Craig Martin President and Councillor of New Zealand Simmental.

Very sad time to hear of the loss of Craig Martin.  Simmental breeder of Martin Farms New Zealand.  Based at Wakefield and Moutere properties, Nelson.  Craig farmed Simmental with his brother Richard.  They bred moderate framed, early maturing cattle with high fertility for the commercial cattlemen.  Craig also dabbled in Sim Angus, Angus and Hereford. The farm runs over 2,000 sheep.

Several notable bulls were used in the Stud that included Malcolm Entwistle’s Hampton Downs Renegade a Bar 5 Hero son – this bull is most notable because of Bar 5 Pay Master on the maternal line.  Hampton Downs Neville sired by Richmond Bruno added the poll factor with performance to the horned cattle.  Other bulls as Water Front Xerus (Bar 5 SP Robobull), Woonallee Gladiator (BHR Three Sixes), Moneymore Rhemus, Moneymore Romulus, Grimich Park Primus and Moneymore Ninja from the Levels line.  Cover photo is Bar 5 Hero, South African sire of Hampton Downs Renegade, the bull that Craig purchased from Malcolm.

A highlight for Craig was the 2013 Champion Steer at Future Beef New Zealand, where the cattle are sought for carcass, positive fats, growth and performance.

Craig was a past President and Councillor of New Zealand Simmental.  He was involved with the Trans Tasman Scheme which exports/imports genetics to lift performance in cattle.

I met Craig on one of his visits to Australia and found him to be a visionary leader. An ideas man, he will be a huge loss.

Craig passed on 15th August 2015. Requiem Mass will be held at the Catholic Church 35 William Street, Richmond Nelson New Zealand.  12:00 noon Friday 21st August.