December Digest 2016 by Droughtmaster Australia

DECEMBER 2016

SPRING SALES IN FOCUS COMMERCIAL SUCCESS EKKA ROUNDUP

CONTENTS DECEMBER 2016

P.9 P.20

P.14 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

P.38

4 LOOKING AHEAD 5 MARANOA BEEF 6 SA JUNIOR HEIFER EXPO 9-12 SUCCESS AT EKKA

BREEDERS BULLETIN BOARD

14 DROUGHTIES FIT GODWIN’S NEEDS

Get in early.

16 BIG GAINS MADE AT THOORUNA 20-38 STUD SALES IN REVIEW 40-41 WA SCHOLARSHIP REPORT 43 MALENY HIGH FOCUS

Advertise your Droughmaster stud for 2017 $150 inc GST for 3 Editions February - August - December Phone Margaret (07) 3826 8282 Email:margaret.ward@fairfaxmedia.com.au

FEBRUARY DIGEST DEADLINES ADVERTISING BOOKINGS AND COPY: JANUARY 5, 2017. December 2016

MESSAGES DROUGHTMASTER LOOKING AHEAD BREEDS’ REPUTATION OW, what a fantastic spring sale season! Congratulations to all BOLSTERED BY vendors on an outstanding result. The strong demand for bulls OUTSTANDING SALE generated a 26% increase in average prices RESULTS at auction sales so far in 2016, however

HE outstanding bull sale results to date are a reflection of the strong cattle market and a testament to the breed’s reputation in tough seasons, as many of us have experienced over a lengthy period in recent times. The results are also testament to the quality of the bulls being presented for sale by Droughtmaster studs throughout Australia. From a stud breeder’s perspective it would be nice to think this year’s prices become the “norm”, however given that a percentage of the price increase is due to commercial cattlemen needing to replenish their sire battery after lengthy drought conditions and poor returns, the “norm” may be a fraction less than the current prices. While the Droughtmaster breed is riding high at the moment, we mustn’t lose our traditional core values like adaptation, calving ease, fertility, temperament, etc., which helped build the breed’s reputation as easy care, low production-cost cattle. While keeping a focus on those old traditional attributes, we need to embrace the new technologies like Breedplan, genomics, DNA testing etc., which will help drive our breed forward. As we head into the traditional wet season in Northern Australia, I trust all areas return to their regular rainfall patterns. Green grass and full dams are good for the soul, but they also allow control over the marketing of our cattle which makes producers masters of their own destiny. This will be an important factor for our future, given recent reports that Australian beef is overpriced from a global perspective. As the year comes to an end I’d like to thank the Directors for their contributions to the progress of the breed and thank the staff for their conscientious efforts in providing outstanding service to the Members throughout 2016.

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

buyers still had high expectations when selecting their bulls, so the average clearance rate of 93% achieved by the breed clearly demonstrates that vendors did a great job of offering quality bulls.

PATRON

The Ekka was a great time as usual, but it was very pleasing to see so many of our younger people involved in the junior competitions. Congratulations to Amy Birch (Birch Stud, Eidsvold) who beat a multitude of outstanding young judges from all parts of Queensland to win the Stud Beef Junior Judging Competition. Amy will represent Queensland at the National Titles in Melbourne next year. To round off proceedings, Stephanie Laycock then won the Prime Cattle Junior Judging against some very experienced and competent young judges. Runner-up was Demi Radosevic from Riverside Christian College at Maryborough, which runs a Droughtmaster Stud as part of their Ag Department. Congratulations girls. In other junior news, Lauren Finger whose family run a commercial Droughtmaster herd at Dysart was a joint recipient of the 2016 Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale Scholarship which was co-sponsored by the Droughtmaster Society. As part of the scholarship Lauren travelled to the Kimberley in Western Australia. A report on her trip will be published in the February 2017 Digest. Congratulations Lauren.

VICE-PRESIDENT Steve Pickering (07) 4168 6249

As 2016 draws to a close, I’d just like to thank our very generous sponsors who are too numerous to name, Members who have participated in promotional activities, Members who have served on committees, Directors who have volunteered their time to ensure the breed continues its progress and last, but not least the staff who take enormous pride in the service they provide daily to Members, the Society and the breed. Our best wishes to everyone for 2017.

ADMINISTRATION Leigh Eleison

Audrey Perry

BOARD PRESIDENT Michael Flynn (07) 4654 5223

DIRECTORS Far Northern Zone Jeff Williams 0418 755 279 Northern Zone Vacant Central Zone Doug Birch (07) 4167 5139 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 Ken Mutton (08) 9888 1067 National Steve Pickering (07) 4168 6249 Douglas Miles (07) 4934 7645 Kevin Woolcock (07) 49841085 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 TECHNICAL OFFICER Paul Williams 0427 018 982 DIGEST PRODUCTION Editor: Matt Sherrington Editorial & Advertising Fairfax Agricultural Media Queensland PO Box 586, Cleveland 4163 Phone: (07) 3826 8200 Fax: (07) 3821 1236

www.droughtmaster.com.au Sunset at Hamadra. Photo courtesy of Georgie Connor Photography. They specialize in capturing promotional images as well as assisting or managing entire advertising campaigns for business and cattle studs in the rural industry. “Your cattle, Our canvas” www.georgieconnor.com

MICHAEL FLYNN President

December 2016

NEIL DONALDSON CEO

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.

COMMERCIAL FOCUS

KNOW YOUR FARMER...KNOW YOUR FOOD THE PADDOCK TO PLATE CONCEPT BEHIND MARANOA BEEF

ARANOA Beef is delivering top quality, tender, flavoursome, grass fed beef at affordable prices to households throughout the Maranoa region and beyond. Owners Craig and Rebecca Beissel have an innate love of the land and a passion for beef production. Criag said their commitment to supply tender, flavoursome, grassfed meat through Maranoa Beef, is underpinned by their existing partnership that specialises in the breeding and finishing of top quality beef cattle. “The Droughtmaster breed is a core component of our herd,” he said. “We purchased our first females from the Diamantina Female Sale at Winton in 2011. “These females have gone on to breed heifers that are fertile, adaptable and with a mothering ability second to none.” Craig said their male progeny develop into steers that are always marketable, with good bone and outstanding weight gains for age. “Our Droughtmasters are a pleasure to muster and their beautiful, quiet temperament results in our lick runs taking just that little bit longer as we love to spend time interacting with them.” He said their breeders are on long term agistment near Charleville. “Despite the difficult drought conditions, our Droughtmaster females have continued to adapt, remained highly fertile and never fail to bring a calf into the yards at mustering. “We wean all our progeny at Charleville and bring them back to our two properties in the Maranoa Region, renowned for its beautiful natural and improved pastures.” Craig said a large percentage of their Droughtmaster heifers are retained as high quality replacement breeders. While their steers and any cull heifers are backgrounded and finished to specification for Maranoa Beef. “At Maranoa Beef, we process to order and package our product into hampers that utilise all of the delectable cuts of meat you can expect on a side of beef. “This supports our sustainability values and ensures we have no wastage of our product. “Our processing, slicing, portioning and vacuum packing is undertaken by Lawson’s Butchery at Mitchell.

MARANOA MARVEL: Craig and Rebecca Beissel from Maranoa Beef with their children Beau and Maggie.

“We collect the packaged and boxed meat from Mitchell and deliver direct to our customers.“Our cold room unit is fully accredited with Food Safe Qld for meat transportation.”

com/MaranoaBeef/ or call (07)4623 4232 or

Craig said delivering their product to the customer provides them with an invaluable opportunity to connect and interact. “We can share information, knowledge and education about food production and it’s an opportunity to highlight some of the issues our farmers are facing, how they may be affected and the resultant impact on food quality and supply. “Our customers are very receptive to this and quite often communicate a change in their perceptions towards greater support of our farmers and a greater appreciation of their food. “As we develop our business further, we will be building a website which will allow our customers to ‘shop’ online and will provide a range of other attributes. Watch this space!” For current information on Maranoa Beef visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.

0429 422 963. December 2016

NEWS

OLIVES AND GRAPES ARE BIG CHANGE FOR COUPLE By Amy Lyne, Rural Weekly.

Ninian and Ann Stewart-Moore have had a tree change this year relocating from Hughenden in North West Queensland to their new property Bunnyconnellen at Crows Nest in South East Queensland. As cattle and sheep producers at Hughenden for most of their lives, the move from a 120,000acre property to a 250-acre property with olives, grapes and a bed and breakfast was a big move for them. Ninian was a third generation beef and wool producer from Queensland’s north-west and together with Ann, made the decision to let their son take over their property and take 100 head of cattle and 70 sheep and settle at Crows Nest earlier this year. “It just happened to have some olive trees and a cellar door and some wine grapes as well as a bed and breakfast.” The family sold out of sheep a few years ago apart from a handful - and now run 6000 head of cattle on the Hughenden property. “We trade cattle as well as breed, so we trade all sorts and up there the live export market is a lot more dominant than here.

“So we buy weaners and grow them for the boat trade as well as breed Droughtmasters.

“We were looking for something that had a job or something and we certainly found that.”

Ninan said a succession plan was very important in the long-term for families staying on the land.

The couple even want to expand their bed and breakfast. They currently have one accommodation building which was transformed from an old shed and hope to build another.

“We sort of shake our heads every now and then and think what have we done,” Ninian joked. “We weren’t really looking for what we found, but we have found it and it’s good. We are up for the challenge.” Their new property Bunnyconnellen at Crows Nest has about 400 olive trees and two acres of wine grape vines which are currently dormant and will shoot out in spring.

The Stewart-Moore’s Telemon Droughtmasters is a Foundation Stud established in the 1950’s by Ninian’s father John, and will continue to operate on the Hughenden property Dunluce now run by Ninian and Ann’s son Jack and his wife Kylie.

The property will produce mainly olives and they might press some of their own oil. They are also in partnership with other companies to produce wine from their grapes which had been set up by the previous owners. Ninian said he had a “couple of decades” of working life left in him and never liked the word retirement. While the new property is completely different to the one Ninian and Ann had at Hughenden, the passion for paddock to plate produce is apparent in both.

For Ninian and Ann Stewart-Moore who have been cattle and sheep producers at Hughenden for most of their lives, the move from to a property with olives, grapes and a bed and breakfast has been a big move.

YOUTH SHINE AT SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR HEIFER EXPO

N July, 190 enthusiastic young cattle breeders arrived in Adelaide to attend the 2016 Landmark CGU South Australian Junior Heifer Expo.

The expo is the largest and most successful junior beef industry educational event in Australia, which is now in its 32nd year. With entrants coming from SA, VIC, NSW, QLD and NT, the most travelled young competitors were undoubtedly young Grace and Leisl Bekker, Bos Park Droughtmasters, Gympie, QLD with their two young Droughtmaster heifers. After a whirlwind family travelling holiday taking in the Alice Springs Show where they exhibited and sold bulls and then travelling to Adelaide the mileage was ticking over at around 4500km. Grace and Leisl both had a very successful show.

