BI-ANNUAL MAGAZINE (ISSUE 20)

Ian Durkin

Dear members,

It has been another busy year for the team at Herefords Australia, but before I report on the activities of the board and staff, I would like to acknowledge those members who have been affected by the flood events of October and early November.

The impact of flooding cannot be understated - road closures, delays moving stock, quality of feed on the ground and then costs of repair - our thoughts are with those who have been directly affected.

2022 has seen Herefords Australia progress several activities outlined in the Herefords Australia Strategic Plan. Looking first at member services, the company transitioned to a single monthly invoice in March, reducing the number of invoices members needed to sort through and pay.

In May, the company was also successful in negotiating a pause in DNA price increases and we continue to collaborate with our supplier to look at options for an economy bundle or how bundles can deliver more value for members. After two years of COVID ‘cancellations’, in July the National Youth Committee delivered a successful Youth Expo and with an expanded committee is now busy planning for 2023.

The importance of multi-vendor shows and sales is well understood by members and in 2022 it was great to see increased numbers and of course, great to see the results achieved. These are large events to organise and I thank the respective vendor and organising committees and those members who volunteer their time and support.

On marketing and promotion, the company has continued to invest in developing content and is growing it share of voice (presence) in print publications and online. Numbers of visitors to the Herefords Australia website continue to increase with animal inquiry and sales listings the most popular destinations. There is always more work that can be done to promote the breed and social media and events will be a focus for the team in 2023.

On business development, in April, the company entered a five-year partnership with the Inter Collegiate Meat Judging Association. The Association was established in 1990, to address concerns many agriculture degrees were lacking studies about meat science and students may be graduating without setting foot inside an abattoir or a sound understanding of red meat quality.

The partnership is an opportunity to engage with the next generation of professionals in the beef industry, including students from Australian universities and agricultural colleges, as well as international students coming from some of the nation’s largest trading partners in the red meat sector.

In recent months, the team has turned their attention to the development of new and future income streams. The concept would see the company leverage existing capabilities across administration and services. This work stream would complement and expand on revenue generated by sales catalogues and advertising sales with the profits re-invested in breed development programs.

On research and development (R&D), genetic progress and evaluation has been an area of focus. For the board and

staff, this included reviewing the rate of genetic gain over the last five years and understanding the implications for future data collection projects. We also investigated the impact genomics has on estimated breeding values (EBVs). Having met with AGBU and ABRI (the institutions responsible for the evaluation model and delivery of BREEDPLAN), EBV accuracy has improved on those traits where there was low accuracy to begin with. We are aware some members have concerns with shifts in the birthweight EBV – where there is already a high accuracy reported – after the inclusion of genomics. ABRI have investigated and advised there are genotypes that suggest there may be an increased chance of passing on a higher ‘dosage’ of birth weight which may increase markers to some progeny, beyond bull’s own phenotype. This is emerging work and the subject of further research.

In other R&D work, data collection from co-operator herds continued this year, making a key contribution to the reference population for hard to measure carcase traits. Collaboration is central to the achievement of our strategic plan goals and HAL has been an active contributor to the BREEDPLAN Advisory Council and ARCBA initiatives this year.

October saw Deputy Chair Marc Greening and CEO Lisa Sharp travel to the U.S to attend the American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and meet with AHA staff. I encourage you to read their report on page 18 for an overview of the trip and the areas of potential collaboration.

In September an annual review of strategic, operating, financial and reputational risk was completed. All the risk controls have been reviewed and action plans put in place where a new risk was identified or changed.

The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, meets monthly and continue to carefully monitor operating performance and the company investment portfolio and I would like to acknowledge Mark Baker (Company Secretary, Committee Chair) and the directors involved. I also extend thanks to the Technical Committee for their contribution this year.

I wish our members and supporters a merry Christmas and all the best with upcoming open days and autumn sales.

Regards, Ian Durkin CHAIRMAN

Lisa Sharp

Hello members,

Recently, a member remarked it would be good if 2023 saw a return to more certain times, with the last few years presenting challenges that have affected each and every one of us. While there have been (and continue to be) some extraordinarily tough times, there are some positives for the red meat and livestock sector and beef producers.

Australian consumer, community and customer attitudes towards red meat production have strengthened over the last year with perceptions and trust key drivers when it comes to consumption of red meat and support for the sector. The research, conducted by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) also reflected an increasing desire from consumers from metropolitan areas to understand more about how the industry works. This represents a significant opportunity, with research showing higher levels of industry knowledge are linked to better perceptions.

Understanding of the industry also has benefits for producers through increased demand. Consumers with higher levels of industry knowledge are more likely to have increased their red meat consumption overall.

Knowledge of the industry also impacts on trust, with 61 per cent of metropolitan Australians having a strong level of trust in the Australian beef industry

The top three drivers of trust in the industry were the perceptions that producers:

1. Are ethical and trustworthy with animals humanely raised

2. Listen, respect and respond to community concerns

3. Are taking actions to reduce environmental impact improving sustainability.

Similar to how knowledge relates to consumption, a higher level of trust also corresponds to a higher level of consumption. Those consumers who had a high level of trust, were more likely to consume red meat more frequently than those with lower levels of trust.

The strong link between knowledge, improved perceptions, trust and consumption patterns highlights the importance of continuing to raise knowledge and to demonstrate action around animal welfare and reducing our environmental impact, to ultimately maintain trust in the red meat industry and overall red meat consumption in Australia (still the single largest market for beef).

In this edition, you will read about the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF). The ABSF is an industry initiative that aims to promote industry transparency and progress to customers and the community, inform industry investments for continuous improvement, help protect and grow access to capital and foster constructive relationships with external stakeholders. The annual report of progress to sustainability indicators shows industry’s intent to be accountable and accurately tell the Australian beef story. To quote the Chair of the ABSF, Mark Davie “the sustainability of the beef industry matters to every Australian because we (producers) are custodians of 50 per cent of the landscape, we act as a carbon sink, help enhance our environment, increase bio diversity and drive productivity to securely feed a hungry world.” See page 63 to learn more about the ABSF and the good progress in this area.

In more positive news, in recent months we have been looking at some of the longer-term breed trends. According to the 2022 ARBCA report, primary breed registrations are up 7.3 per cent compared to prior year with the trend showing steady growth towards predrought levels. Herefords dominate the export statistics (export of cattle for breeding purposes), accounting for 76 per cent of all breeders exported in 2021. While there has been disruption to export trade in 2022 (due to bio security threats), this has started to settle, and the demand outlook remains positive. Stud sale trends, be they top price, sale average and clearance rates are all up year on year.

A recent report that looked at average price trends for commercial cattle (200-280, 280-330 & 330-400kg categories of steers and heifers sold in AuctionsPlus) show sustained increase in price trends over the last seven years, with only a slight correction in last quarter. With 2016 the base year for the index, the Hereford result for Q3 2022 (180) compares favourably with Angus (190) with the British breeds well out on top when comparing the index and index trend across breeds.

This is another bumper edition of the magazine and I am particularly excited by the reports of breed success in steer trials (pages 8 and 10), the ongoing work of our co-operator herds (page 12) and work regarding the development of genomic breeding values with Dr Ben Hayes (page 16). I am also thrilled that this edition introduces our newest members of the National Youth Committee. There are many aspects of my role at HAL I enjoy but I make no secret the opportunity to work with our emerging leaders is among my favourites.

It takes a team effort to deliver the magazine so I thank the small group directly involved. I would also like to say thank you to our loyal advertisers and a warm welcome to new supporters. Speaking of team, I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Herefords Australia staff. It is a credit to their professionalism and commitment that member services and new initiatives have been delivered or progressed despite enduring staffing gaps. In good news, we recently welcomed Stephanie Archibald to the team. Steph joined HAL in early November and with a background in accounts and administration takes on the role of Accounts and Office Coordinator, based in Armidale.

I wish all our members, friends, and supporters a merry Christmas. Perhaps 2023 may not bring more certain times, but 2022 has once again demonstrated the resourcefulness and resilience of producers and has seen many positives for the industry, the sector and our breed - and long may that continue.

Warm regards,

Lisa Sharp CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

genetics

EBVs

Herefords Australia Board directors and staff, including chief executive officer Lisa Sharp, visited the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre for an update on the Southern Multi-Breeds Project.

The $7.3 million five-year project is a collaborative research and development co-funded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of New England, Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Government through the MLA Donor Company.

The project aims to deliver enhancements to the current within BREEDPLAN’s breed genetic evaluations and will allow beef producers, for the first time ever, to directly compare animals for all BREEDPLAN traits and assess their genetic merit irrespective of breed.

Hereford cattle are one of the six breeds involved in the study. With multiple breeds represented at five research sites across Australia, the data will allow direct comparison and recording of animals born and raised in the same environment, as well as comparisons across the different locations, which have varying environmental and pasture conditions.

Correction

The 2022 bull sale result published in the winter edition of the Herefords Australia magazine for Stanford Poll Herefords, Bathurst, NSW, was incorrect.

The stud had a full clearance of 32 bulls for an average price of $7718 and a top price of $16,000 at the annual sale on May 6. The top price bull Stanford Remark R041 sold to An-gus McIntosh, McIntosh Pastoral, Dunns Plains.

Stanford also sold all 40 PTIC heifers for an average of $3675 and 23 from 29 cows and calves for an average of $4150.

Creating career pathways for youth in the feedlot industry

Thomas Foods International feedlot in South Australia was honoured with the 2022 ALFA Community Heroes Award for their rural pathways program closing the city-country divide.

Herefords Australia Youth alumni Thomas Green is general manager of the Irandra farm and feedlot at Tintinara.

The outside of the square initiative was born out of a need to attract staff to fill new opportunities at the expanding feedlot.

Established in 2021, the program aims to seek out young, enthusiastic people looking for an entry level opportunity in the agricultural industry, an untapped resource for both the feedlot and farm.

Urban school leavers with minimal experience were the primary target, believing there are many young individuals based in the city, and if given the opportunity, would thrive in a rural setting and career.

In turn, the program creates a strong foundation to gain experience in all areas of the feedlot which may lead to a successful career with Thomas Foods and in turn, contribute to the local economy.

As one of the largest employers in Tintinara, the Thomas Foods feedlot is expanding from 17,000 to 30,000 head creating many exciting employment opportunities. Thomas Foods hopes to replicate the program throughout their other entities.

Keeping our cattle herds free of Foot and Mouth Disease

A Hereford bull is front and centre at the Alice Springs airport reminding visitors to the Northern Territory of their biosecurity obligations.

The life size statue is a visual conversation starter around the potential impact of Foot and Mouth Disease on the Australian cattle herd.

Centralian Beef Breeders Association loaned the bull with Roy Chisholm arranging transportation on his tilt tray while Tony Schulz from the Alice Springs airport arranged for the display in a key location.

The Hereford bull promoting the biosecurity message at Alice Springs airport

Luke Bowen, chief executive officer, Agriculture Fisheries and Biosecurity, Department of Industry Tourism and Trade, Northern Territory Government, personally delivered a banner detailing how incoming visitors from Asia can protect the Northern Territory cattle industry by declaring footwear and clothing.

Olivia joins the team at Herefords Australia Limited

Olivia Pearce has taken up the position of Communications and Business Development Coordinator at Herefords Australia.

She is responsible for the Herefords Australia website, social media and e-news, digital publishing services to members such as online advertisements and email blasts.

Olivia coordinates the HAL sponsorship programs, driving support and funding for major events, including the shows, sales and youth expo, workshops and other planned extension activities.

She previously worked for Sprout Agribusiness where she was responsible for marketing, communications and aspects of business development. She also has experience in sponsorships and event management and has held management positions in several regional bank branches.

Olivia and her family run a mixed farming enterprise at Morangarell in the Riverina.

She has a passion for agribusiness and primary production and joined the Herefords Australia team in September.

Hereford

contributing to future multi-breed

Future breed leaders shaped by professional development program

Queensland Hereford breeder Tom Nixon has been working on developing his governance skill set for future breed leadership thanks to the Advancing Beef Leaders Program.

Tom, of Devon Court Herefords, Drillham, was one of 22 participants selected from the Maranoa and northern Queensland regions for the 2022/2023 Advancing Beef Leaders program, a tailored leadership and professional development program for emerging producer and community leaders.

The program is delivered by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries extension staff and private consultants, and aims to skill and enthuse those wanting to become more involved in community and industry organisations.

It overlays relevant technical skills with appropriate self-development, encouraging participants to build stronger networks and spark the confidence needed to contribute and influence.

The program modules include understanding self and others, spheres of influence, technical foundations, economic and financial fundamentals, business and succession planning, governance and communications.

Participants are chosen for their strong connection to the beef industry and drive to improve it, and demonstrate a willingness to be involved in community and industry leadership roles.

Tom has taken part in regular online and coaching sessions, face-toface group sessions, and a forum in Townsville.

He was also part of the 2020 Emerging Exporters Program cohort which built confidence for Devon Court to develop an export market into New Zealand.

Tom has enjoyed hearing the stories from industry mentors who have blazed their own trails.

“We got to engage with a panel of mentors – it has been an amazing experience so far and we have become a tightknit group,” he said.

Tom is exploring corporate governance in a step to achieve a longterm personal goal of contributing to breed leadership and being inducted as a board member on Herefords Australia.

He regretted not doing enough “upskilling” when he was younger but felt the time was right now.

Tom felt participation in the Emerging Exporters Program gave him the confidence to take part in the Advancing Beef Leaders program. It has enabled him to build import and export markets for Hereford genetics.

“The ABL program has got me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to achieve more again.

“It is well run and I couldn’t thank the organisers enough.”

ABL is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaption and Reef Water Quality Programs.

Major female purchase sets up Wonderview with elite cow families

NSW Hereford breeder Jason Caughlan has used an injection of 129 breeding females from Kanimbla Poll Herefords to turbo boost a breeding program based on power and performance.

Jason, of Wonderview Cattle Company, Bowral and Bylong, spent four months negotiating for the 129 breeding females (2013-2020 drops) and 2022 drop mixed sex calves from Kanimbla stud, Holbrook, to join with elite performance sires of decades past for a combination of frame, muscle, weight for age and carcase.

The Kanimbla production sale of over 100 lots had been due to be held on October 8 but a four-month negotiation resulted in the deal being clinched between Mr Caughlan and vendors Jim and Belinda McWilliam, McWilliam Cattle, in September.

Mr McWilliam had managed and then partnered financially with Mike Todd and Mark Baker before a succession plan saw Jim and Belinda take over the management and financial interest with outside ownership. The Kanimbla herd peaked at 280 registered cows.

Jim retained and sold all the young bulls and the couple are excited to begin their next chapter this month (December) in the beef industry with a new senior management position on a 700 Hereford cow stud herd selling 150 bulls a year in Oklahoma, USA.

“From a business standpoint we thought it was an offer we couldn’t walk past.

“It’s been a good ride with Kanimbla – we took the investment when we could and this once in a lifetime deal was really the right time and right place. It is the next stepping stone for

Jason Caughlan, Wonderview Cattle Company, with Jim and Belinda McWilliam, children George and Penny, Kanimbla Poll Herefords.

us and we don’t want to leave the Hereford breed.

“The reputation of Jason’s program has been built over generations and was the exact place we wanted our legacy to continue with these cows.

“We would like to thank Scott Myers from H Francis and Co Stock Agents for not just creating this deal but his work until the end to see it through.“

Wonderview was founded by Jason’s grandfather Terry Caughlan and father Paul Caughlan in 1967 at Pheasants Nest before moving to Bundanoon in 1984 and joining forces with Claude Ebbeck and his son Greg Ebbeck, Doonbiddie stud.

The Doonbiddie Wonderview partnership imported US and Canadian blood, particularly WTK Bond and HF Beyond, to breed 18 Sydney Royal Show champions including Doonbiddie Hustler.

When the partnership was dissolved, Jason took his portion of the cows to base at Oberon before moving to Bowral and using

Jason had a 300-cow herd, including purebreds and recipient females, before adding the 90 females from Kanimbla. He has purchased land in the Bylong Valley to base the stud while the recipient herd will stay in the southern highlands. Mr Caughlan with sons Jac, Tom and Harry uses Danish genetics through the purchase of the Australian semen rights in Moeskaer bulls including Compass, Pacman and Waterloo.

The Kanimbla females have been AIed to Compass and Pacman as an outcross to the Australia Hereford herd. The first drop of Danish blood calves are due in February.

“The Hereford breed has turned around in America and we need to get that whiteface back to the top of the tree again. At the end of the day, the Hereford is a superior, performance animal,” he said.

Hereford infused steer streets ahead on feedlot weight gain

By Kim Woods

An efficient average daily weight gain of 3.59kg off grain got a Hereford infused steer to the top in the 2022 RNA Paddock to Palate Competition.

Yulgilbar Pastoral Company, Baryulgil, NSW, exhibited a Hereford/Santa Gertrudis team of steers in the competition, taking out the Rabobank best average daily weight gain on 3.26kg, pen of six steers in the 100-day export class.

An individual steer won the Rabobank highest individual weight gain on an impressive 3.59kg at the JBS Beef City Feedlot, helping the team place sixth overall on 738.6 points.

The 2022 RNA Paddock to Palate Competition presented by JBS Australia gave beef producers the chance to prove the commercial relevance of their cattle.

The competition is Australia’s richest beef supply chain competition offering almost $55,000 in prize money and the invaluable chance for producers to benchmark their cattle.

The three phased competition comprises of best aggregate weight gain, carcase, and MSA eating quality.

The Yulgilbar steer with the highest average daily weight gain had a carcase weight of 433kg, dressing percentage of 52.9, rump fat of 17mm, rib fat of 14mm, eye muscle area of 121sqcm, marble score one, and MSA Index of 55.09.

The entire team had an average carcase weight of 379.5kg, dressing percentage of 52.3, average rump and rib fat of 9.1mm, eye muscle area of 103.7sqcm, and average MSA Index score of 53.23. Yulgilbar’s general manager Brett Ellem

said the team was drafted off at weaning and run on an improved pasture paddock with the steers sired by Yarram Park Hereford bulls.

Mr Ellem selects the Hereford bulls on muscle definition, thickness, depth of body and early maturity.

They are joined to pure Santa Gertrudis commercial cows – that red baldy is the superior cross, you can’t get a better beast,” he said.

“We retain the females and sell up to 500 of our own and Yulgilbar blood crossbred heifers PTIC on-farm each February, receiving premium prices.

“The ones we keep we put an Angus or Charolais bull over them for the terminal cross with the steers sold as heavy feeders or enter feedlot competitions.”

PTIC Hereford-Santa heifers sold to a top of $4400 in the February sale with Tycolah Poll Herefords purchasing heifers at $3920 to produce slick coated tropically adapted progeny for the northern market.

Mr Ellem said the winning baldy steers were the first drop of progeny by the Yarram Park bulls.

“We are joining around 200-250 Santa commercial cows to Hereford bulls a year.

“The Hereford adds softness, finishing ability and carcase quality. We will be entering red baldy steers again in carcase competitions next year.”

RNA Beef Committee chair Gary Noller paid tribute to the exhibitors for their support of the competition considering the challenges this year’s floods had on the industry.

Mr Noller said producers who place in the competition use the data to validate their

Herefords perform well in export class at Melbourne

Two purebred Hereford steers performed well on the hook in the 2022 Royal Melbourne Show Hoof and Hook Competition.

The competition drew 95 entries from 23 exhibitors with the led steers were judged by Jordy Elliott and the supporting processor was HW Greenham, Gippsland. The carcases averaged 280kg, all graded MSA and there were no dark cutters.

The Hereford breed competed in the Borthwick Trophy with nine breeds represented and it was taken out by Australian Shorthorns on 350.7 points.

Steers from Longerenong College and Finely High School made up the Hereford team.

genetics and benchmark against their industry peers.

“For consumers, the Royal 100 brand comes from the competition and it offers the public the chance to consume grain fed beef of the highest quality.

“Importantly our competition is all about provenance, consumers know who is behind the product and where it comes from.”

Hereford/Santa Gertrudis steers also proved their superior performance off grain for Yulgilbar in the 2022 Sydney Royal Beef Challenge 100-day export class.

The Sydney Royal Challenge is held at Wilga Feedlot, Bellata, and covers live assessment, carcase judging, profitability and eating quality.

The team of six steers had a top MSA Index score of 64.7, and a total feedlot, carcase and eating quality score of 689.5 points to place third overall and a gold medal in the taste test awards.

They had an average daily gain of 2.2kg, dressing percentage of 56.3, and a total profitability of $1355.60.

Glendan Park Sirloin (pictured bottom left) from Alvio and Alicia Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, placed third in the Export class 500kg plus liveweight or 280-400kg carcase weight with a score of 88.91 and was the highest scoring Hereford carcase of the show.

The steer had a yield of 60 per cent, a MSA Index of 62.46 and optimal fat cover.

Glendan Park Sheldon placed equal second for marbling in the export section with a marble score three and an MSA Index of 63.43. Both steers were sired by Glentrevor Trust P056.

The Yulgilbar team won a gold medal for their whiteface team at the Sydney Royal Beef Challenge, from left Lucy and Brett Ellem and Peter and Bec Hay. Image courtesy Yulgilbar

Elite Poll Herefords has had back-to-back success with a purebred steer in the school steer challenge of 2022 Wingham Beef Week led carcase competition. Prepared by Scone Grammar School, the 12-month-old steer, Elite Tonka, had a liveweight of 476kg, carcase weight of 256.5kg and a dressing percentage of 53.9.

Placing second in the 476-510kg class, the carcase had a P8 fat depth of 8mm, 5mm on the rib, an eye muscle area of 108sqcm, and adjusted MSA Index of 64.01 and total score of 92.01.

All entries were processed by Wingham Beef Exports, NSW.

In the unled classes, St Stanislaus College exhibited a black baldy to win the 200-249.5kg HSCW on a total score of 92.3.

The steer had a dressed weight of 305.5kg, 12mm at the P8, 9mm on the rib, an eye muscle area of 103sqcm, and MSA Index of 66.57.

Wingham Beef Week is a community-based event with a week-long program focusing on all facets of the beef industry.

Elite Poll Herefords, Scone, NSW, competed in the 2021 competition with a steer prepared by St Josephs, Aberdeen, scoring 92.6 points, placing second in the heavy middleweight and the fifth highest overall score, being the only pure Hereford presented.

Elite principal Kay Payne said the competition endorsed the commercial emphasis of the stud’s selection program, with both steers sired by a maternal brother (Elite K74 N224) of Herefords Australia Super Sire, Elite K124 S069.

Kay aims for the on-farm advantage of calving ease and good growth to 400 days to turn commercial progeny off within the first 12 months.

“Quick growth in the first 12 months is a big help for lowering ossification for better MSA scores and lifting meat quality and weight for age,” she said.

“We aim for muscling to achieve the top yield combined with IMF for marbling and adequate fat.

“The results at Wingham support the consistent carcase selection direction I’ve taken as they were one of the few purebred Herefords in the competition standing up beside European crossbreds.”

Kay supports the regional schools with steers to compete at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, Scone, and Wingham Beef Week.

PICTURED BELOW: Elite Tonka was prepared by Scone Grammar School for Wingham Beef Week. Image courtesy Elite

Herefords shine off grass in 2022 Lardner

Park Steer Trial

Herefords continued to lead Australia’s only grass-fed steer trial at Victoria’s Lardner Park after the fourth weigh on October 18.

The second last weighing before the steers are turned off in late November revealed the average weight had reduced slightly to 1.18kg/day, with the overall still tracking at 1.26 kg/day.

The trial began at Warragul, Victoria, in July with 70 mixed breed steers entered from around Victoria from 26 producers. The steers were grazed on a new forage barley and Italian ryegrass mix sown over the autumn.

David Miekle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, has two teams in the competition with average daily gains ranging from 1.14 to 1.77kg and pair averages of 1.6 and 1.45kg/day.

