Droughtmaster Digest August 2015

DROUGHTMASTER AUGUST 2015

BEEF 2015 ROUND-UP SPRING SALE PREVIEW SAMOAN EXPORT REPORT

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August 2015

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

CONTENTS

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2015

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

Beef 2015 coverage.

6 Calf care key to Waterloo success.

68 Dick Vincent recognised with AO.

33 Grafton Invitational Sale.

4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

4 CEO’S MESSAGE

8 TULLY STUDENTS ON TOP OF THE WORLD

25 DNA ABLE TO PREDICT PERFORMANCE

10 THE HARD TIMES FOR DROUGHT-STRICKEN GIRL

36 DROUGHTMASTER NATIONAL SALE PREVIEW

18 JOHN BOYDELL’S MOMENT TO SHINE

47 BEEF 2015 RESULTS

Big winners at Beef 2015

The school’s stud program places a strong emphasis on animal welfare and sustainability with the main educational focus to provide students with valuable ‘real world’ educational experiences.

One young schoolgirl’s own experience in the height of the Queensland drought as she stands by her family and herd.

Former Society executive secretary’s new book, Tsunami in the Bulldust.

Preparing for Ekka

Much-anticipated results from the latest Beef Information Nucleus project have been released, showing new DNA collection methods can reveal herd potential.

Organisers have catalogued 570 quality bulls for the breed’s premier event on September 15 and 16.

Catch up on all the Beef 2015 Droughmaster wins at Rockhampton.

DECEMBER DIGEST DEADLINES

Advertising bookings: November 6 Advertising Copy: November 13 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

August 2015

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

MESSAGES

DROUGHTIES EARN THEIR COLOURS AT BEEF 2015

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EEF 2015 was an exceptional event and showcased the best the Australian beef industry has to offer. Purebred Droughtmaster steers bred by Ken and Kerry McKenzie were once again awarded grand champion pen against strong competition from more than 1100 head from a multitude of breeds. Congratulations to the McKenzies and all the other Droughtmaster exhibitors, particularly Mac and Gayle Shann whose heifers won the award for the champion pen of heifers. The Droughtmaster display of stud cattle was first class with more than 150 head parading before a huge audience. Congratulations to Andrew and Kerri McKenzie, Hamadra, on presenting the champion bull and the Lloyd Family, Heitiki, on their champion female award.

We thank all exhibitors who made the effort to nominate cattle for this prestige event. The society’s hospitality marquees were as popular as ever and the Droughtmaster bull statue attracted plenty of passing traffic. There was a lot of international interest at Beef 2015 and we were very proud to host representatives of the new Africa Droughtmaster Society. This is a very exciting development for our breed and we look forward with anticipation to the ongoing development of the breed in South Africa. In the last few months a number of Droughtmaster heifers and bulls were exported to Samoa as part of a World Bank-funded project for the Samoan people. This is one of several export opportunities which have presented themselves in recent times. The board of directors were very pleased to acknowledge the commitment and enthusiasm of several long-standing members by awarding life membership to Margaret Wilson, Truvalle, and Neil and Margaret Warne, Cedardale, over the past few months.

On a sombre note we had to farewell several older members who passed away recently. First was Fred Banff, Clinton, then Joyce Ahlers, Kanbrae, and most recently Aubrey Kinbacher, Garthowen. We were very saddened by the passing of these breed stalwarts and our heartfelt sympathy goes to all their families and friends at this sad time.

Earlier this year the society joined forces with the Australian Brahman Breeders Association in a MLA funded research project that will generate carcase performance data on Droughtmaster steers and Brahman steers with known pedigrees.

This data will enable the use of DNA to provide carcase performance predictions. One of the objectives of the Joint Steer Project is to highlight the ability of Droughtmaster cattle to achieve high compliance for MSA grading. The society is also involved in the Northern Australia Female Fertility Project to produce some key data to improve the efficiency of commercial herds in northern Australia.

Genomics is going to provide some wonderful tools for the industry and the society is making every endeavour to ensure commercial Droughtmaster breeders are able to utilise the technology.

MICHAEL FLYNN President 4

August 2015

DROUGHT PLAYS CRUEL HAND TO OUR PRODUCERS

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S I write this column there are still many beef producers in a desperate plight due to prolonged drought. Unfortunately, there is little we can do to relieve their predicament except to let them know we are thinking of them and praying for a break. Their angst over a situation beyond their control is no doubt amplified by their inability to take advantage of much higher cattle prices in the past six months.

None of these producers will ask for help, but each one of us should make a point of contacting a drought-stricken producer that we know and let them know they are not forgotten. Up to 75 per cent of Queensland, and a good lump of NSW, is drought declared but unfortunately a lot of the mainstream media, the public and most politicians seem to have forgotten our drought-stricken beef producers.

The stud industry has naturally been influenced by the drought and the poor profitability of commercial cattle production in recent times, which has seen a few studmasters retire or scale back their operations. However, we have been pleased to welcome several new studmasters in the past 12 months. Commercial beef producers need quality genetics to improve their viability, so studs will always remain a vital part of the production chain.

The Royal Queensland Show is an event at which many loyal breed supporters catch up with each other and this year is sure to be no exception. It is also an opportunity for the society to provide a young cattle person with the chance to adjudicate as associate judge at a Royal Show under the guidance of a highly respected judge.

This year Amy Birch from Birch, Monto, has the privilege of assisting judge Shane Perry, Strathfield, Clermont. As part of our ongoing campaign to assist the development of keen young people in the cattle industry, we were pleased to provide William Weir from Ammaroo Station near Alice Springs with the opportunity to be the associate judge at Beef 2015.

William did a great job and returned to the Northern Territory where he won the junior judging competition at the Alice Springs Show.

He was then elevated to overall judge at the Tennant Creek Show in mid-July.

We are so pleased to have played a small part in helping a youngster with a lot of ability show that ability – well done William. As we head towards the spring sales circuit we are pleased to see that abattoirs are paying excellent prices for bulls which has seen some heavier bulls return in excess of $2000. Astute breeders will see this as an opportunity to trade in an old bull for a new one at one of the forthcoming Droughtmaster sales. And with breeder numbers down due to drought, it appears it will be a buyers’ market. I look forward to catching up with the multitude of Droughtmaster breeders at the forthcoming sales.

NEIL DONALDSON

DROUGHTMASTER STUD BREEDERS’ SOCIETY ACN 010 129 683 40 Thorn Street, Ipswich, QLD 4305 Phone: (07) 3281 0056 Fax: (07) 3281 7957 Email: office@droughtmaster.com.au

PATRON

Audrey Perry

BOARD PRESIDENT Michael Flynn (07) 4654 5223 VICE-PRESIDENT Steve Pickering (07) 4168 6249 DIRECTORS Far Northern Zone Jeff Williams 0418 755 279 Northern Zone Vacant Central Zone Vacant South East Zone Brian Heck (07) 5484 9183 Southern Zone Michael Flynn (07) 4654 5223 Far Southern Zone Timothy Lloyd (02) 6724 8362 Western Zone Vacant National Steve Pickering (07) 4168 6249 Douglas Miles (07) 4934 7645 SPECIAL SKILLS DIRECTOR Paul Laycock 0438 788 201 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Neil Donaldson 0428 796 330 OFFICE MANAGER Samantha Maher REGISTRAR Carmel Bell ACCOUNTS Toni Franklin ADMINISTRATION Leigh Eleison TECHNICAL OFFICER Paul Williams 0427 018 982 DIGEST PRODUCTION Editor: Kate Stark Editorial & Advertising Fairfax Agricultural Media Queensland PO Box 586, Cleveland 4163 Phone: (07) 3826 8200 Fax: (07) 3821 1236

www.droughtmaster.com.au

DROUGHTMASTER AUGUST 2015

OUR COVER It was ‘showtime’ in a much bigger way for many people this year, with Beef 2015 added to the regular show circuit, which culminates in the Royal Queensland Show this month.

BEEF 2015 ROUND-UP SPRING SALE PREVIEW SAMOAN EXPORT REPORT

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER LIKE US ON FACEBOOK The opinions expressed in the Droughtmaster Digest are not necessarily the opinions of the Droughtmaster Stud Breeders Society Ltd, or of Fairfax Agricultural Media Queensland. This publication is protected by copyright and articles or photo graphs may not be used without authorisation.

CEO

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

CALF CARE KEY TO WATERLOO SUCCESS

By ASHLEY WALMSLEY

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HE maternal instinct of Droughtmaster females continues to amaze Waterloo commercial cattleman Greg Piggott. While by no means a large-scale producer, Greg’s fondness for cattle production using Droughtmaster bloodlines has shown him something special within the breed.

“They are very good mothers,” Greg said. “You’ll see it every day – there’ll be one or two older cows sitting with 12 or 15 little ones and they’ll stay with them all day.”

He said the older cows would even change shifts, allowing the others to go off and feed.

This ‘cattle creche’ has become a natural defence against the significant wild dog problem on his property, Hawthornden, situated about 25 minutes’ north of Gin Gin. Although the spelling is the same, Greg and his

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wife Jo-Anne are not related to the other Droughtmaster-breeding Piggott family at Aldinga Park, Rolleston – something they often get asked

about. His interest in calf welfare is also helping Greg snare a premium at sales. He sells mostly through the Biggenden saleyards. Greg describes

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST LEFT: Avid Droughtmaster fan Greg Piggott, Hawthornden, Waterloo, works with his weaner cattle before turning them off; most go to the Biggenden Saleyards, which he says helps secure an improved price.

the property’s 800 hectares (2000 acres) as light coastal, phosphorous-deficient country which limits its fattening ability.

With this in mind, he has tailored his operation to produce 250-300kg weaners – slightly larger than other producers would do. A key point of difference is his avoidance of pulling calves straight from their mothers and forcing them onto a truck.

The Piggotts take the time to work with the weaners, tailing them out and separating them prior to heading to a sale. The extra finishing touch has so far proved an eye-catcher to cattle buyers, with Hawthornden cattle regularly featuring in the top 10 per cent of prices paid on sale day.

Beyond this, it’s also a safety consideration.

“In my mind, I think you’ve got a responsibility to at least try. If you take calves straight off their mothers, they can be proper ratbags. There is potential there for some pretty horrific accidents.”

Weight gain is the aim of the game at Hawthornden, and while Greg upholds his admiration for Droughties, he isn’t deterred from crossing if necessary.

His use of a Senepol bull over his females has resulted in an output boost. “Those calves just seem to grow out a bit quicker.”

He is now looking to try a Charolais bull as well.

“We’re in it for the weight gain. The honey-coloured calves sell pretty well. The quicker they can put the weight on, the better.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about kilos, and how quickly you can get those kilos on.

“It’s dollars in the bank. If you can put a calf on the ground in three months that weighs 30kg or 20kg more than the mate in the paddock next door, then that’s the way you’re going to go.”

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

FROM A TRICKLE TO A FLOOD At the end of the day, it’s all about kilos, and how quickly you can get those kilos on.

It was almost a pre-determined step for Greg to go with Droughtmasters. “I’ve always liked them.”

Greg bought a line of maiden heifers from Phillip Carr, Glastonbury, after buying the property in 2010.

From here, he has bred his own females to run with bulls sourced from the Vitwood and Billabong Droughtmaster studs.

Their herd consists of about 220 breeder females, although they could handle more.

They’ve continued to work on property infrastructure with a particular focus on improving fencing layouts using laneways to their advantage.

That has meant pulling up and altering some fence lines to correct some “ridiculously small” paddocks.

Pastures consist of Rhodes grass and seca stylo, with some substantial coverage of Wynn cassia.

“The temperament of the Droughtmaster cattle never ceases to amaze me. My wife can walk up to some of the cattle in the paddock and basically pat them and scratch them.

“We haven’t had any problem cattle here. Probably comes back to spending time on your weaners, tailing them out.”

THE pain of not having enough water is usually front of mind for most commercial cattlemen.

Having too much can cause some sleepless nights as well.

Previous owners of Greg Piggott’s property Hawthornden had the forethought to invest in water infrastructure.

The property now boasts some 20 dams, two bores and troughs along the western paddocks.

But as Greg says, “We’ve probably had too much water”.

Its location close to the Kolan River and Monduran Dam saw it go under in the 2010 floods and then again in 2013.

The Piggotts’ house was spared, but a substantial amount of their fencing was washed away.

“It was a shock to me. Stoney Creek came up from a trickle to over 20-feet deep, and the old bridge over the Kolan River went under by 30ft.”

Greg recalls the 2013 flood as the worse of the two.

He said during the heavy rain, he could hear the steel flood gates clanging as the water rose, until it abruptly stopped.

His inspection the next morning showed they had been swept away.

“It was all gone – the 16mm cable gone, all the iron – it just took it and put it in the state forest.”

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEXT GENERATION

TULLY STATE STUD ON A HIGH

By WARREN J GIFFIN, agriculture co-ordinator THE Tully High School Droughtmaster Stud has been developed as a valuable learning resource for our beef producers of the future.

Upon completion of studies at school, students are competent in many aspects of beef husbandry.

Some students choose to continue on to tertiary studies in veterinary science or work in related industries.

Since 2001, we have been working hard to develop the stud to industry standard. Initially, the stud focused on improving three main goals – firstly, temperament, which is of vital importance to the safety and confidence building of the students; secondly, polled/scurred condition, having obvious advantages of safety and carcase quality; and thirdly, frame size.

Having made such good progress in these areas, we are now focusing on the challenge of breeding a more muscled animal. With the generous loan of bulls and donation of semen from reputable studs,

Tully State High Cairns show team 2015.

significant progress has been made, ensuring the stud develops a good line of animals, with a broad genetic base. The school currently runs 20 breeding cows, producing progeny from both artificial and natural breeding systems. The majority of the heifers are retained for breeding or sold at the

annual Malanda female sale, while the bulls are sold direct from the paddock.

With a strong emphasis on animal welfare and sustainability, the main educational focus is to provide students with valuable ‘real-world’ educational experiences.

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

STUD 302

HEITIKI DROUGHTMASTERS

The Prime Producers Sale Thursday, September 3 at Heitiki Delungra 25 Quality vet inspected, semen tested bulls 6 Registered heifers 25 Commercial heifers PTIC

Lot 1, Heitiki Ivan Heitiki Onfarm sale.

J.S., M.A. & T.S. LLOYD

40 years of breeding quality Droughtmasters Quality muscle for maximum returns with minimum risk Heitiki Bulls, a very sound investment Bulls paddock reared, ready to work

‘HEITIKI’ DELUNGRA

(02) 6724 8225, (02) 6724 8362 Email: timll@bigpond.com

Lot 383 at the

DN sale September 16 date

Lot 383 Heitiki Indigo (AI ET)

SELLING TWO LOTS ON DAY 2 He was placed 4th in the class 19 and under 21 months at Beef.

Sire Swan Horsham Also selling lot number 384, Heitiki G30, Sired by Glenlands Maranoa.

Contact Tim 0429 318 096 or AH, 02 6724 8362 e: timothy.lloyd@bigpond.com AW1686667

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

August 2015

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NEWS

THE HARD TIMES

By CASSY DELAHUNTY

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VERY day seemed the same – waiting and praying for rain. Our livelihood was dominated by drought and every decision we made affected our livelihood and relationships. But, at the end of the day, we made those decisions for the sake of our family because that is what matters most.

The daylight was breaking and we were already in the paddock ready to muster. The land was a spectacular sight at that time of day. The grass usually shone with golden colours and the land was full of life. But today it looked tired and perished for as far as I could see.

We had just entered our second consecutive year of drought and my family and I were mustering our breeder cows to sell to the meatworks.

We slowly walked the cows and calves to the yards. All I could hear were calves calling frantically for their mothers because they had been separated from them somehow. But I knew when we stopped they would all find each other again and mother-up. Right in front of me was a big, sappy calf walking along beside her mother.

She was one of the smart ones that knew to stay close to her mum.

I suddenly felt a wave of sadness come over me, knowing today was the last ever day she was going to see her mum. I looked across the whole mob of cattle with a tear in my eye. This was the last day all 600 calves saw their mothers. Tomorrow we would truck all 600 cows to the meatworks and wean their calves.

All these beautiful, quiet and fertile cattle were walking to the yards, not knowing it was for the last time. It was still dark but I could see the headlights of the two cattle trucks approaching the yards.

Today was a sad day. Normally everyone’s chirpy in the morning – my dad stomps around the kitchen making as much noise as possible and my mum fusses over breakfast while I make tea.

Then my brother will walk in and annoy everyone until someone reacts; last but not least my sister will walk in half asleep and plonk down at the table and attempt to wake up. But today was different.

My dad sat at the table and drank his coffee, my brother walked in and didn’t say a word.

The sadness filled the room; it was so thick and heavy, I felt like I could drown in it.