In the Young Judges competition, Grace took out the Junior section and this combined with her points accumulated across all sections of the event saw her awarded the Overall Champion of the Junior section. Grace and Liesl’s father Matt Bekker succinctly and emotionally summarised the families expo experience. “Tears in the plane on the way home for the lifetime of friendships made in a week, rolled in a swag and packed in a truck too soon,” he said. “It was supposed to be a one-off to see Mum and Dad’s old stomping ground but the girls have already demanded an annual pilgrimage. “Well done to the committee for an outstanding event.”

Leisl took out the Intermediate Champion Heifer with a Wonnallee Simmental heifer she was in charge of for the show.

This was the second time Droughtmasters had been entered in the event with a Bos Park heifer making the similar trip back in 2013, then shown by William Weir.

Jemma Leighton and Grace did a great job exhibiting the two Bos Park heifers.

Photos courtesy of Catherine Miller, Stock Journal.

December 2016

Ramsey Bros achievement award (junior section) winner Grace Bekker is congratulated by expo vice president Ben Golding.

Handlers judge Krystelle Ridley, Condobolin, NSW presents the Pacific Biologics awards for the winner of the junior judging competition to Grace Bekker and the encouragement award to Jayden de Ron.

EKKA SHOW REPORT

A TON OF THUNDER IN DROUGHTMASTER RING By SALLY CRIPPS

IKE a heavyweight prizefighter, Glenlands Thunder weighed in at 1000kg and went on to knock out the competition in the ring at Ekka 2016 in August.

Thunder took out the Droughtmaster grand champion bull ribbon and ended his show career with a top eight placing in the interbreed Champion of Champions judging. The bull has been a consistent performer for the Childs family at Dingo, winning the calf championship at Beef Australia 2015 and the supreme award in the Droughtmaster feature at the Boonah show, and they have high hopes when he appears as lot 1 at their annual sale in September. With a 140 EMA reading and fat depth scans of 14/8mm, judge Matthew Kirk said he provided the complete package. “His length really stands out,” he said, adding that the standard was high throughout the ranks this year. “I’m quite confident a lot of the junior cattle will be back in the winner’s circle in future.” Other 2016 Ekka successes for Glenlands included reserve senior bull championship with Glenlands Unleashed, and junior bull

championship with Glenlands J Unite (P), with a 116 EMA reading and a weight of 696kg and scans of 15/9mm. For their females, Glenlands Tranquillity (P) took home the reserve senior champion female while Glenlands D Unify (P) was reserve junior champion female to Nindethana Henrietta. Jason Childs said it was always a pleasure to win in Brisbane, and although they had taken a break for the last couple of years, it had been the right time to break the next generation in to Ekka showing. Samford’s Steven Pickering and his Murgon manager Graham Brown were loving their little Kalendar Girl on Thursday after her sensational senior champion cow or heifer win for RSVP and Sylvan Springs studs.

Mr Brown said that although the heifer had met with reasonable success this year, winning the reserve championship at Boonah, as well as grand champion female title at Gympie, he had been a bit surprised to see her chosen over a mature cow. “I am more pleased with how we went in the group classes, where we won two and were runner-up in the other,” he said. “It shows our whole operation is going in the right direction.” He said the comparison offered against a large selection of breeders was a big benefit of competing at the Ekka.

It was the young female’s first show but judge Matthew Kirk said RSVP Kalendar Girl’s thickness through the hindquarter was to be commended. “The winner ticks all the boxes and then some,” he said. “It won’t be the first time she sees a broad ribbon.” She was sired by Ianbrae Wanted, whose first sons averaged $10,000 at Rockhamton last year.

THUNDEROUS PERFORMANCE: Jason Childs, Glenlands with grand champion bull Glenlands Thunder, and Elders Toowoomba stud stock representative Lisa Hedges and trophy donor Bob Baker.

We would like to thank the buyers, underbidders and agents at the Bunya bull sale, Special thanks to the Trott family grazing, Thooruna, Mundubbera on their purchase of By-Mingo Oscar (P) a 21 month old by Angle Zed ET, The Cullen Family, Maidenwell - Bruce Walker, Gin Gin & Michael Keliher, Gundiah. We would also like to acknowledge & thank our paddock buyers for their support again this year’.

Don & Robyn Roberton, “By-Mingo”, Coalstoun Lakes es PHONE HO ON (07) 4127 5070 | www.bymingodroughtys.com m Contact:

December 2016

AW30938 AW3093867 3867

We Wish you a very Merry Christmas and safe New Year

EKKA SHOW REPORT

DROUGHTMASTER-CROSS CATTLE TAKE THE CARCASE DOUBLE

HIS year’s Supermarket Trade Carcase competitions held as part of the Ekka’s Prime Beef schedule saw Durong exhibitors, Scott and Janene McLellan, take out both the Coles and Woolworths Competitions with their Charolais/ Droughtmaster cross entries, the first time an exhibitor has won both.

Janene and Scott (third from left) McLellan, Lauridale, Durong, with Brett Thompson and Gary Richards, Woolworths. In the ‘Woolworths MSA Value Based Marketing Carcase Competition’ the McLellan family was awarded Champion Pen of 3.

The pen of steers had an average EMA of 83cm2 with P8 fat depth of 6mm and rib fat depth of 7mm. Despite strong competition from 168 entries in this year’s competition, the McLellan family dominated proceedings by exhibiting six of the top nine placed carcasses.

The Nolan family runs a three-way crossbreeding program with Droughtmasters, Limousins and a British breed of either Shorthorns or Red Angus. Mr Nolan said this year’s line of steers were by Droughtmaster bulls out of Red Angus/Droughtmaster-cross females. “The cattle are bred at Moonie with this year’s steers fed at the Camm family’s Wonga Plains feedlot near Dalby,” he said.

Both Supermarket competitions see exhibitors enter Pens of 3 that are then judged against the requirements of each supermarket with a Champion and Reserve Champion Carcase drawn from these cattle. In the ‘Woolworths MSA Value Based Marketing Carcase Competition’ the McLellan family was awarded Champion Pen of 3, with one of their entries then being awarded Reserve Champion Carcase.

DDIE and Liz Nolan and family from Kurrawa Downs, Moonie enjoyed great success during the Ekka Prime Beef Competition, with one of their exhibits in the hotly contested Pen of 6 classes, winning the Reserve Champion Pen. The Nolan’s won first place in the Pen of 6 Steers - 430kg to 520kg and 521kg to 600kg classes and they were also awarded second place in the 601kg to 720kg class.

The McLellan family run a predominantly Droughtmaster female herd introducing ANC Full French Charolais Bulls as a terminal sire. This year’s entries into both competitions were a maximum of eleven months of age at slaughter and had been bred on the family’s Durong properties before entering Barry, Heather, Glen and Margot Little’s “Kia Ora” feedlot at Jandowae, where they were fed for 70 days.

NOLAN FAMILY’S PRIME BEEF COMP SUCCESS

This latest success continues a long line of Ekka championships for the family who have been exhibiting for close to thirty years.

Jim Guilfoyle from Coles and Janene McLellan. The McLellan family were awarded the Champion Pen of 3 in the ‘Coles Supermarkets Carcase Competition.’

This latest success in the Woolworths competition is a step up on the 2015 result where the family achieved second place. They didn’t enter the competition in 2014 and exhibited the Champion Carcase in 2013 (a steer by a Droughtmaster bull out of a Charolais/Droughtmaster-cross cow).

To top off this success, the carcase presentations saw the McLellan family awarded the Champion Pen of 3 in the ‘Coles Supermarkets Carcase Competition.’ All cattle in this competition must be HGP free and like the Woolworths competition is for trade cattle with HSCW of 220-285kg. The results are a clear indication of the success of the breed and its ability to meet MSA compliance and the requirements of both supermarkets.

JUNIOR DROUGHTIE JUDGES EXCEL AT EKKA

HE Ekka week ended on a high note with success for two young Droughtmaster girls, Stephanie Laycock and Amy Birch.

Stephanie was named the 2016 Prime Cattle Junior Judging State Champion, and Amy won the 2016 Stud Beef Junior Judging Competition and will represent Queensland at the National Titles in Melbourne next year. Stephanie’s family run High Country Droughtmasters, Eskdale, and she was thrilled to take out the title, after confidently placing from a pen of steers.

recently thrown herself into the prime competition. “It got to the point where I realised that as much as we’re breeding stud cattle, we’re breeding them to produce prime cattle. “At the end of the day you need to be able to pick your stud cattle to go on and produce these kinds of steers. “So there’s no point breeding stud cattle if you don’t also know the prime side of the industry.”

“It’s a great opportunity and to come out with a win makes it even more worthwhile. It reinstates the fact that I love the industry,” she said.

Stephanie works on the family property after graduating from West Moreton Anglican College last year.

Stephanie’s Droughtmaster background has seen her compete in the Stud Beef Young Judges for the last five years, but she has only

She plans to study a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland, Gatton campus, next year.

December 2016

ALL SMILES: Ekka Prime Beef Young Judges winner Stephanie Laycock, High Country Droughtmasters, Eskdale. Photo by Andrea Crothers.

She has started her own stud as a Junior Member, but will continue to help out with her family’s Droughtmaster stud operations. Amy Birch said she was very happy and excited about her win and said she never imagined she’d “go this far”. “I’m really happy and I’m excited to experience what the competition will be like at the national level next year,” she said. With a nod to her experience on her family’s Droughtmaster stud at Eidsvold and her involvement in the Monto High School cattle club, Amy said a future on the land with Droughtmasters was almost certain. “In 2015 I was the Associate Droughtmaster Judge at the Ekka and I’ve done numerous junior judging events since grade five. “I’m pretty invested in Droughties and I can’t see myself anywhere except on the land. “Whether that’s continuing my parents’ stud or starting my own, it’s definitely where I want to be.” Amy made careful choices of subjects to study throughout her senior schooling, studying Japanese as a second language with the beef industry in mind. “I’m really interested in Japanese culture, especially opportunities in Australian beef exports which are growing all the time and I like to keep my options open.”

THAT WINNING FEELING: Ekka Stud Beef Junior Judging Competition winner Amy Birch, Birch Droughtmasters, Monto.

December 2016

EKKA SHOW REPORT

THIRTY YEARS AS THE MOTHER HEN By SALLY CRIPPS

years of showing at the Ekka has seen a lot of changes but there has been one constant, one person’s unwavering commitment to making sure the Droughtmaster breed and its people are looked after. Margaret Wilson credits being a mother of four for her ability to successfully negotiate the job of shed captain for Droughtmaster teams at the Ekka for 30 years. Droughtmasters Australia president Michael Flynn made a special presentation to Margaret at the conclusion of judging at Ekka, which was roundly applauded. She describes her job as an exercise in diplomacy, and it’s a path she has obviously negotiated well. “I’m the first port of call for people,” she said. “If there’s a problem I’m expected to take care of it. “I think being the mother of four helps in a role like that. I’ve seen most things already.”

Margaret, who hails from Truvalle Droughtmaster stud at Blackbutt, also knows the ins and outs of the Royal Queensland Show well, having shown steers and stud cattle over the years, and judging small cattle breeds. She fell into the shed captain role when she arrived at the beef pavilion with cattle all those years ago and found the area was “as dark as pitch”.