The top performing Tarwin steer recorded 1.77kg, compared to the herd average of 1.18kg, and had an overall average daily gain of 1.53kg, compared to the herd average of 1.26kg.

The team from Stan and Denise Walker, Charallan Poll Herefords, Pearsondale, recorded average daily gain of 1.43/kg and an overall daily gain 1.26 and 1.51kg to give a pair average of 1.39kg.

Steve Robinson, Moorville Poll Herefords, Moorooduc, recorded 1.11 and 0.97kg/day for an overall average daily gain of 1.34 and 1.14kg to result in a pair average of 1.24kg.

The two teams from Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, ranged from 0.91 to 1.4kg/day and had a pair average of 1.3 and 1.18kg/day.

The black baldy/Angus team from Barb Stewart, Riverbend, Kernot, recorded an average daily gain of 1.11 and 1.43kg to give them a pair average of 1.13kg/ day.

The fifth and final weighing took place at Lardner Park on November 28.

Compliant with the Coles QA grass fed program, the aim is to achieve the best outcomes during trial information and data collection, and purchase price on carcase meat when the trial is finished in late November.

BELOW: Hereford steers have led the way in average daily weight gain during the trial.

Whiteface teams test performance on grain in

southern trial

Six Hereford and Hereford infused teams entered the Beef Spectacular 2023 Feedback Trial in southern NSW in August.

The objective of the trial is to evaluate the performance of teams of five animals in achieving the commercial requirement of Teys Australia’s Jindalee Feedlot, Stockinbingal, grain fed program.

The Hereford teams are from Cheviot Hills Ag, Big Springs, NSW, Llandillo Beef, Bathurst, Lindsey and Kate Carter, Dorrigo, while black baldy teams are from

the Carters and Melon Pastoral, Roslyn, NSW, and a Hereford/ Charolais team also from the Carter family.

Entrants are evaluated on their ability to supply steers meeting feedlot entry specifications, perform well in the feedlot and produce high yielding, good eating quality carcases meeting market specifications.

Winners will be announced at a presentation dinner in January 2023 at Wagga Wagga.

PICTURED

Image Anthony Willems

Carcase consistency validated by wins on the hook for Herefords

By Kim Woods

Herefords Australia is continuing to invest in the valuable cooperator herd program which gathers data and evidence to support regionally targeted, production system or commercially relevant claims.

For the past decade large commercial Hereford herds throughout the country have been quietly collecting a range of data for BREEDPLAN to underpin the science behind the breed’s future.

This included birthweights, 200, 400 and 600-day weights, scanning, net feed intake (where possible), carcase data and fertility.

A group of co-operator commercial herds across the eastern seaboard took part in the Beef Information Nucleus (BIN) and Young Sire Progeny Test Project co-funded by Meat and Livestock Australia, progeny testing 10 to 15 young Hereford bulls of high genetic merit each year.

Females within each co-operator herd were joined to progeny test bulls using artificial insemination and the resultant progeny comprehensively performance recorded for a range of growth, carcase (including meat quality) and fertility traits.

Herefords Australia Breed and Business Development Manager

Kathleen Allan said HAL continued to invest in research and development to generate data and evidence to build the reference population.

“The MLA co-funding has concluded but Herefords Australia continues to work with two producers to generate data and evidence to support breed claims and to contribute data to the reference population to go into BREEDPLAN, especially for the hard to measure traits,” Ms Allan said.

The two producers are Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Vic, and Andrew Bell, Red Gum Herefords, Millicent, SA.

Ms Allan recently accompanied Mr Hayes to see a consignment of Tarcombe steers processed at JBS Australia Brooklyn, and also a line of 143 Red Gum steers grain fed at Princess Royal Feedlot, Burra, SA, and processed by Teys Australia, Wagga Wagga.

She said the continuation of the program would enable Herefords Australia to support genetic goals through structured and coordinated feedback loops.

It will also support extension and adoption goals through access to data driven case studies, and address industry issues through scientifically valid data collection and research trials.

Ms Allan said the co-operator herds were supported through the funding of genotypes, data and sample collection costs at slaughter, and in-kind support via the coordination of data at slaughter, grading, sample collection and analysis.

The continuation of the co-operator herd aligns with the Research and Development and Adoption and Extension pillars in the 2022-2027 strategic plan.

“This includes information to support the production of commercially relevant Hereford and Hereford-based cattle, reproductive genetic material and beef,” Ms Allan said.

HAL Technical Committee Chairman Lachy Day said the longterm vision was to drive unprecedented demand for Hereford genetics and strengthen the breed’s renown for productivity and profitability throughout the beef supply chain.

“Our goal is for the research and development investment to deliver outcomes that support breed productivity and profitability,” Mr Day said.

Hereford seedstock and commercial producer Tim Hayes was one of the foundation co-operator herds to participate in the BIN project.

The family had formed a commercial herd using surplus females from the Tarcombe stud herd on a newly acquired property at the time, and felt being part of the BIN was an opportunity to benchmark genetics.

A decade later Tim describes the BIN as a “fantastic program for the breed”.

The Hayes family artificially inseminates up to 170 commercial cows and heifers each year under the program.

Strengthening the breed’s reputation of productivity and profitability

Cows and calves in the Tarcombe co-operator herd grazing the improved pastures at Ruffy.

“Using different sires under the BIN project has totally changed the genetic makeup of the commercial herd and it is now nothing like our stud herd,” Tim said.

The herd runs on undulating granitic country in an 850mm rainfall zone at an altitude of 600m at Ruffy in northeast Victoria.

Tim conceded data collection prior to the BIN in the commercial herd was virtually nil but being a familiar practice with stud cattle, the family weren’t daunted.

“We understood what was required but the DNA tissue sampling was new to us,” he said.

The automated weighing and data collection system in the cattle yards remain a “work in progress” but Tim uses a TSi coupled with Stockbook livestock management software.

Tim and a qualified technician carry out a fixed time AI program on the cows and heifers.

Heifers are classed on critical mating weight and type, with 10 per cent culled as feeders/backgrounders, and the balance run on improved cocksfoot-based pastures prior to an autumn joining.

The mature cows are run with a back-up bull for five weeks while the younger cows have a follow up AI if cycling a second time and the heifers have three weeks with a backup bull.

Pregnancy scanning fits around with other farm duties and any empty heifers are sold to the supermarket trade, while cull cows go to the processor.

Tim and Andrew Bell select proven industry AI sires for use across the commercial herds.

“We have certain criteria which needs to be met for the heifer joining – calving traits are important including calving ease direct and daughters, gestation length and birthweight, plus above average for carcase traits,” Tim said.

At calving, calves are tagged, weighed and DNA tissue samples taken, with management and ID tags synchronised within 24 hours of birth.

Any calving difficulties are recorded with a calving score, at marking a record of the poll/horn status is made, and 200-day weights collected at weaning.

The calves are yard weaned for seven days and educated to bunk feeding using a pellet ration, introduced to a working dog and trained through the yards using low stress handling techniques.

Post-weaning, the heifer portion are grass finished by a local producer while Tim finishes the steers on a grain-free pellet and straw to 15 months of age.

He receives feedback on carcase traits with the 2022 cohort processed at JBS Brooklyn for a an average liveweight of 572kg, 100 per cent compliance rate, and average hot standard carcase weight of 309kg, rib fat 8mm, eye muscle area of 80sqcm, marble score one and MSA Index of 62.6.

The carcase data is submitted to BREEDPLAN and tissue samples taken for shear force, tenderness and eating quality analysis.

“Without the BIN project’s reference population, we wouldn’t have genomics as a breed,” Tim said.

“The raw carcase data obtained from the program has certainly changed a lot of bulls as far as BREEDPLAN goes.

“It has been a very important program for the breed and Andrew (Bell) and I intend to keep going. All the females are DNA sire and dam verified, there are not many commercial herds able to do that.”

In the past, the Tarcombe steers were finished at the Tallimba feedlot in northern NSW but in recent years Tim has been on selling the steers to a local finisher and retaining access to the carcase data.

He now chooses to have ownership of the steers through to slaughter.

Tim points to rapid genetic gain in the fertility of the commercial herd in recent years due to the selection pressure.

“It has been a big learning curve for me, breeding the right type of cattle with early maturity and meeting carcase specifications. “Credit goes to (former HAL general managers) Geoff Taylor and Andrew Donoghue for their work on the program in the early years as they were a great help to me.”

Strengthening the breed’s reputation of productivity and profitability cont’

Hereford producer finds Genomic Breeding Values another tool in the kit

Queensland producer Tom Nixon has become the first Hereford breeder to submit a full dataset from DNA testing of his Devon Court stud and commercial herd to determine Genomic Breeding Values, or GBVs.

Genomic testing uses DNA from an animal’s tail or a tiny piece of tissue snipped from its ear to identify key traits that contribute to herd productivity and profitability, including fertility, temperament, growth, and tick and fly resistance. Mr Nixon recently submitted more than 500 SNPs or samples of DNA for testing from his herd of 160 stud cows and around 550 commercial breeders, and says he was surprised by some of the results. GBVs were developed by the Northern Genomic Project, run by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) research institute at the University of Queensland and supported by Meat and Livestock Australia’s donor program.

You

You can count on u

From 2016, researchers phenotyped and genotyped more than 30,000 heifers from 54 collaborator herds in Queensland and the Northern Territory to develop an accurate system to identify the genetic merit of breeding animals, to enable producers to select elite performers and accelerate genetic gain across herds.

Across

Across the country, our people work hard to know livestock best. We’ve been for more than 150 years and we’re committed to provide the best marketing That’s why you can rely on Landmark.

Ac r oss the countr y, our people work ha

d to know livestock best. W for mo r e than 150 years and we’ r e committed to p r ovide the best marketing That ’s why you can r ely on Landmark.

Across the country, our people work hard to know livestock best. We’ve been in the for more than 150 years and we’re committed to provide the best marketing options That’s why you can rely on Landmark.

Across the country, our people work hard to know livestock best. We’ve been in the for more than 150 years and we’re committed to provide the best marketing options That’s why you can rely on Landmark.

Genotype is the genetic code for a particular trait, while phenotype is the measurement or score of an animal that is the result of its genes and conditions during its life. The breeding values are ranked from 1-100 as well as in quintiles, one division of five equal groups, where the highest 20 per cent is the top quintile.

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GENOMIC BREEDING VALUES ASSESS THE FOLLOWING TRAITS:

• Puberty – the time when females can cycle, which affects maiden pregnancy rate

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oss the country, our people work hard to know livestock best. We’ve been in the business more than 150 years and we’re committed to provide the best marketing options for every season. That’s why you can rely on Landmark.

• P4M (rebreed) – pregnant within four months of calving in wet cows, enabling the cow to rear a calf in consecutive years

• Hip height under 18 months – tall cattle may have lower production

oss the country, our people work hard to know livestock best. We’ve been in the business more than 150 years and we’re committed to provide the best marketing options for every season. ’s why you can rely on Landmark. NEW

• Weight under 18 months – similar to 600-day weight EBV

• Body condition score – adapted cattle have better condition

• Temperament – measured after weaner training

• Tick resistance

• Fly resistance

Mr Nixon expected to see his Herefords amongst the top performers for fertility and productivity against the northern heifers, but says some data was a surprise.

“We’re still learning how to utilise the GBV values fully but probably the most important fact was that 94 per cent of our SNPs were in the top quintile for puberty, and 99 per cent were in the top quintile for growth,” he said.

Hereford producer finds Genomic Breeding Values another tool in the kit

FROM

“We also tested semen from a few bulls, one of which was a $100,000 sale sire, and they turned up in the top quintiles for tick resistance. So that’s really interesting for our clients in ticky areas, to show that our cattle can handle that.”

Mr Nixon is quick to state that he sees GBVs as complementing BREEDPLAN and EBVs, rather than being an alternative.

“We instigated BREEDPLAN in 2007 and it’s given us a really good dataset, but we want to place bulls into crossbreeding operations in the north, so we think GBVs hold a lot of merit.”

Northern Genomic Project researcher Elsie Dodd from QAAFI, said most EBVs are breed-specific, which is a challenge for northern herds with a large population of crossbred cattle, where annual mustering makes it a challenge to record accurate data and track fertility traits across generations.

“Fertility is a difficult trait to select for and with traditional EBVs, bulls must have daughters recorded for the trait before the EBVs may be considered accurate,” Ms Dodd said.

“GBVs are a useful tool to give producers an idea of how their herd is performing, and while the accuracy may not yet be good enough to use for selecting super sires, they’re a very useful tool for commercial operators breeding their own bulls.”

The Northern Genomic Project developed GBVs from a wide cross-section of breeds, multi-breeds, crossbreds and composites.

“We’re still working on 40-45 per cent accuracy on traits we’re reporting at the moment but it’s definitely good enough to cull genetic duds out of your herd. So, if you get a very low GBV for fertility, you can pick a threshold value and cull below that level,” she said.

“It may be some time before a producer will cull an animal based purely on GBVs, but poor GBVs coupled with poor reproductive performance on the ground may speed up the process.”

cont’

Tom Nixon, who sells bulls as far west as Boulia and Birdsville and north to Clermont, believes northern Australian herds stand to benefit most from GBVs, as it enables producers to select sires to improve a trait or multiple traits for even selection across the whole herd.

At home, he found the process of collecting samples and analysing the results to be straightforward.

“In the yard we use a TSU sample gun which collects tissue from a tiny hole punch out of the ear that is put into a vial and sent to the lab. We’re going to test 170 calves born this year for GBVs,” Mr Nixon said.

“Graphs make it really easy to look at the data. If you want to go into the nitty gritty of the numbers, you can literally select a criteria in the spreadsheet and it will show you on a graph how many animals are in that group.

“It’s stand-alone data, not corrupted in any way.”

Queensland breeder Tom Nixon sees genomic breeding values as complementing BREEDPLAN and EBVs, rather than being an alternative.

US trip highlights data, breed promotion and future collaboration opportunities

In October,

The trip included attendance at the ‘Ladies of the Royal Sale,’ a National Hereford Show and series of meetings with staff from AHA.

The trip was an opportunity to build on the relationship between AHA and Herefords Australia (HAL) and to identify areas of common interest and potential collaboration.

The Annual Meeting was built around the AHA 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan and initiatives.

The Plan vision is to establish “Hereford genetics as the essential component of the U.S beef cowherd”, with a central strategy to capitalize on the value of Hereford-influenced commercial female.

Key activities in support of this strategy include investing in research to further document the value of maternal heterosis and to continue to promote the docility, efficiency, fertility, longevity, and sustainability of the Hereford-influenced female.

AHA also intend to leverage big data capabilities to collect additional phenotypes and develop new, relevant EPDs (expected progeny difference) and indexes including a genetic evaluation focused on Hereford-influenced females.

In follow up meetings with AHA management and staff, we saw numerous examples of marketing and extension materials designed to promote breed benefits that could be adapted for use in Australian campaigns. We also gained an understanding of AHA’s approach to development of new EPDs (EBVs) and indexes.

A second strategy is to document, communicate and improve Hereford’s sustainability story. Here AHA activities include leveraging existing data to communicate the breed’s efficiency advantages, engaging experts to develop a model that analyses the key drivers of the beef cattle carbon footprint, investing in GHG data collection and developing EPDs and indexes to measure and improve beef industry sustainability.

Here we could see parallels with work currently undertaken through the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework and data being gathered through industry projects such as southern multi-breed. At a breed level, we do have efficiency advantages, particularly through longevity, fertility, and rate of gain, and this is an area we can continue to support and promote locally.

A third strategy is to fuel the growth of Certified Hereford Beef (CHB). This includes sustainability claims that can be made as part of the program, tracking eligible cattle, and communicating carcase performance to customers and AHA members, developing programs to incentivize and grow distributor and export partners, and expansion of the value added CHB product line.

While there are some key differences in market structure, presence of branded beef programs and legal requirements (regarding certification claims) we could see potential application of economic sustainability claims (fertility, longevity, net feed intake) and possible opportunities to utilize US data to support claims or guide local data collection projects.

Aspects of this strategy, mirror activities HAL has in its own fiveyear Strategic Plan, including collection, benchmarking, and reporting of eating quality data.

Lisa Sharp, Herefords Australia CEO

Marc Greening, Deputy Chair Herefords Australia, and I attended the American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.

AHA Director of Communications Taylor Belle Matheny outlines upcoming campaigns.

US trip highlights data, breed promotion and future collaboration opportunities

FROM

A fourth strategy is to increase demand for Hereford-influenced feeder cattle. Again, while there are some key differences between the two country’s production and selling systems, we saw several initiatives that could be adapted for application in the Australian market.

This included building relationships along the supply chain and using data to communicate the value of Hereford genetics, investing in research to collect feed efficiency and health data, and building modelling programs to quantify the relative profitability advantages of Hereford-influenced feeder cattle.

AHA have more than 4000 youth members, so it is no surprise a key strategy is to harness this and build a pipeline of future leaders. Key initiatives include an expansion of current leadership development programs and experiences, exploration of possible mentoring opportunities between adult and youth members and the development of an education program for students who are interested in jobs in the feeding, packing, processing, and food industries.

In our follow up meetings, we also explored the US intern and work experience program (typically linked to major shows or sales, ensuring practical firsthand experience for the student while providing AHA with additional resources at a busy time).

We also discussed US and Australian academic exchange program opportunities, with emphasis on meat science studies and other exchange opportunities leading up to and including the World Hereford Congress (to be hosted by AHA in Kansas City in 2025).

A program that caught our attention was the National Junior Hereford Association Fed Steer Shootout, which provides junior members with an opportunity to gain experience about cattle feeding and beef packing sectors while also learning how cattle perform in feedlots, through to carcase and grading.

There were many other topics we covered as part of our meetings with AHA management and staff including genetic evaluation models, in-herd selection tools, the evolution of

myHerd (Hereford Live), AHA publications and the expansion of creative and media services for members.

You may recognize that some of these topics are similar to initiatives within Herefords Australia’s five-year Strategic Plan and we are confident knowledge from this trip can help to inform HAL projects and operations.

We are grateful for the opportunity to attend the AHA Annual Meeting, and for the hospitality of the AHA Executive Vice President, Jack Ward, AHA Chief Operating Officer and Director of Breed Improvement, Shane Bedwell, and staff, who were generous with their time and knowledge.

We look forward to building on the relationship and progressing initiatives that benefit our respective memberships and of course, the Hereford breed.

To quote Tom Brink, CEO of the Red Angus Association of America (who presented alongside Jack Ward in a session called Create your Future), when it comes to collaboration “…. two is more than one”.

cont’

1. Lisa Sharp and Marc Greening outside the American Royal Complex (National Hereford Show).

2. AHA Chief Operating Officer and Director of Breed Improvement Shane Bedwell with Lisa Sharp and Marc Greening.

Herefords Australia Super Sires identifies breed leading genetics as program recognition grows

The Herefords Australia Super Sires program was launched in 2018 with the objective to help members improve the breed using a young sire candidate expressing a balance of favourable traits at the highest level.

Today the program has achieved market awareness and recognition with sires and the first commercial progeny attracting premiums.

Herefords Australia Breed and Business Development Manager Kathleen Allan said since the program’s inception, more than 250 sires had met the eligibility requirements with 29 ultimately nominated by breeders to become part of the Super Sires program.

Ms Allan said the overall aim of Herefords Australia Super Sires was to identify potential future impact sires with industry and breed leading genetics.

“The primary objective is to provide a means by which commercial and seedstock producers can identify and access Hereford genetics to accelerate the genetic gain of their herd in line with their breeding objectives,” she said.

“It is also an inspirational program for existing Hereford breeders to benchmark their performance against the programs criteria and use as part of stud or business promotional activity. “

The Super Sires program also increases demand for Hereford and Hereford influenced cattle by promoting commercially and industry relevant genetics.

“The program increases the use of Hereford genetics across the Australian beef industry and creates greater awareness of the breed along with the merits of objective based selection and BREEDPLAN,” Ms Allan said.

“Sires in the program typically attract above average sale prices and in 2021, 80 per cent of Super Sires offered for sale achieved the highest price within the sale.

“We are also now seeing the first Super Sires commercial progeny coming through the nation’s store sales and attracting premium prices.”

A cohort of seven young sires were inducted into the ranks of the Super Sires catalogue in 2022. They are Dalkeith Randy R090, Elite K124 S069 (AI), Poachers Run Ryder R023, Quamby Plains Rival R269 (AI) (PP), Tobruk Southern Cross S15, Wirruna Rockefeller R355 and Ke Warra Maxwell R156 (PP).

DALKEITH RANDY R090

Dalkeith Randy R090 is out of Dalkeith Nipper N082, a bull sold to Remolea Poll Herefords, Qld, by breeder Ant Martin, Dalkeith Herefords, Cassilis, NSW.

Mr Martin said championing premium topend sires had great benefit for the commercial industry seeking high-performing traits to instil within their herds.

“These bulls don’t arrive in huge numbers so we should propagate their genetics,” he said.

ELITE K124 S069

Kay Payne, Elite Poll Herefords, Gundy, NSW, now has four bulls in the Super Sires program with the induction of K124 S069, and focuses her own breeding program on calving ease, growth and carcase traits.

Mrs Payne said Elite K124 S069 had a well-balanced EBV profile combining muscle with intramuscular fat and red meat yield, and his dam, KMPJ10, was a much-valued breeder with a good production record.

“I hope the Super Sires program encourages commercial and seedstock producers to aim for a commercially relevant and acceptable animal, and to look at calving ease and use the Hereford breed above others,” she said.

QUAMBY PLAINS RIVAL R269

Tasmanian breeder Victoria Archer, Quamby Plains, Hagley, has two bulls inducted into the Future Super Sires program.

“R269 has good structure, great thickness, excellent carcase traits and a great balanced performance in EBVs,” Ms Archer said.

TOBRUK SOUTHERN CROSS S15

A son of fellow Super Sire Glentrevor Trust N909, S15 was bought by Days Whiteface, SA, for $91,000, a breed record for a yearling bull.

Breeder Damian Halloway, Tobruk Beef, Wagga Wagga, NSW, said the young sire delivered the sought-after combination of performance and phenotype.

“Super Sires is a great program and is about identifying cattle with EBVs of a particularly high standard,” he said.

Tobruk Southern Cross

Herefords Australia Super Sires identifies breed leading genetics as program recognition grows

FROM PAGE 22

POACHERS RUN RYDER R023

By Yavenvale Knockout N312, Poachers Run Ryder R023 is the first bull in the Super Sires program for Tasmanian breeders Dion and Julia House, Poachers Run Herefords, Smithton.

“He is a long and correct Knockout son with beautiful structure, temperament and EBVs,” Mrs House said.

KE WARRA MAXWELL R156

Geoff and Jan Coghill, Ke Warra Poll Herefords, Moorooduc, Vic, are participating for the first time in the Super Sires program with a son of Wirruna Nolan N146.

Maxwell was purchased by South Australian breeders Tom and Amy Honner, Minlacowie, Brentwood, and Carolyn Mudge, Maildaburra Poll Herefords, Streaky Bay.

Mr Coghill said Maxwell had exceptional herd improving EBVs, superior phenotype and a great temperament.

WIRRUNA ROCKEFELLER R355

Southern NSW seedstock producer Ian Locke, who with the addition of Rockefeller R355, now has a team of five Wirruna bulls in the program, said the Hereford breed was offering more elite bulls with a multi-trait balance fitting the Super Sires criteria.

“Super Sires gives an indication to most seedstock and commercial producers of aspirational traits to target,” Mr Locke said.

“Seedstock producers can use bulls with those traits so they can also breed a Super Sire, and commercia producers are using the Super Sires as they believe it will lift their compliance

cont’

with market specifications, especially on carcase traits.”

The selection criteria for the Herefords Australia Future Super Sires program are:

• Animal is male and Active

• Registration status: HBR

• Age range – four consecutive calving years with rollover in June each year

• Sire verification (SV)

• LD (low density) genotype analysed

• Recessive condition status – HY Status: HYF, DL Status: DLF or DLFU; IE Status: IEF or IEFU; MSUD Status: MSUDF or MSUDFU.

