An Empowering Moment for Brangus Females - QCL 13 April 2023

BLING draft to rock the ring

BY MATT SHERRINGTON

THE spotlight shall be shone on the Brangus female when the inaugural BLING (Brangus Ladies Invitational Notable Genetics) Sale is held on Thursday, April 27, at Paradise Lagoons, Rockhampton

Highly regarded Brangus seedstock producers Bauhinia Park, Bimbadeen Bullakeana, Earlwood, Jardine, Lazy S, M1B, Oaklands, Pheasant Creek, Triple B, Voewood and Yaraandoo, will offer 24 heifers plus one flush, on the day, from 6 30pm

Sale coordinator Georgie Connor, said GDL established the sale with the concept of it being "something fresh and different" in focus

"We approached Rocky Amateurs and Racing Queensland and hit the ground running just before Christmas The sale will coincide with the barrier draw of regional Queensland's richest and most lucrative race, The Archer," Ms Connor said She said when deciding on the breed to showcase for the sale it was a " no brainer"

"Brangus breeders are

progressive people and with us being in the beef capital of Australia it made sense for us to elevate the breed to a whole new level

"The BLING vendors have rolled their sleeves up and

embraced the sale concept They've risen to the challenge and I cannot thank them enough We have selected an exquisite line of females "

Ms Connor said the vendor group will be unlocking

the door to their genetics "Heifers of this calibre would normally be retained for herd use Their elegance and class will provide an empowering moment for the Brangus female "

Enthusiasm for the sale has been widespread

"The genetics on offer are creating international interest We'll be live streaming the sale proceedings to the World Brangus Congress in

Argentina, via Elite Livestock Auctions, through which we encourage interested parties to bid through if they can't get to Paradise Lagoons "

The heifers selected for the BLING Sale will be available for inspection on Thursday afternoon from 5pm or prior to the day by arrangement

The catalogue, photos and videos of the heifers can be viewed online on the Elite Livestock Auctions, GDL and Australian Brangus Cattle Association websites

To tie in with the top shelf genetics being offered, those heading to Paradise Lagoons on sale day are asked to wear cocktail dress Canapés will be served, and a bar will be operational for beverage purchases For catering purposes please RSVP to savina salatenna@gdlrural.com.au

"We'll also be auctioning two items prior to the sale in support of the Brangus Australia Youth program It will a night to remember and I look forward to revealing, at a later date, the twist we'll bring to BLING in 2024 "

For pre-sale enquiries please call GDL's Georgie Connor on 0428 347 550

A total of 24 impeccably bred heifers and one flush will be offered at the first annual Brangus Ladies Invitational Notable Genetics (BLING) Sale on Thursday, April 27, at Paradise Lagoons Picture by Georgie Connor

Oaklands excited for BLING opportunity

THE opportunity to offer heifers at the BLING Sale was a " no brainer" for Oaklands

Brangus stud principals Nev and Megan Hansen

"When Georgie Connor at GDL rang us about the sale, we said 'what a great idea' It's a brilliant showcase for the breed and we would be excited to be a part of the draw for The Archer race, " Mr Hansen said The Hansens run their seedstock program at Kalapa, 30km west of Rockhampton, where they've been for more than 20 years

The dry spells the Hansens contend with led them to focusing on producing practical, functional cattle

"We started with mostly Australian genetics, and then incorporated imported genetics from higher rainfall areas, but we ' ve found that if these imported cattle don't receive the right nutrition they struggle to survive the dry For this reason we concentrate on breeding females adapted to our country "

The BLING Sale will be the first time in four years that

prospective buyers will have the opportunity to purchase Oaklands female genetics

"We've been building up our numbers since being able to lease more country from family "

Mr Hansen said their heifers in the sale, Oaklands Crystal and Oaklands Jewel, entering the ring in lots 13 and 14, are two of the best they've produced

"Following on from our success at the Rockhampton ABCA-sponsored sale our goal was to keep the quality of our draft at the sale level for BLING, and these two heifers are out of our best and most predictable cow lines

Sale to mark a first for Pheasant Creek

A PIECE of history will be made at the BLING Sale with Pheasant Creek stud principals Brad and Nicole Saunders to unlock the gate to their registered female genetics on the day

Crystal is sired by Australia's top selling Brangus bull in 2020, River Run 20 Her mother, Oaklands Helle, has the same sire as the bull that was the highest priced Brangus bull in Australia in 2021 and is out of our extremely consistent Glenwood Miss Gangster cow, who has been integral in shaping our entire herd