SERVICE RECOGNISED: Droughtmaster Australia president Michael Flynn presenting Margaret Wilson with a memento recognising her 30 years of consistent service to the breed at the Ekka.

As well as putting up curtains to brighten things up, she found the idea provided a unifying factor for the separate teams. As to how long she’ll keep doing it for, Margaret says she’ll keep going as long as she has the energy. “You meet lots of nice people and now I’m getting to know their children.”

For many of the competitors, the close of competition signals the winding down of effort, but not so Margaret. As the leftover ribbons were being packed away, she was busy making sure the beer and pizzas had been ordered for the after-party.

Greg & Dianne

07 5463 4328

Anderson

0429 440 886

We would like to wish all a our clients a very Merry Christmas and Safe New Year

High-Grade Cattle Bred for Performance, Efficiency & Temperament

www.grandviewdroughtmasters.com.au CONTACT GRANDVIEW DROUGHTMASTER STUD, YOUR LOCAL SOURCE FOR SIRES TODAY 07 5463 4328 12

December 2016

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COMMERCIAL FOCUS

DROUGHTIES SUIT GODWIN’S REQUIREMENTS By MATT SHERRINGTON

HE Droughtmaster breed’s fertility, ease of calving and early maturation traits are some of the key reasons why Dan and Jutta Godwin decided to introduce the breed into their predominantly Santa Gertrudis herd at Yarrai, 50 kilometres west of Springsure on the Tambo Road. The couple run a mixed breeding and fattening operation across three properties with their home base, Yarrai, comprised of close to 15,000 acres of fully developed brigalow country, grassed mainly with gayndah buffel. The Godwin’s run over 1000 breeders there, and after weaning twice a year – they don’t control mate – they transfer all the steers and cull heifers to their other properties, Boonberry and Langsvale in the Bauhinia Downs district, 60km west of Moura. Dan said there is 1,000 acres of leucaena onto which the bullocks are put for their final finishing off, with close to 1200 head run there year round. “The steers and some cull heifers are sent to Boonberry to grow out and ultimately finished to meet the MSA, EU and PCAS markets, at the Teys meatworks at Biloela,” Dan said.

December 2016

“At Langsvale we run close to 300 breeders, and 200 cull heifers are fattened there as well.”

inspection at what they have to offer during the various stud sales throughout the year.”

To meet the specifications for the EU, MSA and PCAS markets, our male cattle need to be no more than 4 teeth, 6ml to 22ml fat and have a dressed weight of 340kg to 350kg.

Dan said at present he thinks there is no shortage of quality Droughtmaster bulls being bred, but he does have reservations about the “obsession with producing polls”.

“Our goal is to get as many of our steers to fit this market. The heifer portion has similar criteria, but the dressed weight is less, about 260kg to 280kg.”

“I worry that it will ultimately cause the loss of bone and structure in the herd.”

Dan and Jutta like Droughtmasters because they produce early maturing beasts which suit their target markets. “In the PCAS and EU markets, you need to be meeting the criteria and get the cattle off at four teeth or less. “There’s a decent difference in the premium between the two markets, so you have to meet the grade.” When buying a bull, he said he looks for an animal that will produce an early maturing bullock at a reasonable weight, with good temperament, mobility and nice body length. “If a certain stud is producing bulls that meet our requirements, we’ll always have a close

Dan and Jutta Godwin have successfully introduced the Droughtmaster breed into their predominantly Santa Gertrudis herd at Yarrai, 50 kilometres west of Springsure.

COMMERCIAL FOCUS

CHANGES AT THOORUNA LEAD TO BIG GAINS By MATT SHERRINGTON

MMEDIATELY after purchasing Thooruna Station – situated 80 kilometres west of Mundubbera – in February, 2010, Jeff and Sue Trott along with their sons Ryan and Kurt made the decision to introduce Droughtmaster bulls to their initially Brahman base herd to take advantage of the MSA market that was then in its infancy. Jeff said when they took over at Thooruna they were getting about 20 per cent MSA compliance. “We thought this was due to HGP’s being used, and we also had a lot of cattle with hump measurements above 100mm and a number of dark cutters due to poor temperament,” he said. The Trott’s brought in Droughtmaster bulls to reduce hump height and improve temperament in the herd. “We didn’t want to lose the tropical traits that the Brahman breed provide which is why we thought Droughties were the perfect compromise. “We chased the early maturing type bulls to put with our high content cows.” He said recently they’ve been learning about holistic management and have been implementing an intensive rotational grazing system into their operation for the last couple of years through their holistic management plan. “Due to the extra grass growth we were able to stop using HGP’s. “Combining that with the other changes we’ve made since 2010 has led to us now achieving an 80pc MSA compliance figure.” The 4600 hectare property consists of land types ranging from spotted gum and wattle ridges through to brigalow and soft wood vine scrub. Jeff said they run breeders on the forest country, select replacements from the progeny and grow out the remainder and sell direct to processors. “All the steers are finished on scrub country consisting mainly of buffel. “At this stage we try to pick up the premium offered for MSA however all must go by June, when they are around 30 to 33 months old, to make room for the next years group. “Heifers and cull cows are finished on bluegum flats and heavy ironbark country some of which is planted with bluegrass, rhodes grass and legumes.” Jeff said fertility is another important trait that they focus on. 16

December 2016

A new Droughtmaster-cross calf being introduced to the herd at Thooruna by Sue Trott.

“In that regard, the Droughtmaster breed, along with their tropical adaption, tick this box for us. “Within our breeding program females only get one chance and bulls are morphology tested every year. “When purchasing bulls we focus on a number of things including scrotal size, a tidy underline and research the family history looking for females that have weaned a calf every year.

“We are hoping both breeds will complement each other resulting in progeny that hit our targets every time.” “Though due to our location we will always maintain a greater percentage of Droughtmaster genetics because of their tropical attributes.”

“These traits are important as we feel they are good indicators of fertility. “We also look at family history EBV’s if available, noting whether growth rates are consistent through the parents and grandparents. We tend not to consider bulls with below breed average growth rates.” He said morphology tested bulls will always get a second look and, for the right bull, an extra bid or two, as he believes morphology testing is a far better indicator of fertility than a motility test.

Jeff and Sue Trott inspecting the steers on property at Thooruna.

“EBV’s and morphology can be controversial subjects and some might say that the science does not stack up however as bull buyers we like to use all tools available, as a guide, to trying to choose the most suitable animal for our business.” Jeff said when it comes to buying bulls, the family like to attend multi-vendor sales as they find it easier to compare different animals and studs on the same day. “From the early days bulls from a couple of particular studs have always caught our eye and ticked the boxes which has led to the purchase of a number of their sires over the last few years. “We are also very excited to see one of those studs getting involved in breedplan and full morphology testing of every sale bull.” This year Jeff said they’ve changed things up by adding some Senepol genetics to their now predominantly Droughtie herd.

The Trott’s introduced Droughtmaster bulls to their initially Brahman base herd to take advantage of the MSA market.

SALE REPORT

TOP PRICED: Vendors Wayne and Ingrid York with top priced bull Karragarra Marcus, who sold for $80,000.

$80,000 TOP AT NATIONAL SALE By KELLY BUTTERWORTH

HE high level of confidence in the beef industry and seasonal conditions was reflected in the strong result at the Droughtmaster National Sale at Gracemere in September with an exceptional line of bulls grossing $4,183,500. In total 436 bulls sold for an average of $9596, with a clearance rate of 98 per cent. Topping the sale was Karragarra Marcus, sold by Wayne and Ingrid York, Emerald, who went for $80,000 to Steven Swan and Allison Hotz, Swan Droughtmasters, Inala. The second-top priced bull was Medway Warrie, who was purchased for $67,500 by Kylie Grahman, Mungalla Stud, Taroom. Coming in third was Redskin Huckleberry, bought for $64,000 by Noel and Adam Geddes, Oasis Stud, Emerald. The sale shaped up well compared to last year, when 401 of 469 bulls sold for a clearance of 86 per cent and an average of $6817. Last year’s sale topped at $54,000, and grossed $2,733,500. The volume buyer of the sale was David Corbett, Jersey Plains, Cloncurry, who purchased a total of 27 bulls for an average of $5407. 20

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Mr Corbett grossed $146,000. Close behind Mr Corbett, and going home with 19 bulls, was the MacDonald family from Fossil Downs in Western Australia. The family bought up big on all available Western Australia-cleared bulls, and paid a total of $133,500, for an average of $7026. Also buying big at the sale was Jellinbah Pastoral Company, Blackwater, who bought a total of ten bulls for an average of $7700 and a gross of $77,000. Top priced bull buyers Mr Swan and Ms Hotz bought three bulls on top of Marcus, for a gross of $121,000 and an average of $30,250. It was day two which saw the prices soar about $60,000, however day one saw great results as well, with Cliff Mylroe and Sasha Smith, Needmor Droughtmasters, buying Bundy Droughtmasters’ Bundy Freightliner for $55,000. Mr Mylrae said they bought Freightliner because of his breed characteristics, tidy sheath and most importantly, because he is a polled bull. “We just like the bull because he’s polled, and we have a lot of horned cattle so it will be good to get those genes in there,” he said.

“A lot of polled bulls I see I really don’t like, but he’s got a good head, and he’s really something you want to breed with.” Mr Mylrae said his operation was predominantly commercial, joining about 1000 cows each year, but said with a small stud as well, Freightliner would be put to good use. “You’ll always get a sprinkling of those stud sires that will come through (with good bulls),” he said. The sale this year saw a live stream occurring, with bids coming in live from all over the country, adding a new element to the traditional auction. More than 200 people tuned in online each day to watch the sale with nine bulls selling through the new platform. Buyers were located in northwest Queensland, the Darling Downs, South Burnett, Sunshine Coast Hinterland and the mid-North Coast of New South Wales. Day one saw an online top of $13,000, while day two saw a top of $9000. More than 50 people registered to bid online. The top vendor average of the sale was taken out by Bundy Droughtmasters, Bundy Stud, who sold three bulls for an average of $31,333.

HUCKLEBERRY HAS A NEW OASIS By KELLY BUTTERWORTH

T was Redskin Huckleberry who stole the show for Noel Geddes, Oasis Droughtmasters, Emerald, at the Droughtmaster National Sale, and he said the $64,000 bull was everything he wanted to buy. ”He was just a bull that stood out to us, and I guess we just liked the skin on him, the bone, the sheath, and he’ll click with our cows,” Mr Geddes said. “He was the best bull we’ve seen for two or three years, and we just knew we wanted to have him.” Mr Geddes said he knew he was buying quality with a Redskin bull, who weighed 744kg, boasted an EMA of 128sq.cm and a scrotal circumference of 40cm, and said he was ready to pay the big bucks. “We were expecting him to sell for about that, you just don’t see a bull like that come along every day,” he said. “It’s just about re-investing – we make money off our bulls – and you have to reinvest to keep them going and keep improving.”

The Geddes family run about 450 breeders between a stud herd and commercial herd over three blocks in the Emerald district.

cattlemen are willing to pay that for your cattle.”