I wish I could yell and protest, ‘Why are we letting these amazing cattle get slaughtered when they’ve done nothing wrong?’. But I already knew the answer.

If we didn’t sell them, we wouldn’t have enough grass to get through the season, especially if this drought kept going. I knew this decision was tougher for my dad because he had bred them to perfection.

If a cow was mad, didn’t rear a calf, didn’t get in calf while already rearing a calf, had bad feet or had bad tits they were culled from the mob – they were sent to the meatworks. My dad had bred

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I wish I could yell and protest, ‘Why are we letting these amazing cattle get slaughtered when they’ve done nothing wrong?’.

But I already knew the answer. these cows all his life to perfection and they were his prize possessions. Now they were being sold to the meatworks only because of this never-ending, heart-breaking drought that seemed to wreck everything.

I don’t know how my dad has the strength to let all these beautiful cows he’s worked his whole life to perfect be slaughtered. But deep down I know that the only reason he is doing it was because in his eyes, it is his job to provide for and protect his family, because that is what matters most.

Although this horrible drought makes it near impossible to do, he knows this is what he has to do to protect his family so we can get by.

The last pen of cattle are loaded. It’s daylight now and it’s hot. I’m covered in dust and sweat. The lump in my throat won’t leave, as much as I

swallow. The cows look worried as they walk up the steep ramp into the truck – the truck that will carry them to their death. The calves are in the backyard but still I can hear them. Their scared, sad calls for their mothers ring in my ears and make my eyes glass over.

The last cow is loaded onto the truck and the gates are chained behind her – the last time she will ever load onto a truck. I walk towards my dad, who is filling the truckies’ paperwork out. We all stand around making small talk with the truck driver, mainly about the drought because that’s the only thing anyone ever talks about these days.

The truckie decides it’s time to go and climbs into the cab of his truck and starts to pull away.

Although the engine’s roaring, I can still hear the heart-wrenching sounds of cows and calves calling each other. It’s all too tough and tears stream down my face like a river.

I look across at my dad and a single tear falls down his cheek as we all watch the truck get smaller and smaller. We decide it’s time to go back to the house. Looking back now, as hard as that day was, it was something I’m glad we did.

That day was more than a year ago now and we are still in drought. We have sold more cattle since and watched some die, but this is our lifestyle and hopefully one day soon our lives won’t be dominated by drought.

As much as I love our cattle and property, my family is what matters most to me and we will keep doing whatever it takes. Even if we have nothing left when the drought ends, I know I will always have my family, and that is what matters the most to me.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST When 16-year-old Cassy Delahunty had a school assignment on ‘What matters most to me’, the words flowed from the heart. Cassy lives at Rockwood, a cattle station south of Hughenden in north-west Queensland, now in its third year of drought. Her story centres on most of their remaining commercial cows being trucked to the meatworks in mid-2014.

RIGHT: Cassy Delahunty says she loves the cattle and property, but her family will always be “what matters the most”.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

August 2015

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SALE REPORT

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

BRIGHT OUTLOOK AT BIGGENDEN

By ASHLEY WALMSLEY

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DEFINITE air of confidence was about the Biggenden Saleyards at Burnett Livestock and Realty’s Southern Queensland Droughtmaster Store Show and Sale on March 12.

With most parts of the surrounding region enjoying good rain at the start of the year, many of the producers present spoke of well-grassed paddocks and a brighter outlook for the dry season.

The show and sale attracted 850 head for a competition that has established a reputation for strong sponsor support in the form of prizes and quality cattle on offer.

Gary and Robyn Lamb, Apple Tree Creek, won the champion pen of males ribbon for their pen of steers over 350kg.

The Mundubbera-based Jovalan Farms took home the champion pen of females ribbon after winning both the heifers over 300kg and the breeder females PTIC or cows and calves classes.

Gary and Robyn Lamb of Apple Tree Creek, pictured with sponsor and Toyota dealer Ken Mills (centre), took home one of the coveted purple broad ribbons at this year’s Southern Queensland Droughtmaster Store Show and Sale at Biggenden.

The show judge was cattle buyer Steve Dunn, Murgon, who congratulated all vendors on the condition of their cattle.

RP Lamb, Childers, sold the champion pen of steers, which were milk and two-tooth, for 245c/kg or $1132/head. A&M Jones, Coringa, sold twotooth steers for 241c/$1031.

Lara Partnership, Gayndah, sold milk and two-tooth steers for 225c/$897.

Birch Pastoral Trust, Cracow, sold milk-tooth EU-accredited steers for a top of 227c/$649.

G&N Schneider, Binjour, sold milk-tooth steers for 227c/$787. D&K McKinnon, Windera, sold milktooth steers for 225c/$757. K&J Thompson, Childers, sold milk-tooth steers for a top of

Rob Atherton, Gin Gin Community Bank, with the winner of the best pen of heifers under 300kg, Doug Williams, Daddamarine Stud, Stockhaven, Ban Ban Springs, and Glenn Henricksen, Rural Bank, Bundaberg.

226c/$807. Michelle Donahue, Tansey, sold milktooth steers for 224c/$710.

Daddamarine, Stockhaven, Goomeri, sold a magnificent line of weaner steers, which sold from 229c-267c or $463-$560. They also sold No.3 heifers for a top of 200c/$874.

S&E Barrett, Konjuli Partnership, Woolooga, sold weaner steers for 271c/$622. Vitwood P/L, Childers, sold milk-tooth heifers for 245c/$787.

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

CATTLE TRAVEL IN CLASS TO SAMOA

By JOHN BOWLER A TELEPHONE call from Angus Adnam, AAA Livestock, looking for young Droughtmaster breeding cattle for export, started a great experience for me (and I thought I was retired).

A World Bank Samoan government project was looking for young, polled, in-calf heifers and young 14 to 16-month bulls for export to Samoa.

The project aimed to improve and increase the existing Samoan herd of about 29,000.

Earlier importation of various tropical cattle breeds from Australia and some Friesians from New Zealand form the basis of the national herd, which appears to now be predominantly Droughtmaster types, demonstrating the adaptability and suitability of the breed to this environment.

After inspections, 33 heifers and 13 bulls were selected from Marosa in South Australia, Climate Masta in Victoria and Maruk in NSW. The cattle were quarantined at Millthorpe in central NSW and air freighted to Samoa by Qantas in crates in a Boeing 737.

All the cattle travelled well with no stress or problems on an excellent flight of about six hours.

For this flight, cattle class was a definite plus.

The cattle were unloaded on to very lush tropical pastures and settled in very quickly. The heifers went into the government herd, along with three bulls at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Station at Tongitogiga.

The rest of the bulls went to multiplier breeders after quarantine. The plan is to use the new heifers, along with the better types in the existing government herd, to establish an ‘elite’ or stud herd, working with six leading commercial breeders as multiplier herds to provide seedstock to the wider industry.

Samoan health protocols required that the cattle be secured from south of the cattle tick areas and the blue tongue line (a variable line depending on season, but running approximately from Broome – Tennant Creek – Longreach – Bourke – Tamworth – Gloucester – Nowra). This limited selection went to only a few studs.

With a population of only 190,000 people and mainly a village culture, the majority of food is home grown, with coconuts and taro the main crops. Locally produced poultry and pork are the principal meats consumed. Beef consumption is only about 10kg/head/year.

Local (bush) killed cattle supply about 40 per cent of consumption, sold mainly through wet markets.

New Zealand provides the remaining 60pc, but generally through a lower quality frozen product.

While it is hard to get accurate numbers, about 4000 head are slaughtered annually, with an average carcase weight of about 180kg. However, traditional Fa’alavelave family ceremonies account 14

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for about half of the cattle slaughtered and take priority over normal production. This severely limits breeding programs and availability of finished cattle for market. There is no abattoir or killing works as such, and meat processing is very limited, with the result of low-quality beef.

Major problems that were obvious in such a brief visit were that there was very limited management and conventional husbandry, nutrition for young growing cattle was poor, and fertility of only about 55pc resulted in little chance of increasing herd numbers or being serious about genetic improvement. At the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the World Bank, I ran workshops for both government staff and commercial breeders. It was found that getting the basics across was the priority, and it was necessary to cover topics such as basic cattle physiology, and management issues such as weaning, castration, fencing and nutrition. Unfortunately, important issues such as selection, fertility, and fat and muscle scoring received only cursory attention – only after the various aspects of improving nutrition and management were covered.

Long-term objectives of improving fertility and beef quality could only be addressed in general terms as desirable long-term objectives for a more developed industry. We were able to establish rapport with those we were working with, even though there were some language difficulties, as we worked through practical handling demonstrations and workshops.

The two main islands of Western Samoa are volcanic basalt soil type with average rainfall of 3000mm, which predominantly falls in the summer, but even the driest months receive more than 125mm. Tropical grasses remain green in most years but are generally lower quality.

However, if the nutrition levels of young cattle can be improved through improved pasture quality or supplements, along with a concerted effort to improve fertility, there is great potential to increase the national herd and become self-sufficient in beef.

Most commercial cattle are in relatively small herds of fewer than 20 head and graze in the coconut plantations. There is little fencing and handling facilities are very basic, contributing to the management problems.

Although the Droughtmasters are highly regarded, small numbers of cattle and lack of management mean there is only limited potential for exports of genetic material. There is the opportunity to make the Samoan herd a Droughtmaster-based industry, and the involvement of the Society will be looking to

assist with training Samoan government beef staff and breeders.

I would like to thank AAA Livestock, Brisbane, for sponsoring the visit; Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Samoa; and the MAF staff – particularly Dr Agnes Meredith, chief veterinary officer, Samoa, and Lafaele Enoka, project co-ordinator, World Bank, for their support and hospitality, and Droughtmaster Australia for their assistance in supplying technical and promotional material. ● John Bowler travelled with Sam Usher from Morven in Queensland, who supervised the export of Dorper sheep and ran similar workshops for sheep producers while in Samoa.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

YARNS OF CYCLONES, KIDS AND DROUGHTIES

By ASHLEY WALMSLEY

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Former Droughtmaster Society executive secretary and author John Boydell celebrates the launch of his new book Tsunami in the Bulldust with Droughtmaster Society patron Audrey Perry at Beef 2015.

was originally signed for a three-year contract, but was later informed that that was unconstitutional, as the secretary was to be nominated annually.

He said he was told it was “nothing personal, but it wasn’t right”. “I said, ‘By gee, you’re getting pretty close to the spine’ – that was my introduction to breed society politics,” John said.

He was also pivotal in helping the Droughtmaster breed through the cattle market downturn of the 1970s through his involvement with the company, Droughtmaster Exporters Proprietary Limited.

“That’s how we survived the beef recession between 1974 and 1978 because we were able to export heifers overseas and we had the export development grants, and that saved the day, with 75 per cent of our expenses repaid by the government.”

Droughtmaster Society patron and long-time friend Audrey Perry, Rockhampton, was on hand to help celebrate the launch of the book, which was conducted by Droughtmaster Society CEO Neil Donaldson.

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OHN Boydell has his fair share of stories about Droughtmaster cattle and the people who breed them. Now the former executive secretary of the Droughtmaster Society has shared some of those stories in his new book, Tsunami in the Bulldust.

And there seemed no more appropriate setting than during the Droughtmaster judging at Beef 2015 in front of many society members and friends.

He said the book was not so much a history of the Droughtmaster breed, but a collection of stories seen through his eyes during his time spent in and around the cattle industry.

At the launch, the former Queensland Country Life journalist shared stories, including one of Cyclone Althea while in Townsville in 1971.

“My kids thought this cyclone was wonderful,” he said. “At one stage the house across the road lost its roof, like someone peeling off a deck of cards.

“The other thing was that when our front awning went, the kids said, ‘Look, Dad, there goes our awning. Isn’t it fun?’”

John joined the Droughtmaster Society in 1974. He

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

END OF AN ERA AS LAST MUSTER LOOMS

By BRAD THOMPSON

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HE last muster is the hardest for John and Annette Henwood as they prepare to say goodbye to the iconic Kimberley cattle country their families pioneered. Time has caught up with the couple 133 years after Mrs Henwood’s family took up the land that became Fossil Downs Station and bucked incredible odds to turn it into the jewel of WA’s pastoral industry.

They are the last station-owning family from the hardy bunch who settled in WA’s far north. And they will leave a legacy long after Fossil Downs, covering almost 400,000ha where the Fitzroy and Margaret rivers meet, goes on the market.

Part of that legacy are 15,000 cattle in one of northern Australia’s finest herds and a stunning twostorey homestead. It started when Mrs Henwood’s grandfather Donald MacDonald rode from Derby in the tracks of Alexander Forrest to inspect the land and negotiated its lease in 1882.

His brothers William and Charles then set off on the longest cattle drive in history – about 5600km from near Goulburn, NSW, through the outback and across the top end to the Kimberley. It took 3½ years and almost killed them. William and Charles left with 670 head of cattle, a team of bullocks to pull two wagons and 60 horses. They arrived with 327 cattle, 13 horses and one wagon – regarded as the first set of four wheels to cross the continent.

A water bag the brothers carried on their epic drive hangs over the hall in the heritage-listed homestead.

All this history and a lifetime of her own memories are weighing on Mrs Henwood after the traumatic decision to sell. “I feel an absolute traitor. I never wanted to be the MacDonald who quit,” she said.

At 72, Mrs Henwood is being incredibly hard on herself. She had a pacemaker installed to control a racing heart and broke her back last year, but she continues to shoulder a big workload.

The decision to leave is slightly easier for John Henwood, even though – as he often teases his wife of 50 years – his family ties to the Kimberley go back longer than hers. Mr Henwood’s grandfather George Rose was a horse carer on the Forrest expedition of 1879 that triggered excitement about grazing in the Ord and Fitzroy valleys. George Rose became a legendary Kimberley pioneer on Mt Anderson and other stations.

Mr Henwood grew up on Calwynyardah and his father Bill managed Noonkanbah when it was a sheep station. When John Henwood and Annette MacDonald became engaged, old-time pastoralists said they were the first “district breds” to marry.

“It was like they were marrying off a couple of racehorses,” Mrs Henwood said. Mr Henwood, 75 this month, pulled up the reins on the couple’s long ride at Fossil, telling his wife late last year: “Darling, I can’t do this anymore”.

‘This’ is rising at 4am every day and working until dark in a constant cycle of caring for the land and herding mainly Droughtmaster cattle. He climbs windmills, works the cattle and stock yards, baits

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

ABOVE: Jewel – Fossil Downs from the air. – Picture: SANDY HERD.

LEFT: Bowing out – Grazier John Henwood.

BELOW: History – The Henwoods and the famed water bag.

wild dogs and cats, and musters in his Cessna 182.

Then there are controlled burns needed to keep the country at its best, fences to mend, roads to grade, 39 bores to keep flowing and all the machinery to maintain. “I’ve loved the life but I just want to do something a little bit different,” Mr Henwood said.

“I’ve had enough and this place is a young person’s place. It is a lot of work – and hard work.”

The result is a property in tip-top condition with the potential to carry more cattle and for tourism. Fossil Downs includes parts of King Leopold Ranges and Leopold River, gorges, billabongs and vast plains.

The homestead has pride of place – designed and built by Mrs Henwood’s father Bill MacDonald in a labour of love for her mother Maxine.

He made the bricks in the Margaret River’s bed and cut the timber from trees on the Fitzroy’s banks.

It took almost 12 years and much ridicule for building the “Taj Mahal of the Kimberley”.

Those knockers are long gone, but the immaculate homestead is going strong after surviving flood and fire. Even its billiard table has a tale.

It was bought at tender for £28 after surviving a direct hit on Broome’s billiard hall by Japanese bombers in World War II. The Henwoods will sell the property with almost all

its items and furniture to the right buyer.

“If they are interested in the history of the place, some things we would take, but otherwise will be left in their care to be part of history going on,” Mrs Henwood said. These items include the water bag and a portrait which captures the enchanting beauty of her mother. “Some of the family feel we should take it (the portrait), but my argument is that none of us will ever have a home big enough to hang it.

“Mum was also the heart and hub around which everyone revolved, and it would be like taking the heart out of the building.”

Veteran real estate executive Malcolm French said he had seen nothing that compared to Fossil Downs in 50 years with Elders. He refused to speculate on the price, but industry sources put it close to $30m.

A recent visitor said arriving at the homestead was like “driving into the grounds of Government House, only you are out the back of Fitzroy Crossing”.

A boab avenue leads to a homestead surrounded by lawns and gardens, but Mrs Henwood stresses that life on Fossil is far from easy street.

“This is not a bed of roses. This is what can be done with a great deal of love and dedication. It has been John and my life’s work to look after it.” – WEST AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS LIMITED

August 2015

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

DROUGHTIE NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA ABOUT 20 years ago a South African Beefmaster breeder and livestock auctioneer Johan van der Nest took some Droughtmaster genetics to South Africa. Over subsequent years there were further semen imports and even some live animals exported by Glenlands to a breeder in South Africa.