BREEDPLAN

• Observed post-birthweight performance (200 day and/or 400 day and/or 600 day (minimum two traits).

• Observed Scrotal Measurement

• Observed Ultrasound scan data (fats, EMA, IMF%)

• Top 25 % Calving Ease DIR (%), Calving Ease DIR (%) Acc. >35

• Top 25 % 400 Day Wt (kg) 400 Day Wt (kg) Acc. >60

• => Breed AVG. Scrotal Size (cm), Scrotal Size (cm) ACC.>60

• Top 25% Eye Muscle Area (sqcm), Eye Muscle Area (sqcm) Acc. >40

• Top 5% IMF (%), IMF (%) Acc. >45

• Top 5% $Index

For more information on the Herefords Australia Future Super Sires program visit www.herefordsaustralia.com.au

Wirruna

Rockefeller R355

A home bred cow rose to the top of the Hereford ring for Grangeview Park Poll Herefords to win the supreme exhibit at the 2022 Royal Melbourne Show.

Judge Chris Taylor, JHW Paterson & Son, Bulart, selected Grangeview Park Rosie as senior, grand champion female and supreme exhibit for Rod Bowles, Grangeview Park Poll Herefords, Axe Creek, Vic.

The March 2020 drop daughter of Grangeview Park Mascot and out of Grangeview Park Kassie was shown with her five-month-old calf.

Grangeview also exhibited the reserve senior champion female in Grangeview Renee, sired by Ravensdale Rampage N040 and out of Kanimbla Renee K160.

For Rod and his daughters Bronte and Chloe Bowles, the win was sweet after showing cattle at Melbourne for 35 years.

Kierin and Nikki Martin, Kianma Poll Herefords, Forbes, NSW, exhibited the junior champion heifer, Kianma Matchless S004, a May 2021 drop daughter of Eathorpe Precision P040 and out of Rilo Park Matchless F1.

The heifer followed up her junior champion female sash at the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show.

Reserve junior champion female was her stablemate Kianma Matchless S022, another daughter of P040 and out of Rilo Park Matchless L5.

Matt and Debbie Kelley, Warragundi Pastoral, Currabubula, NSW, exhibited the

home bred Warragundi Pasadena S014 to win the junior and grand champion bull. The May 2021 drop son of Warragundi Pasadena P055 was out of Warragundi Rhoda. Pasadena S014 was the 2020 Sire Shootout British Breeds winner.

Warragundi also exhibited the reserve champion junior bull with Warragundi Pasadena S002, another son by P055 and out of Warragundi Bonnie.

Warragundi Rancher R016, sired by Injemira Anzac K220 and out of Warragundi Irish Rose L44, came through the ranks to win the senior champion bull while in reserve was Grangeview Park Rialto, an August 2020 drop son of Grangeview Park Navigator and exhibited by Grangeview Park.

Rancher went on to place top five in the Interbreed bull and had set a new record top price for the stud of $32,000 in August, at the time weighing 1015kg and with an eye muscle area of 138sqcm.

Grangeview Park won the best three head, any age, both sexes, all bred and owned by the exhibitor, with Warragundi Pastoral in second and Llandillo Poll Herefords, The Lagoon, NSW, in third.

Warragundi Pastoral took out the sire’s progeny group by Warragundi Pasadena, and in second was Llandillo Poll Herefords with progeny of Grathlyn Pacemaker.

In the pair of bulls, Warragundi emerged as the winner with Brett and Emily Keeble, Legacy Poll Herefords, Zeerust, Vic, in second

while the female pair was taken out by Kianma Poll Herefords with Llandillo Poll Herefords in second.

Herefords Australia Youth members Brittany Abbott and Grace Elsom competed in the Victorian Agricultural Shows junior judging finals with Grace declared runner-up.

1. Senior champion bull Warragundi Rancher R016 with Matt Kelley on the halter. Image courtesy Warragundi

2. Warragundi Pasadena S014 was junior and grand champion bull with Matt Kelley on the halter. Image courtesy Warragundi

3. Rod, Bronte and Chloe Bowles, Grangeview Park, and supreme exhibit Grangeview Park Rosie with judge Chris Taylor, Bulart, Arthur Angliss, Romsey, and Shannon Lawler, International Animal Health.

4. Grand champion female Grangeview Park Rosie.

5. Kierin, left, and Nikki Martin, right, with their junior champion heifer and presenting the ribbon is Arthur Angliss, Romsey.

Rosie shows her style and feminity to win supreme at Melbourne Royal

Clean sweep for Monterey in Hereford ring at Adelaide Royal

By Kim Woods

Adelaide Royal Show debutant under his own stud prefix in the Hereford ring, Ben Langford, scooped the pool exhibiting both the grand champion bull and female in September.

Judge Alistair Day, Allendale Poll Herefords, Bordertown, selected Monterery Aftershock S001 as senior and grand champion Hereford bull paraded by Mr Langford, Monterery Poll Herefords, Rockleigh.

Sired by Mawarra Aftershock and out of Minlacowie Nikki, S001 weighed 668kg and had a raw eye muscle scan of 109sqcm with fat depths of 10mm on the rib and 11mm on the rump.

Junior champion bull was Aftershock’s stablemate Monterey Endure S018, a May 2021 drop calf weighing 580kg with an eye muscle area of 116sqcm, 8mm on the rib and 10mm on the rump.

Judge Alastair Day said both bulls were good representations of the breed but he was impressed by the senior bull’s thickness and conformation.

For Mr Langford it was all a new experience after initially showing heifers for other studs and now a team of cattle for the first time under his own prefix. Monterey won the pair of bulls, sire’s progeny group and was named most successful exhibitor. A daughter of US sire NJW 79Z Z311 Endure 123D and out of Minlacowie Fragrant H41, Monterey Fragrant S013 was sashed junior and grand champion female after emerging from the 14 and under 18 months class.

Senior champion female was Kerlson Pines Regal exhibited by Urrbrae Agricultural High School, Netherby. Urrbrae’s steer show team placed in the top six schools in the Most Professional Show team with 36 students involved.

The team scored a first and second with their young Hereford heifers (Urrbrae Sari and Urrbrae Regal Lady), grand champion senior cow with Kerlson Pines Regal and a third in the bull 14 and under 18 months with Urrbrae Simmo. The school was also well represented in the two handler competitions.

In the led steer classes, Days Whiteface placed fourth in the purebred steer 390-450kg with Days S04 and fourth in the crossbred heavy domestic 506-534kg with Days Spot, Morganvale Beef placed third in the purebred heavy domestic 486-510kg with Morganvale Senator S205 and fourth in the schools purebred export 550-580kg with Morganvale Sawyer. The Herefords Australia prize for any purebred steer on the hook gainig 82 points or over was won by Lachy and Louu Day, Days Whiteface, Bordertown, with Days S212 and in second place was Days S226. The University of Adelaide was third with Ardno Sullivan, followed by Kilkerrin Kylo and Wudinna Area School with Mikey.

Days Whiteface also received the Herefords SA prize for the highest scoring Hereford domestic steer on the hook for Days S226.

The Herefords SA prize for the school exhibiting the highest scoring Hereford steer on the hoof and hook went to Morganvale Senator S205 and Allan and Heather Morgan, Morganvale Pastoral, Keith, received the Herefords SA prize for the breeder of the highest scoring school Hereford steer on the hoof and hook.

Morganvale Sawyer received the Herefords SA prize for the highest scoring Hereford export steer on the hook.

The cattle were judged in the hoof on September 4 and processed at Teys Naracoorte on September 5.

Born and bred in Adelaide, Ben Langford has worked as a grain buyer in Melbourne and Geneva, Switzerland, and juggles his Poll Hereford stud with a young family and full-time job.

Ben and his wife Alexandra run 20 registered females on a block 40 minutes from their home and have around 60 embryo transfer pregnancies on the way.

Ben’s interest in the breed was sparked by a small commercial herd run by his grandparents and he was mentored by Tom Honner, Minlacowie Poll Herefords, Brentwood, competing at the SA heifer shows as a teenager.

His first job after graduating from school was with Ross and Andrew Bennett, Bundulla Poll Herefords, Mundulla.

“Monterery started with a Minlacowie cow agisted at Tom’s and in exchange I helped him with his show team,” Ben said.

“2020 was our first real drop of calves and we sold some R drop bulls as yearlings to the Northern Territory into Angus herds.”

Ben has used proven breeders from Minlacowie as his foundation genetics and aims to maintain the frame whilst using sires with outcross genetics.

“There are a lot of great people in Herefords in SA. Even when I look back on Adelaide one of the highlights was receiving the grand champion bull ribbon from Graham Day – that was pretty cool.”

The Urrbrae Agricultural School team at the Royal Adelaide Show with their Poll Herefords. From left Joceyln Fox, Kody Maloney, Annie Smith, Lachy Fels, Riley Downes, front row, Charlotte McInnes and Aimee Blackmore. Image courtesy Urrbrae

Kalara finds

success

at Royal Queensland Show with females

The tri-colour win was sweet at the 2022 Royal Queensland Show for Kalara Poll Herefords after a challenging journey to have their cattle ready.

More than 60 entries from Queensland, NSW and Victoria were paraded before judge and Herefords Australia Youth alumni Oliver Jeffrey, Eathorpe Poll Herefords, Armidale, NSW, at the show in August.

Oliver, 29, was making his debut as a judge at royal level, placing emphasis on commercial relevance and profitable traits.

Jamie Hollis and Mikayla Passmore, Clifton, exhibited Kalara Binara Queen Revona Q03 to senior champion and grand champion Hereford female, and placing top five in the interbreed female. “Thinking back to the start of the year we didn’t think there would be a chance that we could even get to any shows let alone the Ekka. Our cows were put on the back burner and were not our priority at the time,” Mikayla said.

The 2019 drop cow was by Canadian sire Harvie 40Y Winston 252C, out of Kanimbla Revona F153 and was shown with her February drop bull calf, Kalara Laser T001, by Yavenvale Laser L326. Kalara Wind Charm S013 was junior champion Hereford female and Kalara Livestock also won the breeders group. The young couple placed second with junior bull Kalara Simply the Best S015, which was out of 2019 Grand Champion female Binara Kalara Revona M072, and had won grand champion Poll Hereford, Supreme British Exhibit and Supreme

Exhibit of the Gatton show at 10 months of age.

Junior and grand champion bull was won by Braelyn Washington S056, a son of Allendale Washington G82 and out of a dam by Bowen Extremist E96, owned by Neville and Denise Shannon, Braelyn Stud, Toowoomba and Texas, Qld.

Braelyn went on to win pair of bulls with his stablemate Braelyn Unique S069.

Selwyn Weller, Welray Partnership, Nabiac, NSW, exhibited Welray Corisande R903 to reserve junior female.

Richard Olgivy, Te-Angie Poll Herefords, Wongwibindi, NSW, exhibited Te-Angie Spectacular S004 to reserve junior champion bull.

Ian and Anne Galloway, Galloway Cattle Company, Roma, exhibited the 2020 drop son of Cootharaba Xander, Cootharaba Barney, to senior champion bull with reserve senior bull going to Yellow Rock Hydrogen exhibited by John and Robin Carter, Yellow Rock Herefords, Clarkes Hill, Vic.

Reserve senior female was Devon Court Ruth R003, exhibited by Dale McVicar, Traveston Downs, Traveston, Qld.

Graham and Felicity Reeves, Reevesdale Poll Herefords, Gum Flat, NSW, took out the progeny stakes group.

Richard Olgivy had a team of 18 cattle and three calves prepared by students from the University of New England, Armidale.

1. Andrew Meara, Elders, Jamie Hollis, Clifton, Ian Galloway, Roma, and Mikayla Passmore, Clifton, Qld, with Kalara Binara Queen Revona Q03.

2. Grand champion bull was Braelyn Washington S056. Image courtesy Braelyn

Awarded the most successful exhibitor, Mr Olgivy is keen to foster youth into the breed and enjoys promoting the breed in the showring.

Charlotte Cooper, Ipswich, won the state finals of the stud beef young paraders with a heifer loaned by Jamie Hollis and Mikayla Passmore.

In the stud beef paraders and herdsmen’s competition, Drew Weller, Welray Partnership, won the paraders 14 and 15 years of age.

Legacy makes ring debut at seven and comes up trumps at Perth

By Kim Woods

Twenty-year-old Thomas Spencer is on the front foot promoting the Hereford breed in Western Australia, taking out the supreme exhibit at the 2022 Perth Royal Show.

Thomas operates Spencer Cattle Co, at Muchea, and exhibited seven-year-old Yallaroo Legacy L10 to senior and grand champion bull and supreme exhibit.

The 2015-drop Legacy was sired by Yallaroo Handsome H15 and is out of Yallaroo Amaze G3.

It was a big step up for Thomas showing seven head this year after two last year and he went in to the interbreed aiming to provide a positive representation of the Hereford breed.

Spencer Silver Queen S2 came out of a win in the female over 18 and not over 21 months to take the junior heifer championship ribbon with winner of the female over 14 and not over 18 months, Spencer Amaze S6, a daughter of the supreme exhibit, sashed as reserve champion.

Yallaroo Juliet N008, exhibited by Spencer Cattle Co, won the female over 33 months class and went on to be sashed as senior and grand champion female.

The reserve senior female was Eskdale Favourite G7 L52, a 2015 drop female by Eskdale Gadget C26 G7 and out of Eskdale Favourite X128 G25, shown by Denise Warner, Waroona, with her autumn-drop heifer calf Paragon PH Lady Tara.

Yallaroo Legacy L10 is by Yallaroo Handsome H15 and is out of Yallaroo Amaze G3.

Thomas was backed by a dedicated team of family and friends who helped feed, transport and prepare the show team.

He also paid tribute to Rob and Heather Francis, Yallaroo Herefords, for giving him access to their genetics and being wonderful mentors.

At home, Thomas is using Hereford bulls over commercial Murray Grey females to take advantage of hybrid vigour and is impressed with the calving ease, growth and style of the progeny.

He has plans to enter purebred and Hereford cross steers in the carcass competition at Perth next year.

Thomas is also a passionate poultry breeder and was chosen as the Western Australian finalist at the 2021 Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges finals at the 2022 Royal Sydney Show where he was runner-up.

As he had no yearling bulls to show at Perth, Thomas broke in the 1105kg Yallaroo Legacy L10 to halter. The bull had been broken to lead as a young sale bull five years ago and was out working before starting his show career at seven.

“He is sound as a bell for a seven-and-a-half-year-old so I thought why not? He took to it surprisingly well and now he is good to lead,” Thomas said.

“He handled the fuss of the show really well and was easy to manage. He is a good example of longevity as you don’t see many bulls of any breed shown at that age.”

Thomas now has 30 breeders and mainly works on the family farm as well as doing contract work for other cattle producers.

“I always wanted to show cows but the main driver for showing a decent team of Herefords is to show support for the breed in WA,” he said.

“It’s important to get them out as much as possible to build the breed presence.”

Denise Warner, Paragon Miniature Herefords, Waroona, dominated the miniature Hereford classes at Perth winning junior champion bull with Paragon Lord Scott, a son of CSF Gauge (IMP USA) and out of Paragon Lady Maddi.

Senior and grand champion bull was Paragon Lord Otis, a 2019 drop bull by SSR Cooper (IMP USA) and out of Paragon Lady Mandi.

Junior champion female with Paragon Lady Sandi, sired by Paragon Lord Liam, and senior and grand champion female with Paragon Lady Nikki, a 2017 drop cow by KNF General Stan Waite (IMP USA) and out of Paragon Lady Jackie.

Denise also exhibited the winning pair of females, breeders’ group of three and placed third in the specialty group of three heifers interbreed competition.

Days Whiteface takes supreme and tops bull sale at Alice Springs

After a two year wait, Hereford breeders were back in the ring at Alice Springs Show and paying a top price of $19,000 at the Elders Alice Springs Bull Sale.

The Day family, Days Whiteface, Bordertown, SA, have supported the Alice Springs bull sale for 40 years and were rewarded with the top price bull and supreme champion at the show held in June.

The Elders Alice Springs Bull Sale sold 11 bulls from three studs for an average of $12,636.

The $19,000 two-year-old Days Genesis N102 was sired by Days Shamrock P130 and was snapped up by Ben and Nicole Hayes, Undoolya Station, Alice Springs.

The couple also bought a second bull from vendors Lachy and Lou Day for $15,000. Breeders from across South Australia and Northern territory competed for the supreme title at the show but it was Days Isidore R213 taking the sash.

The rising two-year-old was sired by Allendale Heidelberg M061 and out of Days Dallas, and sold for $12,000 to Tim and Jack Weir, Todd River Pastoral Company, Alice Springs.

Ben and Nicole Hayes exhibited the champion NT bred pen of two bulls and the champion NT bred bull with their Poll Herefords.

Peter Morris, Yirara College, Alice Springs, competed in the handler 13-18 years with a heifer from Undoolya Station while Rilee and Lily Sabadin competed in the poddy calf class also with animals from Undoolya.

Peter Morris went on to win the Centralian Beef Breeders Association and Rabobank perpetual encouragement award, made to a local beef industry participant aged eight to 18 years, and $1000 towards attendance of a heifer show interstate.

The champion pen of two NT bred females were Poll Hereford heifers on loan from Undoolya Station to the Department of Education.

1. Judging of the champion NT bred bull won by Undoolya.

2. Vendor Lachy Day, right, with the supreme champion bull Days Genesis N102.

3. Peter Morris won the Centralian Beef Breeders Association and Rabobank perpetual encouragement award.

4. Ben and Nicole Hayes exhibited the champion NT bred pen of two bulls.

5. The champion pen of two NT bred females were Poll Hereford heifers on loan from Undoolya Station to the Department of Education.

6. Rilee and Lily Sabadin competed in the poddy calf class with animals from Undoolya.

7. Days Whiteface have supported the Alice Springs bull sale for four decades.

Images courtesy Nicole Hayes

Hereford beef was at the forefront as the Hayes family celebrated 150 years since the Undoolya Station was taken up as the first pastoral lease in the Northern territory. Steaks from cattle grazed on Undoolya’s native pastures sizzled on the barbecue as guests from around the nation marked the milestone in September.

The delivery of the cattle had been organised by Mick Newman, Elders Alice Springs, and processed by HW Greenham, Gippsland, under their Bass Strait grass-fed, free-range beef brand with Undoolya purchasing back the cube rolls. Ben Hayes said the consignment had performed well on the MSA Index with some in the top 25 per cent nationally and a pleasing non-compliance down to 1.67 per cent off the back of so many dry years.

Family and friends heard how on February 13, 1872 Edward Meade Bagot applied for two blocks adjoining the Alice Springs Telegraph Station both of which he received approval by the South Australian Government.

The following month Ted Bagot, James Churchill Smith and William Smith began mustering and selecting bulls, cows and bullocks to stock the leases.

That year the overland telegraph line from Adelaide to Palmerston (Darwin) was completed connecting the region with the world.

In 1873, Ted Bagot and James Churchill Smith arrived in Alice Springs and reached Fenn Gap, the Undoolya lease, sinking the first well near the homestead.

Bagot sold the Undoolya lease in 1876 to Tenant & Love due to his staggering losses in mining investments at Pine Creek, NT.

The Federation drought and nation-wide financial crisis brought about an almost total collapse of the cattle and horse breeding industry in Central Australia in the 1890s. Tenant & Love sold their four Undoolya leases to D Murray, B Russell and R Kane. The following month all four leases were transferred to the Willowie Land and Pastoral Association.

The Willowie Land and Pastoral Association struggled on through the drought and held Undoolya until selling it in 1906 to South Australian pastoralist Norman Alexander Richardson. Within 12 months Richardson sold out to William Hayes and family with son John Hayes as manager.

The Hayes Undoolya leases lay between Jay Creek in the west to almost Trephnia Creek in the east and Hamilton Downs boundary to the north. William and Mary Hayes continued to live at Mt Burrell until their retirement in 1912 to Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills.

Sons William (Bill) and Edward were the only two members of the family still in Central Australia. In 1922 Edward became general manager and moved his family from Maryvale to Undoolya.

The serious drought of the 1920s caused heavy stock losses on Undoolya and Edward realised the need for dams. This was the beginning of the vast improvements due to dam sinking, fencing and deep bores which continued over the following decades.

In 1930 the Hayes family company was dissolved, and Maryvale and Owen Springs sold. Edward Snr and Jane Hayes purchased Undoolya from W Hayes & Sons, but the registration was not approved until 1932.

Edward was regarded as one of the best cattlemen in Central Australia and introduced Poll Hereford cattle to the red centre. He bought Owen Springs in 1936 and sunk the first bore on Undoolya in the Todd Valley in 1937.

Paying homage to the pioneering families of central Australia

Edward Jnr married Jean Bloomfield in 1938 and the young couple took over the management of Owen Springs, and later formed a partnership with Edward Snr in Undoolya.

The transfer of Undoolya was made in 1947 to Ted and Jean Hayes from Edward and Ann Jane Hayes with settlement paid in full by 1957.

During the bad drought of 1960 Ted and Jean Hayes purchased Deep Well and set about subdividing and building cattle traps at watering places with trap paddocks to hold the cattle for drafting. Meanwhile, William Hayes had established a successful pastoral industry on land abandoned a decade earlier by over capitalised companies.

Having recognised the fragility of the land, he practiced careful husbandry of the herbage through understocking supported by family initiative, hard work, dams and wells.

Ted Hayes was aware the property had to be left in as good condition as possible for his children, grandchildren and the future of Australia.

“The emphasis on ecological sustainability in the real world is not the answer. Ecological sustainability can only be achieved through a total approach of social, economic and environmental to end with sustainable productivity,” he said.

“Our family has seen many changes over time not only in the

cattle but the technology we use, as well as the people who have come and gone.

“Centralians understand how the importance of careful land management is and we should never let an opportunity to promote the Centralian pastoral industry slip by.”

The family had purchased 20 Poll Hereford bulls and 20 cows in 1940 from Louis Leake, Cudgeeba, Cudgewa, Victoria – the first Poll Herefords to be brought into the Northern Territory.

Ted and sons James (Jimmy), Bill and Mick began purchasing high quality bulls from NSW, SA and Victoria as well as the Wilencote stud, New Zealand. Ted would buy up to 20 bulls a year from Eulogie Park stud, Dululu, Queensland. In later years bulls came from Fairbanks, Cannawigra and Warrensville studs.

Ted registered the Undoolya stud in 1969 with stud heifers from the Deepfields stud, Romsey, Vic, followed by females from Wilencote, The Braes, Warrensville and Cannawigra. Undoolya began selling 200 herd and a few stud bulls a year at 15 to 18 months of age while selling steers into the South Australian, NSW, Victorian and WA markets.

Paying homage to the pioneering families of central Australia cont’

Sadly, Jimmy died in June, missing the 150th anniversary celebrations.

To mark the milestone, visitors came from South Australia, Queensland, NSW and throughout the Northern Territory to gather around the Hayes memorial at the Undoolya homestead.

Ben Hayes recounted the history of Undoolya station and the surrounding leases in the area, followed by the unveiling of a plaque by Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association president David Connolly.

Among the family memorabilia was the invitations to Edward Snr and Jane Hayes to represent residents of the Northern Territory as guests of the Commonwealth Government at Canberra during a visit of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh

in February 1954.

The couple attended a special Territories function at Government House, Canberra, and were presented to the royal visitors, along with a state ball at Parliament House, garden party, review of troops, reception for territorial delegations, unveiling of the Australian National Memorial to the USA, and the opening of Parliament.

Mr and Mrs Hayes represented the Northern Territory along with His Honour the Administrator FJS Wise and Mrs Wise, Mr M Luke MLC and Mrs Luke, Albert Namatjira and Mr Moreen.

