Waipukurau breeder Tony Thompson's passion for Simmental cattle and fine china
His education, partly funded through shearing, eventually took him to Cambridge, England, where he specialised in embryology and became an expert in embryo transfer, a skill that would prove transformational for his future in farming.
In the late 1960s, a visit to Switzerland's Simmental Valley with his wife, Glennis Thompson, marked a turning point.
Enchanted by the robust, creamy-faced cattle of the region, they returned to New Zealand and established their own stud.
Merging their names, Glennis and Tony created Glen Anthony, a name that now carries a 50-year legacy in New Zealand beef breeding.
Thompson's farm spans 93 hectares (230 acres), a scaled-down version of the 202ha (500-acre) property they once ran in Ongaonga.
With a more manageable herd of 70 cows, Glen Anthony now produces around 20 bulls for sale each year.
This season, Thompson has moved the sale forward to May, taking advantage of a newly available slot following the retirement of another breeder.
A strong advocate for animal welfare, he prioritises easy calving and calves his heifers at 3 years of age, going against the prevailing industry trend of calving at 2.
'You've got to think of the animal,' he said.
'Too many times, I was called in as a vet after poor decisions were made.
'I'd rather avoid the problem than fix it.'
Thompson's dedication to innovation also led him to take up embryo transfer in the 1980s.
After attending a course in Australia, he applied non-surgical techniques to improve beef genetics in New Zealand.
He has worked with breeds such as Charolais and Wagyu, developing high-quality herds through precise selection and reproductive expertise.
Mentorship has become another cornerstone of Thompson's legacy.
Over the years, he has supported countless young people through Future Beef and national cattle shows.
Many have gone on to become vets, farmers and breeders, inspired by their hands-on experiences with his cattle.
Beyond the paddocks, Thompson's home reveals a surprising second passion: Irish china.
Since 2013, he has built an impressive collection of Belleek porcelain, an interest he once shared with his late wife, Glennis Thompson.
Today, 'The China Museum', as he calls it, boasts 40 display cabinets and is a passion he now lovingly shares with his partner, Laurelle Crosby.
Despite his age, Thompson remains active on the farm, supported by Grant Latimer, a former client turned colleague.
From pioneering embryo work to mentoring the next generation, Thompson's legacy is not only measured in ribbons or accolades but in the lives and cattle he's helped shape.
– RNZ
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