Johan continued to sing the praises of our breed in Africa and imported more semen to breed up his own herd of Droughtmaster-type cattle (straight red and tropical coats, etc) from his original Beefmaster herd. He also purchased a Droughtmaster bull in Australia from which he collected semen.

Johan has held successful on-property sales of his Droughtmaster-type bulls in recent years. He visited Australia many times over 20 years and introduced many of his countrymen to our wonderful breed.

In 2000 the society invited Johan to judge the Droughtmasters at Beef 2000. He also acted as tour guide for Droughtmaster breeders who toured South Africa in 2004.

Several years ago Johan and a few breeders who started using Australian Droughtmaster genetics approached the Australian Droughtmaster Society about forming a Droughtmaster Society in South Africa. The board backed the idea and we have been working with the South Africans to achieve this goal. Unfortunately in South Africa the government has onerous protocols for any breed society wanting to establish itself there.

A cattle club with a specific number of members had to be established and maintained for a set period before the government would approve the Cattle Breed Association (Society).

Once this has been complied with, the government issues permits for importing limited numbers of semen straws and/or embryos, which are then used in a trial for three or four years to ensure the breed

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST proves to be beneficial to the South African cattle industry.

The Australian Droughtmaster Society has been in touch with the South Africans throughout this process and has provided supportive documentation to the government on several occasions.

This has been a frustratingly long and complicated process and in our case was further complicated by internal South African politics.

Due to this situation, the Droughtmaster supporters in South Africa have now established the African Droughtmaster Society based in Namibia (one of South Africa’s neighbours). They are waiting on Namibian Government approval for import permits.

The African Society has more than 50 members and several thousand Droughtmaster-type cattle.

During Beef 2015, semi-formal discussions regarding the affiliation between the two societies were held with Africa Droughtmaster Society president Adriaan Odendaal.

The African Society president was part of a delegation of six which toured south-east, south and central zones just before Beef 2015.

Delegation leader Johan contacted the Society early in 2015 and sought our local knowledge to help plan an itinerary to visit Droughtmaster studs they selected from our website and stud ads in the Digest.

Society CEO Neil Donaldson met the delegation at the society headquarters and showed them around, before accompanying the delegation in their minivan for the first two days of their 12-day tour.

This was a great opportunity to get to know the South African breeders, particularly the three directors of their society.

Unfortunately because of other commitments, only two of the delegates could stay on for Beef 2015.

Society president Adriaan Odendaal was one and Carl Froneman the other.

The society organised dinner on the Monday night of Beef 2015 to officially welcome them to Australia.

Adriaan and Carl met many members during their three days at Beef 2015. A second group of three South Africans independently attended Beef Week and toured numerous studs after Beef Week.

All delegates were impressed by what they saw at Beef 2015 and the studs.

CEO Neil Donaldson at Beef 2015 with African Droughtmaster Society President Adriaan Odendaal.

President Michael Flynn presenting a bronze bull statue to Adriaan Odendaal in recognition of the formation of the African Droughtmaster Society.

South African delegation with CEO at Droughtmaster headquarters in Ipswich.

The development of the Droughtmaster breed in Africa is a very exciting opportunity for Australian studs. The African society is producing its inaugural magazine and they also have a website www. droughtmasterafrica.co.za.

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NEWS

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

By SHARON HOWARD and HELEN WALKER

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EST Australian Droughtmaster breeder Michael Thompson and family, Mundabullangana station, Port Hedland, have given the breed its latest vote of confidence by buying 60 per cent of the Queenslandbased Comanche Droughtmaster stud for an undisclosed price.

The transaction includes 288 registered females, 76 calves and 18 bulls and involves a return trip of nearly 10,000 kilometres for road transport operators. The sale involves 60pc of the Comanche stud herd including the stud prefix and was negotiated by Landmark Queensland stud stock agents Colby Ede and Trent McKinlay.

Comanche Droughtmasters was based at Comanche station, Morinish, west of Rockhampton, and more recently relocated to Mt Elsa, Canoona, north of Rockhampton.

The sale is the second largest Droughtmaster stud buy-up, sitting just behind the 2014 buyout of the Hewitt family’s Fairhaven prefix to Dean and Julie Allen, Tarcombe, Longreach, Queensland.

Mr Farmer, who has been operating Comanche Droughtmasters with his wife Claire and their three children Hugh, Hamish and Lara, first met Mr Thompson when he brought bulls at the Rockhampton Droughtmaster National Sale in 2007.

Since then, Mr Thompson, working with Landmark Port Hedland livestock agent Kim Goad, has purchased many bulls out of the sale and from Queensland.

“The sale was dearer in 2011, and I started to work out that my bulls needed to be a certain weight because we’ve got to truck them so far,” Mr Thompson said. “Pastoralists need bulls to be able to be tipped out into a 40,500 hectare paddock in hot weather and walk 10km in a night, so I need lighter bulls,” he said.

“The majority of bulls at the national sale were prepared for a different market.”

So Mr Thompson came up with his own remedy.

“I spoke to 10 or 12 of the best breeders at the national sale and asked for the first offer to buy and to choose from their paddock bulls after they’d selected their sale team,” he said. “I’d come over in March, pay for the bulls and collect them in September. They weighed between 580 kilograms

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

Finalising the Comanche sell off deal, (left to right) Steve Farmer, Mt Elsa, Canoona, and his children Hamish, Hugh and Lara, Colby Ede, Landmark Toowoomba, Kim Goad, Goad Livestock, Port Hedland, Michael Thompson, Mundabullangana, Port Hedland, Trent McKinlay, Landmark Rockhampton and Claire Farmer.

WA BUYERS SAY ‘VOTE DROUGHTIE’ and 620kg and that is a good weight for my operation without the sale preparation. Then I could afford the right colour, the polled bulls with good sheath, good muscle and good bone.”

After being offered the Comanche stud in 2014 and declining, he revisited the prospect in 2015 and with the assistance of Landmark managed to secure a deal. “Claire Farmer had perfect records for the stud,” Mr Thompson said. “All the cattle were DNA registered and all were poll tested so we’ve got a library of information about the herd and it’s a credit to the Farmers.” When organising the sale Mr Thompson handpicked from the herd based on polled status and age. “We bought no females over eight years and nothing horned unless they were exceptional animals. We also chose 17 bulls from this year’s potential sale team. Our whole herd is based around the best polled genetics that the Comanche herd had.”

This sale is designed to allow the Farmer family to downsize and free up capital to invest in other

unrevealed opportunities. “We’ve retained nearly 250 females and we’ll start a new stud called SC Droughtmasters,” Mr Farmer said. “I’ve been breeding Droughtmasters since I was 14 years old, first with the Calveston prefix and then 21 years under Comanche. “Michael has bought all those years of breeding and with the amount of bulls that he’s selling in WA, purchasing our stud was probably a fairly obvious choice,” he said.

The Munda operation runs 7000 breeders and 300 stud bulls at Mundabullangana in the Pilbara, plus 1800 Angus females at Glencoe, near Gingin.

The business sells between 300 and 400 Droughtmaster bulls a year to commercial buyers in WA. With the purchase of Comanche stud Mr Thompson plans to breed about 1000 bulls a year that will suit WA pastoralists and give value for money.

Mr Thompson praised all of the agents involved in the transaction. “I really want to thank Colby Ede and Trent McKinlay and Landmark in general for good service and how hard they’ve worked to bring this together,” he said. “Also thanks to the retired Bruce Scott, formerly of Landmark, for his help over the years. And to Kim Goad, who is the polish for my dirty old boots and who’s taught me everything I know about the beef industry.”

Landmark Queensland livestock manager Brendan Wade said the company was delighted to conduct a sale of such significance.

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NEWS

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DATA PROJECT CRUCIAL

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HERE have been many new developments in the use of DNA (genomics) in the past few years including one of the most exciting developments in the use of DNA extracted from tail hairs, blood or semen to predict the estimated performance of the animal from which the DNA was extracted.

This means gaining a fairly reliable indication of potential performance for heritable traits such as fertility, carcase quality and growth rate before the animal is used in a stud breeding program.

In the future, we will be able to send a tail hair from a young bull calf to a lab and determine whether his daughters will be Droughtmaster breeders are relishing the developments being made in the more likely to reach puberty use of DNA to predict performance. earlier than other females or if his Brahmans and Santas are part of this project. daughters will be more likely to To date, 10 Droughtmaster sires have been used in get back into calf quicker than other females, etc. the AI program and 11 sires as mop up bulls.

The viability of commercial beef producers in The fertility project has retained female progeny for Australia is under severe pressure, so they need to research, but steer progeny were not required. find ways to be more efficient.

However through the pedigree linkage with the Having a herd full of cows in calf at a younger age female progeny, the performance data from the and then back into calf on their first cycle, can steer portion would be very valuable if combined make their operation much more efficient and with the female performance data. profitable. There is tremendous variation in To ensure this valuable data was not lost, the performance by animals in all traits, so being able Society joined the Australian Brahman Breeders to use DNA to determine which animals are the Association and bought the steers and using MLA better performers is a very exciting development. funds is collecting and analysing performance data Stud breeders will have the ability to easily predict from those steers. the potential performance of the bulls and females The Droughtmaster breed has limited performance before they use them in their breeding programs. data, so it is almost impossible to generate any Last year several members, encouraged by the performance predictions using genomics.

Droughtmaster Society, supplied Droughtmaster This joint project is the starting point for our breed semen and, in some cases bulls, to the North to address this lack of performance data. We will Australian Female Reproduction Project being run also collect data on tenderness and relating that to by respected scientist David Johnston.

This MLA-funded project is identifying DNA markers Bos Indicus content and hump height.

All steers will be put through the MSA grading associated with optimum fertility in the major process to help cement our correct status there. breeds in northern Australia. Droughtmasters,

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STEERS IN STUDY

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RAHMAN and Droughtmaster cattle represent a significant proportion of the Australian beef industry, particularly in northern Australia. The key economic drivers for the northern industry are survival, reproduction, weight gain, carcase and product quality and market suitability.

This project aims to use the steer progeny from a fertility research project (collecting data on reproduction and weight gain), to collect data on carcase and product quality and market suitability. This MLA-funded project conducted by David Johnston has involved the use of 10 AI Droughtmaster sires and 11 Droughtmaster sires as mop up sires.

The joint steer project will provide data to balance the suite of traits relevant to the beef industry in northern Australia. The major objectives are: ● Collect carcase and meat quality phenotype measurements on the steer half with male progeny of females measured in the female reproduction project undertaken by Dr David Johnston. ● Contribute to the carcase data on Brahman and Droughtmaster cattle by adding both to the number of records and spread of sires. ● Contribute to the carcase data resources for the validation of Beef CRC prediction equations and the Single Step method of blending Genomics (using a tail hair to determine performance EBVs). ● Contribute to the data necessary to undertake an across-breed genetic evaluation with Brahman and Droughtmaster or a multibreed evaluation involving Brahman, Droughtmaster and other breeds. ● Collect genomic data on Bos indicus content and tenderness markers that can be used to look at correlations between hump height and shear force with the genomic data. ● Benchmark variations in Bos indicus content within the Droughtmaster breed. ● The relationship between Bos indicus content, hump height and shear force within the Droughtmaster breed.

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NEWS

CEDARDALE STALWARTS NOW LIFE MEMBERS

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HE Droughtmaster Society has honoured Neil and Margaret Warne of Cedardale Stud with a life membership.

Prior to founding their stud in 1980 as stud 307, the Warnes were running commercial cattle and over the years upgraded to stud breeding.

Over the years, Neil and Margaret were major players in the ongoing success of the breed in NSW, particularly in northern NSW. The Warnes were always the first to donate steers to local schools or colleges and made many donations to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and other health institutions.

Neil sat on the board of directors during years when things were not always easy for the society.

They also were showing their cattle at a number of Country Shows winning a number of Championships

including a grand champion female at a feature show. But it was with his steers that Neil shone and this was to be his life’s passion.

Showing on the hoof and over the hook, Neil’s cattle shone with his greatest achievement being a steer whose saleable meat yield was 76.4 per cent.

TOP ACCOLADE FOR MARGARET

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T IS with great pleasure that the Droughmaster Society awards ‘shed captain’ Margaret Wilson with a life membership.

The one-woman show is renowned on the show circuit for keeping everything running smoothly as exhibitors tend to cattle and enjoy the camaraderie of the shed.

A stalwart of the Royal Queensland Show, Margaret assumed the role of shed organiser and point of contact for Droughtmaster exhibitors.

She is the liaison in all matters relating to the shed and the Droughtmaster exhibitors, from where they will be placed in the shed to where they will all sleep.

First-time exhibitors are always made to feel welcome and informed about every aspect of what is expected before, during and after the show ring judging.

Due to her selfless efforts during the Ekka, she has the complete respect and appreciation of every exhibitor and every member of the Droughtmaster Society.

The award also recognised her contribution as a director of the Society from 2001 to 2005 and her involvement for many years in the Handling School at Gympie.

Margaret was presented with her life membership at the Futurity Show at Gatton in March.

Never before in Australia had this been achieved by any breed. Neil and Margaret were justifiably proud.

These amazing yields continued on and his steers attracted extra attention at the saleyards with his clients quickly realizing the value of their steers in feed lots and paddock fattening situations.

LEFT: Margaret Wilson, Truvalle Droughtmaster Stud, Blackbutt, with Droughtmaster Australia CEO Neil Donaldson, who presents her with a life membership at the 30th annual Droughtmaster Futurity in Gatton in March.

INVERELL’S YOUNG DROUGHTIE CHAMPS

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HE June long-weekend was brimming with young Inverell Cattle Clinic members on their way to master the finer points of showing.

More than 70 participants from seven to 18 years attended the annual event with organisers going ‘back-to-basics’ with the school-aged children.

Inverell Cattle Clinic committee member Danelle Worgan said the children were put into four groups over the weekend and assessed on their parading, judging, washing, blow drying, clipping and show day fit-up abilities.

“The senior group had talks from John Saunders on the commercial aspect of cattle and why we breed what we do and the importance of structural

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soundness,” Ms Worgan said. “Mark Lane from the Nullamanna Feedlot also spoke to the senior group about the importance of animal nutrition and how his feedlot works.”

On Sunday the children applied their newfound skills with paraders and junior judging competitions.

Overjudges Bryce and Diane Whale shared their knowledge with the kids in the paraders aspect before adjudicating on Sunday when 15-year-old Taylor Withers was awarded grand champion parader over all ages. “Taylor was very pleased with the result as she has won the total for the last three years,” Ms Worgan said.

James and Jane Dockrill were also on hand to

More than 70 children from the local schools and surrounding area attended the annual Inverell Cattle Clinic on the June long weekend.

share their industry knowledge with the four groups on the different aspects of junior judging before 13-year-old Lachie Martin went on to win grand champion junior judge.

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

DROUGHTMASTERS STAR IN THE ALICE

By KENT WARD

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F the recent events and victories at the annual Alice Springs Show and Bull Sale are any indication, the Droughtmaster breed’s reputation looks very promising. Georgina Range Droughtmasters’ young breeder Steven Hayes, The Garden Station, Alice Springs, notched an impressive set of victories at the recent Alice Springs Show.

His operation won first place in the pen of two milk tooth steers, the champion pen of two steers and another first place in the pen of two Territory-bred

bulls. Georgina Range Droughtmasters also claimed first place and champion Territory-bred bull in the led section.

Droughtmaster junior member and recent associate judge at Beef 2015, William Weir, exhibited the supreme champion Territory-bred female and won the junior judging competition.

William showcased his skills and adjudicated at the Tennant Creek Show just a week after his Alice Springs victories.

At the annual Alice Springs All Breeds Bull Sale the Droughtmaster claimed sale honours at $6500 on two occasions with the breed setting the top overall

sale average of $5357. The next best breed average was Poll Herefords with a $4333 medium.

Included in the sale result were two bulls offered by the DPI Alice Springs, that fetched $4000 each.

Matt and Sally Bekker’s Bos Park Stud, Langshaw, won sale honours for two 15-month-olds on the way to setting an overall vendor average of $5900 for their five. Bos Park collected the champion pair of bulls that were the two top sellers and champion Droughtmaster. Topping off a great outing for the Droughtmasters breed, Matt and Sally’s daughter Grace Bekker won the under-12 parader award and was third in the young judges competition.

KYOGLE BROTHERS KNOW QUALITY STOCK

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ROTHERS Andrew and Ashley Carter have always been interested in beef cattle and have a keen eye when selecting stock.

Identical twins born and schooled in Kyogle have grown up around cattle, horses and dogs.