“ He’ll be going in with some stud heifers this year, he’s a young bull so we’ll look after him the first year, and hopefully he’ll click and do the job,” Mr Geddes said. Redskin Droughtmasters’ principals Ken and Debbie Rutherford said they were thrilled with the sale result. “He’s a bull that we had a lot of time for as a young bull, and came from a sire we bought in Roma from Dalmally (Droughtmasters),” he said. “What made that bull attractive was his balance, and impeccable temperament, and a good clean sheath.” “ I think at the moment people are after poll bulls, good sheaths, good testicles, and that bull was particularly good in the sheath. “You never predict a bull is going to make that money, but it’s pleasing when good

REDSKIN RIPPER: Redskin Huckleberry sold for $64,000 to Noel Geddes, Oasis Droughtmasters, Emerald (right), pictured with vendor Ken Rutherford (left).

MEDWAY BULL SELLS FOR $67,500 By KELLY BUTTERWORTH

YLIE Graham, Mungalla Stud, Farnham, Taroom, had no intention of paying $67,500 for a bull at the Droughtmaster National sale, but she said Medway Warrie was worth every cent. Ms Graham out-bid some fierce competition to take home Warrie, and said he was her clear pick of the sale. “He’s lengthy, polled, his weight-for-age - he just ticks a lot of boxes for us,” she said. Warrie weighed an impressed 840kg at 21 months of age, boasted a scrotal circumference of 44cm and an EMA of 130sq cm.

Medway Droughtmasters principal Hastings Donaldson said while he knew Warrie would make good money, he didn’t expect it to be so much. “You never expect any bull to earn as much as they do, we really liked the bull, we wouldn’t have had him in Rocky if we didn’t,” he said. “We were weighing up whether to use him ourselves.” Ms Graham said at Farnham they run commercial and stud herds, and Warrie was the first bull purchase for the stud in a long time.

“We were after some new genetics, because our female herd is very tight because we haven’t bought a bull in such a long time, so we’re just looking for something different,” she said. Mr Donaldson said he has been selling at the Droughtmaster National for a very long time, and said this year was an exceptionally good year. “That’s the pleasing thing, when you can put 11 bulls up and get a beautiful average,” he said.

While the price was more than she expected, Ms Graham said she had decided at the beginning of the day she wanted to go home with Warrie, and was determined to make it happen. “I hoped not to go that far (price), but if you see something that you like, I think you’ve got to be prepared to pay for it, because otherwise you’ll go home with something you don’t really want,” she said.

STRONG SALE: Kylie Graham, Mungalla Stud, Farnham, Taroom, with Hamilton Donaldson, Medway Droughtmasters, Bogantungan, and the second-top priced bull of the sale, Medway Warrie.

December 2016

SALE REPORT

A BULL AS GOOD AS A DIAMOND By KELLY BUTTERWORTH

TEVEN Swan and Allison Hotz were engaged but without a ring when they came to the Droughtmaster National sale, but Ms Hotz said leaving with $80,000 Karragarra Marcus was better than any rock her new fiancé could give her. Marcus came from Wayne and Ingrid York’s Karragarra Droughtmaster stud, and the Yorks, Emerald, said they were absolutely blown away by the result of the sale. In the past the Karragarra bulls have sold for tops of $11,000, and Mr York said to walk out of the ring having sold an $80,000 bull was “indescribable”. “I was always confident that he was a good bull, but I don’t think anyone ever expects that kind of money,” he said.

“It’s amazing really for us, we’ve only been in it a short time and trying to get a start in the industry, so it’s good to get rewarded. “We bought the stud six years ago as an entire operation of people from Gympie, so we’ve taken over and started to buy our own bulls - and these (here in the sale) are all the progeny of our own selections, so it’s good to see that they’re working.” Mr Swan, Swan Droughtmasters, said he and Ms Hotz were continuing on the stud his parents, the late Jack and Elaine Swan, began. He said he did not expect to pay so much for Marcus, who weighed 880kg at 23 months of age with a scrotal circumference of 42.5cm and an EMA of 137sq cm, but was very happy with his purchase.

“A bull like that now is very hard to find. He fits what I think is the Droughtmaster standard of excellence. In my mind he doesn’t have any faults and this is the type of animal that I would like a line of,” Mr Swan said. Mr Swan and Ms Hotz run a significantly sized Droughtmaster herd, with an integrated commercial and stud herd. Mr York said while he aims to produce commercial bulls, producing such a top sire was always a great outcome. “We came here and we thought we’d hopefully present a good line,” he said. “If we get a few good stud bulls along the way well that’s good, but no one expects to do that - you just hope you breed some good cattle and people like them.”

BIG BUY: Steven Swan, Allison Hotz, and Wayne York stand alongside top-priced bull of the Droughtmaster National sale, Karragarra Marcus.

December 2016

SALE REPORT

DROUGHTMASTER TOP NARNGULU By JODIE RINTOUL

HERE were plenty of reasons to celebrate at the 10th annual Fitzroy Crossing Invitation Bos Indicus Bull Sale, held in August

Not only was it a special anniversary sale but when the numbers were crunched they all pointed to it being the strongest sale on record since its inception 10 years ago. Good buying support from throughout the Kimberley and down through the Pilbara and even further south pushed prices to a sale high of $13,000 for a Droughtmaster bull. All up 186 bulls representing five breeds were offered and sold for a mighty average of $4785, which was up $719 on last year’s sale when 175 bulls were offered and sold for an average of $4066. The sale gross of $890,000, is now by far the biggest gross result achieved at any bull sale in WA on record. All bulls attracted strong competition from more than 29 buyers, a number which was also up on last year, which helped the sale conducted by Landmark again achieve a 100 per cent clearance. Landmark Broome agent Andrew Stewart said it was a fantastic sale and a great outcome for all involved. “The average was up more than $700 and we sold more bulls than last year,” Mr Stewart said. “It is really pleasing to see producers have great confidence in the industry and are willing to spend money on new genetics,” Mr Stewart said. “Not only did we have more buyer registrations, there was also a number of new buyers compared with last year.

With the $13,000 top-priced bull at the Fitzroy Crossing Invitation Bos Indicus Bull Sale conducted by Landmark are Landmark State livestock manager Leon Giglia (left) and buyer Ken Mutton, Fieldhouse Droughtmaster stud, Wickepin. The Droughtmaster sire was sold in the sale by the Sevenell stud, Bell, Queensland.

Taking the $13,000 top price honours in the sale was a classy Droughtmaster bull, Sevenell 15/5 in lot 81, from long time vendors Lindsay and Lyn Philip, LR & LJ Philip, Sevenell stud, Bell, Queensland, when it was knocked down to Wickepin stud breeder Ken Mutton, Fieldhouse Droughtmaster. The upstanding, 19-month-old polled bull was by Billabong Sydney. Mr Mutton said he had just gone up to the sale for a look and picked the bull out on the day. “I have been looking for an outcross bloodline for the herd and this bull fitted the bill as we haven’t purchased from Sevenell before,” Mr Mutton said. “He is a really impressive bull and I really liked his length and depth.”

“It was not Kimberley buyers which were active there was also support from buyers from the Pilbara regions and southern stud breeders.”

Along with securing the top-priced bull the Mutton family also picked up a second Droughtmaster sire in the sale.

In terms of the quality of the line-up and presentation of bulls Mr Stewart said it was best line-up of bulls he had seen in the 10 years of sales.

They paid $6500 for the polled Valera Vale 5081 in lot 50 from the Valera Vale stud, Charlesville, Queensland, which will also be a new bloodline for the Stud.

“There were no weak teams and this was certainly reflected in the prices,” he said.

Not only did the sale’s top price bull come from the Droughtmaster section of the sale but it also recorded the best average in the sale at $5505.

“Overall it was a really good result for the breeders who bring the bulls across from Queensland. “It is a big risk to bring them over and we certainly thank them for their support and commitment to the sale. “We are looking forward to making it bigger and better again next year.” 26

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Eight studs offered and sold 52 Droughtmaster bulls and the average of $5505, was up $1287 on last year’s average of $4227 when 54 sires were offered and sold. The Sevenell and Lynsey Park studs not only sold the top priced bull sold but it also recorded a huge average of $7031 over its

team of eight bulls offered and sold. One of those that helped the stud achieve this average was the breed’s volume buyer Jubilee Downs Pastoral Co, Fitzroy Crossing, when it paid $7000 for a Sevenell sire and $6500 twice for Lynsey Park bulls. The operation was also not afraid to bid up on the SC Droughtmasters on offer from Steve and Claire Farmer, Mount Isa, paying $8750 for the stud’s lead bull – a 19mo polled son of Glenavon Nathan and $7000 for two other SC sires. Jubilee Downs, rounded out its strong purchasing at the end of Droughmaster run when it bid to $9000 twice for two bulls from the Alma stud, Bell, Queensland. Both Alma sires were polled sons for Alma Adair 1777 and were aged 23mo and 22mo. By the end of the Droughtmaster run Jubilee Downs had secured 12 sires at an average of $6792. Buying for the first time in the sale Joe De Pledge made his presence felt in the Droughtmaster offering when he secured 11 sires at an $5659 average. He paid $6500 on five occasions in the Alma team and twice in the Sevenell offering. Yougawalla station, Halls Creek, was also keen on the Droughtmasters securing a team of eight to a top of $4250 twice and an average of $3688, while Camp Cattle Co, purchased six Droughtmasters to a top of $6500 (twice) and an average of $5667.

PERFORMANCE PLUS SETS $30,000 RECORD By HELEN WALKER

HE Performance Plus Droughtmaster on-property bull sale held near Toogoolawah in August, created a new sale record when 59 bulls sold for a top price of $30,000 and averaged an impressive $7398 to record a 100 percent clearance. Vendors Paul and Lisa Laycock, High Country Droughtmasters and David and Colleen Smith, Vale View Droughtmasters were clearly pleased with the sale result. “It was a very positive result with many buyers travelling vast distances plus the good solid support from locals was incredibly strong,” Mr Laycock said. The sale result reflected an increased average of $673 on last year’s result of $6725, with an additional 20 bulls sold. The sale topper was Vale View Yogi Bear (P), a son of Glenlands D Purpose, who at 24 months of age weighed 808kg, with an EMA of 133sq cm, bought by Cameron and Cheryl Salter, Glen Fosslyn Droughtmaster Stud, Surat.

Vendor David Smith and son Mac, Vale View Droughtmasters, Lindsay and Lyn Philp, Lynsey Park Stud, and Colleen Smith with Vale View M Diesel (P) that sold for $18,000.