Jewel is the first progeny to be offered by in-house sire Oaklands Smooth Move

"He's making a big impact in our herd Jewel is a perfect blend of genetics combining the very best Australian and imported bloodlines "

MATT SHERRINGTON

Mr Saunders said they place heavy emphasis on their cow herd, which has been yearling joined for the past quarter of a century, with no second chances given, ensuring consistency and fertility

"Our operation, situated on Thendara, in Wowan, is run with a strictly commercial focus and involves more than 700 stud and commercial breeders," he said

"

The bulls from our cow herd are mainly sold in the paddock, with most going to long-time clients, several of these whom have bought our bulls every year for the last 18 years "

Mr Saunders said they wanted to support GDL with the sale idea

"

They seem to be very motivated in promoting the Brangus industry and we hope that the BLING sale is

highly successful It seemed like an ideal sale in which to offer some of our very best female genetics "

He said the two heifers to be offered at the BLING Sale are " are very functional and sound"

The Saunders first heifer to go through the ring will be Pheasant Creek Skye S168 in lot 5

A daughter of Triple B Powerball P271 out homebred dam Pheasant Creek Q146, Mr Saunders described Skye S168 as "the complete package" and said she'd be an asset to any herd

"Skye's a heifer with so much style and grace

"She would have normally be retained in the herd

"She has a faultless temperament, clean underline and is structurally very correct "

Following hot on her heels in lot 6, will be Pheasant Creek Sabrina S167, a Bindaree F812 daughter out of Jett MS High Quality 30M26.

"Sabrina is a well balanced female that displays a lot of breed character

"

The combination of her depth, bone and smoothness won't disappoint

"Mark this female in your catalogue as she is one not to miss " – MATT

SHERRINGTON

Brad Saunders described lot 5 Pheasant Creek Skye S168 as the complete package and said she d be an asset to any herd Picture by Kent Ward

Lot 14 in the BLING Sale, Oaklands Jewel, sired by Oaklands Smooth Move, out of Oaklands Miss Nifty 920 P2 Picture by Kent Ward

JEWEL #14

CRYSTAL #13

BLING SALE LOT 5 PHEASANT CREEK SKYE S168

BLING SALE LOT 6 PHEASANT CREEK SABRINA S167

Bimbadeen bling is genuine treasure

LETTING go of diamonds is never an easy prospect, and it's certainly not one that Bimbadeen stud principals

Mark and Amanda Salisbury have taken lightly

"While this sale is an exciting opportunity for Brangus breeders, it was actually a hard decision to work out which two females amongst our ' gems ' we were prepared to part with,' Mr Salisbury said

The Salisburys' checklist was stringent The heifers had to have their DNA show homozygous poll and coat colour genes; phenotype needed to be sound, strong and sleek with a great udder; temperament needed to be exceptional; the pedigrees must feature Brangus star power; and strong Breedplan EBVs

He said Bimbadeen Tilly T44 (lot 23) and Bimbadeen

Thandie T124 (lot 24) check all these boxes and represent close to 70 years of breeding and fertility pressure

"Tilly's pedigree boasts some of the cream of Bimbadeen bloodlines (in-

cluding legendary paternal granddam D0135 and the great Oaklands Ambassador) Her Bimbadeen dam line traces back 22 years, while her EBV's rate her top 1 per cent for milk, 3pc for scrotal size, 4pc for retail beef yield, with weights and EMA sitting around the top 20pc.

"

Thandie is a showstopper, by the easy-doing EBV powerhouse Bimbadeen Litchfield L12 (ET), who's known for his low-maintenance constitution, great libido and fertility Dam Bimbadeen

M52 has produced five calves in five joinings, including two sale bulls and presented us with another great bull

Two 'hearts' of the Bullakeana herd

WHEN the concept of the GDL BLING Sale first came about, Bullakeana stud co-principal Brad Hanson's initial thought was " yep, we ' re in"

calf (full brother) this year "

Mr Salisbury said Bimbadeen females are known for their fertility

"Over the past decade, we ' ve also added a little more frame into our females, taking care not to lose fertility and feminine traits

"These heifers find that great balance of being beautifully feminine, yet able to offer the kind of beef measures that matter in the marketplace "

Bimbadeen will also hold their annual on-property sale with 80 bulls on offer, on September 19, 2023

For more information visit bimbadeenbrangus com

"I felt that the time of the year was right for a female sale, and provided the opportunity to market prestigious genetics to a global audience," Mr Hanson said "The sale concept paired with the barrier draw of The Archer adds an interesting dimension to the event "

Bullakeana is a Brangus and Ultrablack stud located at Woolthorpe, east of Theodore in Central Queensland

Brad and Vicki Hanson established Bullakeana in 1998, and their focus has always been on breeding commercially relevant seedstock.