The boys and their younger brother Lindsay help run Cedar Springs Droughtmasters with their parents Paul and Wendy. It’s a small farming enterprise mostly run on leased properties.

Land values have made it near impossible for young people to buy and make a living off it.

“Properties have been subdivided into small unviable lots in our area and it’s pushed up land prices. Most producers in our area have an offfarm income to supplement their farming enterprise because cash flows are an issue,” Ashley said.

“Our area has good rainfall and rich volcanic to alluvial soils with spectacular scenery. It’s a lifestyle choice, something you strive to achieve – to work and own your land. The connection to this area is difficult to explain when your family have been here for five generations and the sixth on its way. The ties are strong.”

A qualified heavy diesel mechanic, Ashley drives for Frasers Transport based in Warwick, Queensland, and gets to deal with a lot of stock being shipped from saleyards and feedlots.

Ashley has an appreciation of the great temperament that Droughtmasters have compared with other breeds.

“In my job, I get to see the best and the worst of

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Ashley Carter

Andrew Carter

breeds,” he said. “An animal that suffers from less stress always travels better and arrives at the meat works or feedlots in better condition than those that don’t, not to mention it’s much more pleasurable dealing with an animal that will load and unload safely and in general, Droughtmasters are standouts.”

Andrew lives on the family farm at Afterlee near Kyogle and works for the Department of Agriculture as a stock control officer, mostly dealing the cattle tick inspections and treatments – another job where temperament of cattle comes under scrutiny. Over the past few years Andrew has worked on large cattle stations as a stockman including Newcastle Waters in NT and Morindilla Station at Dingo in Queensland, owned by the

Cragg family. On Morindilla, the Craggs have a well-run commercial operation turning off prime Droughtmaster and F1 bullocks using pedigreed Droughtmaster bulls over their herd of commercial females.

“It’s a special feeling looking at a paddock of prime grassfed Droughtmasters ready for market,” Andrew said. “My time spent in central Queensland was very gratifying and gave me a great sense of respect for people on the land. The work farmers do should be valued more.”

Andrew and Ashley made a name for themselves after becoming the largest buyers in the stud female section at last year’s Grafton Droughtmaster Bull and Female sale, purchasing 10 quality stud heifers at an average of $1375.

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SALE PREVIEWS

PERFORMANCE PLUS HEATS UP

LEFT: The Flynn family have been breeding commercial Droughtmasters for more than 40 years.

COMMERCIAL FOCUS THE KEY The Performance Plus bulls selling at last year’s sale with Dave Smith, Vale View Droughtmasters.

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ERFORMANCE Plus will proudly host its second on-property bull sale on August 22 at High Country Stud at Eskdale, near Toogoolawah, at 11am. As many as 46 bulls and 21 select registered females including four joined females will be offered by Vale View and High Country studs through local agent Shepherdson & Boyd. They have 21 sires producing the 46 bulls, giving you an exciting array of highperformance genetics without compromising consistency of type.

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Bulls are aged from 20 to 34 months with an average age of 23 months. For peace of mind they are proud to abide by the ‘Droughtmaster Endorsed Sale’ standards, with all animals AACV vet tested, vaccinated, backed by Breedplan figures and pestivirus tested negative. Other incentives include a 94 per cent polled/scurred sale team, along with free transport to major centres. Some 21 select registered females will also be offered at the sale including four joined females in calf to well-respected sires.

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HE Flynn family at Valera Vale have been breeding commercial Droughtmasters for more than 40 years and, throughout this time, have been running a stud herd in conjunction, supplying suitable herd bulls for their commercial herd and for sale, with this year’s sale kicking off on September 11. Despite now selling about 250 bulls annually, this strictly commercial focus – with an emphasis on environmental adaptation, fertility and temperament – is firmly maintained. They specialise in adapted moderate to higher content polled bulls with sleek

coats, good sheaths and temperament, and sound structure.

The Flynn family cull bulls that need foot trimming, and females that can’t produce and rear a calf each year. Bred and selected in a real-world commercial environment to ensure performance in commercial herds, the bulls at their sale will be vaccinated for botulism, three-day, 5-in-1 clostridial diseases, leptospirosis, tick fever, vibrio and tested pestivirus PI clear.

They will also be BJD cleared for client reassurance and eligible for entry to WA. These bulls and their mothers have been selected for performance in tough conditions.

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NEWS

TENNANT CREEK JUDGED BEST

By WILLIAM WEIR

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N July 10, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to judge at the Tennant Creek Show.

I had a really good time judging, as there were a lot of quality cattle to judge. The cattle were all judged as pens of two. This was sometimes tricky, as the cattle cannot walk around as much as I would have liked them to, and I could not move them around to compare different animals.

There were a lot of very good quality cattle from around the district, and I found some of the bigger classes really hard to judge.

The supreme champion pen was a pen of two Brahman heifers from Charles Darwin University.

I really liked these two heifers, as they had very good structure and they were two even types of

RIGHT: Buyer of the top-priced bull Cedar Springs Isaak, Dorothy Watters, Keybarbin P/L, with agent Mitch Donovan.

GRAFTON BULL AND FEMALE SALE William Weir, 15, from Ammaroo Station, via Alice Springs, NT, was invited by the Droughtmaster Society to be Associate Judge at Beef 2015. He was then invited to be overall judge at the Tennant Creek Show.

heifers that looked really good together. The also had good length and were very feminine heifers.

I thought that they were just a little better on the day, although they had a lot of competitors, so it was very hard to judge.

I would like to thank the Tennant Creek Show Society and the Droughtmaster Society for giving me the opportunity to judge.

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ROUGHTMASTER breeders across northern NSW combined to run the second annual multivendor Droughtmaster bull and female sale in Grafton on July 11.

Organisers were very pleased with the confidence cattle producers showed, with strong competition for the quality lines of cattle offered. A large panel of buyers competed strongly for both bulls and females, and many of the cattle went into new areas, as well as to repeat buyers.

This year seven stud vendors supported the sale, with many achieving a total clearance.

In total, 25 bulls were presented for

sale with an 80 per cent clearance, selling to a top of $5500 for Cedar Springs Isaak, on account of Paul and Wendy Carter and Sons, Kyogle, to Rod and Dorothy Watters, Keybarbin P/L. The Watters purchased three Droughtmaster bulls averaging $4166.

AE&LD Woodlands also purchased three bulls. The overall bull average for the sale was $3250.

A lovely heifer from Michael and Danelle Worgan of Inverell topped the registered female section at $3400, with Mickdan Heidi selling to David Leese from South Australia. A total of 11 stud females sold to average $1450 with a 92pc clearance.

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GENETIC SMORGASBORD HIGHLIGHTS 2015 OFFERING

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RGANISERS of the 2015 Droughtmaster National Sale have catalogued 570 quality bulls for the breed’s premier event on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15 and 16. The prestigious bull sale will again be held at the CQLX Saleyards, Gracemere, with the auction starting on both days at 9am sharp.

Bulls have been selected from 10,000 breeders from 90 leading Droughtmaster studs throughout Queensland and NSW. Sale committee chairman Michael Ingram said the Droughtmaster National sale was one of the most important events on the Droughtmaster calendar.

“The DN sale has the broadest range of genetics of any sale in Australia,” said Mr Ingram.

“The sale also represents exceptional value and is the ideal opportunity for the breed to showcase the benefits of Droughtmasters to a widespread buyer audience.”

All sale bulls will have been fully scanned, vaccinated and subjected to stringent vet checks for soundness and semen quality, plus they have been tested to ensure they are not pestivirus persistently infected (PI) animals and will be treated to travel to tick-free areas. A freight rebate of up to $300 per bull will be available depending on delivery area and

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a personal travel rebate of $500 is also on offer to buyers who live more than 1000km from CQLX Saleyards and purchase five or more bulls.

Prospective buyers and vendors are invited to a pre-sale bull viewing at CQLX Saleyards at 3pm on Monday, September 14, and following inspections, to join the sale committee and vendors at the saleyard canteen for drinks and finger food at the popular Allflex Drinks with Droughties at Dusk function at 5.45pm.

Sponsors have once again proved generous in their support of the sale and include Allflex (platinum), Riverina Stockfeeds (gold), Rocky Repro (silver), Queensland Country Life (gold), Metalcorp Steel (gold), Beachport Liquid Minerals (silver) and Virbac (gold), along with bronze sponsors Australian Reproductive Technologies, Livestock Exchange, Investabull and Dow Agrosciences Australia. ● For full details visit wwwdroughtmasternational.com and the DN Sale page on Facebook.

RIGHT: The 2014 National Droughtmasters top price bull Hamadra Draper, owned by Riley McKenzie (back) and his family, was bought by Ken McKenzie, Yaralla, Blackwater, for $54,000.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DN. S A L E : T H E V E N D O R S

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

CHRISTMAS CREEK ROLLESTON breeders Bradley and Kerryn Piggott of Christmas Creek Stud have enjoyed a successful year on many fronts.

At the recent RuralCo Commercial Cattle Championships at Beef 2015 the operation had two pens of steers in the crop/pasture fed classes.

They placed third in class 7 with the pen of 10 purebreds (steers 560/650kgs, maximum two teeth, suitable for the export market).

The Christmas Creek entries sold to Teys Brothers for $2.69/kg to average $1740 per head.

The operation claimed another third, this time in class 8 (10 steers 640/760kgs maximum four teeth, suitable for the export).

These steers sold to JBS for $2.83/kg coming back at $1909 per head.

The commercial acceptance continues to rise for the Christmas Creek product.

Ninety Christmas Creek heifers were sold in early July on AuctionsPlus for $2.54/kg, coming back at $935/head.

Christmas Creek has four destined for the sale but have drawn last on Day 2 in the catalogue for 2015.

The Christmas Creek four are in the Landmark offering, selling from lots 567-570 and are sons of Aldinga 07/10 and Redwing Wallace.

JEMBRAE BRETT and Leanne Warne, Jembrae Stud, Injune, have a team of 14 bulls for the sale and their daughters Emma and Jess will present two Gen Y prefix bulls.

The entire draft will be offered on day one of the sale and the Warne family is excited about the potential in the team. “The team is an outstanding line of big upright bulls with lovely clean sheaths and represent the style of bull we usually present.”

Sires represented include Glenlands D Lookalike, Comanche Cash, Jembrae Fiesta, Clonlara 10219.

“Jembrae is offering three sons of Comanche Cash that we bought in 2011 at the National Sale for $50,000 and Gen Y has one.”

Lots 104, 105, 107 and 192 are Comanche Cash sons. “Cash has been doing a great job for the stud, our Beef 2015 junior champion heifer was by him. Glenlands D Lookalike has done really well for us over the last five years and he’s produced another couple of great bulls.”

Lots 43, 102, 103, 109, 110 and 111 are sired by Glenlands D Lookalike. “We’re also selling the first sons ever offered of our Beef 2012 junior champion Jembrae Fiesta.”

Jembrae Fiesta is represented in lots 44, 45, 108, 112 and 193. The sale catalogue also includes a Clonlara 10219 son in lot 106. “The entire draft represents bulls with a bit of grunt and clean sheaths.”

Over the two days at the 2014 sale, 365 bulls were sold with an average of $6020 and a clearance of 80 per cent.

Ten Wajatryn bulls will also be offered at the end of Day 2 as lots 537-546. These bulls kick off with four polled, Wajatryn T-Rex sons.

T-Rex is rapidly making his mark within the Wajatryn herd. The easy-doing, higher-content sire’s sons are demonstrating his great doing ability. Other sires represented in this year’s draft are Wajatryn Devil, $55,000 DN sale-topper from 2010. Redskin X-Factor and Redskin Cheroke, Medway Scallywag and Billabong Zebediah.

Wajatryn bulls are prepared to work, grown out on scrub country and crop before final sale preparation on bull maintenance ration. These bulls will go out and walk and work for you.

Selected from 120-plus bulls prepared by the stud each year, Wajatryn bulls are worth your investment.

Beef 2015 championships on the back of their previous wins at Beef 2003, 2006 and 2012.

Their 40 purebred Droughtmaster grainfed steers exhibited at Beef 2015 averaged $1700 while their 10 composite grainfed heifers averaged $1544 and the 20 purebred grassfed steers set a $1662 average at auction.

This year’s team of sale bulls are catalogued to sell on the opening day (lots 156-165) in the Landmark catalogue.

Nine registered bulls and four herd bulls make up the Yaralla team for 2015.

The draft that contains polled, scurred and dehorned bulls and features sons of Needmor 613, Locarno Ferdy and the retained sires, Yaralla Kyle, Maxwell, Milan and Muckton.

NINDETHANA

CRAIGLEA Stud will offer eight impressive young bulls this year.

Catalogued as lots 329-336 early on day two, the line of bulls will be one of the stud’s most even lines yet, with real industry-relevant beef attributes and style.

The bulls will be young and active, aged from 21 to 27 months, and bred straight from the heart of Craiglea’s proven genetics. Leading the team will be the impressive sire in the making Craiglea Hudson (Lot 329). Sired by Medway Qzac out of a Billabong Julius Ceaser dam, he has real sire appeal coupled with great beef and bone and extra style. Qzac will have three even sons on offer.

Another bull to watch is the meaty and capacious Hamadra Ali son, Craiglea Hot Rod (Lot 331), out of a Glenlands Fairbairn dam, the bull oozes volume and power. Bulls can be viewed at Craiglea at any time.

WAJATRYN

NINDETHANA will offer three bulls as lots 46-48 on day one of the sale. This will be the first offering of sons of the multiple broad-ribbon winning sire, Bryvonlea Malachi. Malachi was purchased by Nindethana at the Droughtmaster National Sale in 2012 and has made a huge impact on the Nindethana herd.

Each of the bulls that will be offered are out of well respected and consistently productive stud matrons, and carry the positive features of their sire: easy doing, great length, bone, thickness, tidy underlines and very quiet temperaments.

WARREN and Carolyn Kenny, Wajatryn, Gayndah will present 16 bulls at this year’s sale.

All will sell on day two of the event, beginning with lots 350-355. These are a line of six Wajatryn bulls, sired by Huntly Latham (polled son of Minlacowie Isiah) beef bulls with bone, width and weight for age. The lead of this draft is Wajatryn Hudson. A bull with real sire potential.

FRESH from victories at Beef 2015’s Ruralco Commercial Cattle Championships where they claimed the grand champions for the fourth time, Blackwater breeders Ken and Kerry McKenzie’s Yaralla Stud has 13 bulls catalogued for this year’s sale.

Yaralla was the most successful exhibitor title at the

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

YARALLA

CRAIGLEA

August 2015

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LOT 198 MEDWAY 735/3

LOT 197 MEDWAY UCON

HERD BULL

NATIONAL SALE SEPTEMBER 13 GRACEMERE 11 BULLS LOTS 194-204 ARTESIAN SALE OCTOBER 12 BLACKALL 25 BULLS BULLZEYE SALE OCTOBER 15 CAPELLA 12 BULLS

COMMERCIALLY CONNECTED WITH SEEDSTOCK SENSE Hastings & Sandra Donaldson 07 4985 5318 Brenten Donaldson 0417 070 376

LOT 199 MEDWAY 819/3

LOT 196 MEDWAY ULSTER

HERD BULL

DMD

LOT 200 MEDWAY ULTRON 38

August 2015

LOT 194 MEDWAY ULLMAN DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

LOT 195 MEDWAY 794/3 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

HERD BULL

LOT 202 MEDWAY U-GO August 2015

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DN. S A L E HEITIKI HEITIKI will offer two bulls on day two. Lot 383, Heitiki Indigo, is a great young sire with potential.

He is out of a prolific Dam Heitiki 1815 and sired by Swan Horsham through AI. Lot 384, Heitiki G30, is also a great young bull by Glenlands Maranoa via AI.

MEDWAY THE Medway stud buoyed by recent success is adhering to its mantra of ‘commercially connected with seedstock sense’.

Operated by the Donaldson family, Bogantungan, the prefix entered a team of four purebred steers in the 2015 Gympie Carcase Classic, a competition widely regarded as the leading feedlot and carcase trial in south east Queensland.

From a field of 139 head a Medway steer led the competition at the half way point with an average daily gain of 2.67kg.

This steer was the standout performer at this time with only eight animals recording daily gains over 2kg (average daily gain 1.3kg/day).

The Donaldson entry went on to be awarded the highest weight gain of the competition of 2.34kg/ day at the conclusion of the event in mid-July.

He made 240c/kg to return $837.

Medway have 11 registered and herd entries.

The silage prepared team are sons of Glenavon Napoleon, Glenlands D Marshall, Yaralla Landon and the homebred sires, Queenslander, Nearly and others.

MINLACOWIE AND WINGFIELD MINLACOWIE and Wingfield studs have selected a powerful team of bulls for this year’s sale.

Minlacowie has 12 rising three-year-olds and 15 rising two-year-olds with Wingfield presenting eight rising three-year-olds.

