle into practice and drive his business forward, Andrew made an informed decision to join Team Te Mania. His choice was inspired by regular conversations with a neighbor who has been a Team member for over 20 years.
“As someone new to farming and the Team, this option allowed me to bypass the complexities of bull sales, which would have just added unnecessary challenges,” he says. “This way, I get access to the quality genetics I need to breed superior animals and deliver a premium product.”
Andrew runs a spring joining program, with calving in July and August, which he says suits his region perfectly.
“Coming off our winter crops, we then use oats through spring, and we’re already planning to sow lucerne for 2025 to address the summer feed gap,” he explains.
Operating 1,600 hectares at Coolah, Andrew also manages a 650-hectare fattening block at Walcha. Together with his manager, Craig Schneider, he targets high-growth cattle with a strong emphasis on marketing. After just two years of using Te Mania Angus bulls, Andrew has already seen improvements in his herd’s marbling scores.
“We are a self-replacing herd and currently use a mix of Team bulls and Te Mania Angus bulls we own,” Andrew says. “At our Walcha property, we also join the heifers with Wagyu bulls from 3D Genetics, giving us access to an additional market. This year, we’ll be joining 200 heifers there,” he adds.
Key Details:
- Member of Team Te Mania since: 2022
- Calving period: July/August