The stud is celebrating its silver anniversary with 2023 being their 25th year of breeding Brangus cattle Alongside their four children, Bullakeana has evolved into a family run operation

Their approach to the selection of females for the BLING Sale came down to

proven pedigrees, fertility, and structure

"

The cow families that back the two heifers have consistently proven themselves as champions from the show ring to the paddock

While most say that they offer their best, we ' re offering the true hearts of our herd."

Named after luxury items, Versace (lot 3) and Victoria's Secret (lot 4) are accurate models of the Bullakeana motto: beef, bone, balance

Both females bring something new to the table

Versace is the first release of progeny from the 2020 top price Palgrove bull, Primemover (Palgrove King-

PALGROVE PRIMEMOVER

VERSACE

BULLAKEANA OUR PRECIOUS LOT 3

pin), who blends dimensions with beautiful refinement and extension

"Versace is bold in design with maternal characteristics to boot "

Her counterpart, Victoria's Secret, is the first released daughter of the retained sire, Bullakeana Titanium. Her dam, Bullakeana The One and Only, was awarded Junior Champion Brangus Female at Beef 2021

"Victoria's Secret is filled with solid, practical traits all wrapped in a smooth, tropical coat Eye catching in both her phenotype and pedigree, she offers capacity with undeniable style "

Bullakeana Versace (lot 3) is the first release of progeny from the 2020 top price Palgrove bull, Primemover (Palgrove Kingpin) Picture supplied

GEMS: Bimbadeen Thandie T124 and Bimbadeen Tilly T44, are the ideal result of close to 70 years of selection pressure Picture supplied

High demand for top females

BY KYLIE NICHOLLS

AS BRANGUS studs across the state prepare for the inaugural BLING sale, demand for quality female genetics is at an all-time high, according to Brangus Australia chief executive officer Tessa Pearson

Ms Pearson said while demand for Brangus genetics has been quietly building for over a decade, the last few years have seen an exponential increase in the breed's popularity

"Interest in Brangus cattle is nationwide, and is a trend reflected in saleyard reports and premiums being paid at store and prime cattle sales, as well as in stud stock sales, especially over the past twelve months," she said

"While fertility and adaptability are hallmarks of Brangus breeding stock, it seems beef producers have also recognised the flexibility of the Brangus female and their exceptional mothering ability

"The combination of great calving ease, milking, mothering ability and fertility has enabled producers and users of Brangus genetics

to achieve excellent calving percentages

"The Brangus female also does a top job of raising their calves, in both nutrition and protection from predators, right through to weaning "

Ms Pearson said the growing demand for Brangus females was evident last year with stud females at the Roma and Rockhampton Brangus sales averaging 48 per cent higher higher than

2021, and achieving 100pc clearance rates

This demand was also reflected in other multivendor and private Brangus sales in 2022 and early this year

"We are also seeing in-

creased demand for performance-recorded and genetically profiled Brangus females," Ms Pearson said

"This performance and genetic information enables producers to make better-informed selection decisions and Brangus stud breeders have put an increased emphasis on quality data collection in recent years "

Ms Pearson said the investment in genomic profiling of seedstock animals by Brangus Australia has also grown significantly

"In 2015 only five pc of registered Brangus animals had DNA profiles, while 50pc of animals are now genomically tested," she said

"In 2022, more than 40pc of females were genomically profiled, despite it not being a requirement for registration

"DNA is being utilised by breeders as a crucial selection tool for their own herds, as well as providing dependable marketing benchmarks for potential buyers "

An exciting addition to the Brangus stud stock sales calendar this year is the Brangus Ladies Invitational

Notable Genetics (BLING) sale on Thursday, April 27, at Paradise Lagoons, between Gracemere and Rockhampton

According to Ms Pearson, the BLING sale will provide a rare opportunity for breeders to secure genetics from highly regarded Brangus seedstock producers