Some of the sires represented include Nebo, Ivory Prince, Kingston and new Sires Oh Calcutta (Iker), Oakland (Jensen) and first sons of Paddy Boy. Very good dam lines are also represented with some of their oldest lines including Tanya’s, Dana’s and Ursula’s.

There are plenty of potential stud sires among the drafts which are predominantly polled with good strong heads, hooded eyes and length being the standout features.

The bulls carry the usual traits that the studs are renowned for with length, good fleshing, bone, leg, excellent sire appeal and good tropical coats.

The usual feed regime has been carried out with the bulls weaned on to natural pasture and then brought in for sale preparation, which includes paddock access to leucaena and pasture with plenty of exercise.

Luke and Peter Carrington, Rondel Droughtmasters, Winton, offered 12 bulls at the 2014 Droughtmasters National Sale.

Jackson) is a growthy young sire with an excellent temperament to match.

Lot 558 Oakmore Noah (P) and lot 559 Oakmore Nairobi (P) are selling on day two, these two well bred, beefy young guns, which both placed in their class at Beef 2015 have growth for age and that sought-after polled sirey appeal.

Oakmore bulls have been bred and prepared for the seed stock and commercial buyer and are worked with dogs, horses and bikes. Cattle are fully vaccinated and tested PI negative.

WANTMORE WANTMORE will offer two lots at the sale.

Lot 525, Wantmore Cash, will be selling as a 3/4 share full possession, the stud has retained 120 straws for in-herd use. He has been used lightly thus far, so he is ready to work immediately. Cash will be 34 months on sale day. His sire Glenlands D Powerhouse has bloodlines going back to Swan 1636, and his dam Oakfield Juno has breeding extending back to Swan Jeopardise.

Lot 526, Wantmore X-Factor is a tidy young bull with a nice clean sheath. On sale day he will be 24 months old.

His sire Pine Tree Downs XXXX, was purchased at 19 months of age, weighing 840kg with an eye muscle of 140cm.

He was a very consistent sire, throwing a large amount of thickness in his calves.

His dam, Fortrus Jodie, has been throwing very consistently since purchase.

OAKMORE

WESTERN RED AND FAIRHAVEN

STUD Principals Greg and Sharon Harms of Oakmore are excited to be offering at this year’s sale the first three sons of powerful home-bred sire Oakmore Kadir.

Kadir is a polled sire possessing exceptional temperament, bone, scale, muscle, mobility, fertility and sire appeal, which he has passed on to his sons. Selling Lot 257 Oakmore Nixon (P) and Lot 258 Oakmore Nelson (P) on day one.

Oakmore Nelson, son of Yagobie Parker (Billabong

WESTERN Red and Fairhaven studs will this year support the sale with 23 bulls.

Vendors Dean and Julie Allen and family have assembled another young team that average in age at around 24 months.

The entire draft is being silage prepared on the central highlands and represent sons of Comanche 3084, Redskin Yosemite, Glenavon Oscar, Glenlands Hallam, Yaralla Lyndon, FCC Fred, Fairhaven Duke, the $26,000 Glenlands Overseer

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and the $55,000 Wajatryn Devil.

Both drafts are set to sell on the opening day of the sale with the four entries from Western Red prefix to be offered in the Landmark catalogue (lots 113116) while the 19 from the Fairhaven stud are the last draft to be offered on the same day from lots 304 to 322 in the Elders section of the catalogue.

Commenting on the teams Dean Allen said it was “very gratifying to be selling at the National once again. The seasons haven’t been in our favour in western Queensland this year but we’ll present bulls with strong constitution, do-ability and the ability to handle all conditions. Fertility is also paramount, all our bulls will be tested for both semen motility and morphology”.

RSVP THE Pickering family will offer six quality young sires from their RSVP operation, first up on day two at the sale.

Selling as lots 323-328, buyers should get their bums on a seat early to avoid disappointment.

Leading the draft is RSVP Kruggerand, a scurred son of the now deceased RSVP Excalibur (Swan 609).

Kruggerand is a must-inspect and his combination of tremendous muscling, huge scrotal, weight for age and sires head are sure to impress considering his tender age of 19 months.

His dam RSVP Zanadu is arguably one of the elite cows in the RSVP herd, boasting progeny that include superstar show female RSVP Envy.

In 2011 she was supreme exhibit at Gatton Futurity Show and junior champion female at Roma Feature Show. She returned to the show ring in 2014 to claim grand champion female at the Gympie Show.

Sylvan Springs Cowboy, a retained sire from the Sylvan Springs division of the operation has three quality polled sons catalogued. Condamine Carbine and first season sire Ianbrae Wanted are each represented by one son. All bulls have outstanding carcase qualities and are easy doing with tidy sheaths.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

Lot 44

Lot 43

Jembrae Are Lots 43-45 And Lots 102-112 Gen Y Are Lots 192 & 193

Lot 102

Lot 192 Also selling at Roma Tropical Bull Sale October 23

Brett, Leanne & Emma Warne

AW1699921

www.jembrae.com

Lot 109 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

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Droughtmaster National 2015

Contact David Torrisi 0419 744 364

Lot 380

3037 - 24 months old Vitwood Quartermaster Sire: Glenlands Megabyte Dam: Vitwood Mary Lou

Agent: Corbmac Fanning 0428 841 577

Lot 381

AW1721188

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3046 - 23 months old Vitwood Quarter Mile Sire: Clonara Balboa Dam: Vitwood Kalista Agent: Grant Daniel & Long Peter Brazier 0407 525 983 Lot 382

2993 - 18 months old Vitwood Quart Pot Sire: Vitwood Judus Dam: Ivanhoe 3522

3038 - 24 months old Vitwood Quarterback Lot 379

August 2015

Sire: Glenlands Megabyte Dam: Vitwood Meryl DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DN. S A L E BRYVONLEA BRIAN and Yvonne Heck will offer 12 quality, affordable bulls on day one catalogued as lots 18 to 24 and 230 to 234. Sires represented in the draft are Billabong Riley and Vale View Ripper both well respected sires within the Droughtmaster breed.

Heck, they’re all worth getting up early for, especially lot 18 Bryvonlea Outback, who’s been a standout since birth out of a Glenlands D Jet Set daughter and maternal sister to Janalie the $14,000 DNF sale heifer. The sire appeal and powerful presence of lots 230 is sure to impress. Sale preparation is freerange on the Glastonbury flats with a Riverina pellet supplement. We are extremely proud of the consistent performance of the Bryvonlea matrons.

Detailed dam history and pictures will be regularly updated on www.bryvonleadroughtmasters.com.

BRYVONLEA JBH JOSHUA Heck will offer three young sires on day two as lots 337 to 339. They are all sons of Vale View Ripper, who produced the Droughtmaster National Female Sale record-priced heifer and record average. We strongly recommend your inspection of these powerful, active, young sires out of leading dams in the herd. Keep watching Bryvonlea Facebook for full details and photos.

HAZELWOOD HAZELWOOD Droughtmasters, Obi Obi, will be offering another impressive line of seven even registered sires as lots 551-557 at this year’s sale.

Billabong Watchtower is represented by Onslow and

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

Omar (lots 551 and 552) and these two bulls have exceptional bone, length and carcase qualities that would suit any commercial or stud operation. Big and mobile, these two bulls will cover any paddock with ease. Again Billabong Raymond has five polled bulls that all display the strength, skin and length that we have come to expect from their proven sire.

Our bulls range from 18-32 months of age and all exhibit the growth and softness that we look for in a bull. Being late on day two, these Hazelwood bulls will be worth the wait.

HAMADRA AFTER taking home the prestige award of Grand Champion Droughtmaster Bull at Beef Australia 2015, which was a lifelong dream and goal for Drew and Kerri McKenzie of Hamadra Stud, the wellrespected seedstock producers are confident the 15 bulls they have catalogued for this year’s sale have the evenness and genetic strength they like to see in their bulls.

The draft of 15 sires will all be offered on day two at lots 507-521. The lead bull will be Hamadra Express, which was the 2015 Beef Grand Champion bull and then went on to win three more junior champion awards before he was turned back out with the DN team. He will be the first son offered by retained sire Hamadra Bodacious who is doing an amazing job within our herd. Hamadra’s commitment to breeding cattle with red meat, muscle and length on a structurally sound body backed with an easygoing temperament has never changed. Any females that can’t do this have no place within our

herd. Our goals have never changed, just grown over the years, and a continual improving herd is what we like to achieve from year to year through bull selection. Hamadra has bulls for all budgets and the 15 sires we have chosen to present in 2015 are worth the wait.

TALGAI TALGAI Stud at Rolleston, owned and operated by the Veivers family, has 11 bulls for this year’s sale.

Catalogued on the second day with Elders (lots 470480) the draft features sons of the leading sires the $50,000 Comanche Cash (Glenlands Hamal), the $42,500 Glenlands D Playboy (Glenlands D Freemantle) and the $42,000 Glenlands D Pearce (Glenlands KB) and Fairhaven 05/2. Cash is this year represented by a trio of sons, while Playboy has four on offer. Pearce has three and Fairhaven 05/2 has a single son catalogued for the sale.

The entire team is silage-prepared and carries with them current Droughtmaster group Breedplan figures that in many cases have them ranked well above the breed average in many traits. The operation’s philosophy has been continuous improvement and it has embraced group Breedplan since its inception.

The Veivers family have always stated that the genetic predictability of this selection criteria (Breedplan) has been proven to them over many years in their operation.

Dams in the pedigrees of the 2015 bulls are daughters of Fairhaven 05/2, Wolfang 2207, Cungelella Dawson, Talgai Bo, Mungalla Monty.

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SHOWS

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEG ‘REAL DATA’ USED IN PEER RANKINGS

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OP breeding programs, classing and carcase assessment were offered by Natural Ecosystems Group at this year’s FarmFest. The business has adopted an objective management approach when working with livestock industries across Australia and New Zealand, working with live animals to establish real data, which is then evaluated by the NEG carcase merit index (CMI) to allow animals of the same peer group to be assessed and ranked.

Natural Ecosystems Group principal consultant Leon Martin was very impressed by the 2015 winner of the prestigious Natural Ecosystems Group Cattlemans Cup, Queensland’s own Oakmore Omaha, a 13-month-old Droughtmaster bull weighing 497kg, bred by Greg and Sharon Harms of Oakmore Droughtmaster stud, Greenmount.

“This bull offered ideal carcase data for domestic specifications,” Mr Martin said, adding the selection process identified animals with a “super elite” CMI and carcase data within particular specifications, in line with those sought by meat processors.

“Omaha had a rib fat recording of 5mm and rump fat of 6mm, an IMF of 3.4 per cent and EMA covering 105.3 sq cm,” he said.

“He was very impressive on the day and we were very pleased to award him as this year’s winner.”

Sharon Harms, Oakmore Droughtmaster stud with Oakmore Omaha and Leon Martin, principal consultant of Natural Ecosystems Group

DISPLAY JUDGED BEST AT FARMFEST LEFT: Representing the Droughtmaster Society at Farmfest and taking out the WFI Livestock Perpetual Beef Cattle champion display were Angela and Megan Krause, Breffni Stud, Miles. At the table are Sharon Harms, Oakmore Stud, Greenmount, Inga Hayes and Lindsay Philp, Lynsey Park Stud, Bell, and David McCabe, Breffni Stud, Chinchilla.

OUR YOUNG CHAMP ON RECOVERY ROAD

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ONGRATULATIONS to junior member Jarrad Thompson from R&RJ Stud who was awarded the inaugural Clevelen Camilleri Memorial Trophy for overall points for judging and parading at the recent Mackay show.

Twelve months ago Jarrad was involved in a campfire accident which resulted in burns to 30 per cent of his body.

The burns were to the right side of his chest, under his right arm and around to his back, which resulted in Jarrad spending six weeks in the Townsville Hospital while he underwent four skin graft operations using skin taken from both of his legs.

Jarrad has check-ups every three months for his burns and has to wear compression suits for the

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next two years to help with scar management.

Further surgery is scheduled at the end of November this year.

Ever the fighter, Jarrad is back doing his everyday tasks, which include playing football full time after he was selected to play representative football for Mackay this year.

He is also back at his favourite interest of showing cattle this year with success at a number of shows and will be selling two bulls at the 2015 Droughtmaster National Sale.

We are proud to have him as a Droughtmaster breeder and wish him well with his future recovery.

A remarkable young man.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

ROBERT WINS MLA GENETICS AWARD

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OUR individuals were recognised in four very different awards at the Beef Industry Awards dinner at Beef 2015, and one of those individuals deserves special mention.

Droughtmaster Digest congratulates Robert Rea and family from Lisgar Droughtmaster Stud, Home Hill, on being awarded the MLA Genetic Improvement Award.

This trophy is bestowed on the commercial beef

producer who best demonstrates a commitment to genetic improvement in their herd.

The Rea family’s property Lisgar, south of Home Hill in north Queensland, has been the site for countless research trials covering genetics, tick management, HGP strategies, MSA pathways and other topics over the years.

Congratulations to Robert, Donna and family on your special win.

LEFT: Robert Rea, Lisgar Pastoral Company, Home Hill, at the National Droughtmaster Bull Sale in September last year with Lot 329 which sold to return $18,000.

McKENZIES SHARE SECRETS OF SUCCESS

By HELEN WALKER

W

E all like to win – and any win is a good win – but it is still a huge shock to win the renowned Ruralco Commercial Cattle Grand Championship. These are the words of respected Droughtmaster breeder Ken McKenzie, Yaralla, Blackwater, after he and his wife Kerry claimed their fourth grand championship victory at a Beef Australia 2015.

The grand champion pen and champion grainfed pen comprised 10 purebred milk-tooth Droughtmasters averaging 546kg.

The steers spent 128 days on feed at the Donovan family’s Duaringa Feedlot and sold to Teys Australia at Monday’s sale for 330c/kg, to return $1800 a head.

After four grand champion wins at Beef, many other competitors were left to ponder the McKenzie’s secret to success. “I really feel it is a combination of three aspects,” Mr McKenzie said.

Ken and Kerry McKenzie of Yaralla, Blackwater, with their grand champion pen of Droughtmaster steers.

“We have always believed in having a solid cow herd without any tail, and the breeders run on the family’s Duaringa breeding property Pearl Creek.

“The weaners generally average about 280kg when weaned, and we move them back to Yaralla for backgrounding and growing out.

“Once on Yaralla, so long as there are no setbacks, we look after them as best we can. But the third

ingredient is feeding regime at Duaringa Station Feedlot. They are fed a combination of wheat, silage, and corn, and it is the best and all grown on black soil flats at Duaringa Station.”

Mr McKenzie said the winning steers were predominantly by home-bred sires, while other sires influencing the steers were Hamadra, Medway and Needmor Droughtmaster bloodlines.

RISING STARS WIN

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NOTHER night at Beef 2015, another awards dinner and another award to a person or business associated with the breed.

Congratulations to Young Farmers on picking up the Rising Star winner at the inaugural Grassfed Beef Awards. Who remembers the story on Young Farmers published in the Droughtmaster Digest earlier this year – a paddock-to-plate business run

by Aimee Young, her boyfriend Simon Harradence and her brother Carl, manager of Wirraway, Beaudesert. The business takes grassfed Droughtmaster beef from Wirraway and sells it direct to consumers via online orders and/or markets in Brisbane. Congratulations. ● Visit www.youngfarmers.co

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

SPECIAL SELECTION SNARES TOP GONG

LEFT: Associate judge William Weir and judge Dawson Geddes (front) with Tayla Withers, Simon,Fergus and Tim Lloyd, Heitiki Stud, Delungra NSW, trophy sponsor Bob Baker and Mark Scholes from Landmark Stud Stock, Rockhampton, at the presentation of the grand champion Droughtmaster female Heitiki Gretel and her calf.

By ASHLEY WALMSLEY

I

T was a good thing Drew McKenzie listened to his wife Kerri when she insisted they look after her ‘special’ selection. The couple’s junior bull Hamadra Express snared the grand champion Droughtmaster bull ribbon at Beef Australia 2015.

The 17-month-old Express showed a smoothness and muscle tone which caught the eye of judge Lawson Geddes of Couti-Outi Brangus and his associate judge, 15-year-old William Weir from Alice Springs.

In his assessment of the grand champion, Mr Geddes said he had gone for the junior bull because he was the more correct bull. Express is

by Hamadra Bodaicious out of Hamadra Holly Fox. Mr McKenzie said it was with some prompting from his better half that saw them hold on to Express as a weaner. “He was my wife’s special,” he said.

The bull’s coat type and extreme length were the traits the breeder aimed for.

Being a poll also gave him a few more runs on the board, according to Mr McKenzie.

