Has the Speckle Park Bubble Burst?

The rise and rise of the Speckle Park breed in Australia has been The rise and rise of the Speckle Park breed in Australia has been a controversial talking point for the last five years in the cattle industry. During that time, the numbers of Speckle Park cattle in Australia have outstripped the numbers of Speckle Park cattle in the Speckle Park mother country, Canada. Speckle Park has, at times, been the fastest growing breed in Australia. It has fetched at times, higher average sale prices than the more established breeds such as Angus, Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. The question arises “Have prices created a Speckle Park bubble”.

Like anything else in the commercial world, from currency to commodities, there comes a time when the prices flatten out and investors (in this case, commercial breeders) ask, “What next?”. This article examines the question.

Bulls

Across-the-board sales of bulls in 2018 averaged highs of $12,000 - $13,000 and showed a downward trend down to approximately $6,500. For instance, the recent JAD sales in 2020 for bulls was almost 50% lower than the bull sales for 2019 at $7,350. The same was true for Wattlegrove between 2018-2019, when bull averages went from $12,891 to $7,976 and at the recent Scone sale, bull prices averaged just under $6,000. That was also the case at the Waratah sale in August 2020 which averaged just under $8,000, showing that breeders are still looking for value for money at the lower end of the market

Minnamurra had bull averages of $11,392 in 2017, with sires from Royal Flesh 101Y and Stands Alone 300X dropping the following year to an average sale of $5,704.

The Speckleme sale achieved an average $7,500. The most successful female sale of 2019 (in the middle of Australia’s worst drought) was the Mt Eccles Sale with an average of over $11,000. The sale catalogue was a work of art.

The early 2020 JAD, Speckleme and Scone sales confirmed the bull trend was down.

Is there a Speckle Park Bubble and has the Bubble burst.

Is there a bubble? and if so, has the bull bubble burst? If it has, it is difficult to understand why. Looking back, the quality of the bulls appears to be as good, if not better, than in the past. There is no doubt that bulls ordinarily fetch the top prices, but top bull prices came down from $35,000 to about $20,000 - $24,000 between 2017-2019

Six Star Premier, the first interbreed champion was a magnificent bull, weighing in at a perfect 922kg and winning Supreme Grand Champion at Canberra and Melbourne in 2017.

Six Star Premier

In 2018, Smoke and Mirrors was the talk of the town and won many awards and achievements, including Sydney Grand Champion.

Wattlegrove Smoke and Mirrors

In 2019, JAD produced Night Rider N8, a magnificent black bull.

Rosehill, dominated at Sydney in 2019 with Rose Hill Montagu.

Rose Hill Montagu

Performance in 2018-2019

Fast forward to 2020. A Spectacular Speckleme Sale took place in Queensland. The EBVs were exceptional over a wide range of genetics, with 16-18-month-old bulls achieving averages from mid 600kgs to mid 700kgs. This is a real credit to Anne Knoblanche and her partners, Bell and Ebbeck, for an exceptionally high range of performance and consistency across the board.

TOP 5% FOR IMF

SPKNZ FALCON (AI) (ET) (P) RAW DATA FEB 2020 (Speckled) SIRE: MAUNGAHINA KIDMANS COVE (P) (Leopard) WEIGHT 714 SCROTAL 40 LOT 5 BOWAN PARK VANTAGE P220 DOB: 22/07/2018 TATTOO: BPP P220 MAINSTREAM E12 (ET) (P) (Speckled) RIB FAT 7 RIVER HILL 26T WALKER 60W (P) (Speckled) RUMP FAT 10 DAM: SIX STAR UNIQUE (AI) (ET) (Speckled) EMA 112 CODIAK UNIQUE GNK 8R (P) (Speckled) IMF 6.3

EBV EBV ACC ACC

EBV EBV GL -0.3 50% BW +2.1 76%

-0.2 -0.1 +1.3 +1.5 200 +22 72%

+14 +14 400 +30 69% 600 +45 70% MCW +49 57% Milk +1 33%

SS +0.3 73% CWT +28 59% EMA +1.5 47%

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2017 Born Calves Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 Born Calves +20 +20 +26 +27 +26 +26 +3 +3 +0.1 +0.1 +17 +16 +0.8 +0.8 RIB +1.1 56% RUMP +1.3 55% RBY -0.6 53% IMF +1.0 45%

+0.1 +0.2 +0.0 +0.2 +0.1 +0.0 +0.0 +0.1

Description The first of our Maungahina Kidman’s Cove and what a cracking good one at that, have a good look at this meat machine. Deep bodied and thick as they come. This guy is superbly bred being out of one the best daughters of the breed in the legendary 8R cow. A great set of EBV’s and a massive Top 5% for the very important IMF.