The original invitation was for 1953 but the arrangements were cancelled due to the death of King George VI.

Edward Snr received a medal for wearing at the commemoration of Her Majesty’s Coronation in June 1953.

4. Cows and calves graze the native pastures on Undoolya.

5. Unveiling the memorial cairn at Undoolya in 2022.

6. Hayes family members gather around the cairn erected to mark 150 years from left, Gail Hayes, Richie Hayes, Ben Hayes, Andy Hayes, David Connolly, NTCA, and Jayne Sabadin.

7. The Hereford steaks from cattle grazed on Undoolya fed guests at the 150th celebrations.

James, known as Jimmy, was a founding member of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Alice Springs branch, patron of the Central Australian Show Society and chairman of the Centralian Beef Consortium.

Taking a deep dive on carcase traits and calving ease

By Kim Woods

Herefords Australia took a deep dive with two seedstock producers on their philosophy around what they believe the breed needs to be aspirational about - carcase traits and calving ease.

Wirruna Poll Herefords, Holbrook, and Yavenvale Poll Herefords, Adelong, opened their gates to visitors during the 2022 Southern Beef Week, with their bull sale teams on display, and outlined their focus on performance recording and objective measurement to achieve above breed average genetic gain.

Both herds have had a strong focus on selection for marbling over the past decades and run large contemporary groups –Wirruna joins 800 registered females while Yavenvale has 900 registered and 150 commercial females to calve in 2022.

Wirruna has subcategories for bulls including growth, muscle, specialist heifer and good herd bulls.

“For example, the job description for the growth bulls is they must be in the top 20 per cent of the breed or better for growth traits,” Wirruna co-principal Ian Locke said.

“On average, a higher growth bull will have a higher birthweight and mature cow weight, but we look to break the usual correlations by measuring and selecting outlier animals that can bend the growth curve.

“Our job as seedstock producers is to measure all these things so we can identify animals which are born easily, grow well at the 200- and 400-day weights but then don’t keep growing until we have extreme animals that look and eat like a draught horse.”

The Locke family early wean their calves at an average of four and-a-half months (bulls at 200kg and heifers 190kg), allowing a greater number of cows run at a higher stocking rate.

The average birthdate is August 25 and weaning is from the first week of January, with all calves yard weaned for 10-14 days and bunk trained on a pellet ration comprising 12.5 per cent energy and 17 per cent protein plus good quality ad lib lucerne or canola hay.

“With early weaning, the cow turns dry and goes onto the low value pasture while the calves go onto the highest value pasture of ryegrass, lucerne or early oats,” Ian said.

“It’s about running cows under commercial stress conditions at high stocking rates, 17DSE/ha compared to the district average of 10-11DSE/ha (average rainfall is 750mm).”

During dry years the Wirruna steers are sent to feedlots but in good seasonal conditions they are caried through to heavier weights and sold over the hooks to obtain the valuable MSA carcase data.

In the past, the family has value added a portion of their grass finished steers through Provenir to produce Wirruna branded beef with some cuts reaching a marble score six.

Ian said the Provenir pathway gave additional valuable feedback on eating quality, cutability, tenderness and flavour.

“Years ago, especially when we kill surplus heifers, the MSA kill data for marbling used to be zeros, ones or the occasional two, but now it is more ones, twos and the occasional three.

“Everything in cattle breeding takes time but it is changing, and we all recognise Wagyu play a part in the marbling market however we see that high end as a niche market, and we are not trying to be there.

“We want to be relevant to the Australian beef industry where they want a little bit more marbling of two and three score, recognised for adding juiciness and a satisfying beef meal experience.

James Pearce, Yavenvale Herefords, with commercial Hereford producer Ben Teek, Eskdale, Victoria, during the Southern Beef Week open day.

“It doesn’t have to be extreme, but we want to be able to compete against the other breeds for high quality beef. “We are recognising we have variation within our breed and there are cattle which do or don’t marble, and if you choose to drive the trait, you can select animals that will marble equally as well at the high end.

“When we are in the game of breeding cattle, we have to take a visionary approach and recognise MLA has done a lot of eating quality research to show the consumer likes a level of marbling, and we have to be relevant in the Australia beef industry by providing that product.”

At Yavenvale, cattle consigned to the Teys Grasslands brand enable the Pearce family to benchmark individual animal and sire line performance.

In 2017, Yavenvale was named in the top 100 NSW producers for the MSA Excellence in Eating Quality Awards.

“It’s the real world aligning with scientific data – we are seeing the bulls which sire those steers and cull females grading well on the MSA Index have good IMF EBVs on BREEDPLAN,” Yavenvale co-principal James Pearce said. “The benchmarking is important as it allows us to show our clients the genetic selection is working through the supply chain.”

Yavenvale has more than 400 active females ranking in the top five per cent of the breed for intramuscular fat.

“When we were ultrasound scanning heifers in 2000, there were a number which would register as the bare minimum or maximum on the scanning machine,” James said.

“The average of 20 years ago has now doubled in that time. “Marbling can be fast tracked by buying bulls in the top one to five per cent but it is critical not to single trait select.

“The term ‘marbling is a free trait’ was coined and I think it is a valid one. You do get more subcutaneous fat with intramuscular fat but that doing ability is extremely important, especially for fertility.

“Our breed is terrific for fertility – there is a genetic correlation between positive rump fat and female fertility.”

Ian Locke has found no negative correlations when selecting for marbling.

“We all want growth in cattle but we don’t want the hangovers of heavy birthweights or large mature cow size,” he said.

“Marbling is most correlated to fat – positive fat allows us to run a lower cost cow herd which is fertile as it is able to put on the fat when the grass is there and live off it when it is not.

“There is a slight negative correlation to muscle but through selection of outliers, we have been able to drive the muscle trait as fast as the marbling trait.”

Wirruna started ultrasound scanning for intramuscular fat under the Validation Project in 1998 to determine the importance of marbling

“By 2002, Herefords had an estimated breeding value for marbling and we knew we could drive it,” Ian said.

“Every year we made incremental gains genetically but over time it compounds.”

Today, Wirruna sits in the top five per cent of the Hereford breed for marbling and is continuing to drive that trait.

“We have been driving muscle at the same time, our fat is going up but there will be a ceiling as we don’t want to keep driving fat and lose yield,” Ian said. “So, we need muscle too to keep acceptable meat yield.”

Taking a deep dive on carcase traits and calving ease

FROM

James Pearce believes breeders need to focus on calving ease and moderating birthweights whilst achieving reasonable growth. He said inquiry for heifer bulls was exceptionally strong due to herd rebuilding. James recommended having heifers grown out to a critical mating weight pre-joining.

Producers should ensure heifers are on a continuous plane of nutrition post-joining and managed correctly during the last 90 days of pregnancy to prevent calving difficulties.

“That should be achievable on grass only under commercial stocking rate conditions for the heifer to calve as a two-year-old,” James said.

“Select a bull with the correct shoulder structure and length of neck, plus EBVs for calving ease.”

With bull prices skyrocketing, James has observed trends of commercial producers wanting dual purpose bulls for heifers and cows, or using bulls over a split joining with a desire for longevity to reduce the per calf cost for their enterprise.

Ian Locke said the Hereford breed had switched onto lowering average birthweights.

“I keep a foot on birthweight at around +3.0kg and push growth from that stage,” he said.

“Originally, we had Birthweight EBVs and not Calving Ease EBVs. People used Birthweight as a proxy for selecting easy calving animals. If we want to select for ease of calving, to me the important trait is calving ease and not birthweight.

“I encourage commercial clients to look at Calving Ease Direct EBV and don’t get too wrapped up in birthweight.

“I aim to keep our birthweights stable while trying to lift growth without getting into a growth race.”

Breeders need to be careful not to drive the mature cow weights to be ever larger. In some British breeds cow size has blown out and Ian said there were no benefits in extreme high maintenance females.

cont’

Matt Pitzen, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Holbrook, and Ian Locke, look over the bulls at Wirruna during the Southern Beef Week open day. Images Kim Woods

“Certainly, coming out of the drought years, commercial producers are aware of the pitfalls of large framed cattle.

“The ideal heifer bulls provide lower birthweight and good calving ease (as do their sire and dam) and come out of program where there is a consistent breeding program for those traits.

“You want those heifer bulls with neck extension and tapered shape through the shoulder.”

The Lockes have an average critical mating weight of 350kg and join heifers at 14 months of age over six weeks.

Any heifers failing to conceive over two cycles are no longer in the breeding herd.

“Every female must have a live unassisted calf they take through to weaning, resulting from a six-week joining so an eight-yearold cow has jumped many hurdles by calving every 365 days under the pressure of a high stocking rate,” Ian said.

ALICIA TROVATELLO PRESIDENT

Alicia lives in Melbourne whilst being involved in her family’s Hereford stud in central Victoria. She is passionate about Herefords and the beef industry, and her interests include breeding/ genetics, carcase quality, marketing and extension/adoption. Alicia recently graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in agricultural economics. She has been fortunate to sit on the HAL national Youth Committee since 2019, the HAL Marketing Committee since 2020, and was the recipient of the prestigious CM Hocking Scholarship in 2021. Alicia is looking forward to continuing to provide opportunities and supporting the next generation of livestock enthusiast.

HARRY SCOBIE TREASURER

Harry grew up in Inverell in northern NSW began his journey with Herefords through school and a local breeder. He is studying a double degree – Bachelor of Agriculture and Bachelor of Business. Harry is living and working on a leading cattle stud in NSW southern highlands. He has been on the HAL National Youth Committee since 2021 and is looking forward to bringing the next generation through the same program.

TAYLAH BRUNT SYKES

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Taylah grew up on her family’s Hereford stud in Gippsland and began working full time at Mawarra in 2017 where she completed Cert III & IV in Agriculture and a Diploma in Agribusiness Management. For the past two years Taylah has been travelling and working with BJS Livestock Photography. She is president of the Gippsland Hereford Group and was awarded the Most Potential Breeder at the 2018 Herefords Australia Youth Expo. Taylah has enjoyed working with the National Youth Committee for the last few years, helping to organise the National Youth Expo and other initiatives, providing encouragement and opportunities for other young people.

CASSIE BUSH GENERAL COMMITTEE

Cassie grew up in Cootamundra, NSW, on her family’s Hereford and mixed grazing property where the Bush family have run Herefords since 1953. She is undertaking a double degree in Law and Agriculture at the University of New England, aiming to contribute to and achieve better policies for the Australian agricultural industry. Cassie has been involved with many Hereford events from a young age along with NSW agricultural shows and Sydney Royal Easter Show. She has also volunteered with several community organisations and charities. Cassie is looking forward to helping other young people learn about and become involved in Hereford cattle.

TABBY CROSS GENERAL COMMITTEE

Tabby lives on a beef cattle property in north east Victoria and is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science through Charles Sturt University. Outside of university, she works at the Northern Victorian Livestock Exchange in an administration role. She spends weekends on the farm working with cattle and often preparing them for the show ring. Herefords Australia Youth is an organisation she is passionate about and, after attending three Hereford Youth Expos, she is looking forward to working behind the scenes with the committee for the 2023 Hereford Youth Expo and beyond.

GRACE ELSOM GENERAL COMMITTEE

Grace grew up on her family’s commercial Hereford property at Macarthur in southwest Victoria. Grace and her sister Emily established Emigrace Poll Herefords in 2017. She is managing a 350 head cattle property near her home and has completed Certificate II and III in Agriculture. Grace joined the HAL National Youth Committee in 2020 and is excited to be involved in creating new initiatives for young people in the industry.

FROM PAGE 42

TORI KITSCHKI

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Tori grew up on a commercial Hereford property at Mingbool near Mt Gambier in SA and established a small stud Mt Meredith Herefords in 2020. She is a fifth year veterinary student at the University of Adelaide and received the 2021 HAL Youth Travel Scholarship, which she used for university placements with an emphasis on cattle reproduction. Tori is looking forward to giving back to Herefords Australia Youth and believes it is a fantastic way to get young people involved in the Hereford breed and the cattle industry.

EMILY TAYLOR

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Emily, 18, lives on her family’s beef cattle property on the edge of the Liverpool Plains, NSW. She has always had a passion for working with cattle and a few years ago established her stud Eclipse Poll Herefords. Emily hopes to further her knowledge and position within the industry by completing a Rural Science degree focusing on animal genetics. Emily joined the Hereford National Youth Committee as she aims to further promote the Hereford breed and help the youth develop and follow their dreams within the beef cattle industry as the youth programs have done for her.

MITCHELL TAYLOR

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Mitchell, 16, lives on his family’s beef cattle property at Quipolly on the NSW Liverpool Plains. He has a passion for Herefords and the beef cattle industry, and enjoys preparing and showing cattle. A year ago, Mitchell started his own Poll Hereford and Shorthorn stud, MT Livestock. Mitchell hopes to complete Year 12 then pursue a career in the agricultural industry as a stock and station agent. Mitchell joined the Herefords Australia National Youth Committee to help promote and grow the breed at a youth level.

THOMAS SPENCER

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Thomas is from Muchea, WA, and runs a small Hereford stud, Spencer Cattle Co established in 2019. Having been introduced to stud cattle through the WA Youth Cattle Handlers Camp, Thomas is passionate about youth involvement in cattle breeding and showing. He believes developing and supporting youth in Herefords is an essential part of building a strong future for the breed. Thomas is excited to be joining the Youth Committee, building a youth base for Herefords in WA and contributing to the great work done by HAL Youth.

Meet your committee members for 2023 cont’

Herefords Australia Youth Coordinator report

If you happened to miss out on the 2022 Youth Expo merch head to www.herefordsaustralia.com.au/online-store/merchandise/ and check out the popular jackets and hats whilst stocks last. We would also like to welcome Sam Broinowski as the Youth Liaison Representative. We look forward to working with Sam throughout his role and what the youth can achieve with Sam’s knowledge and experience.

What a year it has been! We finally got back to having the annual youth expo at Wodonga in July and it was a great success. Eighty competitors of all ages and experiences all in the one place doing what they love best, showing cows.

Three-and-a-half jam packed days of learning all things agriculture, beef cattle, Herefords and showing cattle. Congratulations and well done to the committee for all the hard work and many hours put in to pull off a successful event. We would like to thank all our hard-working volunteers and sponsors who supported the show, it was greatly appreciated. The show made all our future breed leaders keen to be a part of the action for 2022 and we welcomed six new committee members onto the youth board.

The committee came together post expo to put all ideas together to start planning the 2023 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo. With plans in full swing, I’m pleased to say the 2023 Expo will be held in Parkes, Central West NSW on July 6-9, 2023. The year hopes to see a majority of our scholarships back plus more, which are definitely something not to miss and opportunities of a lifetime without giving too much away just yet. So be sure to clear your calendars for the Expo, come along and be part of the Hereford Youth program, youth or not there is something for everyone.

If you would like to become involved or become a youth member, please get in touch with myself, the ladies in the office or via www.herefordsaustralia.com.au

Stay tuned across the youth socials for more information on events and activities throughout the year.

Nikki Martin YOUTH COORDINATOR

T E S T W I T H N E O G E N T O D A Y

Herefords Australia Youth President’s report

What an exciting year 2022 has been for Herefords Australia Youth!

The Herefords Australia National Youth Expo held in Wodonga saw 80 participants from the eastern states and New Zealand attend this successful event.

Participants had the opportunity to learn and compete, while still having fun. It was great to see young competitors show enthusiasm and passion for the Hereford breed especially after two years of no in-person events.

I would like to thank all sponsors, parents, supporters and participants for their strong support of the event.

Next year, the 2023 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo will be held in Parkes on July 6-7.

It’s an exciting event where there will be an educational tour for our older participants and some new scholarships on offer. If you would like to be involved in the upcoming Expo, please reach out to any of the Committee Members. Keep your eyes peeled on the Herefords Australia Youth Facebook for all updates.

We have seen great success in our fundraising efforts for other initiatives throughout the auctions and 2023 Calendar. Once again, thank you to the Herefords Australia community for your generous support in the Youth Program, which all

proceeds have and will go towards funding our scholarships and other exciting initiatives.

We have welcomed six new Committee Members for 2022/23 who will be our future leaders in the breed and the wider agricultural industry – Emily Taylor, Mitchell Taylor, Cassie Bush, Tori Kitschke, Tabby Cross and Thomas Spencer. We also look forward to working with Sam Broinowski as our new Youth Liaison Representative who will be providing the Committee guidance and advice on behalf of the Herefords Australia Board.

I would like to acknowledge outgoing Committee Members Helen DeCosta, Georgie Beighton and Beau White for their efforts over the years.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Youth Coordinator Nikki Martin for her tireless work, all the National Youth Committee for their passion and input, as well as the team at Herefords Australia for their ongoing support.

If you have any questions about the Youth program, please feel free to contact Nikki, Sam, or myself.

I look forward to seeing all our Youth Members representing Herefords in 2023!

Alicia Trovatello YOUTH PRESIDENT

Celebrating 50 years! Est. 1972

Cheers to fifty years!

We wish to thank all the breeders across Australia and New Zealand who have chosen to use Koanui genetics in their herds. Reflecting on the highlights of the past 50 years, we’re extremely proud to see the success of our supporters. Techno has been one of our strongest performing sires in Australia, and we look forward to seeing what sires like Layer will do next to give our clients the Koanui Difference.

Koanui semen is available in Australia from Agri-Gene, Wangaratta.

Email: info @ koanuiherefords.co.nz www.koanuiherefords.co.nz

Phone: (+64) 06 874 7844

Koanui Layer P028, pictured as a 2-year-old, has Semen available in Australia. Layer has the ideal phenotype with moderate frame, softness, skin and fertility.

Koanui Techno 3062 pictured at Koanui aged 6 years. Techno has become an outstanding sire contributor to the breed.

Te-Angie Poll Herefords

Friendships, fun and plenty of cattle handling at National Expo

By Kim Woods

Young cattle handlers from three Australian states and New Zealand honed their skills and gained new mates at the Herefords Australia National Youth Heifer Expo, resuming after a two-year hiatus.

The expo was held at the Wodonga Exhibition Centre on July 6-9 and drew 79 participants ranging in age from six to 25 years from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and across the Tasman. Expo participants were treated to talks on structural soundness from Kerrie Sutherland James McWilliam, photography and marketing from Emily Hurst, Alicia Trovatello and Brett Tindall, and clipping demonstrations from Kierin Martin and James McWilliam.

Peter Godbolt and Jonathon Tink presented animal health, tattooing and breeding workshops, while business mentors Dianna Jacobsen, Deanne Sykes and Margareta Osborne spoke on mindfulness and team building skills.

The intermediate and senior participants had a field visit to Billabong Beef Company, Bungowannah, with topics on carcase selection by Marc Greening and Herefords Australia Breed and Business Development Manager Kathleen Allan.

Sixteen-year-old Georgia Wragge, Woomargama, NSW, received the Herefords Australia Youth President’s Award, a fully paid entry to the 2023 Herefords Australia National Youth Heifer Expo.

Daryl Holder, The Cattle Shop, presented the Jason Sutherland Award in conjunction with the Sydney Regional Hereford Group to encourage, honour and celebrate the contribution the late Mr Sutherland had made to the industry. A participant who came to the show with a team of 21 cattle to care for, William van Gend, Llandillo Poll Herefords, The Lagoon, NSW, received the award.

Two Herefords Australia Youth scholarships worth $2500 each for travel within Australia and New Zealand were presented by Herefords Australia deputy chairman Marc Greening to Brittany Abbott, Wagga Wagga, and Janet Cantwell, Mulloon Pastoral, Braidwood, NSW.

Receiving a heifer donated by Andrew and Serena Klippel, Sugarloaf Creek Herefords, Corryong, Katie Kerby, Coongulla, Vic, won the Most Potential Breeder Award.

Katie received the 11-month-old Sugarloaf Caroway S140, a daughter of Mawarra Hi Time P155 and out of Sugarloaf Caroway L136.

In the paraders, Sam Garvin, Orange, NSW, cruised through the heats to win champion junior and grand champion, making it back-to-back titles after taking out the grand champion parader at the 2019 Expo at Parkes.

Elsie Stevens, Lancaster, Vic, was the pee wee division champion.

Mitchell Taylor, Eclipse Poll Herefords, Quipolly, NSW, came

1.

2. The participants at the 2022 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo at Wodonga.

Images Kim Woods

up trumps in the championship for the intermediate paraders while William van Gend was a popular winner in the senior division, taking out the championship.

In the cattle classes, Max White paraded the senior and grand champion female and grand champion exhibit, Llandillo Julie S24. Ella McWilliam paraded Kianma Matchless S006 to junior champion female.

Thomas Holt, Urana, NSW, won the Futurity Female class with the 2019 drop Tondara Miss Sooner 161 Q005 and her sixmonth-old heifer calf Tondara Novelty 192.

In the bull class, William Van Gend led Llandillo Soldier S42 to champion while Georgia Wragge led Glendan Park Sirloin S082 to victory in the commercial class.

The champion bred and owned class was won by Thomas Holt with Tondara Novelty 174.

In the judging classes, Lucy Godbolt was the champion pee wee; junior champion was Henry Brewer; intermediate champion was Thomas Holt and Will Van Gend senior champion with Janet Cantwell in reserve. Grand champion judge went to Mitchell Taylor, who won an entry to the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course.

In the herdsman, pee wee champion was Elsie Stevens; Sam Garvin junior champion; Mitchell Taylor intermediate champion, and Lillian Oke champion senior. Grand champion herdsman went to William Van Gend.

Judge Tim Lord, champion bull Llandillo Soldier S042, William Van Gend, grand champion female Llandillo Julie S24, Max White and Herefords Australia CEO Lisa Sharp.

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Jamie Hollis

By Kim Woods

It was an emotional day at the 2022 Royal Queensland Show when Hereford breeder Jamie Hollis took out the tri-colour for grand champion female.

Only a few months before, seeing his 2019 drop cow Kalara Binara Queen Revona Q03 and her February drop bull calf, Kalara Laser T001, by Yavenvale Laser L326 in the showring, was a dream for Jamie from his hospital bed.

The 27-year-old had been struck down with a series of viruses and contracted an auto immune disease Guillain barre syndrome, a rare disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. Weakness and tingling in the hands and feet are usually the first symptoms, and these quickly spread paralysing the whole body.

“At the start of the year we were definitely not going to Brisbane royal as I was in a wheelchair,” Jamie said.

“I got Barmah Forest virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and Q-fever at the same time and spent two months in and out of hospital.

“I ended up with Guillain barre syndrome, not being able to feel my hands and feet plus paralysis in my face, and I still struggle with it every day but keep on going.”

Jamie still battles lethargy and numbness of his hands and feet. “I’m pretty determined at whatever I do and a goal of mine was to go to the Ekka – it definitely wasn’t easy getting the cattle ready with no animals broken in and I didn’t have a lot of strength,” he said.

“I was relying on Mikayla and her family along the way, and Amanda’s always got our back.”

Jamie puts his knowledge and cattle handling skills down to working with his mentors, Amanda Burcher, Binara Poll Herefords, Goondiwindi, and Jim McWilliam, Holbrook, NSW. He grew up at Pittsworth in Queensland where his father was a truck driver and his mother worked at a poultry farm.

He was exposed to cattle at a young age when his father worked on a dairy farm whilst his grandfather was also a dairyman. As a teenager Jamie worked on a dairy farm before and after school, a job which led him to meet Ivan and Amanda Burcher.

At age 15, he began helping Amanda with her show team and she took him along to a Hereford youth camp where he won the 2010 Queensland Ambassador Award.

“I received $600 for the award and it had to be used on something Hereford so I went half shares with Amanda and Ivan in a heifer, Kanimbla Revona F513, and she is still producing today,” he said.

“Now 12 years of age, Revona has been a very successful donor cow for us with around 20 registered calves. Her daughter was the grand champion female at this year’s Ekka.

