WINTER 2020 – ISSUE 15
Herefords WINTER 2020
STRAP LINE
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AUSTRALIA
Hereford beef on menus
h t u o Y s s e c suc Z in N
$7 MILLION ON
WHITEFACE GENETICS
AUTUMN WEANER BONANZA
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STRAP LINE
RAVENSDALE HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
POLL HEREFORDS
SUCCESSES IN 2020 STOCK & LAND BEEF WEEK HEIFER CHALLENGE RESERVE Champion pEn of tEn hEifERS fRom 40 StudS REpRESEnting all bREEdS WODONGA NATIONAL SHOW & SALE moSt SuCCESSful ExhibitoR 2019 & 2020 offEREd with 100% ClEaRanCE
INJEMIRA FORTUNE P239 SEMEN AVAILABLE
CR139697AA
BRINGING CONSISTENCY YEAR AFTER YEAR
STUD MANAGER
PRINCIPAL
RAVENSDALE POLL HEREFORDS
Simon Ward / M: 0428 319 521 simon@rhxph.com.au
Brian Burgess / M: 0414 414 214 brian@rhxph.com.au
Location: Dalriada, 9985 Hume Highway, Holbrook NSW 2644 - (14km north of Holbrook) www.ravensdalepollherefords.com.au
WINTER 2020 – ISSUE 15
STRAP LINE
Herefords raised in Australia’s arid
WINTER 2020
Herefords
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heart across eight million hectares are playing a key role in the global organic grass fed beef market. Read
AUSTRALIA
the full story on page 68.
Contents Editor Kim Woods Outcross Media 0499 77 2860 kim@outcrossmedia.com.au Art direction and design Therese Donovan Graphic Design 0431 297 469 Advertising Annette Weatherstone Rural Weekly 07 4660 1360
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Whiteface profit in your pocket
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Off grass and to your door
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Red and white in the Red Centre
Publisher Herefords Australia ABN 86 121 714 332 General Manager Andrew Donoghue
I NSI D E
Breed Development Manager Michael Beattie
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Chairman’s report
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General manager’s report
Member Services and Registry Ambrose Kenney Member Services/ Marketing Co-ordinator Rowan McNaught Bookkeeper Carmel Reilly Youth Co-ordinator Nikki Williamson Board of Directors 2020 Trish Worth, CHAIRMAN Marc Greening, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN DIRECTORS Sam Becker Geoff Birchnell Ian Durkin Mark Duthie Tony Haggarty Bill Kee All mail to: Locked Bag 7, Armidale, NSW, 2350
7 News • Heifer Challenge champions • Around the shows • A tribute to cattlewomen 8
Carcase triumphs
34 Young guns leave their mark 41 Wodonga National Show and Sale 45 Dubbo National Show and Sale 48 Autumn weaner sale roundup 70 Store sales wrap
18 World Hereford Conference
72 Glen Innes celebrates 75 years
20 Technical news
77 Board of Directors
28 Black Baldy Trial update
78 Regional contacts
The Herefords Australia magazine is published twice a year by Herefords Australia Limited.
30 Canberra Royal Show
Articles appearing in the Herefords Australia magazine do not necessarily represent the policies, opinions or views of Herefords Australia.
