About Stern Angus.

Herd Founder,
Robert Fraser.

The Stern herd was founded in 1937 on Motere and Tautane bloodlines in Southland by Robert Fraser, the present owners grandfather. The herd moved to Sterndale in 1942 and went through a very successful period under the stewardship of his son Robin Fraser before the present owners James and Fe Fraser took over in 1992.

It is interesting to note that Fe’s Family has a longer association with Angus. Her family were shareholders in the New Zealand and Australian Land Company which first imported stud cattle to New Zealand in the 1860’s.


An original portrait of Tillyfour Lass one of the first six females imported, hangs above the living room fire place at Sterndale.

Front entrance to
Stern Angus Stud.

Today Stern mates in excess of 500 cows and yearling heifers. Summers are often dry with a 600mm annual rainfall. Cows are frequently grazed over neighbouring properties and further a field ensuring a strong commercial bias. Winter temperatures can get down to -12˚C with occassional snow and summer temperatures up to the mid 30's. Recently two centre pivot irrigators and a beef trading unit have been installed on the property.

The 2006 sale was held while 15cm of snow remained from a fall two weeks earlier and with power yet to be reconnected.

The stud has enjoyed many successes including sales to $28,000 for the heifer Stern Bushelle at the 1981 Angus World Forum and bulls also to $28,000 together with regular semen and embryo sales and exports.

The 2008 sale saw 85 bulls sold for a average of $5,200 and a top price of $15,500 to Cleardale Station, Rakaia Gorge. Repeat buyers came from throughout the South Island and lower half of the North Island, and included new purchasers from the Chatham islands.

The 2009 sale saw 85 bulls sell for a $6000 average and a top price of $18000 to Meadowslea Stud, Fairlie. The sale was dominated by 25 sons of home breed Highlander of Stern that averaged $8000. Sales included semen exports to Australia.

James, Fiona, and family