Mr Salter said he was looking for a sire with good bone and a polled head. “We also look closely at estimated breeding values, and he has very good 600-day-weight EBVs of plus 34,” Mr Salter said. Vale View Yogi Bear will be used in a single sire stud herd mainly over Glen Fosslyn Frontier 70 females. Next to sell at $18,000 was Vale View M Diesel (P), purchased by Lindsay and Lyn Philp, Lynsey Park Stud, Bell. The Philps were impressed by Vale View M Diesel’s weight for age, his overall balance and sire appeal. Selling for $15,000 was Vale View X-Calibre (P), purchased by Bob Nicholls, Kilkenney Droughtmaster Stud, Commissioners Flat. Springsure district cattle producers and repeat buyers, Kevin and Leesa Woolcock, Mostyndale Stud, Springsure paid $14,000 for Vale View Yeoman (IVF) (AI) by the 2010 RNA junior champion bull, Vale View Typhoon Paul and Lisa Laycock, High Country Droughtmasters sale draft topped at $12,000 for High Country Elton, who is one of the first sons of Glenlands Quarry to be offered. High Country Elton was bought by Colin and Libbie Beasley and son-in-law Rob Orphant, Seymour Droughtmaster Stud, Gympie. Mr Orphant said it was High Country Elton’s growth, 807kg at 22 mths, muscle, EMA of

Rob Oraphant, and Paul Laycock with Colin and Libbie Beasley, and High Country Elton which sold for $12,000.

140sq cms, plus his overall temperament that appealed to them.

at foot, selling to Michael Ingram, Ingram Droughtmasters, Duaringa.

The University of Queensland, Gatton College Campus paid $11,500 for High Country Enterprise (S), a 20-month-old, 798kg son of Billabong Xavier.

Mr Ingram was the volume buyer in the female draft and finished with seven stud heifers, two cows and calves, and a pen of four commercial heifers.

The Owen family, Yalkara Stud, St George paid $11,000 for Vale View Yoga (S). Glen and Margaret Hogan, Payola Droughtmasters, near Gympie bought the multi-supreme champion High Country Edward for $10,000. Geoff and Leanne Hartwig, Calrossie, Eidsvold paid $10,000 for High Country Errol. Strong demand for females saw a top price of $11,000 for Vale View X-Hippie with bull calf

Heifers topped at $6500 with Vale View Yesenia selling to Faragon Stud, Kandanga. High Country also sold three females for $4000 including nine-month-old Fawn to Seymour Droughtmasters, 12-month-old Flora to Yimin Droughtmasters, Belli Park, and 22 month old Evanna to Nindethana Droughtmasters, Camp Mountain. Commercial heifers also remained extremely strong with yearling heifers selling to $1700.

December 2016

SALE REPORT

BY-MINGO TOP $13,000 AT BUNYA SALE By JANE LOWE

quality line-up of 74 bulls sold to a top of $13,000 at the third Annual Bunya Bull sale held in September at the Coolabunia sale complex outside Kingaroy. In total 32 vendors showcased complete genetic diversity and attracted 77 registered bidders who helped to push the sale average to $4649 for a clearance rate of 78 per cent. Both the sale average and the top price improved on last year, with the top making $4500 more than 2015. Topping the sale was Lot 57 By-Mingo Oscar (P) a 21-month-old by Angle Zed who sold to Ryan Trott and family, Thooruna, Mundubbera. He was offered on account of Don and Robyn Roberton, By-Mingo Droughtmasters, Coalstoun Lakes.

Rod and Lyn Sperling with Sarah, Megan and Amy Birch and the second top price bull Birch Oldsmobile (P) (AI)

By-Mingo Droughtmasters sold four lots to average $6375. Mr Trott said he had “shortlisted” a number of bulls with conformation to suit his predominantly Droughtmaster commercial herd. He said Droughtmaster genetics had boosted their MSA grading over the past six years from about 20pc up to 80pc. The Trott family said they were looking for a certain type of bull that had style and bone, tidy underneath with good scrotal size. The breeders Don and Robyn Roberton, said they had been focused on temperament. “It is much easier to work with quiet cattle and along with fertility and producing meat for an end product - this bull had it all,” Mr Roberton said. The second top priced bull was Lot 22 Birch Oldsmobile(P) offered on account of Doug and Juanita Birch, Birch Droughtmasters, Eidsvold The bull sold to Rod and Lyn Sperling, Rodlyn Droughtmaster, Dalby, for $11,500. Birch Droughtmasters sold six, averaging $5916. The sale also attracted some first time Droughtmaster bull buyers with Ross and Beth Shanks, Tomine, Booubyjan looking to use Droughtmaster genetics in their Brahman and Charbray herd. The Shanks family largely run their breeders in Speargrass country and were looking for a slick coated, high sheaf bull for their commercial herd. 28

December 2016

Ryan Trott, Sue Trott with Robyn Roberton By-Mingo Droughtmaster Stud, and Midge Thompson Aussie Land & Livestock with the top price By-Mingo Oscar (P).

They purchased Tajana Col, a 36-month-old bull from Roger Webber and family for $5500 The RSVP Droughtmaster Stud sold eight bulls to average $5066 while Bryvonlea Droughtmasters sold eight bulls to average $4250. Regular Bunya buyers, the McConnel family, Mt Brisbane Pastoral, Mt Brisbane, Esk purchased seven bulls to average $3857. Carlie McConnel said her family ran 500 Droughtmaster breeders with a calving rate of about 90pc. Ms McConnel said her family liked buying from multi-vendor sales where they could access a wider pool of genetics on offer. “We came to purchase four or five bulls and came home with seven,” she said.

“We have now been able to get our MSA grading up to about 70pc so are please with this result and our grass fed operation.” Other volume buyers included MJ BP Gobbert, Roma, who purchased a total of five bulls to average $3600. Sale Chairman, Graham Brown said he was pleased with the calibre of bulls on offer. “It was great to see such a large number of well respected commercial breeders bidding, competing and, in some cases, outbidding stud breeders to secure some very handy sires,” he said. “Buyers should already be marking the date for next year’s fixture on September 2, 2017.”

SALE REPORT

RECORDS BROKEN AT GRAFTON

ROUGHTMASTER stud and commercial breeders across Northern NSW combined to run the third annual multi-vendor Grafton Droughtmaster Bull and Female Sale in July which saw record prices reached. The sale was well supported by bidders, with many cattle purchased traveling south of Grafton and as far as Dunedoo, NSW. In total 76 per cent of the 21 bulls catalogued for the sale were cleared, topping at $7000 to average $3600 per head, which is up $410 on the 2015 sale average. Paul and Wendy Carter and sons, Kyogl sold the top price bull, Lot 7 Cedar Springs Krypton to E.M Simshauser of Kempsey. The Carter family’s sale draft of seven bulls were purchased for a solid average of $4150/head. Lindesay and Janet Allan, Clayfield Droughtmasters sold their five bulls and also sold a stud heifer for $1750 which was purchased by Ross and Sue Austin, Grafton. The Austin’s also purchased a Clayfield bull. There were 11 good quality stud females offered with only one selling due to demand being firmly focused on commercial females this year.

A total of 151 commercial females including 33 with calves met with strong competition across all lines.

The sale committee said the next invitation Grafton Droughtmaster Bull and Female Sale will be held on July 15, 2017 in Grafton.

Heifers on their first calf topped at $2600 and cows and calves topped at $2550 twice with a sale average for cows and calves of $2450 supplied by the Carter family.

PTIC females topped at $1700 sold by KJ & JN Ellem and unjoined females topped at $1300 supplied by Mark, Lyn and Todd Heyman, Riverbed Droughtmasters, Lilydale. Lovely lines of weaners and unjoined Droughtmasters females averaged $1030. This year saw the introduction of high quality F1 Droughtmaster/Poll Hereford-cross unjoined females from Eastern River Pty Ltd which topped at toppied at $1100, and the Allan family sold F1 Droughtmaster/Simmental heifers to a top of $900. Neil Warne Memorial trophies generously donated by Margaret Warne were presented to Andrew Carter of Cedar Springs Droughtmasters for the highest price bull and to Lindsay and Janet Allen of Clayfield Droughtmasters for the high price stud female.

COMMERCIAL APPEAL: Selling agent Ray Donovan with Stephen and Daphne Nott, Dunedoo, NSW, who purchased the top price pen of commercial females at the Grafton Droughtmaster Bull and Female Sale from Paul and Wendy Carter and Sons.

GLEN FOSSLYN SPIES BRIGHT FUTURE IN POLLS By LUCY ZIESEMER

HE Glen Fosslyn Droughtmaster bull sale held in Roma in September saw polled genetics take centre stage with competitive bidding on the top quality line of sires amounting to a sale average of $5490. Polled herd bull Glen Fosslyn 15/32 sold for a top price of $18,000 to Jeff and Chris Cronan, Nelly Vale, Bourke. The bull weighed 810kg with EMA and scrotal measurements of 128 and 37cm respectively. Jeff Cronan said he picked the bull for his noticeable size and weight with the intention of increasing these characteristics in his calves. The Cronan family took home a further three bulls taking their average purchase price to $9125. The second top price accolade was shared between three sires reaching $10,000- Glen Fosslyn Jigsaw sold to Roger and Jenny Underwood, Pine Hills, Wallumbilla, Glen Fosslyn Jellybean was bought by the McCormack family trust, Dilga, Glenmorgan, and herd bull Glen Fosslyn 15/02 went to Formosa Farming at Surat.

December 2016

TOP BUY: Richard Thomas, Landmark’s Walsh Hughes, Bourke, and vendor Cameron Salter, Glen Fosslyn Droughtmasters, with buyers of top priced bull Glen Fosslyn 15/32 (on rail), Jeff and Chris Cronan, Nelly Vale, Bourke.

The Taroom grazing area was well represented at the sale with the Williams family, Broadmere, Taroom, purchasing 10 bulls for an average price of $6250. Glen Fosslyn principle Cameron Salter said he was very pleased with the results. “The bulls had less preparation due to the season and being later calves- this is the

youngest draft of bulls we’ve offered at an average age of 22 months so it’s a solid average for us,” he said. Mr Salter commented on the strong trend towards polled sires and said next year’s Glen Fosslyn line would only feature polled and scurred sires.

CAP SALE REACHES TOP OF $20,000 TWICE By JULIE SHEEHAN

ROVEN carcase competition winning genetics were on offer again during the 30th annual CAP Droughtmaster sale held in September at Gracemere.

The top price of $20,000 was paid twice, with both bulls both displaying the high content characteristics many buyers were chasing. With impeccable temperament each bull entered the ring without fuss and the supplementary sheet clearly showed why year after year these cattle perform at the Central Queensland Carcase Competition so well. In all, 70 bulls grossed $384,500 with a top of $20,000 reached twice to average $6008 with a 84 per cent clearance. Vendors of the CAP Sale included John Atkinson, Glenavon Droughtmasters along with Karen and Duncan Geddes, CMC Droughtmasters. The first bull to hit the $20,000 top was Glenavon Skipper (P) by Redskin Eagle Hawk (H) (D5).

The 24-month-old was snapped up by Shane and Wendy Perry, Strathfield Droughtmasters, Fletcher’s Awl, Clermont. The next $20,000 top was Glenavon Starmaker (H) (D4) purchased by Jason and Geraldine Barnard, GJ Pastoral, Monto. Starmaker was sired by Redskin Yardsmen (H) (D3) and weighed 768kg at 21 months of age. Glenavon Stetson (P) (D4) purchased by Jim Edwards, Gayndah took out the second top priced bull at $18,000. Stetson was also by Redskin Yardsmen (H) (D4) weighed 788kg at 21 months with a 138 EMA. Volume and repeat customers David and Ben Lawrie, Lawrie Holdings, Westwood, took home 10 bulls to average $4000. The Lawries operate their property between Westwood and Pheasant Creek. They use the CAP sale bulls over their predominantly Droughtmaster/Brahman cross breeders and have returned to buy bulls from John Atkinson.