"The heifers selling in this sale would normally be retained in the herds of the vendors, so this is a unique opportunity to access elite female genetics," she said Brangus genetics can now be seen in herds throughout Australia, from far north Qld, to alpine regions in southern NSW, and into southern Victoria

"The Brangus has proven it can adapt and perform in a wide range of environmental conditions and climates," Ms Pearson said

"Brangus also lend themselves to crossbreeding operations, whether producers are transitioning to a black herd or maintaining a red breeding base "

■ Details: For more information visit brangus. com.au

Demand for quality Brangus female genetics continues to grow Picture supplied

BLING heifers tied to The Archer race meet

BLING Sale heifers will play a crucial role in the running of Rockhampton's richest race day, The Archer, on Sunday, April 30

Rocky Amateurs chairman Bill Reid said The Archer is the headliner of an eight race program, highlighted by prizemoney of more than $1M, with the Archer alone running for $775,000

"Being a stand alone

Queensland meeting and being the featured race nationally on the day ensures plenty of high profile trainers and jockeys present on the day," Mr Reid said

He said the slot holders for The Archer will draw for order of which they select a heifer, being offered at the BLING Sale, which will in turn be led to the stipes to deliver their barrier draw number to be announced the night prior to the sale on Thursday, April 27

"The biggest race in regional Queensland using the highest quality line of Brangus heifers ever stood up at a sale just makes sense "The BLING vendors have

spent a lot of time preparing and educating these cattle to perform on the night and our club is extremely grateful "

Mr Reid said the concept is in keeping with what the Rocky Amateurs is all about, "thinking outside the square, bringing in new initiatives, and taking standard practices to new levels"

"We were fortunate to partner up with GDL, who shares the same thought process as us Putting on events like this will continue to lift our profile, as well as theirs There has never been a barrier draw like this held in Australia

"Looking at the quality

Triple B to offer four of their best heifers

AN ONGOING goal of producing phenotypically attractive cattle that carry a balance of performance data for fertility, growth and carcase is clearly evident in the four heifers that Lindsay and Fiona Barlow, Triple B Stud, will offer at the BLING Sale

of the horses already announced for the Archer and the quality of the heifers involved in the sale comes down to one word Class "

Mr Reid said this is the second year the race will be run with the concept having been put on the table at a committee meeting in 2019 regarding the Rocky Amateurs future sustainability

"When we ran last year we were the only slot race apart from the Everest in Sydney in Australia It resulted in bringing horses and racing personalities to Rockhampton we could only dream of getting here before "

MATT SHERRINGTON

The Triple B stud was originally founded at Emu Park 33 years ago, and is now run across three properties in the Dingo district: Araluen, Glendarra and Namoi

Mr Barlow said one of their best S drop heifers, and one of the best they've released yet, Triple B Nerida S233 will be the first heifer to enter the ring on sale day

"She's the first daughter by Suhn's Business Line 30D26 to be auctioned in Australia and the first calf heifer by our homebred, Triple B Nerida P547 She's long, strong, deep and level with a clean underline She's a real donor prospect," he said

She'll be followed by Triple B Renee S173, another Business Line daughter out of the first calving Triple B Renee P569, who delivered a

bull calf in 2022

"Cosmetically blessed she's a granddaughter of the colonial, Thirsty Creek 812 Her granddam entered the donor program as a first calving heifer, producing 20 recorded calves "

The only Triple B Networth N284 daughter to be released, Triple B Omina S225, will be offered lot 17

"Networth is our leading resident and sired the top seller in our 2022 sale His daughter is beautifully put together and clean throughout, providing a clear indication of what her sire brings to the equation Omina S225 possesses length, bone, bal-

ance and depth all wrapped in a feminine package "

The Barlows Lot 18 heifer, Triple B Maddison S258, is the first genetic release of their retained, homebred, ET product, Powerhouse P544

"Maddison S258 is in the same mould as all the Powerhouse daughters: long, strong, filled with bone, balance, depth and femininity "

Mrs Barlow said they were excited to support GDL and the ABCA with the BLING Sale

"We feel honoured to have been asked to help establish an elite female sale for our breed " –

MATT SHERRINGTON

Fiona Barlow with the four Triple B heifers to be offered at the BLING Sale on Thursday, April 27 Picture by Kent Ward

A heifer in the BLING Sale with her purse containing a barrier draw number for Rockhampton s most lucrative race, The Archer Picture by Georgie Connor

kershaw@queenslandcountrylife com au

jane lowe@queenslandcountrylife com au

Dynamite daughters feature from Lazy S

THE 2019 Brisbane Royal and Cooyar Feature Show Champion, Lazy S Diplomat will have two 'first release' daughters representing him in the forthcoming BLING Sale at Paradise Lagoons, Rockhampton, on April 27