“When I first started, I did some research on cow families and she came up in the Kanimbla sale and I decided she was the one – she was top price heifer at $6500 at the time and I was scared about spending that much money but she has turned out to be a cheap investment.”

Jamie met with much success travelling around the youth shows with the Burchers, winning a heifer donated by Ken and Liz Ikin, Cloverlee Poll Herefords, Crookwell, at the 2011 Herefords Australia Youth National Expo at Canberra, kicking off his Kalara Poll Hereford stud.

In 2015, Jamie won senior and grand champion parader at the 2015 Herefords Australia National Youth National Expo and capped off the show by winning senior and grand champion heifer with Kalara Binara Lady Revona.

He served as president of the Herefords Queensland Youth Association committee and was a Herefords Australia Youth ambassador for 2015.

Jamie met Mikayla at school and they both shared a passion for cattle, initially showing Limousin and then switching to Herefords.

Today, Jamie and Mikayla run around 20 registered cows at Spring Creek, Queensland and on a lease block.

Jamie loves the versatility, temperament and doing ability of the Herefords.

“Herefords are easy to manage, we don’t have any calving issues, they are very fertile and suit the area we are running them on.

ABOVE LEFT: Jamie Hollis, aged 20, at the National Youth Show at Bathurst in 2015.

ABOVE RIGHT: Jamie Hollis and Mikayla Passmore with their grand champion female and calf at the 2022 Royal Queensland Show.

Where are they now? Jamie Hollis cont’

FROM PAGE 52

“We will have a few bulls for sale next year –one of the bulls is the first TH Masterplan 183F calves in the country so he may be offered at the Wodonga National.

“It’s a long way to go but sometimes you have to roll with the punches and see what you can get.”

Jamie works full-time at a reproduction facility flushing cows and looking after recipient females for contract embryo transfer programs, gaining skills in cattle management and nutrition.

He looks up to Jim McWilliam, former owner of Kanimbla Poll Herefords, as a mentor.

“He has bred the type of cattle I like and I’ve had a good relationship with him.

“I like cattle with style because of the showring presence I’ve been involved with but also cattle that are easy to maintain.

“I’m particular on udders because of my dairy background – it all comes down to having a strong female foundation in the herd.”

Jamie has scored a few judging gigs, including the paraders at the 2022 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo at Wodonga.

“It is really exciting to see what youth members are coming through in the breed,” he said.

Jamie and Mikayla have weaned a few steers this year and are planning to enter them in hoof and hook competitions in 2023.

The couple has a long-term aim to work fulltime in their own cattle stud and initiate an annual sale.

A self-described quiet achiever, Jamie concedes the Hereford youth movement has given him self-confidence to step outside the square and seek out opportunities.

“Whenever I go to a youth program now, I look for kids like myself who didn’t have a mum and dad helping them along the way or giving them cattle.

“Even now we take kids to local shows – it’s out of our pocket expense but I like the opportunity of giving back what I was given.

“It’s very rewarding when you can start giving back.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out a mentor who is going in the direction you would like to go, chase it and don’t let it get away.”

Jamie doing one of his favourite jobs – preparing cattle for the showring.

Scholarship fosters two future Hereford breed talents

By Kim Woods

Two of the Hereford breed’s most promising up and coming talents will travel to learn more about the beef industry after being named as this year’s recipients of the Herefords Australia National Youth Travel Scholarship.

Brittany Abbott, Wagga Wagga, and Janet Cantwell, Braidwood, NSW, each received $2500 to fund travel within Australia or New Zealand to further develop their knowledge at a destination and for a duration of their choice.

Established in 2019, the scholarships are open to applicants over 18 years of age competing in the Herefords Australia National Youth Expo.

Brittany and Janet were presented with their awards by Herefords Australia deputy chairman Marc Greening at the Herefords Australia National Youth Expo.

Janet, 25, juggles her Mulloon Poll Hereford stud of 12 registered cows with a job as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Queanbeyan pool, and aims to become a full-time cattle producer. It took Janet just seven years to rise from a teenager new to country life to winning grand champion Hereford bull at the 2020 Sydney Royal Show with 12-month-old Mulloon Radar and grand champion female at Canberra Royal 2021 with 12-month-old Mulloon Rhythmic Magic.

Mulloon Poll Herefords is a partnership between herself and her mother Marlene Cantwell, with their first stud purchase in 2014.

Janet said throughout her journey breeding seedstock there had been heartache and success but there was always a supportive community allowing her to gain a greater understanding of cattle breeding.

Brittany Abbott, 20, grew up on a Red Poll stud at Kolora, in southwest Victoria and is studying a Bachelor of Animal Science at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, with the aim to specialise in bovine reproduction.

Representing Victoria, Brittany was runner-up in the National Young Beef Cattle Judges 2022 championship at this year’s Sydney Royal Show.

Under the scholarship Brittany plans to visit genetic collection sites and Hereford herds in northern NSW and Queensland to understand market requirements.

“To be considered for the Herefords Australia Youth scholarship was amazing and gives me encouragement to keep going.”

1. Brittany Abbott will pursue her goals of studying reproductive animal science with the scholarship funds. 2. Janet Cantwell mentors pee wee Harper Geppart at the National Youth Expo. 2

Hereford youth dominate heifer shows on eastern seaboard

Hereford emerged as the champion breed at the Beachport Liquid Minerals National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show at Blayney, NSW, on September 1-4.

In an event which drew 169 young handlers, young Hereford stud master William van Gend, O’Connell, NSW, took out champion fitter, grand champion herdsman, senior champion parader and the Branded Ag Marketing Scholarship and Internship

The $1000 Champion Jackpot Heifer was won by JTR Cherry Ripe S020 paraded by Jack Nunan for Tim and Gemma Reid, JTR Cattle Company, Rosslyn, NSW.

The show presented many unique educational and stock handling experiences for competitors and had a program chocked full of team activities, educational workshops, auctioneering competition, clipping demonstration, clipping competition and workshops.

There was also livestock judging under overjudge Tony Starr, junior judging, an AuctionsPlus workshop, and paraders competition.

Herdsman judges included Herefords Australia director Annie Pumpa while Llandillo Poll Herefords manager Lee White, The Lagoon, was an overjudge for the junior judging.

Hereford Youth member Sam Garvin, Orange, won the herdsman junior division with Max White, The Lagoon, in third whilst Sam went onto claim junior champion herdsman, the junior champion junior judge and grand champion parader. Max White received an encouragement award in the junior judging and won his paraders class.

Kody Stevens, Orangeville, NSW, won his class in the pee wee paraders and was sashed pee wee champion parader.

Hereford Youth member Lisa Bonenkamp placed third in the herdsman senior division and third in her paraders class.

Sydney Regional Hereford Group sponsored the grand champion heifer won by Summit Highflyer S6.

In the intermediate heifer classes, Llandillo WFC Nora placed second, Llandillo Silky placed third and Llandillo Gladiola placed fourth.

In the junior heifer division, Harry Reid paraded JTR Cherry Ripe S020 and Sam Garvin with Kianma Matchless S004 to win their classes with Kianma Matchless S004 sashed junior champion heifer and Cherry Ripe in reserve.

In the calf division, Samuel Guy paraded Llandillo Jenny S148 to second and Fletch Hall paraded Llandillo Tigeress to fourth, while in the junior bull bonanza, Jack Nunan paraded JTR Santiago S029 to second in his class. William Van Gend paraded Llandillo Soldier to win junior champion bull.

In the commercial heifer competition, Poll Hereford entry Kalnee Park Izzie was second and reserve champion commercial heifer while Thomas Hooper paraded Kalnee Park Cruiser to win class three. Herefords Australia Youth members also cleaned up at the

Angus Youth National Roundup with Max White part of the winning team in the fitting competition, champion junior judge, parading the best presented animal, won his paraders class, and was top five herdsperson.

Will van Gend was reserve senior herdsperson, third in the paraders, third with his heifer and was part of the champion fitting team.

Lucy Godbolt won the pee wee champion herdsperson and encouragement awards in pee wee meat judging and junior judging, Kody Stevens was champion pee wee parader and top 5 pee wee herdsperson, Janet Cantwell top five senior herdsperson, Mitch Duddy won the intermediate herdsperson and junior judging encouragement awards and Annie Pumpa received the Cornell Shield.

1. Jack Nunan, right, mentors a young handler during the heifer classes. Image Branded Ag.

2. Sam Garvin was junior champion herdsman, the junior champion junior judge and grand champion parader. Image Branded Ag.

3. It was teamwork all the way at the All Breeds Junior Heifer Show. Image Branded Ag.

4. The Herefords Australia Youth team at the All Breeds Junior Heifer show at Blayney.

5. Will van Gend wins the 2022 Beachport Liquid Minerals National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show fitting competition.

Elsie developing a keen eye for Hereford genetics

By Kim Woods

A keen interest in beef cattle breeding and genetics helped eight-year-old Elsie Stevens across the line at the 2022 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo.

Elsie was sashed as champion pee wee handler and herdsman at her first Hereford youth expo.

A Year 2 student at St Augustine’s College at Kyabram, Elsie lives on the family dairy farm at Lancaster.

Her parents Mark and Charlotte Stevens immigrated from New Zealand seven years ago to pursue their goals of dairying in Australia. Charlotte had managed a meat processing plant with 700 staff for Silver Fern Farms while Mark worked as a stud stock agent in New Zealand.

The couple are milking 450 crossbred cows and using Hereford bulls to produce beef cross calves which receive a premium price over the male dairy calves.

“There is a lot more risk moving to Australia but a lot more opportunities – we wouldn’t have owned our own farm in New Zealand with cheaper land values here,” Mark said.

“It costs us the same to produce a litre of milk in Australia as it does in New Zealand.”

Mark had worked with Hereford youth in New Zealand at a

Hereford bull forum in 2019.

“At the time Elsie was keen to be involved so we bought Hereford bulls from Cascade and Oldfields, and a registered heifer from Rayleigh to establish Bartonfields Herefords,” he said.

“In New Zealand it is called the whiteface advantage but here it is ease of management for staff.

“We select calving ease bulls and prefer to use yearlings as a terminal over cows and heifers. It fits well commercially for us and it is a good interest for Elsie.”

Bartonfields is named for Charlotte’s family’s Clydesdale stud in New Zealand.

Mark encourages other parents to have their children involved with Hereford Youth.

He paid tribute to senior youth member Tabby Cross for being Elsie’s buddy during the expo with the friendship continuing post-event.

“Elsie likes to look at the sale catalogues, is keen on the breeding, naming the cattle and has a close tab on where they are and what they are doing,” Mark said.

He helps Elsie with her cattle handling, junior judging and parading skills while Charlotte teaches her daughter the finer points of horsemanship.

Elsie made lots of new friends at the National Youth Expo and enjoys working with her homebred heifer, Bartonfields Leila.

“I quite like mucking out the stalls and washing the cows, grooming them. Working with my team mates and the mock auction was fun,” she said.

“I like working with my Herefords and get to feel their soft coat. When judging I look for carcase if it is a beef cow and frame and the udder if it is a dairy cow.”

Apart from her interest in cattle, Elsie enjoys riding, dancing and playing netball.

Elsie Stevens with her buddy Tabby Cross at the 2022 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo. Image Kim Woods

The merits and addiction of breeding Miniature Herefords

If you thought breeding chooks was addictive, just wait until you purchase a Miniature Hereford. It started with a photograph of two gorgeous calves posted on Instagram by fellow local farmer in the southern highlands of NSW. Before I knew it, I had purchased two heifers named Piper and Piccadilly and was talking “potential bulls” to the breeder, former Sydney veterinarian Tony Waugh, and his artist wife Marg, who ran Apple Gully Farm at Werai, near Exeter.

“You’ll have to find a bull for the girls, you know,” Tony said as I stood in his paddock patting his bull, Boomer Creek Stuart, who was blissfully munching away on a biscuit of hay with his harem of cows.

This was not my experience of the Hereford breed as a child spending school holidays on my grandfather’s cattle and sheep property near Oberon in the 1970s and 80s. The thought of buying a bull and managing him on our 40ha, needless to say, had me feeling slightly trepidatious.

But what was a girl (pretend farmer) supposed to do if she didn’t buy a bull for her girls? More paddock ornaments we did not need! More mouths to feed which did not produce anything we did not need (chooks not included).

While I am no social media aficionado, trawling across Facebook I managed to find Toni Hall from Taraloo Miniature Herefords at Parkes with a placid two-year-old bull for sale. Our road trip later to the Central West with the horse float to collect Taraloo Patrick (and of course a paddock mate for him named Qwinto) and our “herdette” at Fiddlewood Farm had begun.

While I have a tad of cattle breeding in my DNA, it was 35 years since I had been in a stockyard or bellowed “Com’ on!” across a paddock to beckon cattle in for a feed.

I certainly had never tried to coax a bull onto a horse float, albeit with a halter and a bucket of feed. My ever-patient animal loving husband did not bat an eye when I said I was buying a bull and he needed to drive with me to Parkes on an overnighter to collect him. Inside, he was probably rolling his eyes as our menagerie of animals continued to expand.

Aside from testosterone issues at the boundary fence and a brief wander out a gate down the lane to search for the neighbour’s heifers, Patrick has been a good boy in all senses of the word. No doubt this stems from his solid genetics and handling by the Hall family who bred him.

Patrick knows his name and comes when called. Electric fencing is of course essential – the barbwire was not enough as I had naively presumed.

I hear you seasoned farmers laughing! Last spring, we were blessed with four gorgeous calves and no calving issues. Patrick also had a holiday with a friend’s Angus heifers with a 20 out of 20 success rate. If you are looking for a smaller bull to join with your heifers, I cannot recommend the Mini Hereford highly enough.

The designation “Mini” is admittedly, a little deceptive. They might be a little shorter than your standard Hereford but a beef cow they definitely are. With a placid temperament, they will produce a solid beef cow for you. A 600kg steer by the age of two to three years is not uncommon.

The long and short of it…the breeding program at Fiddlewood Farm continues to expand. Four cows later quickly became six this year with another three calves on the ground in October.

My husband is “on watch” for cows going into labour and has now acted as veterinary assistant to help deliver his first calf to an overweight heifer with our former vet who just happened to be coming for a visit. Serendipity!

Six cows this year is rapidly on the way to 11 with heifers coming up from Victoria in November from the Davey family at Shady Creek. This farming gig is addictive and the Mini Herefords have been a delight so far. If only I had more grass!

I am ever-grateful for the knowledge imparted every month through our online group of seasoned cowboys and cowgirls – the Australian Miniature Hereford Breeders Network. From handling and nutrition to demonstrations using calf pulling chains and making the most of the HAL website where we can register our stock and generate mating prediction spreadsheets, this network has been invaluable for us as we navigate our way as new farmers.

You can read more about the Network and Mini Herefords on the website www.amhbn.com.

By Susan Tankard Fiddlewood Mini Herefords, High Range, NSW

1. The Miniature Hereford can grow into 600kg steers at two to three years of age.

2. A new calf born this year at Fiddlewood Farm. Images Susan Tankard.

3. The Miniature Herefords are known for their docility making them ideal for small holdings.

4. Quinto and Patrick at Fiddlewood Farm.

Hungry field day visitors chow down on 3500 Hereford steaks

By Kim Woods

Hereford beef sourced from Bindaree Beef was a huge hit with thousands of hungry visitors to the AgQuip field days at Gunnedah in August.

AgQuip is one of Australia’s largest agricultural field days and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the country each year.

Herefords Northern NSW members donned aprons and sold 1100 steak sandwiches on day one, 1500 on day two and 3500 across the entire three days at their on-site shed.

They were assisted by Inverell High School Cattle Club students, The Armidale School students and Herefords Australia chief executive officer Lisa Sharp behind the counter.

Visitors were able to chow down on the fillet steak roll, sausage sandwich and Hereford pies.

They were able to read the back story on how the beef came from cattle open range bred, renowned for their docility, crossed well with all breeds, meet MSA grading specifications and were the foundation of Australia’s beef trade.

The Hereford pies were made by Stewart Latter, The Bread Basket, Kurri Kurri. Stewart, a head judge for the Baking Association of Australia, supplied 4000 bread rolls, 400 pies and 36 loaves of bread to Herefords Northern NSW.

Members also had the Herefords Australia merchandise trailer on display and Northern Group caps for sale.

The group own the building at the AgQuip site guaranteeing visitors a great steak every year.

Money raised by the site at AgQuip is put towards promoting the breed throughout the region and supporting youth programs.

Barb Hollis, Lotus Herefords, Glen Innes, was among the volunteer cooks helping to raise funds after the two-year hiatus

due to COVID and raising the breed profile among the wider community.

“We even hosted some businesses for their corporate breakfasts and lunches on site at the field days – every time somebody asked me what was the name of the beast I said Harry the Hereford,” Barb said.

“We also catered for gluten free, gave complimentary tea and coffee, and provided plenty of chairs and tables so people could sit down.

“While everything was shut down during COVID we still had ongoing costs so it was nice to have a boost to the coffers again for event sponsorship and donations to local schools who helped out.”

Felicity Reeves, Reevesdale Poll Herefords, Delungra, said AgQuip was such a success, the site sold out of everything except bacon and eggs.

“People know the Hereford brand is there every year and they will get quality steak,” she said.

Felicity said the group works hard to promote the breed across the region each year and holds stud tours and workshops for members each year.

“We visit a different area of the northern group each year so all studs get a turn at showcasing their animals. Last year at Narrabri was flooded out so we will try again.

“The region is coming off the back of a strong spring bull selling season and it is nice to see the turn around after some tough years.

“It is important for us to promote the breed among the youth, we have a strong youth group who organise the heifer show each year and the senior group is there to back them up physically or mentor-wise.”

Herefords Northern NSW chairman Graham Reeves said a total of 3500 steaks, 500 sausages and 400 meat pies sold, “putting the breed out there”.

“Hereford is the only breed sourcing their own beef to serve at the field days,” Graham said.

“We consistently keep promoting the doability, finishing ability, heavier weaning weights and eating quality.”

1. The Northern NSW Herefords group sold 3500 steak sandwiches across the three days.

2. Lisa Sharp with Rob Tindall, Merriwa, left, and Toby James.

3. Visitors to the site are interviewed on their eating experience.

4. Herefords Australia CEO Lisa Sharp with Yvonne and Ron Carr, Tooloomba Estate.

5. The popular Hereford pies were made by The Bread Basket, Kurri Kurri.

Framework leading Australian beef’s sustainable future

Sustainability has grown to become one of the Australian beef industry’s most imperative considerations as more is understood about the impact of sustainable practices across the value chain, and the linkage this holds with building consumer trust and expanding market access.

The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) sets out the key indicators of performance in sustainability for industry. It enables success to be recognised through evidence-based metrics and empowers the value chain to continually improve and demonstrate its values to customers, investors and stakeholders.

The ABSF defines sustainability as the production of beef in a manner that is socially, environmentally, and economically responsible – achieved through the care of natural resources, people and the community, the health and welfare of animals, and the drive for continuous improvement.

Meat and Livestock Australia Manager – Beef Sustainability and ABSF Sustainability Steering Group Secretariat, Jacob Betros, said there were several global sustainability initiatives demanding our attention, including commitments on global deforestation, an increased focus on carbon emissions, and biodiversity.

“It is my belief, if we do not engage with these initiatives and relevant stakeholders, they will engage us when major customers are required to report against them,” Mr Betros said. “As we did with foresight in setting a goal of carbon neutrality for industry by 2030 (CN30), we have an opportunity to lead. The mechanism is the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.”

THE ABSF IS USED TO:

• Advise industry investment for continual improvement in areas most important to customers and stakeholders

• Help protect and grow access to investment and finance by providing evidence of performance and improvement

• Foster constructive relationships with stakeholders to work collaboratively on improvement

• Promote industry transparency and progress to customers and the community.

More recently, the ABSF has examined its alignment with international expressions of sustainability, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure the performance of the industry in Australia is able to be understood by trade partners, potential markets, and overseas stakeholders.

Kylandee Herefords

Framework leading Australian beef’s sustainable future cont’

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• By understanding how the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) align with the ABSF, the Australian beef industry can better illustrate how it is contributing to sustainability in a global context Establish or endorse measurement systems at an individual business level

• Provide an accreditation or certification system

• Endorse prescriptive management practice

• Create additional paperwork for individual businesses.

GOVERNANCE

The Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) is appointed by the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) to progress the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) on behalf of the beef industry and is made up of representatives from across the value chain.

The SSG is chaired by Mark Davie, who leads the group to deliver the ABSF Annual Update and further refine data and indicators to improve how the ABSF reports on the sustainability of the Australian beef industry. It also provides advice to RMAC on sustainability matters.

The ABSF and its ongoing development has been informed by rigorous stakeholder engagement standards with those who have an interest in the beef industry and who can affect or be affected by it.

These standards give the ABSF rigour and integrity and ensure all stakeholders are actively engaged and their views respectfully considered.

Engaging with stakeholders ensures the ABSF is addressing, measuring, and reporting the sustainability uses that the industry and community are interested in.

These relationships help the SSG and industry representatives make informed decisions and allow the ABSF to provide stakeholders with the information they need to make better decisions.

Key stakeholder consultation measures include the biannual Consultative Committees and Industry Forums.

ABSF ANNUAL UPDATE

Each year, the ABSF releases its annual update, to track industry performance against each of the indicators associated with the four themes.

This document, usually launched mid-year, not only assists in demonstrating the good work being undertaken by industry in sustainable practices, but also to identify opportunities to improve and guide industry priorities and investment.

To see the 2022 Annual Update and learn more about the ABSF go to https://www. sustainableaustralianbeef.com.au/

A familiar face around the stud Hereford showrings around the nation for seven decades Neville Farrawell, Tamworth, NSW, passed away in July 2022 at the age of 86 years.

Neville Ian John Farrawell was a life member of both Herefords Australia and Herefords Northern NSW Association.

He operated the Bonnie Brae Hereford stud, was a cattle fitter for many years, a mentor to many of the senior members of the breed today and a familiar site at the EKKA with his cattle teams in the days when stud cattle arrived by train.

Nev was the stuff of legends on the stud cattle show circuit, exhibiting cattle at the Royal Queensland Show for 65 years. He worked for a Hereford breeder at North Star for 27 years and credits it for “getting his foot in the door” with the breed. Nev later moved to Tamworth to found Bonnie Brae in 1982 while also feeding and showing other people’s cattle.

In 2003, Nev was recognised for 50 years attendance at the Ekka and exhibited the grand champion carcase.

Vale NOEL CAMPION

Dedicated Hereford breeder Noel Campion, Amos Vale Herefords, Pinkett, passed away aged 88 years on August 22.

The funeral was held on August 29 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Glen Innes on August 29.

Noel was born at Guyra on November 6, 1934, the youngest of five children to Fred and Elizabeth Campion, honing his shooting skills at a young age to become a highly respected clay target shooter and coach. He was a member of both Glen Innes and Guyra clubs, and made the NSW team.

Noel’s love of Hereford cattle was undeniable and led him to founding Amos Vale stud in 1967. He had a tremendous eye for good cattle and quality was always a priority. Noel gained many mates and lifetime friendships through the stud.

With the purchase of carefully selected cows from Timor,

Vale IAN HOLLINGSWORTH

A long commitment to breeding Hereford cattle was remembered at the passing of Ian Hollingsworth aged 75, of Waukivory, on September 21.

Ian Clyde Hollingsworth was born on November 8, 1946, in Newcastle and was the only son with two older sisters Wendy, Bronwyn and his younger sister Glenny.

In 1952 the family purchased a dairy farm at Limeburner’s Creek where Ian was first introduced to registered cattle with this family running an Ayrshire herd.

After high school, Ian attended and graduated from Yanco Agricultural College in 1964 where he continued his sporting activities, representing Yanco in the first-grade rugby league team and captaining the first-grade cricket team.

Following college, Ian met his lifelong partner Gayle and they settled at Dungog where he was a licenced builder for many years.

