The introduction of weighting which lead to the early days of recording with the Sheep and Beef Cattle Survey, then Beef Plan in the early 1960's saw a change of emphasis toward selection based on performance.

In 1967 Tahuna purchased the complete Hinaburn herd from Mr. Cliff Wilkinson at Featherston. This proved to be our move toward the new generation Shorthorn. Cattle that had frame and growth to match the inherint maternal traits that the breed is known for.

Decendants of the Hinaburn cows dominate the herd today. Succesive use of genetics from Australia and the United States have further inhanced growth and muscle traits while maintaining the maternal strengths of the breed.

An arrangement with Trish & Jim Syme who are farming their Hiwiroa Shorthorns a Flemington, south of Wipukurau has brought together our two herds for management and marketing. This will see our herds combined with the majority of the cow herd being run very commercially on hill country and the calving heifers and bulls being brought out at Tahuna.

Breeding emphasis is on Maternal traits: Ease of Calving; Milking ability; Docility. American and Australian genetics by A.I. are measured against a senior Sire and top Index yearlings each year. All structurally correct yearling heifers are mated at fourteen months and exposed to the bull as three year olds. From then selection is very much on their weaning of a calf at least 50% of their own body weight and their EBV records.