Purchaser........................................................................................................................Purchaser. ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ PRICE $ ................................... ...................................

Speckle Me Elite Bull Sale 2020 | 15 STAR BANK KING GEORGE 82U (P) RAW DATA FEB 2020 (Speckled) SIRE: SIX STAR 82U ROYAL FLESH 101Y (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) WEIGHT 682 SCROTAL 39 LOT 7 BOWAN PARK ALBERTA P141 DOB: 11/07/2018 TATTOO: BPP P141 STAR BANK 53R (P) (White) RIB FAT 9 SPOTS ‘N SPROUTS STANDS ALONE (P) (White) RUMP FAT 11 DAM: SIX STAR 300X TORI J26 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) EMA 103 UPTO SPECS TORI 10T (P) (Leopard) IMF 6.5

EBV EBV ACC ACC

EBV EBV

GL +0.4 51% BW +3.1 75%

-0.2 -0.1 +1.3 +1.5 200 +21 71%

+14 +14 400 +23 600 +35 MCW +35 Milk +3

SS +0.7 CWT +17 EMA +0.7

69% 70% 58% 39% 72% 59% 49%

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2017 Born Calves Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 Born Calves +20 +20 +26 +27 +26 +26 +3 +3 +0.1 +0.1 +17 +16 +0.8 +0.8 RIB +0.3 58% RUMP +0.4 58% RBY -0.1 55% IMF +0.1 49%

+0.1 +0.2 +0.0 +0.2 +0.1 +0.0 +0.0 +0.1

Description A stud sire in the making here. A WHITE maternal half brother to the top priced female at $22,000 in our female sale. Smooth and so well made with lots of “grunt“ and performance to him. Big set of testicles and @ 6.5 IMF. His sire Royal Flesh is a trait leader in 200, 400 & 600 day growth.

TOP 5% for 200 Day Growth

Purchaser........................................................................................................................Purchaser. .....................................................................................................................TOP 10% PRICE $ PRICE $ ................................... ...................................

for EMA

16 | Speckle Me Elite Bull Sale 2020 STAR BANK KING GEORGE 82U (P) RAW DATA FEB 2020 (Speckled) SIRE: SIX STAR 82U ROYAL FLESH 101Y (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) WEIGHT 726 SCROTAL 40.5 JAD had an impressive animal in Polar Express with some interesting genetics. STAR BANK 53R (P) (White) RIB FAT 6 SPOTS ‘N SPROUTS STANDS ALONE (P) (White) RUMP FAT 9 DAM: SIX STAR 300X TORI J26 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) EMA 111 UPTO SPECS TORI 10T (P) (Leopard) IMF 6.4

EBV EBV ACC ACC

EBV EBV GL 0.0 51% BW +3.1 75%

-0.2 -0.1 +1.3 +1.5 200 +25 71%

+14 +14 400 +30 600 +42 MCW +41 Milk +3

SS +0.8 CWT +25 EMA +1.4

69% 70% 58% 39% 72% 59% 49%

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2017 Born Calves Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 Born Calves +20 +20 +26 +27 +26 +26

+3 +3 +0.1 +0.1 +17 +16 +0.8 +0.8 RIB -0.3 58% RUMP -0.6 58% RBY +0.8 55% IMF 0.0 49%

+0.1 +0.2 +0.0 +0.2 +0.1 +0.0 +0.0 +0.1

Description Another slashing good, smooth skinned upstanding Six Star Royal Flesh son and out of the Six Star Tori J26 a beautiful 300X donor Dam. Alberta P141 is way up there with a great set of raw data. Weighs like lead, big EMA.and a large set of testicles. One of the favourites of our visitors this past year. A bull who could well stand as a Stud Sire in any purebred program. He’s developing into a stout 2yr old.