The stud’s reputation was further boosted when it went on to win both the exhibitor’s group and the sire’s progeny stakes classes – something Mr McKenzie took pride in. “The breeder’s group and the sire’s progeny I rate very highly because it shows a strength about them and shows where you’re going. It’s not just a one-off animal.”

However, the successful outing has thrown a curve ball at Hamadra. “We had planned to sell him at the Droughtmaster National sale, but things are up in the air a little bit now with offers of semen and stuff.”

The wins made for an even more memorable Beef Australia 2015 for the McKenzie family.

The senior cow, Heitiki Gretel from Tim Lloyd, Delungra, won the grand champion female ribbon with her unnamed calf at foot. Gretel is by Swan Horsham out of Glenlands Monique. The Bouldercombe-based Glenlands Stud featured

RIGHT: Judge Dawson Geddes and associate judge William Weir with owner Kerri McKenzie, Hamadra Stud, Emerald, ribbon presenter Emma Allen, Koota Park, Rockhampton, and Mark Scholes, Landmark Stud Stock, Rockhampton, at the presentation of the grand champion Droughtmaster bull Hamadra Express.

BEEF 2015 ACHIEVERS Judge: Dawson Geddes, Couti-Outi Brangus.

Assoc judge: William Weir, Alice Springs.

No. of exhibits: 140.

Gr ch bull: Hamadra Express, Andrew and Kerri McKenzie, Hamadra Stud, Emerald.

Gr ch female: Heitiki Gretel, Tim Lloyd, Dellungra.

Calf ch bull: Glenlands Thunder, Glenlands Stud, Bouldercombe. Res: Glenlands Torpedo.

Calf ch female: Vale View Xcellence, Vale View Stud, Goomeri. Res: Heitiki Jenny.

Jnr ch bull: Hamadra Express. Res: RSVP Jackpot, RSVP Stud, Windera.

Jnr ch female: Jembrae Emily 10th, Jembrae Stud, Injune. Res: Glenlands Tranquillity.

Snr ch bull: Craiglea Henry, Ridgie Didge Stud, Goomeri. Res: Hamadra Dynamo.

Snr ch female: Heitiki Gretel. Res: Glenlands Rosa.

throughout the results as well, with Glenlands Thunder winning the bull calf champion ribbon and

Glenlands Torpedo taking home the reserve. Vale View Xcellence from Vale View Stud won the female calf champion with Heitiki Jenny snaring the reserve.

In the juniors, Hamadra Express won the junior champion bull, while RSVP Jackpot from RSVP Stud, Windera, was named reserve.

The junior champion female was Jembrae Emily 10th from Jembrae Stud, Injune, with Glenlands Tranquillity awarded the reserve champion ribbon.

The senior classes continued the high-quality set by the earlier classes.

Craiglea Henry from Ridgie Didge Stud, Goomeri, won the senior champion bull ribbon, as Hamadra Dynamo snatched the reserve. Heitiki Gretel was sashed with the senior champion female ribbon with Glenlands Rosa given the reserve.

With some 140 entries, the Droughtmasters were out in force with plenty of spectator support throughout the judging.

#KISS-A-DROUGHTIE

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ISITORS to the Droughtmaster display site at Beef 2015 enjoyed some homemade cakes, biscuits and a cuppa, and relaxed in the ladies lounge where – set aside from the hustle and bustle of the busy display area – people enjoyed the massage chair, a glass of champers, and cheese and biscuits.

Having a bit of fun with the #Kiss-a-Droughtie social media campaign were students from Murgon State High and St George High, who took ‘selfies’ with a model of their favourite breed.

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

SALES

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

BEEF BONANZA TOPS AT $13,500

LEFT: SBB auctioneer Josh Heck, Rockhampton, with buyers Liz and Bob Nicholls, Ena Farming Company, Yetman, NSW, with vendor Darren Childs of Glenlands Stud, Bouldercombe, holding the $13,500 topselling heifer, Glenlands D Tuscany (P).

By PETER LOWE

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ELATIVE newcomers to the Droughtmaster breed, Yetman, NSW, couple Bob and Liz Nicholls, Ena Farming Co, bid the $13,500 top money to secure Glenlands D Tuscany (P) at the Droughtie Beef Bonanza Sale at Beef 2015. The Beef 2015 class winner and outstanding daughter of Glenlands Maranoa (P) was offered by the Childs families at Glenlands Stud, Bouldercombe. The 20-month-old heifer carried strong poll genetics on both sides of her pedigree and displayed ideal carcase attributes, while retaining excellent femininity traits. The Nicholls bought a number of Angle Zed and Fortrus females at the dispersal and reduction sales this year. The family said the Glenlands heifer would form part of their embryo program in their recently registered Kilkenny Droughtmaster stud at Woodford.

A semen package of 10 straws in the highly credentialed Glenlands D Rambo also offered by the Childs family attracted $800/straw from Paul Dingle of the Waringle stud at Maleny.

SBB auctioneer Josh Heck sold two heifers for a $8500 average and 13 semen packages for a $2375 average, for a sale gross of $47,875.

SUMMARY ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Two heifers av $8500, top $13,500 13 semen packages av $2375, top $8000 15 lots av $3192 88pc clearance Agent: Savage, Barker & Backhouse

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NEWS

ARTESIAN’S 80 TOP QUALITY BULLS

By KENT WARD

D

ESPITE prevailing seasonal conditions the vendors at the annual Artesian Sale at Blackall Saleyards on Monday, October 12, have acted on commitment and faith in their physical product and their loyal clientele to proceed with this year’s fixture.

This year’s sale includes an offering of 80 topquality bulls from the six participating studs, featuring both purebred and registered males.

Some of the breed’s best-performing and highly regarded genotypes and phenotypes will be catalogued by the vendors, the Clonlara, Fairhaven, Glenlands, Medway, Western Red and Yaralla studs.

The offering spans 18 to 30 months in age and the principals have carefully assembled the catalogue with buyer requirements and environmental factors foremost in their minds.

Dean and his son Toby Allen, Western Red and Fairhaven Studs, Longreach, with a sample of the 16 bulls currently being prepared for the annual Artesian sale on October 12 at the Blackall saleyards.

The entire offering carries vaccinations against 3 day, 7 in 1, tick fever and botulism.

The Fairhaven and Western Red Stud operated by the Allen family of Longreach will field 16 bulls. The Glenlands prefix has 10, while the Donaldsons, Medway Stud, Bogantungan, has set aside 25. The McCormack family’s Clonlara Stud, Glenmorgan, will field nine. Yaralla Stud, Blackwater, again supports the offering with 20 head. Apparent in the offering is a rich and diverse genetic product

backed by a highly commercial-oriented production focus. All vendors run highly successful commercial and seedstock enterprises, dominating sale and show rings, prime and carcase competitions and bullock and steer spheres. TJO Grassroots Consulting, Rural Supplements, Rabobank, Allflex, Ringrose Button Chartered Accountants, 4 Season Company and Longhorn Transport, Longreach, are sponsors this year. ● Contact: Agents Landmark or Dean Allen, Western Red and Fairhaven Studs on (07) 4658 5315.

CONSISTENCY COUNTS FOR ALDINGA

By SHARON HOWARD

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EAR in, year out the annual Piggott bull sale delivers well-prepared bulls with excellent temperament, tidy sheaths and a high percentage of polled bulls.

“We’re really starting to realise the rewards of nearly 30 years of careful bull selection,” stud principal Terry Piggott said.

Mr Piggott and his wife Catherine’s annual bull sale will be held at the Springsure saleyards on Wednesday, September 9, when 70 bulls will be auctioned.

“We’re really looking forward to this year’s sale,” Mr Piggott said.

“We’ve got a great line-up of bulls and think our

repeat and new buyers will be impressed.”

Prospective buyers are invited to attend the Aldinga bull walk from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, August 29, on property near Rolleston.

“You can really get a good look at the bulls away from the hustle and bustle of the saleyards, enjoy morning tea and lunch and a couple of beers.”

Buyers are also invited to go online and see the bulls on offer on the newly updated Aldinga Droughtmaster website, www.aldingadroughtmasters.com RIGHT: Henry Piggott makes sure the Piggott bulls have the right temperament for the annual bull sale in September.

CLONLARA’S LEAD PERFORMERS ON OFFER

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LONLARA will offer 65 commercially focused, rising two-year-old bulls at their 27th annual on-property sale on September 23, at Dilga, Glenmorgan. These bulls have been selected as the lead performers from the Clonlara herd, which is geared towards turning off steers for the heavy feeder or heavy pasture-fed markets.

Clonlara steers once again tasted success at the Beef 2015 prime cattle championships where they won the heavy grainfed class. These 16 to 19-month-old steers weighed 635kg, selling for 317c/kg to return $2013/head. This is the second Beef Expo in succession that Clonlara milk tooth steers have won in this heavy grainfed class.

The McCormack family continue to have a heavy

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focus on fertility, calving heifers at two years of age and requiring every female to produce a live calf annually to stay in the breeding herd. They are also committed to providing semen morphology results on every bull offered in the sale, and see this as a valuable tool in improving fertility in the herd.

The 65 bulls to be offered for sale on September 23 have been vet checked by Ced Wise and vaccinated for vibriosis, 3-day, botulism and 5-in-1 vaccine. Free delivery is available to Roma, Dalby, Goondiwindi and en-route to Gracemere Saleyards.

Once again a large proportion of polled sires will be offered, including sons of exciting new sires Locarno Gus and Clonlara Ernie.

Clonlara Ace progeny will again be a feature of the

sale along with sons of Clonlara Digger, Clonlara Dooley, Glenlands D Postmark, Calioran Roger, Aldinga 0780, Huntly Kane and Clonlara Deputy.

The sale catalogue along with photos of most lots will be available online at www.clonlara.com.au from early September.

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SALE PREVIEW LEFT: Beef 2015 Droughtmaster champion female Heitiki Gretel and her calf.

BEST OF HEITIKI

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EITIKI GRETTEL has set the pace after being awarded grand champion at Beef 2015. It has been a long time in the making as the Lloyd family have exhibited at expos since 1997.

The stud has received several reserve champions over the previous beef competitions; however, Gretel has finally delivered.

Heitiki again will be offering 25 quality bulls at their on-property sale at Delungra on Thursday, September 3.

Heitiki is renowned for supplying bulls to go out into the grass paddock and get cows in calf and to produce quality carcases.

There will be a line of quality young registered and commercial heifers on offer. Delivery can be arranged and this is a sale not to be missed. The leading bull, Lot 1, is Heitiki Ivan, a tremendous young sire offering that beautiful balance of beef production and ability to finish economically off grass, pasture or grain.

GLEN FOSSLYN’S TOP 60

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LEN Fosslyn Droughtmasters will offer 60 select rising two-year-old sires at their annual bull sale at Roma Saleyards on September 5, from 11am.

Glen Fosslyn Stud sole owners Cameron and Cheryl Salter, are extremely proud of the bulls on offer this year and believe they are among the best ever presented.

“We’ve got a really solid, even line of bulls that will enhance and value-add to any seedstock or commercial enterprise,” stud principal Cameron Salter said.

“These sires have size and structure, muscle, tidy sheaths; 90 per cent are polled or scurred; they have tested negative to pestivirus, and their natural docility is commendable,” he said.

EBV data and objective measurements are available on the registered bulls and the sale team has well above breed average growth figures. Forty-two registered and 18 herd bulls will be presented. This draft comes from a

Glen Fosslyn Lot 11 will be on offer at the annual sale in Roma.

power-packed line-up of Glen Fosslyn Sires that includes, 04/211, 04/134, 05/204 and introducing two new homegrown sires Glen Fosslyn Exelby and Glen Fosslyn Frontier 70. “This is the last sons on offer of an old favourite and all-round performer Glen Fosslyn 04/134,” Mr Salter said. Buyers would also be pleased to see what’s on offer from the two new Sires Glen Fosslyn Frontier 70 and Glen Fosslyn Exelby. Bulls are paddock prepared and ready for a long working life. ● Inspections are always welcome by contacting Cameron and Cheryl, you can visit the website (glenfosslyn.com.au) and follow the stud on Facebook.

AW1532515

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SALE PREVIEW

IT’S A CAPELLA BULLZEYE

By SHARON HOWARD

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ARGETING bullock producers across Queensland, a group of well-known CQ Droughtmaster studs have formed the brand new Bullzeye Droughtmaster sale.

The sale will be held at the popular Capella undercover arena on Thursday, October 15, at 10am.

The vendors include Cliff Myrea’s Needmor stud, Will and Ingrid Haviland’s Sugerland, the Donaldson family’s Medway stud, Steve and Claire Farmer’s SC Grazing, Paul and Paula Russell’s Locarno prefix, Drew and Kerri McKenzie’s Hamadra stud and the Carrington family’s Rondel stud.

These leading breeders have enjoyed well publicised success in both show rings across the state and in highly respected commercial competitions.

“We aim to offer bulls with plenty of red meat, fertility and genetics, at the right price because

that’s what cattlemen want,” sale organiser Kerri McKenzie said.

“Sticking to the basics is what we’re all about.”

A total of 90 bulls have been catalogued and buyers are encouraged to attend the complimentary breakfast on sale day.

BUNYA BULL SALE STATUS ENDORSED

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HE Bunya bull sale held annually at Coolabunia selling complex in Kingaroy has again attracted a top line-up of bulls. As many as 107 bulls catalogued from 31 studs will be offered on September 5 from 11am.

The Bunya Bull Sale is a Droughtmaster Society Endorsed Sale, giving buyers the confidence to purchase quality sires for their operation and knowing they have met strict selection and performance standards.

Exciting initiatives including outside agent rebates and bulk buyer rebates. Free delivery to five southern Queensland saleyards is again on offer.

All bulls will be pestivirus tested negative with 3-germ, 3-day and 5 in 1 vaccinations as minimum.

All bulls will also be required to have a minimum

Bronwyn Betts, Nindethana Droughtmasters, is pictured with her bulls for the Bunya sale.

semen motility of 60 per cent and be weighed, mouthed and have EMA and fat scans recorded for prospective purchasers.

Bunya sale chairman Graham Brown said buyers

Inspections are welcome the afternoon prior to the sale and sale organisers are pleased to provide some attractive freight options for their buyers.

“Producers can buy with confidence from these studs which have had years of experience in both seedstock production and commercial operations.”

would again be spoilt for choice.

Many of the bulls on offer have been part of this year’s show circuit and performed well and are being catalogued by vendors with a huge reputation within the industry for producing bulls at the pinnacle of the breed.

The committee again invites all prospective purchasers to call in on the Friday afternoon before the sale, check out what’s on offer and stay for the Meet & Greet. November 28 marks the date for the group’s annual Cream of the Crop female sale.

One-hundred quality stud females are also anticipated and breeders are invited to nominate for this sale by contacting Graham Brown.

With cattle prices on the rise, and the calibre of bulls on offer, make sure you mark the date and plan to attend. ● Visit www.bunyasales.com.au

COMMERCIAL QUALITY COUNTS

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T’S balance that endorses the selection of bulls for the annual MAGS Droughtmaster sale at Charters Towers.

Achieving the perfect balance of paddock performance, consistent meat grading and success in taste testing competitions is the standard vendors at the sale strive for.

This year’s 14th MAGS event will be held at Charters Towers on Monday, November 9.

Vendors Kylie Graham, Mungalla Stud, Mac and Gayle Shann, Lamont stud, Hugh and Sherri Philp, Valley Stud, Alison Atkinson, Durack stud and Alan Atkinson will present an impressive line-up of 90 registered sires and herd bulls at the sale including 80 polled or scurred lots.

“We put a huge emphasis on commercial relevance

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

for efficient and optimum beef production,” sale spokesman, Mac Shann said. “That’s what we breed bulls for. We want them structurally sound with a good constitution, gaining weight easily and finishing off grass or grain at any age.”

The MAGS bloodlines were positively highlighted at Beef 2015 when first-time exhibitors at the event, Lamont stud, took home five ribbons from five pens exhibited.

Their success included winning pens in the grainfed Jap Ox class with 10 milk tooth steers with the average weight of 611kg, and also in the grainfed heavy trade heifer class with 517kg milk tooth heifers. The outstanding pen of heifers went on to win champion pen of grainfed heifers of the show, while Lamont’s pen of 568kg, milk tooth, heavy

Clermont producers Mac and Gayle Shann with their Beef 2015 champion pen of grain fed heifers.

trade steers won reserve champion grainfed steers broad ribbon. The Beef 2015 results add to Lamont’s regular prime cattle success at Clermont’s show, a premier exhibition of commercial cattle. judged in Australia annually.

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

TECHNICAL

HOW TO JUDGE BULLS’ SHEATHS

By PAUL WILLIAMS, Tropical Beef Technology Services

Figure 1: Sheath structure with measurements of the prepuce and navel.

Figure 2: Subjective measurement of sheath. Distance above knee to hock line.