SNAPPED UP: Vendor John Atkinson, Glenavon Droughtmasters and Shane Perry, Strathfield Droughtmasters, Fletcher’s Awl, Clermont with $20,000 Redskin Eagle Hawk

They have bought more than 50 bulls over the years and Ben Lawrie said they provided good value for money. “They fit with our program of breeding tough cattle to suit a harsh climate while maintaining softness to fit into feedlot markets,” he said. Other volume buyers included Bill and Maxine Crage, Dingo put together seven to average $3430.

ARTESIAN HITS RECORD AVERAGE AND TOP By KENT WARD

October’s annual Artesian Droughtmaster Bull Sale held in Blackall posted a record average and in the process an event record top price. In all 65 bulls topped at a record $26,000 on the way to posting a record average of $7553 to clear 93 percent of the yarding at auction. The previous record top was set in 2014 at $22,000 and this years average is a clear $2138 above the previous record posted at the 2015 fixture. Indicative of the season and the current robust marketplace clearance levels rise by a further 11 percent over last years result with bulls going to Western Australia, Northern Territory and across the central and western areas of the state. Market topper at $26,000 was the 23-month, 830kg, 136EMA Yaralla 33/5 a herd bull son of Yaralla Munckton selling to Will and Ingrid Haviland, Sugerland Stud, Eungella. Offered by Ken and Kerry McKenzie, Yaralla Stud, Blackwater he was part of a 22 member team that averaged $8023 that included the $15,000 Yaralla Reece (P) (23-months) (690kg) selling to Lach and Kate McMaster, Elkay 2 Stud, Bungunya.

Yaralla outlaid $16,000 to secure the $16,000 Medway Wareo (P) (24-months) (780kg) (132EMA) from Hastings and Sandra Donaldson’s, Medway Stud, Bogantungan. Medway averaged $7103 for their 29 head that included two at $13,500 selling to the Glenlands J Stud, Dingo and Ian and Sandra Muir, Elderslie, Winton respectively. Other high sellers in the Medway team included the $11,500 Medway Warra (S) (23month) also selling to Elderslie, Winton and at the same money the 27-month-old, Wandsworth (P) going to the Donovan family, Duaringa Station, Duaringa. Allan Stevenson, Spring Creek, Springsure secured the $11,000 Medway Waco (S) (26-months).

Grassroots Consulting was Alice Springs pastoralist, Andy Hayes, The Garden Station, accounting for 17 for on average $6176 topping at $9500 for a polled 27-month-old Medway entry. The RFDS received a $3550 donation from the vendors. The amount represented 10pc of the proceeds of five bulls identified throughout the sale. Butch and Hazel Howard, Locharnoch, Jericho took a trio to average $9000 topping at $13,000 for a Yaralla Maxwell polled son aged 23-months.

Taking home the top seller from the Glenlands stable the $10,000, D 4062 (D) were the Glover family, Prospect, Tambo. Glenlands averaged $6542 for their 12 entries. The McCormack family’s, Clonlara Stud, Glenmorgan sold six for on average $6750 topping at $9000 for the 22-month-old, Clonlara 15235 (P) selling to Craig Scholes, Lighthouse, Blackall. Bulk buyer of the sale and taking with them the $1000 ‘Bulk Buyer Bonus’ donated by TJO

Record breaker: The $26,000, Yaralla 33/5 (D) with breeders Ken and Kerry McKenzie, Yaralla Stud, Blackwater and agent Trent McKinlay, Landmark. The bull was bought by Eungella breeders, Will and Ingrid Haviland, Sugerland Stud.

December 2016

SALE REPORT

CLONLARA CRACKS RECORD AVERAGE By PETER LOWE

LONLARA co-principal Gus McCormack summed up his excellent sale result when he said ‘‘thanks for the massive vote of confidence in our cattle’’ at the conclusion of his Clonlara Droughtmasters annual bull sale held at Dilga, Glenmorgan in September. The postponement of his sale for a week did little to dampen buyers’ confidence which pushed their average to a record $8908 – up on their previous $1671 benchmark – with the entire catalogue of 60 bulls finding new homes. Guest auctioneer Wayne York commented on the evenness of the sale draft which were “all red meat from tip to tail”.

balance, scale and a tidy underline were also very appealing. The $7500 top selling composite bull was a polled son of Kimberley EB80 weighing 856kg with an eye muscle area of 131sq cms and was bought by the Pechey family, Erambie, Glenmorgan. Cameron and Cheryl Salter, Cooma Cattle Company, Cooma, Surat who conduct the Glen Fosslyn Droughtmaster stud paid the $22,000 second highest price for Clonlara 15164, a polled son of Huntly Kane (P) with a big, powerful topline and a barrel of beef according to auctioneer Wayne York.

Interstate stud masters Brett and Leanne Warne, Jembrae Droughtmasters, Casino New South Wales bid the $26,000 top money for the first bull into the ring, Clonlara 1552 (P), 806kg – the 21-month-old son of Locarno Gus displaying good length-of-body and a strong poll head.

The Clonlara Droughtmaster sale has always enjoyed strong support from their regular buyers and this year was no exception with several long-term clients active like Jeff Ferrier, Nellybri Pastoral Company, Surat who bought five quality bulls with good beef characteristics and clean underlines for a $5800 average.

Mr Warne said he liked this Locarno bloodline because he had previous success with these genetics and the bull’s overall

Another regular supporter was Jon Warby of DOCE Pty Ltd at Roma who was operating on the top end of the market after securing five

December 2016

TOP PURCHASE: Buyers Emma Warne and Nick Hancock, Jembrae Droughtmasters, Casino, New South Wales with the $26,000 top-selling Clonlara 1552 (P) and Gus McCormack, Clonlara Droughtmasters, Dilga, Glenmorgan.

exceptional herd improvers for a $10,500 average which included the ‘all beef and all muscle’ home-bred bull, Clonlara 15284 (P) for $12,000. Miamba Pastoral Company, Sedgeford, Alpha accounted for three outstanding bulls for a $11,667 average.

SALE REPORT

TROPICAL BREEDS BULL SETS ROMA RECORD By LUCY ZIESEMER

Droughtmaster buyers rolled in to the Roma Saleyards in October for the annual Tropical Breeds bull sale and witnessed a record top price for the venue. Making up the majority of the yarding, 103 Droughtmaster bulls were offered for an average of $6182 and a clearance rate of 93 per cent. Buyers waited until quite late in the sale to see the Roma Saleyards’ top price record broken when Wayne and Ingrid York’s polled Droughtmaster sire, Karragarra Manpower entered the ring. Manpower sold for $42,000 to Steven Swan and Allison Hotz, Swan Droughtmaster Stud, Moura. The bull weighed in at 805kg with a 41cm scrotal circumference and P8 and rib fat measurements of 12 and seven millimetres. Mr Swan said he had a strong focus on his commercial enterprise alongside his stud operation and he considered Manpower a good investment for both. “You need to have seedstock producers but the bottom line is we all need meat on the hooks at the meatworks because without good bullocks we won’t make money.”

The Droughtmaster contingent presented a strong performance throughout the catalogue with lot 60, Carlton Jethro, selling for a second top price of $24,000 to Terry Piggott, Aldinga Park, Rolleston. The Spann family, Minlacowie, Goovigen, had a successful run at the sale with lot 184, Minlacowie Top Cat, selling for $12,000 to LR and LJ Philp, Bell. Emma Warne, Tenmile, Casino, came in close behind with the sale of Gen Y Jackaroo for $11,500 to Karoola Grazing, Charleville.

Sale committee chairman Brett Warne said the results were “phenomenal” considering many buyers were still restricted by drought conditions. “There was a big spread of buyers from Lightning Ridge right up to Cloncurry in a strong demonstration of support for Droughtmasters,” he said. “It was a big turn around from the results we saw a few years back at this sale and all things considered this was a very positive result.”

Volume buyers were active for the Droughtmaster portion of the sale with four bulls selling to Reynella Grazing Company, Charleville, for a total of $17,000. The Southampton partnership also picked up four bulls. The Devils Nest and Freshwater partnerships, Barcaldine Downs Pastoral Company, and GW and JR Blacket each took home three sires. So too did Broadmere Grazing, Mick and Hayley Hughes, BP and LA Knight, and Melinda Downs Pty Ltd., with all bulls selling into prominent Droughtmaster breeding areas.

TOP BULL: GDL’s Mark Duthie (centre) sold top priced bull Karragarra Manpower for $42,000 to Steven Swan, Swan Droughtmasters, Moura, offered by Wayne York, Karragarra, Emerald.

December 2016

SALE REPORT

GLENLANDS SCORES $1.94M SALE RECORD By KENT WARD

USTAINED demand generated from return clientele from two mainland states and international interests pushed average values to record levels at the annual Glenlands Droughtmaster Sale held in Bouldercombe in September. Grossing close to the $2 million mark the record breaking result saw another complete clearance as new and established clientele representing leading commercial and seedstock operations battled for a share of the catalogue. The end result was a huge endorsement of the genetic and preparation policies for vendors, the Childs family. In total 165 bulls sold to $60,000 to average $9903, a $2280/head jump in values compared to the previous yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s result and $762 above that of the previous record set inÂ 2012. Jim Gorman, Seamark Pty Ltd., Cliffdale, Theodore and Vermont Park, Nebo took 36 males for a $6195 average, while Richard and

December 2016

Robin Simmons, Bungobine, Mt Coolon accounted for 25 bulls for an $8020 medium. Top seller was the $60,000, Glenlands Talbot (S),32-months, 984kg, 143EMA (Glenlands K.B.) selling to Libby Ingram, Skye Stud, Alpha. Fred and Juleen Johnson, Chipahill Stud, Biloela outlaid $52,500 for the 21-month, 764kg, Uralla (P). Margaret Hobbs, Mt Barker, WA claimed the top seller in the female section taking the 36-month, $10,500 D Trinity (P) (Glenlands Prototype (P)) with a heifer calf at side. Will and Ingrid Haviland, Sugarland Stud, Eungella secured the 17-month-old, Unoccupied (P) (Glenlands Randwick) for $42,000. The Donaldson family, Medway Stud, Bogantungan took three males to average $18,167 topping at $40,000 for the 37-monthold, 1050kg, (148EMA), Thor (P). Part of their haul was the $10,000 female, D Unity (P). Fred Noffke, Keronga, Rolleston returned and made his presence felt taking six to average $14,583 topping at $30,000 for the 22-month, 748kg, D Underpaid (P) (Glenlands Pacific (ET)).

TRINITY WOWS: The top selling female of the Glenlands Droughtmaster Sale was the $10,500 Glenlands D Trinity (P) pictured with vendors Helen and Taylah Childs, Glenlands Stud, Bouldercombe.

Daniel and Holly Dzundza, Royal Heart Stud, Springsure took three future sires for an average $17,667 topping at $27,000 for the U2 (P) (22-months) while Karragarra principals, Wayne and Ingrid York, Emerald snapped up the $21,000 D Ty (P) (AI) (ET) (30-months) (Glenlands Mild Water).