Purchaser........................................................................................................................Purchaser. ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ PRICE $ ................................... ...................................

Promised Land Eldorado

LOT 6 BOWAN PARK PYTHEAS P160

DOB: 13/07/2018 TATTOO: BPP P160But most importantly, it is the boutique breeders supporting the industry coming through.

Scone had some really good bulls on sale, including lot 46, sired by Underhill All Out 1D D and Lot 10, Hillview’s Flash.

SIX STAR RARE COMMODITY (AI) (ET)

LOT 8 (Speckled) BOWAN PARK NEILBURG P135

SIRE: SIX STAR PREMIER (P) (Speckled)DOB: 10/07/2018 TATTOO: BPP P135 SIX STAR PHO-FINISH G250 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) A & W 15R (P) (Leopard) DAM: SIX STAR THERESA J21 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled)Hillview’s Flash CODIAK TERESSA GNK 12T (P) (Speckled) GL BW 200 400 600 MCW Milk SS CWT EMA RIB RUMP RBY IMFThe Speckle Park community is no longer tied to a few foundation EBV ACC EBV +0.9 +2.4 +12 +35 +49 +56 +2 +0.9 +30 +2.0 +0.1 0.0 +0.2 +0.6 ACC 43% 72% 68% 66% 67% 53% 26% 71% 55% 44% 52% 52% 49% 40%bulls. There are now a wealth of good bulls and gold nuggets in Breed Avg. EBVs for 2017 Born Calves Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 Born Calves the paddock that the show ring might never see. Australians EBV -0.2 +1.3 +14 +20 +26 +26 +3 +0.1 +17 +0.8 +0.1 +0.0 +0.1 +0.0EBV -0.1 +1.5 +14 +20 +27 +26 +3 +0.1 +16 +0.8 +0.2 +0.2 +0.0 +0.1are breeding better bulls, importing genetics from overseas and Description Have a good look at this classy thick topped PREMIER son. He’s one of the most complete and easy on the eye in the catalogue. His Dam is out of the well vigorously pursuing their own genetic combinations to provide credentialed 12T cow making her a FULL SISTER to the leading Sire and one of the best that Mungahina has had in FALCON. Carcass and style hard to get in the one package but Pytheas P160 gives it to you. These PREMIER some are going to give you lots of hassle free easy doing top quality bulls. calves. Top 1% fro EMA, top 5% for 600 day growth and IMF.

Purchaser........................................................................................................................ PRICE $ ...................................Purchaser. ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ ...................................Even though the quality of bulls has improved, the market softened in 2019, that might have been because of the drought and it posed the question as to whether the Speckle Park bull sale CODIAK ACRES OH MY GOSH (Leopard) prices were sustainable.

SIRE: OUTBACK JOEY 25D (P) (White) RIVER HILL 54Z BELLA-JOY 25B (P) On average, it appeared in 2019 that the average bull sales in (White) Speckle Park were on par with those of the Angus bulls. STAR BANK LACERTA 68L (Speckled)

DAM: MISTY VALLEY MIDNIGHT E86 (ET) (Speckled) HWY. 4 SPECKLE PARK 7F (Speckled) Summary By YEAR - Angus Bulls Sold at Auction

Year GL BW 200 400No. of Sales 600 MCW MilkBulls Sold SS CWTTop $ EMA RIB RUMP RBYAverage $ EBV EBV 2020 -1.0 -0.5 +10 47 +8 -1 -13 2,785 +3 -0.5 +5 $52,000 +0.7 +0.4 +0.5 -0.1 $7,291 ACC ACC 45% 75% 71% 69% 68% 54% 25% 70% 57% 46% 56% 56% 53%

IMF -0.1 46% Breed Avg. EBVs for 2017 Born Calves EBV -0.2 +1.3 +14 +20 +26 +26 +3 +0.1 +17 +0.8 +0.1 +0.0 +0.1 +0.0 Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 Born Calves EBV -0.1 +1.5 +14 +20 +27 +26 +3 +0.1 +16 +0.8 +0.2 +0.2 +0.0 +0.1The Angus bulls still command higher prices at the top end, selling Description Neilburg would make a perfect heifer bull. He’s smooth with an added top and square hipped and for almost twice as much as the Speckle Park bulls. This may be a low BW. Meat with ease of calving built in. His dam is one of the nicest Lacerta 68L’s we have had the pleasure to work with over the years. Longevity of this family is second to none with his dam E86 (a donor) still powering along at eleven years old which indicates they are tough and SOUND. P135 is no exception. because the Angus bulls have so much more history in the data production department, as well as statistics with high accuracy percentages. Purchaser........................................................................................................................Purchaser. ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ PRICE $ ................................... ...................................

