Northern Focus bigger cow that’s consuming so much to meet her needs, they are the ones that die or don’t cycle in a drought” says Guy. In terms of acclimatisation, Guy and John agree that managing mustering in times of heat is important. “Moving the cattle during hot temperatures is something we work to avoid. We tend to get up at the crack of dawn and get them into the yard by 10am to manage their heat” say John. Buffalo fly and pink eye are also issues the Campbells have from time to time which they treat for using backliners and eye patches, respectively. Going forward, it is Guy’s goal to continue to develop the fodder available to support the production system they have in place, with the next development being the establishment of 160ha of Leucaena. “A part of my dream is to have green feed year-round, so trying to get Leucaena going, in conjunction with our oats and forage, will fill a bit of that gap. Some of the paddocks we have selected for Leucaena have had badly affected by erosion and this will provide full-time soil cover and a bit more soil structure and stability” says Guy. The Campbell’s selection emphasis on traits vital to their target market is bound to be a major factor in their success. However, it is the consideration of calving ease and maternal traits, such as birth weight and mature cow weight – and the identification of suitable curve bending bulls – that will ensure that their breeding herd continues to produce the article so sought after by buyers, all while suiting the production environment.
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