SALE REPORT

ALDINGA REACHES $8,000-PLUS AVERAGE By KELLY BUTTERWORTH

HE Aldinga Droughtmaster bull sale held in September at Springsure achieved a 91 per cent clearance rate, with 66 of 72 bulls selling for an average of $8045. The top priced bull was Aldinga Gesture, which sold to John Tincknell, Gympie, for $20,000. Mr Tincknell said he was in the process of growing his small commercial herd, and said Gesture was just the bull he needed. With 80 breeders, Mr Tincknell said Gesture would be put in over the top of Brahman and Droughtmaster cows and heifers. “He’s a good bull, with good weight-for-age, good length, he’s just a good all-round bull,” he said. Mr Tincknell’s only purchase at the sale was Gesture, and he said he came with the intention of going home with one good bull, and was extremely happy with his choice.

Aldinga principal Terry Piggott said the sale measured up well against last year’s. “It went okay, it was a bit tough in spots but it went well with a good average, though the clearance could have been a bit better,” he said. “This is a better sale, a better average, but we had 100 per cent clearance last year, but more bulls this year.” Mr Piggott said Gesture was one of two of his picks to top the sale, and said he was definitely happy with the price he fetched. With a strong lot of commercial buyers at the sale, Mr Piggott said he was pleased to see familiar faces in the crowd.

The McDonald family, Fossil Downs, Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia, bought seven bulls under the hammer for an average of $4500, but also bought three extra lots after the sale finished for $4000 each. The McLoughlin family, Injune, went home with five bulls for an average of $8400. Also from Injune were the Price family, who left with four bulls averaging $6750. Mr Piggott said overall the sale was a success, and he hoped to top it next year with a 100 per cent clearance.

”Sometimes it can be a bit hard to tell, I’m not sure how many stud buyers were there looking for bulls, but there was a lot of return commercial buyers and some new ones as well,” he said.

The second top priced bull was Aldinga Gangster, which sold to the McCormack family, for $17,000.

The volume buyer of the sale was the Dennis family, Urella Pastoral, Clermont, who bought 11 lots grossing $106,000, for an average of $9636.

Also making good money was Aldinga Glove, selling to the Munda Reds Droughtmaster stud for $15,000.

Also buying big were the Carr family, Glastonbury, who bought six bulls averaging $7833.

GREAT GESTURE: John Tincknell, Gympie, and Aldinga Droughtmaster’s principal Terry Piggott, with Aldinga Gesture.

KIMBERLEY CATTLEMEN BUY UP AT VALERA VALE By SALLY CRIPPS

Three Kimberley cattle companies came to bid up a storm as the north-westerlies whipped up the clouds around the Charleville district during the fifth annual Valera Vale sale held in September. Between the three operators, WNM MacDonald Pty Ltd at Fossil Downs, the Smoothy Cattle Co, and Haydn Sale from Yougawalla Pastoral at Halls Creek, they finished the sale with 67 stud bulls between them. It was a pleasing result for vendor Michael Flynn who said that buyers with volume requirements were always good for a stud. “We’re not you’re typical stud – we run our bulls in the same way we rear our bullocks, under normal commercial conditions,” Mr Flynn said. “Our kind of buyer wants morphology testing and doesn’t want hoofs trimmed,” he said. Two of the stud’s bulls held special appeal for Gayndah’s John Edwards, Barlyne Pastoral, 36

December 2016

who paid both the top and second-top prices, of $14,000 and $9000. Buying at Valera Vale for the first time for himself, John said the poll and morphology tests were what they took note of the most, and double poll results were notable in the specifications of their top purchase, Valera Vale 5254.

Selling agents Brian Wedemeyer and Trent McKinlay with John and Jim Edwards, Barlyne Pastoral, Gayndah.

The 23-month-old with dual Valera Vale genetics had a sale weight of 664kg and an average daily weight gain of 1.76kg. Their other purchase, Valera Vale 5108 was sired by Aldinga Deadly and had a semen morphology result of 81 per cent and a sale weight of 704kg.

While local buyers were not operating in a big way, due to lower breeding numbers, some, including Ross Shapcott, Reynella, Charleville and D and J Godwin, Springsure purchased six each, while Devenish Grazing at Blackall secured five bulls.

Welcome new sires..... DN Sale result..... 6 bulls ave $10,000 Top $12,000 twice

Vale View M Diesel (P) Fitzroy Crossing Sale..... Sale top price $13,000 Sale top average $7031

Thank You!

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to our buyers & bidders for your continued support throughout the year! Look for our 2017 February All Breeds Sale team!

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Sevenell & Lynsey Park Droughtmasters

SALE REPORT

BULLZEYE SALE HITS $25,000 HIGH By KELLY BUTTERWORTH

HE 2016 Bullzeye Droughtmaster sale was the centre of attention for Central Queensland Droughtmaster buyers in Capella in October.

The sale saw a 96 per cent clearance rate, top price of $25,000 and an average of $7804. The seven vendors of Needmore, Hamadra, S.C. , Locarno, Rondel, Sugerland and Medway teamed up to present 77 Droughtmaster beef bulls, with the consistency evident across the line of sires who averaged an EMA of 128sq cm, scrotal circumferences of 39cm and age and weight of 23-months and 752kg respectively. The sale topper was Medway Warraka, a 22-month-old milk tooth calf, weighing 830kg with an EMA of 130sq cm and a scrotal circumference of 40cm. Warraka sold to Peter and Britt Greenhalgh, Sedgeford Pastoral, Alpha for $25,000.

Mr Greenhalgh said he runs a predominantly commercial herd of 2500 breeders breeding bullocks, with a small stud producing his own bulls.

“You can never pick, but he (Warraka) was one of the better bulls... just his growth and length, he’s got a good head, good underline.

He said Warraka was the star of the sale for him, and despite being over budget he was happy with the purchase.

The volume buyers of the sale were Mick and Marg Shaw, Wanditta, Capella, who bought eight bulls grossing $72,500 for an average of $9062.

“Just his length and his size, he’s got a good underline, he’s a polled bull so he’ll go well with our cows at home - most of them are pollies,” he said. “It is important, but saying that we do keep the horned heifers.” Mr Greenhalgh’s herd is predominantly Droughtmasters, with some Angus genetics introduced a few years ago. Vendor Brenten Donaldson, Medway Droughtmasters, said the sale “exceeded all expectations”. “It went really, really well… we averaged about $12,500,” he said.

Each going home with six bulls apiece were Oak Park, Capella, (gross: $45,000, average $7500), and Sam Bradford, Arcturus Downs, Springsure, (gross: $39,000, average $6500). Also buying big were Mt Flora Cattle, Oxford Downs, Nebo, with five bulls grossing $42,000 for an average of $8400, and the Whitehead family, Undercliffe Pastoral, Satellite, Springsure, with five bulls grossing $36,000 for an average of $7200.

TOP TARGET: Trent McKinlay, Brenten Donaldson and Peter and Britt Greenhalgh with Medway Warraka who was purchased for $25,000 by Peter and Britt Greenhalgh, Sedgeford Pastoral, Alpha.

December 2016

NEXT GENERATION

LAUREN’S WA SCHOLARSHIP DREAM TRIP By BRONWYN BETTS

OUNG beef cattle producer, Lauren Finger of Dysart was awarded the PGA Fitzroy Crossing Bos indicus Bull Sale scholarship earlier this year.

The scholarship provided funding for her to travel to Western Australia where she attended and participated in the 10th Annual Fitzroy Crossing Invitational Bull Sale, before touring a number of cattle stations in the Kimberley region. The hotly contested scholarship, which was sponsored by MLA, PGA, Landmark, Allflex, Australian Brahman Breeders Association and Droughtmaster Australia, was awarded on the basis of Lauren’s knowledge of, and passion for, the beef industry. Born into the cattle industry, Lauren grew up on her family property ‘Meadowbrook’ located 28 kilometres north of Dysart. The youngest of five siblings, this inspiring young 19 year old is well on her way to carving a bright future in the industry that she so dearly loves. She is actively involved in the family’s beef cattle operation, which now runs over 10,000 head of Droughtmaster cattle across 110,000 acres in Central Queensland. In addition to her work in the family business, Lauren is growing her own commercial herd and has recently established her own Droughtmaster Stud under the prefix, La Shae Droughtmasters. Lauren’s passion for the cattle industry is not limited to the paddock, she is regularly seen exhibiting stud and commercial cattle at agricultural shows throughout Queensland, and competing in the various competitions that are available to young cattlemen and women.

She has won numerous awards in various young judges competitions and stud parader competitions which ultimately resulted in her qualifying to compete in the Queensland State Finals of both the Stud Beef Cattle Young Judges and the Stud Beef Cattle Parader competitions at the 2016 Royal Queensland Show.

this most deserving young recipient to realise her life-long dream. The trip began in Brisbane where Lauren met with fellow scholarship recipient Nick Fordyce, and several vendors of the Fitzroy Crossing Invitational Bull Sale, before taking a flight to Broome. Lauren was amazed by the landscape that greeted her upon arrival. The soil was rich red, with a plentiful covering of grass and beautiful boab trees at every turn. This red landscape was a stark contrast to the nearby ocean, which she described as a transparent blue colour that was immaculately clear and crisp. That first evening in Broome was a memorable one as they watched the sun set over the ocean. It was then off to work! Lauren spent her first week in the township of Fitzroy Crossing, 400 kilometres from Broome and home to the annual Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale, where she assisted vendors prepare their bulls for the sale. There were 184 bulls catalogued which included 52 Droughtmasters from seven Queensland vendors. The tasks during that week included: penning up the bulls when they arrived; daily feeding; washing; paint branding; and general preparation in readiness for sale day on August 19. Lauren was also afforded the opportunity to take bulls into the ring on behalf of Rod and Lyn Sperling of Rodlyn Droughtmasters and Sam and Adam Irwin of Wynwood Droughtmasters. The sale achieved a 100 per cent clearance and made WA bull sale history on several fronts. It was the largest offering of bulls at the Fitzroy Crossing Sale since the inception of the sale in 2006 and the highest grossing bull sale in the state’s history. The top price of $13,000, equalling a previous sale record set in 2007, was paid for a Droughtmaster bull offered by Lindsay and Lyn Philp of Sevenell Droughtmasters, with the average price of $4,784 setting a new sale record.

Lauren had always wanted to visit Western Australia and to compare how cattle stations in Queensland and Western Australia operate.

Lauren commented that the experience helped her to appreciate the importance of the sale to those in the Kimberley region.