Figure 3: An acceptable sheath (Good angulation, absent navel rosette).

Figure 4: A sheath with poor structure (large, thick navel rosette).

T

HE fertility or calf-getting ability of a bull is influenced by many factors such as: ● Structure and conformation of the skeletal and reproduction organs. ● Semen quality (motility, morphology) and quantity. ● Disease and injury history. ● Libido or sex drive.

A combination of these factors generally deems a sire fertile, sub-fertile or infertile.

A structural point that often causes some debate in regards to bull fertility is the sheath.

Before you can delve into this debate, you need to understand its physiology and function.

WHAT IS THE SHEATH AND WHAT IS ITS FUNCTION? The sheath is the protective structure of skin surrounding the bull’s semen delivery system, i.e. prepuce and penis. Structures of interest on the sheath are the preputial opening, naval rosette and umbilicus. There are a number of points on the sheath that can be measured to allow a more objective approach to selection such as depth of prepuce, width of navel, angle of preputial opening and thickness of umbilicus (figure 1.)

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SHEATH? Hangs at an angle no greater than 45º to the underline with the prepuce opening facing forward, not down. ● Should be light, i.e. not too pendulous or have too much ‘leather’. ● Should not hang below imaginary line from hock to knee (figure 2). ● Small or absent navel rosette. ● No eversion of the preputial mucosa (figure 4).

An acceptable sheath can be seen in figure 3. Its characteristics follow those listed above. An unacceptable sheath can be viewed in figure 4.

Note the large, thick navel rosette. This sire has a higher probability of fewer calves on the ground over its lifetime, and economic loss through increased calf cost. ●

WHAT IS EVERSION OF THE PREPUTIAL MUCOSA? Eversion of the preputial mucosa is a condition that causes the prepuce lining (mucosa) to ‘fall’ through the prepuce opening. Bulls that have sheaths of poor structure (i.e. prepuce opening hangs facing ground) have a higher chance of being inflicted with this condition.

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For reasons unknown, poll bulls are more susceptible to this condition.

Bulls with permanent eversion of the preputial mucosa are predisposed to injury, disease and prolapse. As with poor structured sheaths, bulls with this condition have a higher probability of early breakdown.

IS SHEATH STRUCTURE PASSED ON FROM SIRE AND DAM TO PROGENY? Yes! Sheath structure is a moderately heritable trait.

If you select against poorly structured sheaths (i.e. culling and sire selection), then improvements will be made over time. Also note that you can make improvement in sheaths without losing growth, muscling or environmental adaptation.

RESEARCH LINKING POOR SHEATH STRUCTURE TO SUB-FERTILITY IN BOS INDICUS-DERIVED BULLS A research project conducted to measure the relationship between many reproductive traits, including sheath structure and calf output, was the Bull Power project (Holroyd RG et al) – which ran from 1992 to 1997 across 12 sites in northern Australia.

Droughtmasters were one of several breeds used in the project.

All bulls in this study (n=906) were acclimatised to their study environment (i.e. not recently purchased through sales) and were of varying ages.

The sheath structure was measured for all bulls when the prepuce was relaxed (figure 1).

The study found that prepuce depth is positively correlated to umbilical chord thickness.

That is, bulls with a deeper prepuce will generally have thicker umbilical cords.

Both are attributes of a poorly structured sheath.

The Bull Power project not only observed that bulls with a large umbilicus tended to have a more

Figure 5: Eversion of the preputial mucosa.

pendulous sheath, but also achieved fewer mounts and serves in a serving capacity test.

The combination of a thickened umbilical cord and enlarged rosette may result in mechanical interference in serving ability.

SUMMARY Through practical experiences and limited research, it is known that sheath structure plays a role in the calf-getting ability of a sire.

All stud and commercial cattle breeders should, at least, visually assess the sheath structure of all sires entering their breeding program.

Remember that sheath structure is a heritable trait and will be passed on through generations.

Also remember that you can make improvements in sheath structure without going backwards in production traits such as growth.

REFERENCES ● Holroyd RG et al. Bull Selection in Northern Australia, QDPI, 2000. ● Want G. Bos Indicus bulls – Watch that sheath, www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/544 ● Paul Williams, Tropical Beef Technology Services.

Phone (07) 4927 6066. Email paul@tbts.une.edu.au

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

SALE PREVIEWS

EVEN MORE SECURITY FROM GLENLANDS

By KENT WARD

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HIS year’s Glenlands catalogue will provide even more certainty and security with the inclusion of Group Breedplan figures.

“All this adds to increases and elevates the certainty and profitability of all our cattle,” Darren Childs said.

“Our 2015 catalogue features a full panel of morphology tests, a physical product backed by a massive array of clinical, nutritional, scientific and technological additions.”

Other attractions synonymous with the offering at Glenlands including silage preparation, carcase ultrasounds, performance-recorded data and dambreeding histories only bolster the calibre of the product on offer.

“We consistently subject our sale offering to some

of the most rigorous, stringent and thorough procedures when it comes to fertility testing, and this year’s males come armed again with a preparation backed by the latest scientific programs and nutritional data.”

This year’s sale line-up of 180 top-quality males is sourced from the largest performance-recorded Droughtmaster stud in Australia.

They are represented by in excess of 45 registered sires and a breeding nucleus of more than 2100 registered females.

This year’s sale, to be staged on-property on Friday, September 25, will give buyers the chance to compete on the youngest draft of bulls yet presented, while noticing further increases in terms of phenotype, genetic strength, potential sire material, commercial relevance, consistency and strength.

“This year’s draft is possibly the most genetically diverse, performance-recorded and commercially relevant set of bulls we have offered to date,” Darren said.

The team also includes individuals from the successful 2014/2015 show team, including regional, interbreed and Beef expo winners.

RIGHT: The level of consistency, quality and strength of the 180 bulls catalogued for this year’s Glenlands Sale on September 25, Bouldercombe, can be seen in this image as they receive their daily silage rations.

NEW NAME FOR PROVEN SALE

By SHARON HOWARD

Yardsmen, whose bull progeny have grossed in excess of $300,000 at the Cap Sale, with a top price of $20,000 for Glenavon Oscar which sold to the Fairhaven stud.

“Yardsmen is still maintaining a 40-strong herd of cows at rising 10 years of age,” Mr Atkinson said.

Already attracting attention is a limited offering of sons of the $25,000 Yaralla Link, purchased by Glenavon and CMC studs in partnership.

“These cattle are all paddock reared until sale preparation begins and are not overfed like some multi-vendor sales.

“No hoof trimming is tolerated in either Glenavon or CMC.” The bulls are fertility guaranteed, and will be presented weighed, carcase scanned, pre-treated

T

HE Cap Bull sale will be held on Tuesday, September 8, at the Gracemere saleyards.

Formerly known as the Capricorn Droughtmaster sale, a catalogue of 85 bulls will be auctioned from 10am.

A total of 30 registered sires and 55 herd bulls will be offered from the Glenavon and CMC Droughtmaster studs. Glenavon principal John Atkinson said he had had his herd tested free of BJD, which meant they were eligible for Western Australian purchase. The stud has 75 lots, while Duncan and Karen Geddes’ CMC stud will offer 10.

Included in the sale are sons of Redskin

The Cap Bull sale will be held on Tuesday, September 8, at Gracemere saleyards, and is renowned for no-nonsense bulls for the practical cattleman.

for ticks, mouthed and with scrotal measurements. “Buyers should know that we are offering to hold their purchases until the National Sale on September 15 and 16.”

EMERALD DROUGHTIES

By SHARON HOWARD

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HE Emerald saleyards will again host the Central Reds Droughtmaster sale.

Kicking off at 9am on Monday, November 16, the revamped vendor list includes Minlacowie/ Wingfield, Fernleigh, Christmas Creek, Wolfang, Wolfang TJ and Mostyndale studs.

Featuring a catalogue of 80 bulls, a select group of 20 registered Droughtmaster heifers will be sold immediately after the bulls and are expected to draw plenty of attention.

“After the Central Reds registered sale, the ANZ Special Droughtmaster store sale will commence at 1pm,” sale president Trent Edwards said.

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“The store sale is open to all Droughtmaster and Droughtmaster-cross steers and heifers, and will be run by Emerald livestock selling agents.

“Our aim is to showcase commercial Droughtmaster cattle in central Queensland.”

Cash and trophies for the champion pen of steers and champion pen of heifers will be awarded, and the vendors of the sale are delighted to have received support from ANZ and Droughtmaster Australia for the store sale.

“We invite buyers to join us for a free hot sponsors’ breakfast from 7.30am on sale day.”

The sale committee is offering free delivery to Alpha, Capella, Clermont, Nebo, Dingo, Springsure, Rolleston, Moura and Gracemere, with assistance

The Emerald saleyards will again host the Central Reds sale in November 2015.

to other centres outside central Queensland.

All bulls are offered with an accredited cattle vet bull soundness evaluation semen test and structural assessment prior to the sale.

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NEWS

PIONEERS REMEMBERED VALE FRED BANFF THE breed has lost one of its early innovators with the passing of Fred Banff, Clinton Droughtmaster Stud, Coominya.

Clinton was Droughtmaster stud No.61 and was registered on August 27, 1969.

Fred had a fascination for genetics, which he used in his Droughtmaster stud, run on a mixed grain and cattle property near Coominya with his brother Robin, trading as Banff Brothers. His interest in genetics led to Fred being instrumental

in the early establishment of Droughtmaster Group Breedplan with his bull Clinton 940 used widely as one of the early link sires.

Always a gentleman, Fred was very active in the breed, selling bulls at Roma and Rockhampton, being a regular attendee at Droughtmaster events and supportive of the development of the breed in southern Queensland.

Fred is survived by his wife Neredah, children Greg, Jane and Marg and their families.

VALE AUBREY KINBACHER It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Aubrey Kinbacher this year at the age of 85. Many who knew Aubrey paid tribute to his long and inspiring life, supported by his wife of 62 years Geraldine. It was a life full of hard work and tough going – particularly in the 1974 beef slump.

He was always driven by a courage to follow his dreams working with beef cattle.

Aubrey was born in 1930 and went to the Granville State School and the Christian Brothers High School in Maryborough. In 1931 his father John and his uncle Patrick bought land in Boompa – what we know as ‘the Mountain Paddock’.

They would drive cattle there – 200 cattle for three days, first camping near Eighteen Mile Creek followed by Teebar and then following the road through Malarga up to the mountains.

His father purchased our Garthowen land in 1946 and our Gigoomgan land in 1947. The family moved from Bidwell to live at Garthowen at that time. The cattle drives from Maryborough continued and Aubrey drove this route several times on his own. In the mid-1950s Aubrey

brought the first purebred Brahman cattle into the Boompa district and by 1964 the Garthowen Droughtmaster Stud was established – something he was always proud of. One particular highlight was in 1987 when Garthowen Thunder won first

prize at the Brisbane Exhibition for a Doughtmaster bull aged 20 to 24 months. Ross joined him with the cattle with the family discovering a newspaper clipping from 1992 reporting the “successful father and son combination, Aubrey and Ross Kinbacher topped the (Gracemere) sale with Garthowen Yellow which attracted a $14,000 bid”.

They also topped the averages for that sale.

In 1976 Aubrey was elected to the Woocoo Shire Council and he served his community in local government for 28 years, most of that time as deputy chairman. He was also fire warden for several years, and was involved with Biggenden Bowls Club and the Graziers Society.

Aubrey’s example enabled his children to build their own lives – to be brave and resourceful.

Rest in peace. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten by anyone who had the good fortune to meet you along the path of life. Aubrey is survived by his wife, Geraldine, his son, Ross, three daughters, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The family sincerely thanks all who helped him at any point in his long life.

VALE JOYCE HARDING AHLERS Joyce Harding Ahlers (June 10, 1925-June 26, 2015) was the daughter of Charlie Wallace, Kanbrae Foundation Stud, Julatten. She was born at Atherton Hospital. Her family lived at Mt Garnet (Glen Harding) and Herberton before moving to Butchers Hill, Lakeland, at the start of the Great Depression in 1930. Joyce did correspondence school taught by her mother Doreen. She learnt about working cattle and horsemanship with her brothers Hardy and Billy and sister Ruth.

At 10, Joyce was sent to Sydney to her aunt for a better education. After flying on Tom McDonald’s little canvas bi-plane Joyce would never again fly.

She then went to Lourdes Hill College in Brisbane and had to travel from Cooktown on the steamer Wondana. After it went through a cyclone, Joyce was not keen on sea travel. Once Joyce finished her secondary education, she began nursing at the Mater hospitals in Brisbane then Townsville.

The Cooktown and Laura Races were a big deal in the bush and at one race meeting she met George Ahlers. They married in 1950, worked at Glen 62

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Harding then managed Laura and Lakefield Stations where they had two children Charles and Mary.

These happy early years consisted of ant bed floors, flour drums for chairs, kerosene tins for drawers and hessian bags for blankets. With George away for weeks, Joyce often had to put her midwifery skills to use with Aboriginal stockman’s wives.

In 1960 they purchased Maitland Downs, starting with no money, no cattle and a two-room tin shed to live in. Stephen and John were then born. Joyce was very handy with sewing so she would appliqué hessian nosebags and make woggas (doonas made with hessian in the middle and an old blanket or sheet on the outside) for her children. Clothes were mended over and over and then recycled into a patchwork article for a present. Later she would make clothes for the grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Kerosene fridges, wood stoves, two-way radios, home schooling, mustering with toddlers on the pommel of her saddle were all part of Joyce’s life on Maitland Downs.

Joyce had a huge heart and in 1986 when her

sister died she was ‘mother hen’ to her niece and nephews. Joyce was nursing Charlie Wallace when he died at Kanbrae in 1979 then bought her mother to Maitland Downs to care for her until her death in 1988. She lost her first son in 1988, which really knocked her. Then George had a heart attack so she had to care for him until his death in 2014.

The CW brand was registered on April 7, 1965, and Kanbrae Stud began. Joyce took it on in 1979 then transferred part to her nephew Barry Shephard in 2005. She was very proud of her father’s role in developing the Droughtmaster breed and helping studs start in the area. At 90 she was full of vitality and in good health living by herself at Maitland. She sadly suffered a stroke the day she was moving to Kanbrae to downsize and be with her beloved Droughtmaster breeders. She passed away on June 26, 2015, at Cairns Base Hospital. This loving, gentle lady of Cape York Peninsula will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her family and friends will all miss calling in to visit ‘Aunty Joyce’ for a cuppa and homemade treat that she had ready at any time.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DROUGHTMASTER E H T O T N R U T E E L R A S L A N O I T A N

LOT 388 CALLAGHAN (P)

Selling 15 Bulls on Day 2 Lots 385-399 Inspections welcome anytime contact JOHN & CATHERINE HICKS, BILLABONG, MOURA

LOT 385 CHURCHILL (P) AW1716176

ph. 07 49971649 • mob: 0428 971 212 email: billabongbulls@bigpond.com.au billabongdroughtmasters

LOT 387 CARLETON (P) DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

LOT 389 CASPIAN (SC) August 2015

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SALE REPORTS

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NATIONAL DROUGHTIE FEMALES HIT $5500

LEFT: Andrew Meara, Elders, Toowoomba, representing buyer Chris Coulter, Akka Droughtmasters, Kilcoy, and vendor Margaret Wilson,Truvalle Droughtmaster Stud, Blackbutt, with her $5500 topselling heifer, Truvalle Velda 44th (P), at the Gympie Droughtmaster National Female Sale in March.

A

GENERAL lack of confidence in the beef industry plus supply and demand issues were key factors behind a lacklustre National Droughtmaster Female Sale at Gympie in March. Droughtmaster Australia chief executive Neil Donaldson said registered female sales were a good barometer of the overall beef industry, and the sale reflected the marketplace.

“A lack of rain in many parts of Queensland and a drop in commercial cattle values, combined with a recent major female dispersal, contributed to the result,” he said. Topping the sale at $5500 was Gatton Futurity champion heifer Truvalle Velda 44th (P), a 19-month-old daughter of the deceased Currajong Albert and offered by breed stalwarts Margaret Wilson and Sandy Hammond, Truvalle Droughtmasters, The Valley, Blackbutt. Velda was

originally passed in for the same amount but, following negotiations by Andrew Meara, Elders, Toowoomba, was sold to Chris Coulter, who is establishing a Droughtmaster stud near Kilcoy.

Another honey-coloured polled heifer by Talgai Apache (P) and offered by Truvalle Droughtmasters, sold to Roger Webber, Tajana Droughtmaster Stud, Murgon, for $3000.

