OKAKA ANGUS
Okaka Angus was established in 2015 with the purchase of 5 Waitawheta cows. Paul and Susannah took a leap into the bull breeding business because of their passion for Angus cattle, suitable for steep hill country. The journey is leading them to a more consistent herd of durable and fertile cattle which they are extremely proud of. Their first sale was held in 2021 with 15 bulls up for sale, sold through a ‘Yourbid’ helmsman auction, which they continue to use. There are now 100 stud cows along with 50 commercial cows.
Okaka Angus 120+ years in the Revell Family
Okaka began when Thomas Charles Revell bought 600 acres in the Papanui Junction District about 1902. A further 500 acres was added a short time later, and the final 300 acres was purchased in the 1930s. Okaka is today 565 hectares (1400acres) of mostly steep hill country, with 100ha of cultivatable country.
When Thomas Charles bought these blocks, ‘Okaka’ still had large areas of native bush to clear. This was gradually achieved over the next 40 years. The last of the main expanses of bush were cleared by the 1940’s. There are still about 10 ha of native bush, protected under the QE2 Trust.
Thomas Charles had a breeding flock of Romney sheep and some steers. Paddocks were large with a lot of set stocking. There were no crops other than an occasional fodder crop. After a bush burn, they would broadcast (throw seed) over the paddocks.
When Thomas Charles’ two sons, John and Arthur, took over the farm as ‘Revell Bros’ in 1940, they maintained a traditional style of farming. The numbers increased due to the application of superphosphate fertiliser. Paddocks were about 50 ha, fencing material was used off the farm being mostly totara battens and posts.
Graham Revell took over Okaka in the early 1970s. During this time, rotational grazing became the adopted farming practice which reduced pasture weeds and increased pasture and animal production. A breeding flock of up to 4000 ewes and 150 steers was farmed. The lambing percentage increased from 95% to 110% during the 1990’s. With the introduction of the Finn genetics a further increase to 140% was made in the late 90’s. Small 5 ha paddocks were re-grassed in the 80’s. In the 90’s a lot of four wire fencing was erected, with the easy country being fenced up into 5 ha paddocks and steep hill country into 20 ha paddocks. The steer policy was replaced by a cow breeding policy and Friesian bulls. Presently 2,600 Romney ewes are lambed at about 140% with half sold to slaughter and half store. Paul took over the farm in 2003, and after spending a lot of time on his commercial herd, he had a feeling he had something to offer the Angus stud stock industry. After finding a niche in the stud area for moderate, steep hill country cattle, he started the stud, Okaka Angus. The rest is history.