She said she was “over the moon” when she was awarded the scholarship which enabled

“It is the only bull sale in the area and virtually the only way Western Australian producers can

December 2016

Lauren Finger of Dysart was jointly awarded the PGA Fitzroy Crossing Bos indicus Bull Sale scholarship earlier this year. The scholarship provided funding for her to travel to Western Australia for the 10th Annual Fitzroy Crossing Invitational Bull Sale, before touring a number of cattle stations in the Kimberley region.

get new genetics into their herds without travelling to the east coast to purchase bulls that have been tested BJD free,” she said. The second half of the trip involved visits to four cattle stations: Fossil Downs; Larrawa Station; Jubilee Downs Station; and Nerrima Station. Lauren was eager to observe the cattle and how they were managed on these stations, and she was also interested to learn of any improvements that had been implemented that had improved the efficiency of these operations. The station visits were by no means limited to observation. Lauren and Nick rolled up their sleeves and were actively involved in the dayto-day operations at each station. Fossil Downs Station was the first stop, a 400,000 hectare property and home to 15,000 head of Droughtmaster cattle. Upon arrival, they assisted with the loading of 30 decks of steers and heifers that were destined for live export, after which they helped to muster a single paddock of approximately 1,500 head of cattle. “We were welcomed with open arms which made it easy to jump in the yards and help out.” She was very impressed with what she described as “a beautiful line of Droughtmasters at Fossil Downs and with great temperaments”.

The next stop was Larrawa Station, a 191,000 hectare property and home to Kevin and Wendy Brochhurst. The cattle run on Larrawa are Brahman-cross.

She said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which didn’t yield too much by way of fish, but did give her the opportunity to appreciate the countryside and all that it had to offer.

The first task at Larrawa was to go on a bore run which also provided an opportunity to inspect the different land types in the area, and observe first hand, how the land had been regenerated over the past 50 years so that stock numbers could be increased while adequate ground cover was maintained.

In summing up her experience in the Kimberley Lauren said “the trip opened my eyes to the difference between running a station in the Kimberley and one in Central Queensland”.

“Larrawa Station was a great example of how improvements such as land regeneration ultimately enhanced the productivity and efficiency of the station.” A visit to Jubliee Downs Station and the home of Keith and Karen Anderson followed. The Jubliee Homestead is located on the banks of the Fitzroy River. The area is also home to a large number of freshwater crocodiles. “I could not get past that there were crocodiles living in the river in front of the house. I was told they were safe as they were fresh water ones, but it was still a bit of a shock.” Jubilee Downs Station run Droughtmaster cattle, which Lauren simply described as beautiful. During their visit, Lauren and Nick helped to move a mob of Droughties on horseback. “It was mind blowing just how big the station is and how long it took to do relatively simple jobs because of the sheer distances that they have to travel.” During their short stay at Jubilee Downs, Lauren said they learned a great deal about the area and the local history, something which she said helped her appreciate what the early settlers in the Kimberley region had to deal with in order to live there. The last stop of the trip was Nerrima Station. Along the way they made a short detour to Liveringa Station, which is a 265,000 hectare property, running 22,000 head of cattle. Liveringa has a feedlot, which is the only one of its kind in the top end. Lauren said the feedlot is used to feed their own cattle so as to meet market specifications. Nerrima Station Cattle is a 203,000 hectare property, running 14,000 head of predominantly Brangus cattle. While at Nerrima, Lauren said she helped to feed poddies, built a solar shed frame, moved old panels out of the yards, drafted some bulls, and did a lick run. It certainly sounds like it was a busy couple of days at Nerrima, however, there was some time for recreation. Lauren had never been fishing so they spent some time at nearby Snake Creek where they threw a line in.

“Our grass and land types are very different, and the way we run our cattle is different too. “Our supplements, weaning times, and mating programs are developed to suit the country that we have. “For example, some stations in the Kimberley region are weaning their calves at 80kg and feeding them until they weigh around 120kg and selling them to the live export feeder steer market.” She said another difference that they have in Central Queensland is the markets. “We have feedlots, meatworks and live export to sell our cattle into, and if some of our cattle don’t fit these markets, we can send them to the saleyards. “In the Kimberley region, the closest saleyards are way down south near Perth, and to make it economical they must send at least six decks of cattle. “Even if a saleyard is built in the top end of Western Australia, there is no transport to an abattoir. “A lot of planning goes into running these stations in order to cater for the right markets and to ensure they have cattle to sell every year.” Lauren gave thanks to the Droughtmaster Society, MLA, Allflex, The Australian Brahman Breeders Association, Landmark and the PGA for their generosity in helping to make this trip possible for her. “Thank you also to Jim and John Edwards for organising the trip. I have met many great people along the way and hope to see you all again soon. “I think that it is a great experience and would encourage all young people in the industry to go over and have a look to help broaden their perspective of the Australian cattle industry as a whole. “The trip has certainly done that for me.” Lauren is certainly passionate about working with cattle and has a very clear vision of her future in the industry.

Since her return from Western Australian, Lauren and her sister Tamara, in conjunction with their family, purchased two adjoining central Queensland properties, totalling approximately 19,000 acres. The properties, which neighbour an existing family property at Middlemount, will enable Lauren to grow her existing commercial Droughtmaster herd of 350 breeders, and to expand her stud herd of 16 registered breeders. We will undoubtedly be hearing more of La Shae Cattle Company and La Shae Droughtmaster Stud during 2017, both in the saleyards and the show ring. December 2016

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BREEDERS BULLETIN BOARD

BRONWYN BETTS & MICHAEL HAWKINS Camp Mountain Qld 4520

P: (07) 3289 1554 | M: 0408 700 510 E: bronwyn@hawkins.com.au www@nindethanadroughtmasters.com

ANCHORED ON QUALITY Mt Brisbane Phone (07) 5426 0169 ESK Qld 4312 Don 0428 (07) 5426 Don 9860285 145 Email: mtbrisbane@westnet.com.au

“ An Aussie Name for an Aussie Breed”

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Contact: Douglas & Juanita Birch

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Ph (07) 4126 1695 Mob 0428 921 004 E: j.k.thompson@bigpond.com

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December 2016

NEXT GENERATION

MALENY STATE HIGH SCHOOL RENEWS DROUGHTMASTER FOCUS By VANESSA DUFFY

ALENY State High School has owned and bred Droughtmaster cattle for over two decades, however in recent times, it has not been the breed of principal focus.

“Students commit to training three lunch times a week and one afternoon after school, to breaking in young stock, practicing their skills and learning how to prepare and exhibit cattle.

This year has bought considerable changes at the agriculture farm, with a renewed focus on the Droughtmaster herd.

She said one of her initial tasks this year as the new agriculture coordinator was to develop a breeding program that was deeply infused within the agriculture curriculum, and would enable the school to become a wellrespected Droughtmaster stud that produces quality young stock.

Agriculture Coordinator Vanessa Duffy said the Droughtmaster breed is renowned for its suitability to the Queensland climate. “It is due to these characteristics, in addition to the high quality meat traits and consistent industry demands that makes the Droughtmaster an obvious choice for Maleny State High School,” Ms Duffy said. “At present, we have four stud female Droughtmasters that will form the foundation of our new breeding focus,” she said. “Two of these already have calved this year, with one heifer that will be retained as a future breeding female.” In addition to this, the school plans to acquire two more stud Droughtmaster females to incorporate into their female line. “The other calf, a bull, has so far impressed us with his quality. “It is the plan that if this young bull continues to grow and mature to a high standard for the Droughtmaster breed, he will be shown and then sold at the National Droughtmaster Bull Sale in 2018.” She said the show team has long been an activity that students can participate in throughout the year.

She said the new program and dream would not have been possible without the help of Russell Seears. “His extensive experience in all facets of the beef industry has provided us with support that is second to none.” She said the new genetic diversity from top quality bulls, means that students could play an important role in the breeding program.

At the beginning of the year, Mike Wheeler, Mike Wheeler Livestock & Property volunteered his time to visit Maleny High School. “With his experience and thorough knowledge and understanding of consumer demand, he was able to provide advice on shaping our breeding program, including which stock to retain, and which stock to cull from our program. “Paul Mackay, Ianbrae Droughtmasters has been another invaluable source to Maleny State High School this year.

“The sire/dam combinations that have been joined this year are a result of student decisions. “During lessons, senior Certificate II in Rural Operation students have been evaluating the Droughtmaster females we have, identifying their weakest traits, and pairing sires that may alleviate these unwanted characteristics in their offspring, thus enabling the school to improve the quality of Droughtmasters we breed with each generation.” “The changes and new vision for our Droughtmaster herd would not have been able without the generous support and assistance from fellow breeders and our community.

“He has kindly donated top quality semen from Ianbrae Patent that we can incorporate into our sire selections and allowed us to purchase a lovely young heifer.” Ms Duffy said through industry contacts that Mr Mackay has within the Droughtmaster society, the school was lucky enough to also receive semen donated by Glenlands Droughtmasters from one of their elite bulls, Glenlands Federation. “The acquisition of top performing genetics into our future breeding was completed with the assistance of RSVP and Sylvan Springs Droughtmasters supplying the school with semen from three of their leading sires.”

GREAT SHOW: Maleny High Miss Cardoman being exhibited by student Samara Clements at the Noosa Country Show.

BREEDERS BULLETIN BOARD BRAND YOU CAN TRUST

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December 2016

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“SAVANNAH DROUGHTMASTER”

VALE KEITH PRIOR

EITH Prior spent his younger years in many different places.

He left school at age 13, and worked with his dad delivering bottled milk starting at midnight through until the morning, seven days a week for close to three years. Later Keith helped his father on his cream and general carrier run unloading cream cans at the local depot. The family later purchased a dairy where Keith milked cows and delivered fresh milk, while also very successfully breaking-in horses on the side. He also worked as the number one benchman in a sawmill and at the Kraft Cheese factory, and gave all of his wages to his parents to help out on the farm. During the cane season he travelled to Bli Bli to cut cane for three seasons. He’d cut up to 17 ton in just under three hours and loaded cane trucks by hand (for three seasons running). Soon after he met his future wife Margaret and following a lengthy courtship the

couple married on October 30, 1965. Over the next few years, three children were born David, John and Julie. Keith and Margaret purchased their own dairy and later sold it and purchased another larger property and invested in some quality stud Droughtmaster cows and a stud bull in 1987. Keith and Margaret set up Green Hollows Stud (No. 675) near Chinchilla in February 1991. In 1996 they also purchased an additional property Seymour, which Keith’s family still have today. Keith worked tireless hours and was particularly passionate about his Droughtmaster cattle, showing off his cows and calves, heifers, bulls and steers was his absolute pride and joy.

In later years, when the workload was too heavy, John assisted Keith and Margaret around the property. In recent years Keith’s health wasn’t good and after a lengthy and valiant fight with Leukaemia, he passed on. He will be sorely missed by his loved wife Margaret, sons David and John, daughter Julie, five grandchildren and his friends.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Sarah Birch and Jarred Peterson who recently announced their engagement. Jarred is from Kingaroy and Sarah is the eldest daughter of Doug and Juanita Birch, Birch Stud at Eidsvold. They got engaged at Banff, Canada while on holidays and are planning their wedding for November 2017.

DATE CLAIMERS To ensure members from geographically diverse areas are catered for, the Droughmaster Society is staging two feature shows in 2017. One will be held at Gympie on May 18 and the second will be held at Longreach on May 20. After many years of prolonged drought in Western Queensland, the Droughtmaster Feature Show at Longreach will be a great opportunity to show our support for the people in the west, as well as boost their morale. The Gympie Show is always a great event and with a significant number of Droughtmaster studs in the area, a feature show there is always well supported. So mark your calendars. December 2016