Two other unjoined heifers sold for the $4000 second top money, which included Bryvonlea Delica (P), a daughter of Billabong Riley (P) offered by

Brian and Yvonne Heck, Bryvonlea Droughtmasters, Glastonbury Creek. She was bought by Colin Beasley and Rob Orphant, Seymour Droughtmasters, Sexton, who liked her breeding and overall softness. The Heck family sold their entire seven unjoined heifers for a $2464 average.

Commercial beef producers and Gympie Carcase Competition winners Brian and Lyn Thompson, Conamore, Gundiah, also bid $4000 to secure Vale View X-Solo (P), offered by Dave, Colleen and Mac Smith, Vale View Droughtmasters, Goomeri.

TRUE BLUE WINS ANGLE ZED SALE TOPPER

B

UYERS travelled from far and wide to attend the Angle Zed herd dispersal and Fortrus reduction sale at Gympie in March, with 311 lots selling to an average of $2323.

Ken and Julie Thompson, True Blue, Childers, took home the top-priced cow and calf, paying $7500 for Fortrus 11/001. The cow was sired by Billabong Romea and out of Billabong Palometta.

Mr Thompson was pleased with his buy.

“She’s a lovely cow and we’ll keep the bull calf and see what he’s like once he’s grown a bit more,” he said. “We might look at selling him at the National Sale in Rockhampton next year.”

The top-price sire Fortrus Captain also came in at $7500, selling to NSW-based volume buyer RJ Nicholls of Ina Farming, Yetman.

The former successful show bull displayed a

faultless temperament and excellent carcase attributes and was set to join the 40 other lots of cows, calves and heifers purchased by Ina Farming at the Woodford property.

Fortrus Pastoral manager Cody Whiteman said the sale had been well put together and it was great to see such support from his industry peers.

“We came out of a dry season and into a flood – so we were lucky we escaped having to cancel the sale,” Mr Whiteman said. “Because there was such a high volume of cattle for sale, we really needed buyers who were looking for numbers and we were lucky enough to get them.”

Mr Whiteman said it was a credit to the Angle Zed and Fortrus breeds to have such a high clearance.

Other notable sales included the top-priced joined heifer selling to the Paulger family, Parklands

HIGHLANDS’ ‘GIZMO’ FETCHES $12,000

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

Droughtmasters, Kenilworth, to return $5750.

Craiglea Droughtmasters, Kenilworth, picked up the top-price bull, Angle Zed 4020, also for $5750.

LEFT: John Baccon (right rear), Mt Oscar Droughtmasters, Clermont, paid $12,000 to secure the top-priced Highlands Droughtmaster, Strathfield Gizmo, from Shane (front right) and Wendy Perry, Strathfield stud, Clermont. The men are congratulated by Elders auctioneer, Brian Wedemeyer (rear left) and Clermont agent, Jake Kennedy.

T

HE Highlands Droughtmaster sale at Clermont in March proved its resilience and dependability by topping at $12,000 and enjoying an impressive average and clearance.

A strong group of commercial buyers filled the stands and paid an average of just over $4000 for 65 bulls in the ring and took another 10 bulls after the sale to clear 96pc of the catalogue. Topping the sale was the $12,000 Strathfield Gizmo, purchased

by John Baccon, Mt Oscar Droughtmasters, Clermont. Listed by Shane and Wendy Perry, Clermont, the 26-month-old Rondel Normanton son weighed in at 840kg with fat scans of 8mm and 5mm for P8 and rib fat. The bull was selected by Mr and Mrs Perry as a feature lot to assist the

Top-price sire Fortrus Captain, pictured with Fortrus Pastoral manager Cody Whiteman, sold to volume buyer RJ Nicholls of Ina Farming, Yetman, NSW, returning $7500.

RACQ CQ Rescue Service with 10 per cent of the proceeds. In total, $3800 was raised for the charity at the sale. Strathfield Droughtmasters averaged $4357 for 14 bulls. Dale Sibson, Cotherstone, Dysart, paid

$8000 for the top-priced herd bull, a 27-month-old Wolfang lot listed by Greg and Donna Edwards, Cooeeall, Wowan. Mr Sibson averaged $5125 for four bull purchases. A total of 29 herd bulls averaged $4000 while 36 registered sires averaged August 2015

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DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

SALE REPORT

RSVP JACKPOT WINS AT GATTON

LEFT: Trophy sponsor Darren Hall, Glenaubyn Droughtmaster Stud, Drillham, sashing the champion Droughtmaster bull, RSVP Jackpot, which is owned by the Pickering family and was paraded

by RSVP Droughtmasters manager Graham Brown, Windera.

A

LL roads led to Gatton on March 7 with 29 Droughtmaster exhibitors and hundreds of spectators in town for the 30th Annual Gatton Futurity Show. Judged by Ray Phillips, more than 130 head of high-quality Droughtmasters were paraded, with Mr Phillips, Sunny View Droughtmaster Stud, fondly remembering judging the inaugural futurity in 1986.

Supreme exhibit came from RSVP Droughtmasters with their junior bull RSVP Jackpot. Droughtmaster Australia chief executive Neil Donaldson attended the event and said Jackpot was a great example of the future of the breed. “I think the judge felt he was a very correct bull and had great sire appeal and I agree with Ray, he’s an excellent example of the breed,” Mr Donaldson said. “It was a great day once again and a pretty special occasion with Margaret Wilson, Truvalle Droughtmasters, Blackbutt, receiving a lifetime membership award.”

The well-rounded young bull also took the bull

championship. Reserve was JD Evan, exhibited by John Doyle. Manumbar breeders Dave and Colleen Smith also had a successful showing with champion bull calf Vale View X-Man. A Futurity diehard, the Warwick State High School team took home reserve champion bull calf with Warwick High School Maxwell.

Nindethana Droughtmasters’ Bronwyn Betts and Michael Hawkins won the award for most successful exhibitor and the senior herdsperson trophy.

Bowman Park Droughtmasters was awarded for most points by a first-time Gatton Droughtmaster futurity exhibitor.

In tough competition, Truvalle Velda 44th, exhibited

by Truvalle Droughtmasters, was champion. Sharon Harms’ Oakmore Odessa was reserve.

A strong line-up of paraders, young and old was also on show. Junior parader under 16 years was Tim Woodworth with Stephanie Laycock taking home the open parader trophy. – Pictures: SARAH COULTON.

WANTMORE DROUGHTMASTERS

Lot 526 Wantmore X-Factor

Andrew Welch 0448 230 989 66

August 2015

Do you WANTMORE Cash in your beef business?

Lot 525 Wantmore Cash

AW1716298

Do you WANTMORE X-Factor in your herd?

Selling at Droughtmaster National Sale 2015 - Sept 16 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

AO GOES TO DROUGHTIE BREEDER

LEFT: Congratulations to Dick Vincent AO. – Picture: JODIE RINTOUL.

C

ONGRATULATIONS to renowned West Australian Droughtie studmaster Dick Vincent, who has been awarded an AO in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Dick is one of Australia’s most highly respected cattle and horse breeders and judge and was a former President of the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association.

He played prominent national roles in the development of the Simmental and Shorthorn breeds before establishing his Droughtmaster stud De Grey Park in 1997.

From the late 1970s he was inaugural president of the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association. He believed the many challenges facing the registered cattle industry called for a proactive peak council to help breed societies face these challenges in a co-ordinated way.

During his term as president ARCBA membership grew from 12 to 35 breeds and the organisation became truly representative of the national seedstock industry.

Dick also has devoted his time to throroughbred breeding and racing over many years.

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FOUNDING A DROUGHTMASTER DYNASTY Drew Garside of Hazeldeen, Capella, and Jade Garside (Kenny) of Wajatryn, Gayndah, were married at Maleny Manor in April, 2015. Drew and Jade have begun building their own stud herd, Wetheron Droughtmasters, and make their home at Capella, Central Queensland.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

AW1692988

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

NEWS

DONOVANS’ FEEDLOT DOMINATES BEEF 2015

By HELEN WALKER

M

ANY of the grainfed winners in the commercial competition during Beef 2015 have one common denominator, and that is they were all grain finished at the Donovan family’s Duaringa Station Feedlot, Duaringa.

The Duaringa Station Feedlot is a family operation headed up by parents Bruce and Beryl Donovan, son Simon and daughter-in-law Melissa, and sister Sarah. Situated just 5km north of Duaringa, the property is operated as a fully integrated grain and beef operation, centred on a 3000-head feedlot.

And not only did the family feed the winning Beef 2015 championship grand champion pen, but over the years, many champion pens have been finished through this operation.

This year’s Beef 2015 RuralCo Commercial Prime Cattle Show and Sale had some special significance for the Donovan family.

While many of the champion pens were fed at the Donovan family’s feedlot, their own Droughtmaster cattle also placed third, fourth and fifth in three of the grainfed classes.

“My brother-in-law Ken McKenzie and his wife, my sister Kerry, took out grand champion pen for the fourth time and we have fed those cattle every year,” Simon said.

“We also fed winning pens from Stuart Nobbs, Mac and Gayle Shann, and Mark Wilson – it’s satisfying to see them do so well.”

The family runs a mainly Droughtmaster herd on their breeder block, Ohio, Gogango, which is ably managed by Beef 2015 commercial cattle committee chairman Mark Howard.

They also own the backgrounding property Warrigal, Dingo, where steers and heifers are sent after weaning before coming to the feedlot at 360kg to 400kg.

Their trade cattle are fed for 70 days, while the Jap ox bullocks are on feed for 100 days.

“We basically shoot for wherever there is the best money on the grid.”

Homebred cattle account for only about a quarter of their feedlot throughput, and they buy in about 2000 weaners and backgrounders from around the central Queensland area and custom feed.

Last year, on the back of increasing inquiry from drought-affected customers looking for feedlot space, the Donovans leased the nearby 2500-head Inverio Feedlot from the Nobbs family to help meet demand.

“We were getting a lot of inquiry and we had the grain on hand,” Mr Donovan said. “We’ll keep doing that while this dry weather is around.”

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August 2015

Mark Howard with Simon Donovan, whose Duaringa Station feedlot fed many of the champion pens at Beef 2015.

– Picture: RODNEY GREEN

Sarah Donovan, Duaringa Station Feedlot, Duaringa, with her faithful companion Eddie. – Picture: HELEN WALKER.

Included is 3240 hectares of sorghum, wheat silage and mungbeans.

The family also buy in wheat, corn and sorghum locally through other grain growers in the district.

As well, all grain is processed through the family’s on-farm roller mills, and cotton seed, lime and a liquid supplement is added.

The cotton seed is sourced from Yamala, in the Emerald district, while the liquid supplement is bought from GrainCorp Liquid Feed.

In fact, it was a big sorghum harvest in 1998, when it was just $90/tonne, which drove the Donovans’ initial move into lotfeeding.

“That year we had a really big sorghum crop, and

at the time my father was really ill in hospital in Brisbane.

“We had the cattle so we built a 300-head feedlot and decided to use it. The whole thing has just progressed from there.”

Mr Donovan said operating a fully integrated business was highly satisfying, and their clients were drawn from as far afield as Hughenden.

“It is easy to get passionate about something when you are getting a return. It is great to see the whole process from growing the grain to harvesting it, and then putting it through your own feedlot system – it’s pretty satisfying.”

The feedlot is currently booked up until the end of September.

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

GRANDVIEW

H IV A N O E

BOONAH

Quality Droughtmasters exhibiting:

• Size • Muscling • Temperament • Fertility

Nick and Sarah Hughes Farogan Road Upper Kandanga 4570 QLD Ph (07) 5488 4352 0400 709 124 E: faroganvalley@skymesh.com.au www.farogan.net Stud No. 1269

1642872

1642898

Dale & Lee Smith Lot 2 Boyle Road Belli Park Qld Phone (07) 5447 9395 Mobile 0409 631 523 Fax (07) 5447 9265 dales@dalco.com.pg

Farogan Valley Droughtmasters

Stud # 1107 S.M. Harms & Sons Brand 4DI

Brand with a history...

Cattle with a future

• Docility • Fertility • Adaptability Greg & Sharon Harms Greenmount, Qld Ph: (07) 4697 1007 Mobile: 0413 583 084 www.oakmorepark droughtmasters.com.au E: oakmorepark@gmail.com

1642885

1642865

REDWING

Performance Under Pressure Without Chemicals

Bred for Docility with Quality you can Trust

No Dip Spray or Drench since 1985 Think how much money we’ve saved!

ADELE JONES 117 GREENMOUNT NOBBY RD, GREENMOUNT, Q 4359 VIA TOOWOOMBA

Contact: Ken Shaw (07) 5447 7233 Mob: 0407 137 571

Ph: (07) 4697 1257

sters Droughtma

Inquiries Welcome Email: redwingam5@westnet.com.au

E: kjshaw@sosonlinebackup.com

www.redwing.net.au

BREFFNI Droughtmasters

RIGAI RZCZ I W STUD 1198

DROUGHTMASTERS

Chinchilla No. 1524

1642845

1642859

Contact: Kylie Graham “Farnham” Taroom, Qld 4420 Ph: (07) 4627 8145 Mob: 0409 040 030 E: kyliegraham70@bigpond.com

Droughtmaster Stud

MANCHESTER DROUGHTMASTERS

1642863

Registered Stud No. 1024

John, Carli or Don McConnel Mt Brisbane Phone (07) 5426 0169 ESK Qld 4312 Don (07) 5426 0285 Email: mtbrisbane@westnet.com.au

“THE BODY BUILDERS”

Y07

Inquiries Welcome

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY

DAVID & ROBYN McCABE Mobile 0427 658 153 A/h: (07) 4665 8153 E: wilgapark@hotmail.com

Charm Ryrie Pittsworth Qld Ph (07) 4693 3651 Mob 0409 729 355 E: barcoobrats@hotmail.com www.wirrigai.droughtmasters.com.au

1642832

Droughtmasters

www.mtbrisbane.com.au facebook.com/mtbrisbane

Top quality & sound genetics Greg & Dianne Anderson Inquiries welcome Ph: (07) 5463 4328 0429 440 886

1642857

Lorandale

ANCHORED ON QUALITY

1642891

Email: timll@bigpond.com

For Temperament, Fertility & Growth Wee Waa NSW 2388 Hugh Faris Phone: (02) 6795 6149 Mob: 0428 956 149 hfaris@bigpond.com

DROUGHTMASTERS

1642876

‘HEITIKI’ DELUNGRA (02) 6724 8225 (02) 6724 8362

1642873

DROUGHTMASTERS “THE PRIME REPRODUCER” J.S., M.A. & T.S. LLOYD

AW1718028

BREEDERS BULLETIN BOARD

A continuing tradition of consistent quality Estab. 1962

MARGARET C WILSON

PURNELL FAMILY ROCKHAMPTON

www.truvalle.com.au

We welcomed a new sire, Glenlands D Roebuck in 2013

TRUVALLE

Visitors and inquiries welcome Ph: (07) 4927 1104 Fax: (07) 4927 1166 Michael 0429 815 074

THE HOME OF DROUGHTMASTERS STUD No 22

ZD1

S

August 2015

“THEY WORK FOR YOU”

JULIA CREEK BULLS AVAILABLE & ACCREDITED FEMALES ALL ENQUIRIES WELCOME

Mac & Gayle Shann ‘Cantaur Park’ Clermont Qld 4721

1642884

1642844

Sam and Jane Barton Clermont (07) 4985 6104 or 0428 856 104 72

LAMONT DROUGHTMASTER STUD

STUD & COMMERCIAL CATTLE

Contact Hugh & Sherri Philp “Wyena” Clermont QLD (07) 4983 5022 Hugh – 0428 494 177 Sherri – 0428 835 577 wyena.philp@bigpond.com

Ken & Cindy Muller & Family 800 Valentine Plains Rd, Biloela Ph: (07) 4992 2512 Mob: 0408 922 512 E: ken@kmcattlecompany.com.au

EDDINGTON DROUGHTMASTER

VALLEY

“A mountain of beef...”

Try a KM DROUGHTMASTER for extra GROWTH

rdpurnell@optusnet.com.au

Droughtmaster Stud No. 31

Stud 23

genetics suit requirements for all markets

1642862

BRAND

2DP >P.

ED.

p 07 4983 5246 m 0407 835 246 www.cantaurpark.com.au 1642823

Contact: Anthony Anderson (07) 4746 7221 Mob: 0458 467 221 E: ED.eddington@bigpond.com

1642875

408

DEVELOPED IN AUSTRALIA FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS

Stud No. 963

1642870

STUD No

1508822

Inquiries Ken & Kathy or Jim & Amelia Stower Ph: (07) 4695 4145 Fax: (07) 4695 4180 Mobile 0427 154 323 MS 1231 Millmerran, Qld 4357 E: merrawindi@bordernet.com.au

P/F (07) 4163 0103 Email: info@truvalle.com.au

1642867

1642877

PO Box 7, “The Valley”, Blackbutt, Qld 4306

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

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August 2015

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MURGON AW1538816