Lazy S, operated by Sue Fawcett will present two heterozygous polled, unjoined daughters, from her Condamine-based prefix stud breeding enterprise, both by her resident 2019 Royal and Feature Show Champion

Catalogued as lots 15 and 16 the pair will have a light preparation prior to the commencement of the sale

Both Diplomat and his sire, Glenoyra Fair Dinkum are still active within the Lazy S herd with the latter remaining consistently productive at 10 years of age

The pair of heifers are three quarter blood sisters with both of them being from females sired by Charlevue

Zing (Couti Outi Highland)

Both of the BLING Sale heifers carry vaccinations for Five In One and Three Germ Blood

This sale will mark the first opportunity that breeders will have to acquire female genetics from the Lazy S prefix since 2018

"I'm currently running 100 breeders within four single sire herds, these involve the $39,000 M1B Rourke R315 (Bonox 766) purchased at the 2022 Central Brangus Classic Sale (CBC), the $22,000 Bonox 823 (Bonox 330) acquired at the 2015 CBC Sale, Diplomat and Fair Dinkum," Ms Fawcett said

"Diplomat's dam was a 2009 acquisition as a fully imported embryo from the Telpara Hills Sale at Beef 2009 She is a daughter of the

Sensational heifers set for BLING Sale

THE highly regarded Bauhinia Park, Earlwood, Jardine, M1B and Voewood Brangus studs will each offer two carefully selected heifers at the BLING Sale

pairing between Singletary of Brinks 675R and MS Brinks

Sonar 30P13 Fair Dinkum was a $10,000 purchase from the 2012 ABCA Roma Sale"

These quality pair of females are descendants and the result of a herd founded in 1969

This was the Coreen prefix owned then by John and Wendy Fawcett, Life Members of the Australian Brangus Cattle Association

The Lazy S Stud was registered with the ABCA in 1986 and both studs (Coreen and Lazy S) have shown cattle widely and successfully over the decades

Michael and Tanya Madden, Earlwood Stud, Duaringa, will offer Earlwood Livy in lot 7 Her dam, Earlwood 2067, has never missed a calf and her sire, Tannyfoil P79, was the $52,500 top priced bull of the 2021 CBC Sale Lot 8, Earlwood Darcie, was described as a '"soft as butter, stunning young female with a beautiful sleek coat" Ryan and Rachel Holzwart, Bauhinia Park Stud, Emerald, will offer Bauhinia Park Miss Marvel T179 in lot 9 Her dam Western Force Marvel G106 is the mother of Resource who sold for $80,000 in 2022 Bauhinia Park Princess T178 (lot 10), out of Western Princess 2, one of Bauhinia Park best cow lines is described a "Long and deep bodied with plenty of growth and volume"

Edward and Kara Quinn, Voewood Stud, Calliope, will offer Voewood Stacie

S361 in lot 11 Her dam Glenoyra Glory is a daughter of Tarcoola General, who the Quinns said has "produced nothing but champions" Voewood Suzie S417 (lot 12) is described as having "strong breed characteristics and attractive EBVs to boot".

The sale will mark the first time that Mark and Katrina Brown, M1B Stud, Dululu, will offer females at a public auction M1B Sunni S829 (lot 19)is described as "well balanced with plenty of volume and exceptional length" M1B Silhouette (lot 20) was described as " a structurally correct, well balanced female with incredible softness"

David and Kay Franks, Jardine Stud, Jardine, will offer Jardine Miss Beauty 0421 in Lot 21 She's described as "well put together heifer with a smooth coat, length, width, style and a great temperament", while Jardine Hayley 2173, in lot 22, was highlighted as a "stylish young heifer with bone, length and depth"

John Collins, Yaraandoo stud, Gogango, will offer a one-off IVF collection/flush in the multi-award winning TH Miss Foundation 920Q in lot 25 This lot comes with a guarantee of a minimum of six A grade eggs

SHERRINGTON

The heifers being offered at the first annual BLING Sale would normally be retained for in-herd use Picture by Georgie Connor

The 2019 Brisbane Royal and Cooyar Feature Show Champion, Lazy S Diplomat has two daughters in the forthcoming BLING Sale Picture by Kent Ward