Moderate bull prices facilitate a groundswell of support, particularly in the commercial sector.

In 2020 The exceptional quality of Speckle Park bulls was recognised by the acclamation of two world champions: Hawkeye 444E and Plunderer 196.

Notta Hawkeye 444E Minnamurra Plunderer 196

There has been an explosion of interest in 2020. In the space of two months top records have been smashed. Firstly Plunderer 196 was sold for 40,000. Then Battalion sold Utah for $45,000 in a private honest to goodness sale.

Battalion Utah

Finally Wattlegrove pulverised those sale price with Paperboy fetching $68,000 in a bid by 42 bidders just pure commercial bidding on the open market.

Wattle Grove Paperboy

There are too many to single out but some of those that have contacted us to promote their animals include: Foxtailhill, Hidden Valley, Greenhaven, Oakey Creek, Promised Land, Pemberton, Pinnacle Park, Battalion, Rosehill, Ersyldene, Beth Vide, SND, Threeway, Southern Aurora and AAA. They are all demanding a place in the sun and demonstrate there are many gems in the paddock that are unlikely to see the show ring. Yet a view of the cattle show that these are cattle that any self-respecting cattle farmer would love to have in the paddock.

What about the females?

The most impressive female sale was the Wattlegrove female sale of 2017 at $13,318. In 2020, the JAD female average of $13,050 was the second highest and was finally eclipsed by Wattlegrove with an average of over $14,000. The female prices have firmed and remain uncharacteristically in high demand. At Scone in 2020, there were some exceptional females, with Heartbreaker P6 selling for $30,000 and a good

average of over $9,000.

Battalion Heartbreaker

In the drought during 2019, Mt Eccles had a really good result in averaging in excess of $11,000 per head. At the Waratah in 2020, female sales came down to $7,500 Breeders are valuing the quality females’ lines being produced in Speckle Park breed and during some of the lowest rainfall years in Australian history, sale prices were maintained for females. Now that some rains have come, there is a huge demand for females and, with more stock being available, this has resulted in female prices being sustained at high levels, which do not appear to be subsiding anytime soon

Boutique studs are now producing excellent animals and are not wedded to stud-lines, instead, they are exploring the parameters and with success. For instance, Promised Land on the Mid North Coast, which has only been in the Speckle Park breeding arena for two years, sold Promised Land Eldorado for a commendable $17,000. Battalion showed its skill again with Heartbreaker P6 and, in September 2020, sold Battalion Utah for $45,000

We have held back the publication of the bulletin to consider to consider that in October a Brahman sale topped $210k with a

the results of the big sales in spring and this bulletin would be particularly in the carcass division, which is where it counts. It

incomplete without a mention of the Wattle Grove sale that took place on Sat 17 October. Dale and Belinda Humphreys again demonstrated that there is no replacement for hard work and good management producing a platinum performance in their sale.

Most importantly the statistics are relevant. The top bull price was 68,000 and the highest ever grossing sale with averages for Bull and Females of over $14,000. Sweat, dedication and smart management on top of a reputation of integrity and a leaders in cattle prices. Speckle Park could be proud of that

family dedicated to uplifting the breed, all critical ingredients for cattlemen’s success.

If I were to select the criteria that set both Mount Eccles and Wattle Grove at the top of the ladder it would be these two mainstream recognised breed. They include:

aspects.

(a)

(b) Both Dale and Udo demonstrated an ability and preparedness to experiment with widespread genetics. In any one of those sales you may have a view about a particular sire but there was plenty to choose from and no one would go away from either of those sales being disappointed for variety.