In 1986, after a wide search through the Dungog and Gloucester areas, the family purchased Ashmar in the Waukivory region of

Nev’s passion for his cattle and determination to get to the EKKA kept him going through a cancer diagnosis which saw a tumour the size of an orange removed from his spinal cord in a ninehour operation.

First calf heifer Bonnie Brae Lioness 2 and her bull calf Bonnie Brae Ninja Turtle claimed the senior and grand champion female at the EKKA in 2017 in what was an emotional day for Neville.

At the time he listed the win as a highlight of a long show career and said he loved the temperament and doing ability of the Hereford breed.

Lilburn and Benama studs, Noel aimed to bred consistent, predictable and profitable Hereford bulls. He placed great emphasis on structural soundness, constitution, milking ability and females with good skin, hair type and colour.

Noel and Marie handed over the reins to Mark and Wendy Campion and their sons Matthew and Brayden to continue the Hereford vision.

In recent years Noel loved to go out the back in his buggy and check out his beloved Hereford bullocks.

He often recalled how fox and kangaroo shooting was a big part of the family’s lives to supplement income during the droughts, wet years and the beef depression of the 1970s.

Gloucester and established the Ashmar Hereford stud.

The Ashmar stud was a regular exhibitor at both local shows and the Sydney Royal, with Ian enjoying success in the ring and friendship from fellow exhibitors.

A long-time vendor at the Gloucester bull sale, the stud in recent times has sold bulls at Glen Innes Hereford Bull Sale and privately.

Regardless of what type of animal, Ian had an ability to connect with them and often spent days or weeks tending to a sick animal that many people would have given up on. His favourite working dog “Shep” was highly regarded in the area and features in many local dog bloodlines.

Ian had a relatively short battle with melanoma and is survived by his wife Gayle, children Marika and Ashley, and grandchildren Kyra, Chloe, Julius and Edward.

Neville Farrawell, centre, accepts his life membership to Herefords Northern, from Bruce Gunning, left, Emu Holes Herefords, Quirindi.

Fuelling creative passion and value adding to the cattle business

By Kim Woods

Breeding cattle can often become an obsession leaving little time for other activities but sometimes adversity within the business forces people to think outside the square.

Herefords Australia meets four members who value added to their own life experiences to create a side hustle which in turn has evolved into thriving businesses.

Teeny

Hours in the saddle droving cattle during the drought spurred a creative passion within Teeny Runzer that she never knew existed.

Teeny and her husband Kelly run 80 stud and 20 commercial cows at Tenaru Poll Herefords at Boggabilla in NSW.

Under Teenzer Creations, Teeny crafts handmade sculptures, decorative crosses, hat racks, trophies and wreaths made from upcycled silverware, barbwire, horseshoes, and horseshoe nails.

The silverware sculptures are welded and sealed so they can be used indoors or outside in the garden.

A keen photographer, Teeny had never considered art until she was out droving cattle during the drought and began fiddling with pieces of wire, making wreaths.

“I thought maybe I could weld stuff, so I bought myself a small MIG welder for my 50th birthday and taught myself how to work the welder and weld via Youtube videos,” she said.

“In the early days I would sit down with a piece of pipe, weld on spoons and by the end it would be a crane or stork.

“I had no idea I could do this, and it still amazes me the things that I do.”

The couple had sent all their cattle to Victoria on agistment during the drought, resulting in Teeny having time to establish Teenzer Creations in 2019.

These days she is busy working on commissions and was invited to hold an exhibition of her sculptures at the Texas Regional Art Gallery in 2022, Moree’s BAMM Exhibition and Goondiwindi Regional Art Space.

Teeny has her workshop underneath the house and sees her artistic time as therapeutic after spending days working with cattle.

“It’s my escape, no matter what I’m welding I just enjoy creating whatever I’m doing.”

In October, floods brought welding to a halt as all Teeny’s workshop was packed up and stored above flood level.

She uses old cutlery from deceased estates and the three op shops in Goondiwindi.

“When I am riding around the farm on the bike, I like to pick up bits of old wire and wood for use in the sculptures.

“I use knife blades to create windmills and neighbours often drop stuff off at our grid for me while a farrier brings me bags of horseshoes.

“For my exhibition I made a Cobb & Co coach with the horses made out of horseshoe nails – I enjoy doing the pieces which tell a story.”

1. Teeny Runzer at one of her gallery exhibitions.

2. A Blue Wren made of cultery takes shape in Teeny’s workshop.

3. Scrap wire and old cultery were used to make these birds by Teeny Runzer. 4. A frill necked lizard made by Teeny.

She sells her artwork using the digital platforms of a website and social media, including Buy from the Bush site for small businesses run by drought affected farmers.

Teeny also juggles her art and cattle work with breeding Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Check out Teeny’s work at www.teenzercreations.myshopify.com

A photo of Hereford breeder Grant Kneipp jumping into a dam when the drought broke became known as the “Drought Breaker” and proved a pivotal point in the family lives.

Grant and Kylie Kneipp and their three young children run 250 Hereford and Speckle Park breeders and sell 40 bulls under the Battalion Livestock prefix at Dundee in the NSW New England region. They founded Insignia Co in 2019 providing customised marketing merchandise, specialising in the most popular style of trucker hats in Australia, along with stubby holders, travel mugs, pens, belts, and accessories to the stud cattle industry and rural sector.

“The drought took us into another area of realising we had to make money rather than just relying on the rain,” Grant said.

“When it got to the point of buying in both feed and water, we couldn’t keep it up so thought outside the box of what can we use our skills for whilst managing the farm.”

The couple spent many long nights on the computer researching potential businesses and realised there was an avenue for supplying merchandise to the stud cattle industry. “Potentially, if we needed hats for our stud there would be others out there, and we could make that a stand-alone business. Within a few weeks of making that decision we were up and running.”

Grant spent a month developing contacts with international factories to contract manufacture the trucker hats whilst Kylie, a vet nurse, spent her nights studying graphic design online with a sleeping infant on her lap.

“It didn’t take long before Insignia grew at a rate that Kylie needed to leave vet nursing to work full time on it. The growth caught us by surprise and the business has grown every quarter and still growing.

“During the drought I was spending two or three hours on the computer as well – I would look over Kylie’s shoulder, watch how she did it and then go and practice.”

They now employ a professional graphic designer based in Colorado and who had been originally commissioned to assist with corporate logos and rebranding.

Three full-time staff have been employed and a house purchased in Glen Innes to convert into office space. Insignia Co now caters for small businesses right through to

Grant and Kylie

5. Grant Kneipp jumping into a farm dam after rain proved a turning point for the family.

6. Insignia Co produces the popular trucker hat.

7. Kylie and Grant Kneipp with their children, Hailey, Travis and Grace.

international corporations and turned over 66,000 hats in 2021. “I realised that business model could be used to have other merchandise manufactured such as stubby coolers, pens, tote bags, coffee mugs, car air fresheners, blankets, sunglass straps, and leather belts,” Grant said.

“Covid hasn’t seemed to slow people down from promoting their business with merchandise. The monster we created takes a lot of feeding and Kylie doesn’t turn the computer off until at least 11pm each night.

“We can’t sustain that with three small children so it’s about putting the right number of staff in for the business, and grow it big enough so we can step out and let the business run itself.” Insignia Co now works with many of Australia’s top country music artists including the Wolfe Brothers, Blake O’Connor, Travis Collins, James Johnson, Andrew Swift, and recently teamed up with ARIA nominated Casey Barnes.

“The country traits of looking after everyone like family and giving everyone the service they deserve, whether it is a small order of 25 or a big order of several thousand, we try to make everyone feel the same,” Grant said.

“We don’t want to sacrifice that as we grow the business.

“We have done merchandise for quite a number of Hereford breeders and Herefords Australia – most of our early growth came from studs and breed societies who trusted us to put some designs together and supply a quality product.

“The trucker style hat is the most in-demand style of hats but if the market leads to another design we can go with it.”

At AgQuip, Insignia sold 480 hats of its own branding, creating a sub-business.

“When we started, there were some orders where the growth was 200 per cent in three months – you certainly get better with time management and more economical with getting jobs done,” Grant said.

“The turnover of Insignia is now bigger than our cattle production. If our kids don’t want to be farmers, it may set them up for a more stable future than where we were for a while.

“We now have our business split three ways and it is certainly more comfortable than relying on one source that’s for sure.”

Check out Grant and Kylie’s work at www.insigniaco.com.au

Fuelling creative passion

FROM

Deanne

In 2022, Hereford breeder Deanne Sykes value added to her skill and knowledge repertoire by launching Meraki – The Heart and Soul of Success, a mentoring and coaching business offering individually tailored programs to families and individuals across agriculture and small business.

Deanne with her husband Peter operate Mawarra Genetics at Longford in Victoria, running 500 breeding cows, selling 100 bulls each year and exporting genetics to eight countries.

They engaged with the Shine at Leadership team to streamline systems and procedures, staff acquisition and management through to business planning and strategic management.

“Meraki was a result of participating in the Shine at Leadership program – I’m in my second year of the course and the personal development and growth has been incredible. It has had a massive impact in myself, the family and the business,” Deanne said.

“It got me out of my own way, making me appreciate and identify skills I hadn’t valued previously. It was taking a step back from myself and observing what I do, and realising I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge over my career with Mawarra and the mentors I have been fortunate to have.

“I want to share that knowledge from a business management point of view. I am proud of the business we have built, including the systems and procedures especially around business management.

“This is an area in the beef industry where there is a lot to be learnt and recognising your farm as a business, and putting systems in place enabling you to run it more efficiently.

“It’s not just about being outside – a structure needs to be built underneath.”

Deanne registered the business in April 2022 and now has clients ranging in age from 15 to mid 70s.

“It has been a huge learning for me and balancing that with my role at Mawarra. I’ve learnt so much from the conversations I’ve had across all different aspects of agriculture from commodities to younger clients with a passion for agriculture but who are looking for ways they can create careers for themselves in that space,” she said.

Deanne takes a holistic approach with her clients, lending an ear and a shoulder, and drawing on her large network to help them engage with others.

She mixes empathy and compassion with the different practical business tools, systems and skills, empowering clients with self-confidence and selfbelief.

“I help them step back and take a different perspective of the challenges they are facing.

“There are a lot of people in the agricultural sector without a formal education, but they have an enormous skill set, and often it is just getting them to take a fivedegree shift in perspective.”

Deanne uses a mix of zoom and face-to-face meetings around the kitchen table. The family now has four full-time employees giving Deanne time to concentrate on her new business.

“Meraki has been able to happen because of the systems and procedures we have in place, and the streamlining of office management. The additional employees help to share the load between us all.

“When it is a family business it is not always easy to bring in people from the outside, but we have been fortunate to have three enthusiastic and capable young people.

“Juggling responsibilities when your home is also your place of business is an area I focus on with clients, and finding ways to navigate multi-generational workplaces.”

She has been overwhelmed by the passion and enthusiasm for agriculture among the younger demographic.

“You can’t have too many mentors as there is always something to be learnt, and what a better way to learn than from someone with lived experience.

“Meraki is my way of giving back to the industry that has given us so much, and it is easy for me to find the time to do that as I am so grateful for all the opportunities myself and our family have had. Meraki has been born of doing something I absolutely love, that is personal development and leadership – I’m passionate about agriculture, sharing the experiences and supporting other people.”

Speak with Deanne at deanne@merakihs.com.au

seven other artists are invited to exhibit.

Her sculptures can be found in galleries throughout Australia and private collections in the UK, France, Singapore, Hong Kong, Egypt, Germany, Dubai, USA, Patagonia and Denmark.

LucyLucy McEachern runs 220 cows under the prefix of Spring Run Herefords at Inverleigh in Victoria and is also a renowned bronze sculptor drawing inspiration from her rural surroundings.

Her family’s Ardno Hereford stud had a 78-year history of breeding Herefords, held 56 bull sales and operated across three generations.

Lucy re-registered a portion of the herd in 2017 based on 70 heifers retained when the family sold Ardno, selling bulls by private treaty and is planning her first open day under the Spring Run prefix for the 2023 Victorian Beef Week Field Days.

She has an on-farm studio and gallery, which is open by appointment and once a year becomes a haven of creativity as

This year she was commissioned to produce a 1.75m bronze sculpture of war surgeon Dr Vera Scantlebury Brown OBE to be sited in the memorial Avenue of Honour at Linton.

Lucy conceded the work was challenging as it had been many years since she sculptured a human figure and there were just four historical photographs to draw on for inspiration.

A small clay model was produced for the Brisbane foundry to scan and print a larger 3D plastic model before being cast in bronze.

Lucy spent many hours in the saddle doing stock work as a child with her mother Kate while her father Clive, who was a keen ornithologist, encouraging a deep affinity with birds within his daughter.

and value adding to the cattle business cont’

Deanne Sykes

Image Mavstar Photography.

Her career kicked off in 2002 with a travelling scholarship to study in Prato, Italy, for a semester (Monash University) and she went on to work under an artist in the UK.

“At the same time, I was at art school I was president of the Herefords Australia Youth Group and was the youth delegate for the 2004 World Hereford Conference. Amanda Smith and I started the Victorian Hereford Youth Group.

“Herefords have always been a part of my life, it’s in my heart and soul.”

Lucy cast her first bronze sculpture in Year 12 after visiting a foundry, sparking a fascination with the permanence of bronze as a medium.

“Clay is so fragile whereas bronze is so tactile – I love the stability and the history behind bronze – it can go either inside or outside,” she said.

“Birds are underestimated and once you sculpt them you realise the detail of their face, beak, feet and streamlined feathers.”

9.

10.

She worked from a cramped hallway in the property’s old outstation before moving to the garage at her present home and then building the gallery and studio seven years ago. In 2022, the gallery hosted 350 people over two days for an exhibition. She plans to continue producing large installation sculpture encapsulating the landscape and limited-edition sculptures.

“Completing sculptures for people to have in their homes and gardens is what drives me,” she said.

“Doing the stockwork on horseback gives me time to observe the finches, brolgas or eagles in the landscape and moving at the cattle’s pace is better for the stock and the environment. “Calving and joining time is flat out but having a new on-farm employee for three days a week frees me up for deliveries, office work and sculpting.” Check out Lucy’s work at www.lucymceachern.com

8. Lucy McEachern at work sculpting Dr Vera Scantlebury Brown OBE.

Lucy gathers inspiration from the landscape while doing stock work.

Owls are one of Lucy’s favourite subjects for sculpting.

Records tumble as Hereford breed hits all-time high

By Kim Woods

The Hereford sales juggernaut continued to reach stellar heights as the breed cleared close to $15 million in bulls during spring 2022.

A total of 37 on-property sales were held in NSW, Queensland from July to October against a backdrop of a growing female inventory, bumper seasonal conditions and strong store and prime cattle prices.

The sale averages for many studs jumped by $3000 to $7000 on a year ago, with some vendors reporting commercial producers investing in Hereford genetics for the first time seeking the extra weight, temperament and market compliance.

In the sale breakdown, 1188 bulls were sold from the 1344 offered for a clearance of 88 per cent, an average of $12,218 –up from $10,968 last spring - and gross of $14,515,134. This represents a rise in the gross by $2.42 million on the 2021 spring sale results.

Leading the charge in the sale averages was Talbalba Herefords, Millmerran, Queensland, setting a new breed record for the spring sales with the impressive average of $19,119.

Stud principal Steve Reid said there was strong demand for bulls into central Queensland, with the stud aiming to breed cattle with muscle and adequate fat for either straightbred or crossbred herds.

Top priced bull, Talbalba Hoffman R131, was knocked down to Barry and Topsy Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, Vic, for $91,000, the bell-ringing equal top price for the spring sale circuit.

The 22-month-old homozygous polled son of the home bred sire Talbalba The Hoff M035 weighed 912kg, had a scrotal of 48cm and was ranked in the top 10 per cent of the breed for eye muscle area, gestation length, scrotal size. He also boasted strong calving ease, low birth weight with above average growth, positive fats and intramuscular fat.

Tobruk Poll Herefords had kicked off the 2022 spring bull sales circuit with a bang, setting a new Australian Hereford yearling bull record of $91,000.

The 12-month-old Tobruk Southern Cross S15 was sold by vendor Damien Holloway, Wagga Wagga, to Lachy and Lou Day, Days Whiteface, Bordertown, SA, via AuctionsPlus on June 3. A son of Glentrevor Trust N909, the homozygous bull was in the top one per cent for all indexes, and the top 10 per cent for calving ease.

Merawah/Tenaru Poll Herefords, Boggabilla, NSW, had the second top price of the season at $70,000 for their on-property sale on July 19 when Merawah Pioneer R043 sold to Ivan and Amanda Burcher, Binara Poll Herefords, Goodiwindi and Trevor Saal, Kalem Poll Herefords, Pittsworth, Qld.

The sale averaged a cracking $17,566 – the second highest for the spring - for the 46 from 47 bulls sold under the hammer whilst raising funds for the Giant Steps School Sydney.

Merawah Pioneer R043 was sired by Koanui Techno 3062 and out of Merawah Shamrock M004, ranked number one in the drop for raw eye muscle area and intramuscular fat.

One of the biggest offerings of Hereford bulls in the country was at Ironbark Herefords, Barraba, NSW, on August 26 with 116 lots selling from the 149 offered to average $12,009 and topping at $42,000.

The 13-month-old Lot 42 Ironbark 7131E Domino S659, was

one of the first sons to be offered by US sire CL 1 Domino 7131E, was snapped up by Peter and Deanne Sykes, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria.

The bull ranked top 10 per cent for milk, 200-day growth, top 26 per cent for 400-day growth, and top 21 per cent for 600day growth. He weighed 672kg, had a scrotal circumference of 40cm and a raw eye muscle scan of 103sqcm.

The second top price bull was Ironbark L065 Advance S009 at $35,000 selling to repeat buyer Kindon Station, Goondiwindi, Queensland.

Cascade Poll Herefords, Currabubula, NSW, topped at $56,000 on July 20 when Cascade Roman R060 was knocked down to James and Kate Luckcock, Ennerdale Poll Herefords, Dundonnell, Victoria.

A heifer’s first calf, the top price bull was by Cascade Robin Hood N027 and out of Cascade Christian P091, and ranked on BREEDPLAN in the top five per cent for all growth EBVs along with a generous eye muscle area of +5.1sqcm.

Tony and Barb Holliss, Lotus Herefords, Pinkett, NSW, had a 100 per cent clearance of 40 bulls to a top of $56,000 and average of $14,726. The top price bull, Lotus Reflect R160, sold to Jindalee Herefords, Inverell, NSW, and Nunniong Herefords, Ensay, Vic. Amos-Vale Herefords, Pinkett, cleared all 28 bulls to a top of $47,000 and a new sale record average of $15,357.

Amos Vale In Demand R002 made the top price to Yarram Park Performance Genetics, Willaura, Vic. The October 2020 drop bull was by Mawarra Grainger N149 and had a carcase weight of +64kg, eye muscle area of +5.9sqcm and 600-day weight of +101kg.

Steve and Therese Crowley, Tycolah Poll Herefords, Barraba, NSW, and The Cottage Poll Herefords, cleared all 40 bulls on July 22 to a top of $46,000 and average of $15,776.

The top price bull, Tycolah Terry R017, sold to Centaur Park, Clermont, Qld, while thee top priced yearling Tycolah Uralla S017 was knocked down for $24,000 the Bidgood family, Condamine, Qld.

Ian and Shelley Durkin, Mountain Valley Poll Herefords, Coolatai, NSW, offered and sold 42 bulls to a top of $45,000 and average of $14,547.

The top price bull, Mountain Valley Randwick R133, sold to Ben and Leanne Rumbel, Supple Whiteface, Guyra, NSW. Keeping the Hereford spring on-property sale momentum going

Bull sale averages increased from $3000 to $7000 on 2021 during the spring selling season. Image Monika Pearce, studstocksales.com

Records tumble as Hereford breed hits all-time high cont’

was the stellar Devon Court Hereford’s 90th anniversary sale with a new sale record top of $40,000 to mark the milestone.

Devon Court, at Drillham, Queensland, cleared 31 of 32 bulls for an average of $11,935 on September 6.

Devon Court Revolver R081 sold to Peter and Deanne Sykes, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria, for the top price of $40,000, eclipsing the stud’s previous record of $22,000. The October 2020 drop bull was by Devon Court Advance K126 and ranked top 10 per cent for short gestation, retail beef yield and scrotal circumference.

Kidman stud, Dubbo, NSW, celebrated its 30th annual onproperty sale with cattle selling to every state and territory except Western Australia and broke its on-farm top price record. Under the hammer, 44 of the 48 bulls sold to a top of $36,000 and average of $10,772.

Kidman Chester R140 was the top price bull selling to Wallan Creek Herefords, Drillham, Queensland. Chester was a Kidman Package J305 son and weighed 890kg.

Ian and Diana Locke, Wirruna Poll Herefords, Holbrook, NSW, cleared 62 bulls from 64 offered to a top of $34,000 and average of $10,874 on August 24.

Wirruna Roberto R485 sold for the top price to Bendoc Park Poll Herefords, Bendoc, Vic.

Sired by Wirruna Platnimum P072, the bull had been used over heifers at Wirruna to capture his carcase traits of eye muscle area and intramuscular fat.

He ranked in the top 5 per cent of the breed for EMA and top one per cent for IMF.

Stephen and Jodi Peake, Bowen Poll Herefords, Barraba, on July 21 cleared 100 per cent of 47 bulls to a top of $32,000 and average of $16,171.

The top price bull, Bowen Reese R020 was snapped up by Pat, James and Nikki Pearce, Yavenvale Herefords, Adelong, NSW. Warragundi Herefords, Currabubula, NSW, topped at $32,000 for their on-property sale on August 18 for a homozygous poll son of Injemira Anzac.

Oxford Grazing Company, Guyra, NSW, outlaid the top price for Warragundi Rancher, a 27-month-old bull weighing 1015kg and scanning with a raw eye muscle area of 138sqcm, a 43cm scrotal circumference, rump fat depth of 22mm and 14mm on the rib plus 7.2 per cent intramuscular fat.

Hereford bulls reached a high of $28,000 and an average of $13,860 at the Yalgoo Genetics Sale at Walcha, NSW, on August 8.

The stud sold 43 of the 46 bulls offered while the top price bull Yalgoo Render R118 sold to Wes Lowien, WRL Herefords, Dalby, Qld.

Sam Becker, Jarrah Cattle Company, Banana, Qld, sold 22 twoyear-old Hereford bulls to average an impressive $19,000 and top at $28,000 three times.

The two-year-old and yearling Hereford bulls combined to average $15,525 for all 40 bulls offered and sold.

Two of the $28,000 equal top selling Herefords, Jarrah Koanui R342 and Jarrah Fortune R316 sold to Robin Bruggerman, Taroom, Qld.

The remaining $28,000 bull was Jarrah Koanui R352, a 24-month-old weighing 852kg, scanning 12mm and 8mm for

rib and rump fat, and 124 sqcm for eye muscle area, sold to Bill and Louise Dunne, Dingo, Qld.

The O’Leary family, Remolea Poll Herefords, Clifton, Qld, held their annual sale on July 18 and topping at $26,000 for Remolea Rochester R084, a 24-month-old son of Callaway WRL HS Megatron M004 and Romolea Dainty L103.

R084 was the first Hereford bull purchased in 40 years by the Anderson family which runs a Braford operation at its properties Narrien, west of Clermont and Alice River, northwest of Jericho.

The family focus on early maturing cattle for the EU and Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System markets.

James and Sandy Higgins, Curracabark Herefords, Gloucester, NSW, sold 100 per cent of 27 Hereford bulls under the hammer to a top of $26,000 and average of $16,222.

The top price bull, Thornleigh Republican R300, is a son of Thornleigh H K7 Blackhawk N240 and out of Thornleigh TCCE301.