In the catalogue division Mount Eccles would have taken the gold medal where the pages were clear with critical information and not plagued by overzealous bombardment of meaningless statistics. The same can be said of the Wattle Grove catalogue where the photographs that were taken were of high quality informative and distinctive in the Wattle Grove red and black colours

Both these factors are evidence of a serious dedication to the task at hand and served those breeders well providing a real guide to the newcomers in the breed.

Conclusion

To answer the question initially posed. There is no bubble. There is a slow groundswell of joining members. Welcome Templemount and Gotcha Speckle Parks! To coin a phrase from Mr Spock in Star Trek “Live long well and prosper” The model will work best if the base of the Speckle Park community is spread as widely as possible rather than facilitating the monopolisation of the breed by a few.

Speckle Park is undoubtedly taking its place amongst the top breeds, but its upward path will be challenged. It is critical that its management shows vision and efficiency. -

Before we become too euphoric about the prices achieved in the spring let us take stock of the prices achieved in these times post drought. There were several studs that outsold Minnamurra but not by much. Millwillah Angus sold 81/81 with a top of $44,000. $41,000. Santa Gertrudis arguably topped the list with 92/92 animals with a top of $45,000. The most animals for the highest price. In a tight race with averages between $9k and $16k, Angus is still the breed to beat because of their depth and breadth, their groundswell and excellent management. To perhaps get a better idea of what the big-league looks like and what the Speckle community should be aiming at , it would be humbling 97% clearance and average of 12.5k and revenue of $9.6 m.

What can be said is that Speckle Park is taking its place with the major players. We can be enormously proud of that after just 12 years as a registered breed. Perhaps it can be argued there is no “bubble” but instead, Speckles are slowly taking their place in the top five breeds. This is due to their exceptional performances, is happening steadily with, the expected growing pains but the Speckle Park breed is working towards solid statistics, proven reliability, and the production of improved commercial herds.

It is encouraging that the average sales of Speckle Park cattle, favourably competes with both Angus and Brahman, the industry performance.

There are several factors that contribute to becoming a Banquet Angus sold less animals for more money with a top of

Regular provision of carcass data and breeding data

An adequate and expanding gene pool

An operative and suitable breeding assessment program

A competent breed association and management.

This breed needs to have an ongoing community spirit, encouragement and growth. Pursuit of the real goals and carcass data. The dispersal sales of some of the biggest and best breeders in our industry both here and in Canada is a cause for concern. If animals cannot be registered, tested, and transferred in a timely fashion it will serve to the detriment of the breed. Overall the numbers of breeders are increasing demands are being made on the breed association are being increased and they deserve all the support they can get from the breeders to support them in their core functions.

Finally the Southern Success promotion sale showed that breeders can collaborate to put together sales as they do in Canada. It was a great effort by Jack Nelson and his team, great catalogue, wide variety of genetics.

It’s Only One Man’s Opinion

KFC 44H, DAUGHTER

KFC 16H, DAUGHTER

CODIAK OSCAR GNK 8S X CODIAK GNK 53W MYOSTATIN: NON CARRIER | HOMO BLACK | HOMO POLLED BW: 88 LBS | 205D: 554 LBS

End to End’s First calf crop portrays length and soundness. We chose him from the Codiak herd for his carcass merit, as well as fertility and maternal strength. Offering AUS/NZ semen rights. Exportable embryos from JKH 3D x End To End available as well as exportable semen.

JKH 3D, DONOR

RIVER HILL 26T WALKER 60W X PRAIRIE HILL DREAMAKER 88K MYOSTATIN: CARRIER | HOMO BLACK | HOMO POLLED BW: 89 LBS | 205D: 783 LBS | 365D: 1335 LBS

Excalibur has made his mark on our herd by adding performance and muscle shape to his calves. Excalibur sired the 2019 Bull Calf Champion at Canadian Western Agribition, KFC Gladiator 1G. Offering AUS/NZ semen rights. Exportable semen available.

KFC 12H, DAUGHTER

KFC 1G, SON

KFC 25G, SON

KFC FARMS LTD. OWNER KEN FRIESEN: 604.854.0361 | ken@fcltd.ca FARM MANAGER JOHN CARTWRIGHT: 403.507.3319 | john.kfcfarms@gmail.com SALE & SHOW CATTLE ASHLEY ANDERSON: 250.845.4084

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