The top price bull at $24,000 at Rayleigh Poll Herefords, Narrabri, NSW, Rayleigh Razmataz R78 set a new on-property record and sold to new buyer Steve Connell, Tooraweenah, NSW.

Pastoralists snapped up Hereford bulls to a top of $19,000 at the Elders Alice Springs Multi-breed Bull Sale on July 2 for a new show record.

Days Whiteface, Bordertown, SA, sold the top price sire Days R125, sired by Days Genesis N102 and out of Days Shamrock P130, to Ben and Nicole Hayes, Undoolya Station, Alice Springs. Days Whiteface averaged $16,000 for their five bulls.

In the female sales, Rayleigh Poll Herefords sold 12 from 15 heifers offered to a top of $5500 for Rayleigh S Florence S16 selling to Killarney Station, Narrabri, and average of $3583.

Greg and Kayla Tyler, Hillview Herefords, Tyringham, NSW, had a full clearance of six heifers topping at $3500 to average $2710. Hillview Minerva R046 sold for the top price to Angus and Eunice Vivers, Jindalee Herefords, Kings Plains, NSW.

Tycolah Poll Herefords, Barraba, sold a total of 11 heifers were offered and sold to a top of $12,000 twice (Lot 45 Tycolah Pacette S005 and Lot 48 Tycolah Countess S030) and average of $7909.

Registered females sold to a top of $10,000 for Wirruna Madam R189, and averaged $6846 at the Locke family’s Wirruna Poll Hereford sale at Holbrook.

The top price heifer was a daughter of US sire Validated B413, ranked top 5 per cent for 400-day weight and carcase weight and was foetal sexed to be carrying a bull calf.

PTIC heifers, weighing 513kg and aged 23 to 24 months, sold from $3000 to $3400.

Sam Broinowski, Vielun Pastoral Co, Mudgee, NSW, sold 20 commercial heifers, 22 to 24 months, weighing 353-371kg and Yavenvale and Cascade blood, on their first calf by the $160,000 sire Injemira Robert Redford for $3750-$4000.

Four females were offered and sold by Scott and Pip Hann, Truro Hereford and Poll Herefords, Bellata, NSW, for an average of $6250 and top of $9000 for Truro Marianne M183 joined to Warwick Court Roma R111. David Armour, Warragul, Victoria, bought the top price female.

Devon Court Herefords, Drillham, Qld, sold 10 commercial heifers, aged 10-12 months, for $2025 each, and a pen of 10 for $2000 and an overall average of $2016.

Spring on-property bull sales for 2022

AMOS-VALE 28 28 $47,000 $15,357

BATTALION & CARA PARK 25 22 $28,000 $12,954

BENDOC PARK 14 13 $9000 $5846

BINARA 24 12 $19,000 $7636

BOWEN 47 47 $32,000 $16,171

CASCADE 32 31 $56,000 $15,392

CURRACABARK 27 27 $26,000 $16,222

DALKEITH 30 28 $14,000 $7643

DEVON COURT 32 31 $40,000 $11,935

ELITE 48 44 $18,000 $8023

FRANCO & PARSON HILL 28 25 $14,000 $7680

GLENWARRAH 22 20 $23,000 $13,856

GUNYAH 20 15 $11,000 $6433

HILLVIEW 22 29 $12,500 $5790

IRONBARK 149 116 $42,000 $12,009

KIANMA 3 3 $8500 $7166

JARRAH 40 40 $28,000 $15,525

JOSSLYN 14 10 $6000 $4450

KIDMAN 48 44 $36,000 $10,772

LAMBERT 25 25 $22,000 $11,280

LOTUS 40 40 $56,000 $14,726

MERAWAH/TENARU 47 46 $70,000 $17,566

MOUNTAIN VALLEY 42 42 $45,000 $14,547

OLDFIELD 20 19 $16,000 $8158

RAYLEIGH 29 25 $24,000 $13,678

REMOLEA 48 46 $26,000 $10,543

TALBALBA 67 63 $91,000 $19,119

TE-ANGIE 38 11 $7000 $5273

TOBRUK 12 12 $91,000 $15,750

TRURO 34 30 $18,000 $9043

TUMMEL 30 25 $16,000 $7721

TYCOLAH 40 40 $46,000 $15,776

VIELUN PASTORAL 24 14 $20,000 $9643

WARRAGUNDI 31 13 $32,000 $9692

WARREN POINTOCT 54 47 $16,000 $7260

WIRRUNA 64 62 $34,000 $10,874

YALGOO 46 43 $28,000 $13,860

By Kim Woods

A homebred sire from a vendor returning to the fold at the 77th Glen Innes Hereford Bull Show and Sale stole the limelight as grand champion bull.

Held at the Glen Innes saleyards on July 28, the show classes were judged by Jeremy Upton, Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura, Victoria, with Lot 66, Willgoose Detour receiving the coveted sash.

The bull was bred by Dr Phil and Lyle Yantsch, Willgoose Herefords, Toowoomba, Qld, and was sired by Willgoose Beersheeba N027 and out of Willgoose Lady Merit M140. Weighing 825kg, Detour had a raw eye muscle scan of 128sqcm, fat depths of 13 and 10mm, a scrotal circumference of 42cm and average daily weight gain of 1.38kg. Willgoose Detour had risen to the top in an exceptionally strong class of 18 entries in the junior bulls.

It was a long time between drinks for the Willgoose stud with the last grand champion in 1984, Willgoose Graduate bought by the late Kerry Packer.

The prestigious champion pen of six bulls was won by Phil and Brad Thomas, Kylandee Hereford Stud, Elsmore, NSW, and runner-up were Ben and Annabel Monie, Thornleigh Herefords, Little Plain, NSW.

Ray Jamieson, Wendouree Poll Herefords, Tara, Qld, exhibited the champion pen of three with Wendouree Reuben R008, Wendouree Raylan R005 and Wendouree Rambo R006, whilst Lachlan and Riley Bacon, Ownaview Herefords, Upper Freestone, Qld, were runner-up.

This was the second Glen Innes Show and Sale for Lachlan, 18, and Riley, a Year 9 student at Assumption College, with their bull teams.

David Hann, Courallie J Herefords, Narrabri, NSW, exhibited the Courallie J P058 Advance S002 to win the Young Guns class over his stablemate Courallie J P058 Advance S001. Runner-up in the junior bull class to the grand champion was Thornleigh Rackemann R264, exhibited by Thornleigh Herefords.

Phil and Brad Thomas, Kylandee, exhibited the intermediate champion, Kylandee Rocky, a 1040kg son of WRL Lancelot and out of Kylandee Sunbeam L011, and described by the judge as a “big, long, powerful bull”.

Runner-up in the intermediate class was Wendouree Reuben R008, a son of Mountain valley Netflix N011.

Jane Leake, Bahreenah Poll Herefords, Tingah, exhibited Bahreenah Rabbani to win the senior bull class.

The May 2020 drop bull was sired by Morganvale Majestic and out of Bahreenah Martina, and had BREEDPLAN estimated breeding values of +4.7kg for birthweight, +31kg for 200 day weight, and +3.1sqcm for eye muscle area.

Peter, Karen and Glen Weller, Swanvale Herefords, Winton, NSW were runner-up with Swanvale Royalty R011.

The Glen Innes Hereford Bull Show and Sale drew new and returning studs Bucklebah Herefords, Wingham, NSW; High Hope Herefords, Dyers Crossing, NSW; Thornleigh Herefords, Little Plain, and Welray Poll Herefords, Nabiac, NSW.

Grand champion bull Willgoose Detour with judge Jeremy Upton, Willaura, Vic, and Jacob Moore, Singleton, representing Willgoose Herefords. Image Kim Woods

No roadblocks for Willgoose Detour to win grand champion at Glen Innes

1. David Hann with Courallie J P058 Advance S002, winner of the Young Guns class.

2. Jacob Moore, Singleton, representing Willgoose Herefords with winner of the junior bull class, Willgoose Detour.

Phil and Brad Thomas, Kylandee Herefords, Elsmore, with Kylandee Rocky, winner of the intermediate class. 4. Damon Murphy, Inverell, representing Bahreenah Poll Herefords, with Bahreenah Rabbani, winner of the senior bull class. 5. Ray Jamieson, Wendouree Herefords, Tara, Qld, with his champion pen of three bulls.

Phil and Brad Thomas, Wendouree Herefords, with their champion pen of six bulls. Images Kim Woods

By Kim Woods

Commercial producers underpinned the 77th annual Glen Innes Hereford Bull Sale with a top price of $26,000 and solid bull average of $8915.

Held at the Glen Innes saleyards on July 29, the multi-vendor sale offered junior and senior bulls plus pregnancy-tested-incalf heifers from 18 existing, new and returning vendors, and drew 100 registered bidders plus AuctionPlus buyers.

A total of 47 bulls sold from the 57 offered for an 82 per cent clearance, average of $8915 and gross of $419,000.

There was a 100 per cent clearance of nine PTIC females to a top of $7000, average of $4750 and gross of $42,750.

The top price bull at $26,000 was the grand champion Willgoose Detour, offered by Phil and Lyle Yantsch, Willgoose Herefords, Toowoomba, Qld.

A heifer’s first calf by Willgoose Beersheeba N027, Detour was bought by repeat client Neil Smith, Bareela Pastoral Company, Barraba, NSW.

Detour weighed 825kg, had a raw eye muscle scan of 128sqcm, fat depths of 13 and 10mm, and a scrotal circumference of 42cm.

On BREEDPLAN, the bull had estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +4.9sqcm for eye muscle area and +98kg for 600-day weight.

George and Shirley Hardcastle, McPherson Herefords, Old Koreelah, NSW, snapped up the second top price bull, Kylandee Rocky, a son of WRL Lancelot offered by Phil and Brad Thomas, Kylandee Herefords, Elsmore, NSW.

Rocky had been judged as the champion yardman’s pick by Andrew McIntyre, Pinkett, and Ben Wirth, Glen Elgin.

Weighing 1090kg, the 24-month-old bull had a raw eye muscle scan of 143sqcm, a scrotal circumference of 40cm, P8 fat of 11mm and rib fat of 8mm.

Commercial Hereford and black baldy producer Dean Walsh, Granite Flat Pastoral, Mitta Mitta, Victoria, outlaid $20,000 for Kylandee Robin Hood R005, a son of WRL Lancelot and out of Booyong Cora F27.

The 24-month-old bull weighed 995kg, had a raw eye muscle scan of 126sqcm, scrotal circumference of 44cm and average daily gain of 1.36kg.

On BREEDPLAN, he had EBVs of +3.8sqcm for eye muscle area, and +94kg for 600-day weight.

Other buyers included Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, Vic, with Courallie J P058 Advance S001 for $15,000 from Jim and David Hann, Courallie J Herefords, Narrabri, NSW.

Sired by Courallie J L217 Advance P058, the 19-month-old bull weighed 730kg and combined a moderate birthweight with an eye muscle EBV of +5.7sqcm and intramuscular fat of 1.1 per cent.

Commercial producers Jim and Maree Smith, Woodenbong, NSW, outlaid $14,000 on Dundee Boondock, a son of Battalion Boston N048 from Roger Kneipp, Dundee Echo Park Herefords, Dundee, NSW.

K and B Cheers, Glen Elgin, NSW, paid $16,000 for Kylandee Reid; B and S Fletcher, Koreelah, NSW, paid $11,000 for Bahreenah Ralph R015 offered by Jane Leake, Bahreenah Poll Herefords, Tingha, NSW; Tom and Natasha Bell, Coonabarabran, NSW, paid $13,000 for Thornleigh Rosco R254 from Ben and Annabel Monie, Thornleigh Herefords, Little Plain, NSW; Eldorado Partnership, Glen Innes, paid $14,000 for Thornleigh Rackemann R264, and Geoff and Heather Bush, Kirraweena/ Glenholme Herefords, Cootamundra, outlaid $12,000 for Thornleigh Reggie R389.

In the females, the top price of $7000 was paid by Steve and Therese Crowley, Tycolah Poll Herefords, Cobbadah, NSW, for 20-month-old Dundee Lustre 303 R284, a 475kg daughter of Courallie Kodiak K592 and joined to Battalion Boston, from vendor Roger Kneipp, Dundee.

The sale was officially opened by Herefords Australia Chief Executive Officer Lisa Sharp, saying it was wonderful to see returned and new studs to ensure the continuation of the flagship event.

There was a one minute’s silence to mark the passing of legendary stud stock auctioneer Kevin Norris and long-time breeder Neville Farrawell, Bonnie Brae Herefords, Tamworth, Glen Innes Hereford Bull Show and Sale Committee president Peter Weller said buyers were selective, choosing quality bulls of good commercial value, with several going into stud herds, others to commercial buyers or via AuctionsPlus.

Elders stud stock auctioneer Lincoln McKinlay said there was emphasis on big data bulls from buyers, along with bulls midway in their preparation.

Phil and Lyle Yantsch, Willgoose Herefords, Toowoomba, with their grand champion and top price bull at $26,000, Willgoose Detour, sold to Bareenah Pastoral, Barraba, NSW.

Flagship event tops at $26,000 with solid commercial support

Vendor Phil Thomas, Kylandee Herefords, with buyer George Hardcastle, McPherson Herefords, and the $22,000 Kylandee Rocky.

Yardsmen Ben Wirth and Andrew McIntyre with their champion yardman’s pick Kylandee Rocky.

Buyer Steve Crowley, Tycolah Poll Herefords, and vendor Roger Kneipp, Dundee Echo Park Herefords with the top price female at $7000 Dundee Lustre 303 R284.

Commercial Hereford producers Phil Duddy, Pinkett and Michael Hickey, Guyra.

Phil, left and Brad Thomas, right, Kylandee Herefords, with buyer Dean Walsh, Granite Flat Pastoral, Mitta Mitta, with the $20,000 Kylandee Robin Hood R005. Images Kim Woods

By Kim Woods

Queensland’s only multi-vendor single bloodline store sale for Hereford genetics topped at 688c/kg and grossed $1.8 million on October 13.

Grant Daniel Long hosted the 2nd annual Lambert infused feeder and weaner sale at Blackall, yarding 868 Hereford and Hereford infused steers and heifers to average $2073.

The yarding comprised 220 Hereford steers averaging 400520kg, 104 Charbray/Hereford steers averaging 440kg, 120 Charbray/Hereford steers averaging 350kg, and 80 Charbray/ Hereford steers averaging 260kg.

The first sale in 2021 grossed $1.3 million with Hereford weaner steers topping at 646.2c/kg.

Vendors vied for $5000 in prizemoney and a $1000 bull credit donated by the Bredhauer family, Lambert Pastoral Company, Charleville.

The judges were Kellie Dudley and Sean Ferguson from Rodgers Creek Feedlot.

CA Hauff & Son, “Colart” and “The Springs”, Blackall, offered a draft of 220 Hereford feeder steers averaging 460kg and milk tooth, winning the champion pen of feeder steers for the sale. The top pen weighed 530kg and sold to 528.2c/kg or $2798.

The Hauff family won the judge’s pick sponsored by Allflex/ Coopers, placed first and second in the steer class 381-520kg

Lambert Pastoral Co sold Hereford feeder steers, 466kg, for 532.2c/kg to return $2480 and Hereford backgrounder steers for 688.2c/kg at 304kg to return $2094.

Lambert placed first and second in the steer 300-380kg class sponsored by Phil and Susie Picone while Lambert’s Hereford heifers averaging 329kg made 552.2c/kg or $1818. Their Charbray/Hereford heifers, 277kg, made 622c/kg.

GDL Blackall branch manager Jack Burgess said Victorian and NSW buyers operated on the feeder cattle and the trade and middleweight steers sold to restockers from Blackall, Tambo and Alpha.

“The heavyweight feeder steers sold to feedlotters. All the cattle were drafted into class and weight ranges of a heavy feeder 380-500kg, trade feeder 300-380kg, and a weaner under 300kg in both steers and heifers,” Mr Burgess said.

“About half of the heifer portion were bought by feedlotters from the Darling Downs, and restockers into NSW for future breeders, and the lightweight cattle were mostly purchased by restockers for breeding or backgrounding for feedlots.”

Mr Burgess said the sale aimed to showcase the performance of the Hereford breed to buyers and potential breeders.

He said a pen of the Lambert Hereford heifers sold for a 3040c/kg premium above the feedlot rate to a restocker as future breeders.

“The cattle were very good quality and the market was 30c/kg dearer than it has been – there was a lot of repeat buyers and the feedlotters and restockers could justify paying that bit extra as they know the cattle perform well.

“The gross was $500,000 up on last year and driven by supply and demand – there is not a lot of cattle around but plenty of feed. It was also the best run of steers seen for a while, especially for British bred cattle.”

Mr Burgess said buyers like the Hereford steer’s doing ability off grass and grain, and the milking ability and fertility of the females.

Lambert Pastoral principal Scott Bredhauer said the single bloodline sale of Hereford and Hereford infused cattle would be an annual event.

“Restockers and repeat clients happy with the western Queensland Hereford product pushed the sale along,” Mr Bredhauer said.

“They like Herefords with frame and performance.

“Hereford bull sales have been strong this year in Queensland going into straightbred and crossbred herds.

“Many bulls are going over Brahman and Droughtmaster females chasing the flat back market and extra weight gain.”

Mr Bredhauer said there was potential to expand the Hereford infused side of the sale and he would be interested in hearing from any crossbred producers willing to enter cattle next year.

He said carcase feedback had resulted in some producers normally using Charbray bulls moving to Herefords for an earlier maturity pattern, extra fat coverage and increased compliance rate in the weaner progeny.

1. Lambert Pastoral, “Lambert” Charleville.

2. Pat Bredhauer, Julie Hauff, Tony Hauff, Cody Trost, GDL, Kellie Dudley, Bevan Hauff, Sean Ferguson, Scott Bredhauer, and front, Kelly and John Hauff.

3. CA Hauff & Son, “Colart” Blackall.

Santa has the goods and tops Gippsland Performance Sale at $12,000

A young sire ranking in the top five per cent of the breed for calving ease, growth and carcase weight topped the 2nd Gippsland Performance Online Sale at $12,000 on September 7.

The multi-vendor sale hosted online by AuctionsPlus offered 22 young bulls and sold 15 for an average of $8167.

The vendors were Stan Walker, Charellen Poll Herefords, Pearsondale; Gary McAinch, Mundook Herefords, Sarsfield; David Miekle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan; Bill Kee, Warringa Herefords, Sarsfield, and Bill Lack, Willack Poll Herefords, Dawson.

Tarwin Santa S081, a homozygous polled son of Wirruna Nolan N146 and out of Tarwin Consort N069, sold for the top price of $12,000 to Noel and Adrienne Cornish, Willow Grove Farms, Trafalgar, Vic.

Santa ranked top 5 per cent for calving ease direct, 200-day weight, carcase weight, Southern and Northern Baldy terminal indexes, top 10 per cent for calving ease daughters, gestation length, 400-day weight, top 15 per cent for milk and top 20 per cent for birthweight.

Warringa Supersonic S204, a Yavenvale Powerhouse P499 son, sold for the equal second top price of $10,500 to Angus and Jenny Maclean, Nariel, Vic.

Supersonic ranked in the top 3 per cent for carcase weight, top 5 per cent for 400-day weight, top 10 per cent for 200 and 600-day weight, milk, eye muscle area, and top 15 per cent for gestation length, scrotal size and intramuscular fat.

Mundook S121, sired by Wirruna Promise P239, was equal second top price of $10,500 selling to Christa Treasure, Iguana Creek, Vic.

S121 ranked in the top 1 per cent for scrotal size, top 3 per cent for 400 day and carcase weight, top 10 per cent for 600-day weight, milk, intramuscular fat and top 15 per cent for mature cow weight, days to calving and eye muscle area.

Two homozygous polled sons of the US sire NJW Z9Z Z311 Endure 173D, Waringa Stealth S207 and Warringa Shiraz S209 sold for $10,000 each.

The inaugural sale in 2021 topped at $14,000 and averaged $6800 for 13 bulls.

The sale bulls were independently assessed for structure by Ian Moreland, Studcare Genetics, and independently fertility and semen tested.

Strict selection criteria are set for entry into the performance based sale.

All sale bulls must be, either:

• Breed average or above for all four indexes and intramuscular fat, and breed average or above for at least five of the following seven BREEDPLAN EBVs, calving ease direct, gestation length, birthweight, 200-day weight, milk, scrotal size and eye muscle area; OR

• In the top 30 per cent of the Hereford breed for the Southern Self Replacing (SSR) Index.

All bulls were sire verified, DNA tested free of adverse genetic conditions and pestivirus, and have full Hereford BREEDPLAN EBVs and market selection indices.

Gippsland Performance Herefords sought advice from beef industry experts on their concept to sell young structurally sound performance-based cattle.

The five like-minded breeders are all long-time supporters of BREEDPLAN, the technology and science available to the stud cattle industry to support their breeding decisions and objectives.

Selling agents were Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Tarwin Santa S081 topped the Gippsland Performance Herefords Sale on $12,000. Image BJS Photography

Hereford demand rolls on despite market wobbles and record wet

By Kim Woods

Restockers and grass fever continued to fuel markets for Hereford cattle nationally from July to November with heavy grass-fed Hereford steers selling from to a thumping $3990 or 405-634c/kg and Hereford breeders hitting $4620. This was against a background store and prime markets marred by caution around foot and mouth disease and widespread record floods making finishing and delivering cattle a challenge for producers.

Purebred feeder steers finished at $1775-$2580 or 460-616c/ kg, and backgrounding steers returned $1520-$2350 or 550659c/kg.

In the weaner pens, those purebred calves weighing 250-350kg liveweight made $1214-$2410 or 523-734c/kg and the lighter weights under 250kg settled at $970-$2180 or 418-780c/kg. Grown Hereford heifers over 350kg returned $1287-$2900 or 408-628c/kg, weaner heifers under 350kg made $1062$2120 or 444-918c/kg and backgrounding purebred heifers made $1360-$2290 or 552-644c/kg.

PITC heifers finished at $1450-$3420, PTIC straightbred cows brought $1800-3520, non-station mated heifers and calves returned $2900-$4400 while non-station mated cows and calves made $2450-$4620.

PTIC Hereford heifers with calves sold for $3040-3080 and PTIC cows with calves made $2300-$4275.

Heavy Hereford steers reached a stellar height during August at Bairnsdale store sale when David Brownlow, The Camp Pastoral, Bairnsdale, sold a line of two-and-a-half-yearold steers weighing 761kg for $3490 or 458c/kg to commission buyer Campbell Ross.

15 to 16 months and 460kg, for $2600 or 565c/kg. G and D Comerford sold steers, 344kg and 15 to 16 months, for $2120 or 616c/kg.

Stirling Agriculture, Avenel, sold weaned steers, 334kg and 11 to 12 months, for $2030 or 606c/kg. These steers were by Super Sire Wirruna Matty M288 and Allendale blood bulls, and had been finished on a weaner mix, cereal and lucerne hay.

Barry and Faye Hicks, Gundowring, sold a draft of Yavenvale blood weaned steers, Greenhams Never Ever accredited, 414kg and 12 to 13 months, for $2385 or 575c/kg. The seconds weighing 365kg made $2210 or 605c/kg and the thirds $2205 or 603c/kg. The heifer portion weighing 341kg returned $2000 or 586c/kg.

3L Pastoral, Wangaratta, sold non station mated heifers, 401kg and 24-26 months, with calves for $3600. The Injemira blood heifers had been bred on Woomargama Station and had black baldy calves.

At the WVLX Mortlake store sale on September 15, “Grevon” sold purebred cows, five to eight years, second to fifth calvers, and 622kg, with Ravensdale blood calves, averaging 116kg, for $3000. The second pen, eight to 10 years, weighing 392kg with calves made $2450.

J Fleming, Rosedale, sold Hereford cows with black baldy calves for $3500 at Pakenham store sale while D and D Hocking sold Hereford cows, rejoined, with autumn drop calves for $4275 at Colac store sale. Also selling at Pakenham was Nuntin Pines Pty Ltd, Stratford, with heavy steers 661kg returning $3490 or 527c/kg.

1. A line of 30 unjoined cows, three years and 660kg, with calves returned $4620 for D Cahill Investments Pty Ltd, Echuca.

2. Ex-stud unjoined heifers, 539kg and 25 to 26 months, with August-September drop calves averaging 90kg by Wirruna Molong M010, returned $4040 for Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy.

3. R and V Jacka, Tarcutta, sold Injemira blood feeder steers, 413kg and 12 to 14 months, for $2470 or 597c/kg.

Herefords again drew the crowd and the prices at the Bairnsdale store sale in September with a run of 82 purebred steers, 10 to 12 months, consigned by Ken and Kym Skews, Ensay. The top pen weighing 323kg, sold for $2310 or 715c/kg, the seconds at 306kg made $2180 or 712c/kg, thirds at 294kg sold for $2100 or 714c/kg and the last pen weighing 282kg made $2070 or 734c/kg.

4. Barry and Faye Hicks, Gundowring, sold Yavenvale blood steers, Greenhams Never Ever accredited and 414kg, for $2385.

Meryl Read, Melrose Herefords, Cann River, sold 404kg steers for $2480 or 613c/kg, 335kg steers for $2230 or 665c/kg, and heifers, 408kg, for $2490. Peter and Robyn Sandy, Swifts Creek, sold Mawarra blood steers, 385kg, to $2340 or 607c/kg and heifers, 296kg, for $1780. Simon and Rowena Turner, Reedy Flat, sold a draft of 90 steers, 11 to 12 months, including a pen of 22, 398kg, for $2470 or 620c/kg, all at Bairnsdale.

At the Gordon Sinclair Memorial Spring Store Sale at Wangaratta in August, yearling steers aged 15 to 16 months, Wirruna and Eadsville blood, and weighing 405kg, returned $2360 or 583c/ kg for vendors J and C McKenzie and Nixon Partners sold steers,

Hereford demand rolls on despite market wobbles and record wet cont’

FROM

Ex-stud unjoined heifers, 539kg and 25 to 26 months, with August-September drop calves averaging 90kg by Wirruna Molong M010, returned $4040 for Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, in October.

Geekay Pty Ltd, Neerim Junction, sold unjoined heifers, 593kg, and 28 to 30 months, with black baldy calves, four to five months, for $3660. Warba Junction sold Hereford cows and calves for $3420 at the Ballarat store sale.

At Leongatha store sale, D and L Lomax, Foster, opened the sale with 555kg steers returning a cracking $3990 or 538c/kg.

At Wodonga, a line of Glenellerslie blood steers, 368kg, from John and Robyn Scales, Dartmouth, sold for $2330 or 633c/kg and Jeanette McCormack, Bullioh, sold 340kg steers for $2180 or 641c/kg. Burrumbuttock Football Club sold Hereford cows and calves for $3560.

A line of 30 unjoined cows, three years and 660kg, with calves returned $4620 for D Cahill Investments Pty Ltd, Echuca whilst the second pen, aged four years, made $4500. The cows were sired by Wirruna N523 and the calves by Injemira P075. A draft of unjoined heifers, 620kg and two years, with calves made $4400, and unjoined cows, seven years and 820kg, with calves, made $4380. Unjoined cows from the same vendor and aged six to eight years with calves sold for $4000 and PTIC cows, five to seven years, $3520, and PTIC heifers, 620kg and 22 to 26 months, $3420. All females were based on Chandivan, Wirruna and Mt Hope blood.

Flooding also forced D Cahill Investments to turn off 83 weaned heifers, with the tops weighing 460kg, 13 to 15 months, returning $2410 or 523c/kg.

Heading over the border into NSW where Woomargama Station, Woomargama, sold a draft of Injemira blood weaned steers, 1011 months and 235-317kg, EU, Never Ever accredited and PCAS eligible, for $1360-$1765 or 556-620c/kg. Kooroong Pastoral, Holbrook, sold unjoined heifers, 22-24 months and 470kg, with calves for $3100.

Ben Ledi Pastoral, Isabella, NSW, sold first calf heifers, 460kg and 26-28 months, originally purchased out of the Omeo calf sales, with calves and rejoined to Stanford bulls for $3580.

B James Pastoral Co, Barratta, sold a draft of

81 station mated Hereford cows, 510kg and 2.5 to 4.5 years, and calves for $3680 online. M & M Brennan, Dubbo, sold 72 PTIC heifers, 480kg, 22-23 months, for $3000 and Roundmount Poll Herefords, Ilford, sold PTIC cows, 611kg, five to six years, for $2500.

BMS Farms, Tooraweenah, have been breeding Poll Hereford cattle for over 50 years and sold 384kg steers, aged 11 to 13 months, for $2000 or 520c/kg. The EU accredited July/August drop steers were by Kidman bulls and finished on an oat crop. Piperco, Cassilis, sold unjoined cows, 562kg and six to nine years, with black baldy calves for $3475. At Alectown, unjoined Claredale and Wirruna blood heifers, 453kg and 23 to 24 months, with black baldy calves made $4160 for P and H Williams.

In September, Okeview Pastoral Company, Wantabadgery, sold a draft of 164 yearling steers, 427kg and aged 12 to 13 months, for $2410 or 564c/kg. The steers were Cascade, Bowen, Injemira and Yavenvale blood and finished on ryegrass, phalaris and clover pastures.

Okeview’s second draft of 172 head weighing 412kg made $2350 or 570c/kg. Their third draft of 168 yearling steers, 411kg, made $2440 while the 388kg line returned $2300. Their fourth draft of 94 feeder steers weighing 380kg and aged 12 to 13 months returned $2330 or 612c/kg. Okeview’s future breeders, 298kg and aged 12 to 13 months, made $1860 or 624c/kg.

A further draft of Okeview’s 172 feeder steers, 373kg, returned $2300 or 616c/kg.

Across to South Australia where K and S Higgs, Cape Douglas, sold PTIC heifers, 599kg and 26-28 months to a top of $2800, and Woakwine Station, Magarey, sold heifers, 522kg, and 24-36 months, joined to Injemira bulls, for $2370.

Topping the Strathalbyn market in August was a pen of July/ August 2021 drop steers weighing 439kg from Shoal Point, Kimba, making $2400 or 547c/kg. R Carmichael, Weetulta, offered March/April 2021 drop steers for $2290 or 557c/kg.

At Narracoorte, K and Y Hegarty, Naracoorte, were among the heavyweights with their March/April 2021 drop 465kg Hereford steers making 560c/kg or $2604. McLachlan Props, Pewsy Vale, sold September and October drop European Union accredited steers, 280-300kg, for 670-674c/kg.

Sam Property Trust, Myponga, sold unjoined cows, six years and 648kg, with black baldy calves for $3600.

5. A and M Boardman, Rhodenvale, Crowlands, sold spring drop weaned steers, Rhodenvale bred and blood, 306kg and 10-13 months, for $1960 or 638c/kg.

6. Kerringle Pastoral Co, Guerie, sold unjoined cows, six years and 562kg, with calves for $3600. The calves were by a Wirruna bull and weighed an average of 84kg.

7. Jarrah blood organic certified steers, weighing 250kg and aged six to 10 months, returned $1650 or 658c/kg when sold online by B and K Lloyd, Yaraka. All images AuctionsPlus

North to Queensland and L and S Curtis, St George, sold PTIC heifers, 454kg and 24-27 months, with calves for $3040, and heifers, 443kg and 24 months, with Speckle Park cross calves and rejoined to an Angus bull for $3080.

The Proud family, Surat, sold backgrounder purebred heifers, EU accredited, organic, 284kg and nine to 11 months, for $1570 or 552c/kg.

Jarrah blood organic certified steers, weighing 250kg and aged six to 10 months, returned $1650 or 658c/kg when sold online by B and K Lloyd, Yaraka, Queensland. The heifer portion, 241kg, made $1330 or 550c/kg.

Hereford demand rolls on despite market

FROM

EU accredited backgrounder steers from Smith Farms, Killarney, weighing 298kg and aged 13 to 15 months and McPherson, Cara Park and Kylandee blood, returned $1780 or 597c/kg. Beacon Hill Pastoral, Wandoan, sold a draft of 193 weaned backgrounder heifers, non-station mated, 213-276kg, and six to 14 months, for $1360 to a top of $1770 or 641-637c/kg. The steer portion, 293kg and nine to 14 months, made $1930 or 658c/kg. Across to WA, the Boyanup sale in August ended with pens of mated Poll Hereford cows with calves ranging from first calvers to mature cows which had been running with Poll Hereford bulls and offered by the Moltoni family, Greenland Poll Hereford stud, Pemberton. These were purchased by Cameron Harris, Elders Manjimup, for $2300.

Also at Boyanup, Hereford cross heifers weighing 654kg, trucked in by K and E Roberts & Sons, Elgin, topped the yarding at $2303 or 352c/kg going to Ken Tuckey buying for Kookabrook Livestock Trust.

M and J Culloton, Geraldton, sold Poll Hereford steers, 386kg, for $1922, steers 342kg for $1731 or 506c/kg, heifers 302kg for $1262 or 418c/kg. Banksia Downs Grazing, Coomberdale, sold Poll Hereford heifers for $2330 at Muchea. Seven pens of Hereford cross heifers from Laureldene Farms,

9

Boyanup, set the standard at Boyanup store sale topping at $1940, and the thirds at $1820 to Robert Gibbings, Elders Capel, for mated heifer producers.

8. Undoolya Station, Alice Springs, had the best presented pen of steers at the Alice Springs Show Sale.

9. The drafts of milk tooth, certified organic Poll Hereford steers at the Alice Springs Show Feeder, Steer and Heifer Sale.

Image Nicole Hayes

In Tasmania, Dadz Pastoral, Winkleigh, sold future breeders, 269kg and 11 to 13 months, for $1700 or 630c/kg and backgrounder steers, 253kg, same age, for $1630 or 643c/kg.

Hylands South Farms, South Forest, sold unjoined heifers, 495kg and 20 to 22 months, for $2310 or 466c/kg and a second pen weighing 435kg for $2420 or 555c/kg.

Tigers Ranch, Ridgley, sold trade heifers, 373kg and 16 to 18 months, for $2070 or 556c/kg, while B and B Elphinstone, Melrose, sold yearling steers, 389kg and 12 to 13 months, for $2360 or 605c/kg.

Melton Vale Pastoral, Whitemore, sold a draft of 44 Quamby Plains blood future breeders, 390kg and 14 to 15 months, for $2260 or 578c/kg.

In the Red Centre, Herefords dominated the Alice Springs Show Feeder, Steer and Heifer Sale on June 30 at the Bohning sale yards – the first sale since 2019 due to Covid.

Before the sale, there was a minute’s silence as a tribute to the late Jimmy Hayes, Undoolya Station.

A total of 4142 EU, organic and conventional cattle were yarded by selling agents Elders, ProStock Central, Grant, Daniel & Long, Red Centre Rural and Eagleson & Co from as far north as Katherine and down to the South Australian border.

The sale started off strongly with 54 milk tooth EU, USDA and organic Hereford steers weighing 441kg, 16-18 months, topping at 570c/kg or $2514 for vendor Undoolya Station, followed by the seconds, weighing 384kg steers making 585c/ kg.

Winning the best pen of steers, Ben and Nicole Hayes, Undoolya, topped at 585c/kg and averaged 571kg for their run of 239 steers.

Mount Skinner, Alice Springs, sold certified organic Injemira blood Poll Hereford steers, 376kg, for 535c/kg and the seconds, 315kg, for 535c/kg.

Palmer Valley sold black baldy steer weaners to 630c/kg, Brad Seymour, Haast Bluff, offered 160 milk and two tooth black baldy weaners to 575c/kg and Lucy Creek Station sold Angus/ Santa/Hereford cross steers to 540c/kg.

wobbles and record wet cont’

Regional Breed Development Groups – contact information

Southern NSW Hereford Youth Group

Helen De Costa, president

Northern Herefords Group Inc

Emilie Lyons, secretary

Central Tablelands Herefords Association

Paul Hancock, Secretary

“Whim Park’’

66 Kings Plain Road, Blayney NSW 2799

T: 02 6368 2140

M: 0418 639 597

E: whimpark@bigpond.com.au

Hunter Valley Herefords Association

Carolyn McDonald, secretary

893 Hinton Rd, Nelsons Plains NSW 2324

T: 02 4987 3405

M: 0427 293 015

E: mondeo.p.h@bigpond.com.au

Herefords Australia Northern NSW Association

Amy Rawson, secretary

3/25-27 Chisholm Street, Inverell NSW 2360

M: 0437 385 681

E: amy.louise.rawson91@gmail.com

Herefords Australia Northern NSW Youth

Sophie Cooper, secretary M: 0407 805 682

E: sophiej.cooper98@gmail.com

Sydney Regional Herefords Breeders Group

Ellen Hussein, Secretary

2 Eskdale Close, Narellan Vale NSW 2567 M: 0411 089 578

E: ellenhussein@gmail.com

Western Regional Herefords Association

Brooke Rayner, Secretary “Grathlyn’’

Hill End Road, Via Mudgee NSW 2850

T: 02 6373 8677

E: grathlyn@gmail.com

Southern NSW Hereford Breeders Group

Brittany Sykes, secretary PO Box 435, Cootamundra NSW 2590 M: 0408 734 696

E: brittanysykes@outlook.com.au

28 Taber Street, Uranquinty NSW 2652 T: 0448 353 764

E: hdecosta@bigpond.com

Queensland

Herefords Queensland Association Inc

Julie Nixon, Secretary

Colville Park

1091 Dulacca South Road, Dulacca QLD 4425 M: 0414 253 936

E: julienixon19@gmail.com

Herefords Queensland Youth Association Mitchell Portbury, secretary 184 Bunya Mountains Road, Moola, QLD, 4406 M: 0437 087 449

E: Mitchell.portbury@gmail.com

Victoria

Victorian Herefords Youth Group

Elle Woodgate, secretary 1 Armstrong Street, Buchan Vic 3885 M: 0428 192 229

E: victorianherefordyouthgroup@outlook.com

North East Victorian Herefords Group

Ferruccio Tonini, secretary RMB 1045, Glenrowan Vic 3675 T: 03 5766 2417

E: glenpoll@internode.on.net

Herefords Gippsland Lauren Hill, secretary M: 0427 750 250

E: lauren@karoondapark.com

Corrangamite Hereford Breeders Group Inc Margaret Allen, secretary PO Box 105, Mortlake Vic 3272

Northern Herefords Group Inc

Debbie Young, secretary PO Box 109, Rochester, VIC 3561 M: 0417 370 385

E: strathvalley@bigpond.com

C/- 17 Emily St, Seymour, VIC 3660 M: 0404 956 038

E: emilielyons@hotmail.com

South Australia

Herefords SA

Cameron Hills, secretary PO Box 108, Goodwood SA 5034 T: 08 8210 5299

E: chills@adelaideshowground.com.au

Herefords SA Southern Tyson Smith, secretary PO Box 85, Rendelsham SA 5280

M: 0400 654 259

E: tysonsmith_21@hotmail.com

Western Australia

Western Australia Herefords Association

Sandra Woods, secretary

1791 Westdale Rd, Beverley WA 6304

T: 08 9647 2029

M: 0439 964 720

E: terraneil@wn.com.au

Tasmania

Tasmanian Performance Herefords

Judy Fry, Secretary 206 Plummers Rd, South Forest TAS 7330 T: 03 6458 3364 M: 0418 319 689

E: jamena1@bigpond.com

Herefords Australia

16 Uralla Road

Locked Bag 7, Armidale NSW 2350

T: +61 2 6772 1399

Fax: +61 2 6772 1615

Office hours: 8am to 4pm

E: info@herefordsaustralia.com.au

Meet our team for 2023. For the benefit of the membership, included are contact details for the Herefords Australia Limited Board of Directors

Ian Durkin

CHAIRMAN

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Mobile: 0411 043 039 Email: marc@injemira.com.au

Mark Baker

COMPANY SECRETARY

Mobile: 0424 152 950 Email: mbaker@herefordsaustralia.com.au

Michael Crowley

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0429 034 578 Email: mcrowley@herefordsaustralia.com.au

Sam

Broinowski

0429 476 221 Email: sbroinowski@herefordsaustralia.com.au

Sam Becker

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0417 576 667 Email: sbecker@herefordsaustralia.com.au

Annie Pumpa

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0458 660 091 Email: apumpa@hereofordsaustralia.com.au

Alex Sparkes

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0428 270 381

ADVERTISER PAGE NO. ADVERTISER PAGE NO. ADVERTISER PAGE NO.

Agri-Gene 69

Ag Wholesalers 32

Akubra 37

Bahreenah 30

BeefGen Australia 75

Beggan Hill 92

Bowen Downs 93

Braelyn 40

Bundaberg Molasses 83

Devon Court 85

Doodle Cooma 79

Dubbo National Show and Sale 55

Eastern Spreaders 81 Elders 87

Elite 89

Farmer Breeding Supplies 42

Franco 53

Glendan Park Outside back cover Glenellerslie 43

Glen Goulburn/Rosstulla/Tarwin 57 Glenwarrah 33

Grant Daniel Long 46 Guilford 93 Gunyah 88 Hillview 93 Hylands 66

Ironbark Inside back cover Karoonda 61 Ke Warra 93 Kirraweena Glenholme 35 Koanui 47 Kylandee 63 Llandillo 64 & 65 Lotus 36 Mawarra 41 Melville Park 9 Merawah 11 Mountain Valley 13 Neogen Australasia 45 Newcomen 17 Nova/Valma 25 Nunniong 77

Nutrien Ag Solutions 15 Oldfield 19 ProWay 51 Queensland Machinery Agency 59 Quamby Plains 56 Rayleigh 93

Remolea Inside front cover Rotherfield 93 Stanford 21 Tarcombe 73

Te-Angie 48 & 49 The Ranch 39 Tobruk Beef 23 Truro 31 Tummel 54 Tycolah 44

Vielun Pastoral 91

Glen Innes Show and Sale 87 Wirruna 29 Wodonga National Show and Sale 67 WRL 93 Yavenvale 27

Visit www.herefordsaustralia.com.au for an updated listing of events

JANUARY

3 January monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off

13-

15 Herefords Northern NSW Youth Show 2023 Inverell, NSW

27 Warringa Beef Week open day Sarsfield, Vic

27 Mawarra Beef Week open day Longford, Vic

27 Karoonda Beef Week open day Gelantipy, Vic

27 Newcomen Beef Week open day Ensay, Vic

27 Warringa Beef Week open day Sarsfield, Vic

28 Tarwin Beef Week open day Meeniyan, Vic

29 Glendan Park Beef Week open day Kyneton, Vic

29 Glen Goulburn Beef Week open day Glenburn, Vic

30 Tarcombe Beef Week open day Ruffy, Vic

30 Rosstulla Beef Wek open day Beechworth, Vic

31 Sugarloaf Beef Week open day Towong, Vic

31 Wirruna Beef Week open day Holbrook, NSW

31 Kirraweena/Glenholme Beef Week open day Cootamundra, NSW

31 Doodle Cooma Beef Week open day Wagga Wagga, NSW

31 Yavenvale Beef Week open day Borambola, NSW

31 Injemira Beef Genetics open day Book Book, NSW

31 Glenellerslie Beef Week open day Adelong, NSW

31 Injemira Beef Week open day Book Book, NSW

FEBRUARY

1 Kirraweena Glenholme annual sale Cootamundra, NSW

2 Yarram Park Beef Week open day Willaura, Vic

2 Ennerdale Beef Week open day Dundonnell, Vic

3 February monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off

3 Melville Park/Melville Beef Week open day Vasey, Vic

3 Wilkah Beef Week open day Vasey, Vic

6 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo entries open

7 Days Whiteface Beef Week open day Bordertown, SA

7 Allendale Beef Week open day Bordertown, SA

13 Yarram Park annual bull sale Willaura, Vic

14 Glenellerslie 30th anniversary bull sale Adelong, NSW

15 Ennerdale annual bull sale Dundonnell, Vic

15 Yavenvale Herefords annual bull sale Adelong, NSW

17 Truro Whiteface autumn sale Bellata, NSW

20 Sugarloaf Creek Herefords bull sale Towong, Vic

20 Days Whiteface annual bull sale Bordertown, SA.

20 Allendale annual bull sale Bordertown, SA

21 Morganvale annual production sale Keith, SA

21 Injemira Beef Genetics annual bull sale Book Book, NSW 24 Glendan Park annual bull sale Barfold, Vic 2426 Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo Deloraine, Tas 2426 Royal Canberra Show Canberra, ACT 27 Melville Park/Melville bull sale Vasey, Vic 27 Wilkah annual bull sale Vasey, Vic

MARCH

1 Tarcombe annual bull sale

Ruffy, Vic

1 Kirraweena Glenholme annual bull sale Cootamundra, NSW 2 Wirruna bull and female autumn sale Holbrook, NSW

3 March monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off

3 Entries close Herefords Australia National Show and Sale Dubbo 14 Black Stump bull sale Blackall, Qld 15 Nunniong annual bull sale Ensay, Vic 15 Newcomen annual bull sale Ensay, Vic 20 Mawarra Genetics 50th anniversary sale Longford, Vic 21 Karoonda annual bull sale Gelantipy, Vic 22 WA Supreme bull sale Brunswick, WA 22 Valma/Nova annual bull sale Whitemore, Tas

APRIL

3 April monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off 617 Sydney Royal Easter Show Sydney, NSW 13 Quamby Plains 39th annual bull sale Hagley, Tas 14 Guilford annual bull sale Ouse, Tas 24 Franco and Parson Hill stud herd dispersal Inverell, NSW 30 Female inventory due May 31

MAY

3 May monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off 5 Stanford annual bull sale Bathurst, NSW 1011 Herefords Australia National Show and Sale Wodonga, Vic 31 Female inventory due

JUNE

3 June monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off 6 Herefords Australia National Show and Sale Dubbo, NSW 16 Remolea Poll Herefords open day Ellangowan, Qld 22 Mountain Valley Beef Week open day Coolatai, NSW 24 Hillview annual sale Tyringham, NSW 26 Lotus Herefords open day Glen Innes, NSW 26 Battalion open day Dundee, NSW 29 to July 2 HQYA Heifer Show Millmerran, Qld

JULY

3 July monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off 3 Battalion and Cara Park annual sale Glen Innes, NSW 6-9 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo Parkes, NSW 14 Rayleigh bull and select female sale Narrabri, NSW 17 Remolea annual bull sale Ellangowan, Qld 18 Cascade annual bull sale Currabubula, NSW 18 Merawah annual bull sale Boggabilla, NSW 20 Bowen annual bull sale Barraba, NSW 21 Tycolah annual bull sale Cobbadah, NSW 22 Mountain Valley 30th annual bull sale Coolatai, NSW 25 Tummel annual bull sale Walcha, NSW 26 Glenwarrah annual bull sale Bundarra, NSW 26 Glen Innes 78th annual Show and Sale Glen Innes, NSW 27 32nd annual Lotus bull sale Glen Innes, NSW 27 Amos Vale annual bull sale Pinkett, NSW 28 Kylandee 1st annual bull sale Glen Innes, NSW

AUGUST 3 August monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off

Tobruk Beef yearling bull sale Wagga Wagga, NSW

VPC annual bull sale Mudgee, NSW

Te-Angie annual bull sale Wongwibinda, NSW

Wirruna bull and female spring sale Holbrook, NSW

Talbalba annual bull sale Millmerran, Qld

Ironbark annual bull sale Barraba, NSW

Amos Vale annual bull sale Glen Innes, NSW

Truro Whiteface spring sale Bellata, NSW

Dalkeith annual bull sale Cassilis, NSW

annual bull sale Emerald Hill, NSW