32 Market opportunities for Herefords
80 Advertisers index 81 Breeders directory 82 2020 events calendar
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Bill Kee Dear members, I have pleasure in delivering this report as Chairman of Herefords Australia Limited. Since the last annual general meeting your Board of Directors has continued to focus on the Strategic Plan to ensure the adoption of the various strategic objectives is providing industry relevance, consumer acceptance and a value proposition for our members. It is worth noting the Strategic Plan was implemented almost three years ago and it has substantially achieved its objectives. It will be for the new Board to reassess, review and refresh the Strategic Plan. In a year in which history will record as ‘unprecedented’, where most parts of Australia have suffered severe drought conditions which, in many areas, was also impacted by devastating bushfires and then compounded with the COVID-19 pandemic restricting us all, our Hereford breed has gone from strength to strength. Prices for beef are high and there is presently high demand for cattle and Herefords are enjoying their fair share of that demand• At the Victorian Mountain Calf Sales Hereford steers and heifers sold for record prices; • There is overseas demand for Hereford heifers at outstanding rates, which is actually a ‘premium’ to all other breeds, as is exhibited by the current Chinese export order; • Herefords are particularly well suited to the domestic market and for their performance on grass and this is being exhibited in the high demand for and rates available in fat and weaner sales and processors grids for our breed; • The bull sales in Southern Australia proved there is strong demand for Hereford bulls and females. This is particularly so for young bulls with performance backed pedigrees, which was exhibited at the 2020 Wodonga Hereford National Online Show and Sale. I congratulate all involved in making this event an outstanding success, the vendors, committee, management, the judge, agents and purchasers for adopting and believing in the concept and delivering an outstanding success for all concerned. It was interesting to note that many of the high selling bulls were junior bulls backed by outstanding performance data. I believe this is a sign of the times and bodes well for the future of our breed. FINANCIAL The work done by the company to achieve a sustainable position was evident in the 2019 financial year. The net result of operations was a small loss position however after the inclusion of investment income and R & D a profit resulted. The net asset position of the company remains strong with these funds critical to assisting in the funding of future breed advancing pursuits. The Board and management recognise the tough conditions affecting many members and thank you all for your commitment to the company. MANAGEMENT AND STAFF We all owe a great debt of gratitude to our management and staff. Our general manager, Andrew Donoghue, leads our management team and staff which I affectionately refer
to as ‘Team Herefords’. I thank Andrew both on behalf of the Directors and also personally for his dedication and support to myself and my fellow Directors. We have a dynamic team, which is highly respected and held in high esteem within the beef industry, all our associated service providers, their peers around the world and our members. This year, in particular, has been extremely difficult because of the COVID-19 restrictions but, to their credit, the delivery of services continued seamlessly which is a sign of the skill, dedication, efficiency and the pride in their work we have come to enjoy from ‘Team Herefords’ Well done Andrew, Michael and all our staff, we all greatly appreciate your contribution to the success of the company. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Since our last AGM an election for four Directors of the Company has been conducted with Ian Durkin, Sam Becker, Marc Greening and Mark Duthie having been elected for a period of four years. I congratulate and welcome them to the Board. There are three Directors who have now completed their duties as Directors, namely, Pat Pearce, Sam Broinowski and Scott Lewington. To Sam and Scott I thank you both for your contributions since your appointment as Directors in 2019. To Pat, who retires from the Board through the effluxion of time, I believe a special mention of your substantial contribution to the company and Hereford breed is warranted. Pat has served as the Chairman of the company, a Director and a faithful and willing servant of the Hereford breed. His passion and knowledge of the beef industry, BREEDPLAN and performance recording and his beloved Yavenvale Herefords has earned him an enviable reputation in the beef industry and Hereford world where he is held in high esteem. Herefords Australia and its members owe you a large debt of gratitude and we all thank you for your outstanding contributions. Pat, Sam and Scott we extend to you all our appreciation and our best wishes and hope you continue to enjoy good health, happiness and prosperity. This is the first election for members of the Board for approximately three years and it is appropriate to reflect on the achievements of the Board during that time. The Directors of the outgoing Board were elected on a platform of good corporate governance, with a mandate to implement the recommendations of the Pogson Report. There was a necessity to ensure the beef industry’s adoption and use of information provided by genomics was introduced and incorporated into the data held by the company and the regulation of its use implemented in an appropriate and timely manner.
WINTER 2020
It was also important to ensure the company had sufficient financial resources to enable it to deliver on its strategic objectives and provide the services required of a modern and contemporary breed society. I’m extremely proud to have been Chairman of this Board over the last three years and congratulate my fellow Directors who, through their courage and leadership, have delivered on their platform and the promise of their election. The achievements of this Board speak for themselves, it is with pride, however, I list some of its achievements: • Constitutional Change. The company now has a new modern constitution, whilst some may argue it is not perfect, it is a substantial improvement on the previous constitution. It also brought with it various corporate policies including codes of conduct for members and Directors; • Regulation Change. After receiving expert advice the Board implemented an appropriate and contemporary set of regulations for the company and its members; • SingleStep Genomics was introduced into the Hereford BREEDPLAN analysis in October 2017. This was a great step forward for our breed which allowed genomic results from individual animals to be incorporated into their BREEDPLAN EBV’s; • Strategic Plan. The Board adopted a Strategic Plan, which it believed was vital to the success of the company and in particular the delivery on the promise to members that there was a value proposition for those members who adopted the strategies. Many of the strategic objectives have since been achieved and it is now necessary for the new Board to review the Strategic Plan; • Research and Development. The BIN Project has continued to add valuable data to the Hereford Reference Group, particularly carcase data, which is invaluable to Hereford BREEDPLAN EBV’s; • The Black Baldy Project is almost complete and a full report is due by midyear 2020. Preliminary results appear promising. Once the results are available it is proposed to develop a marketing strategy to release the findings to the broader beef industry; • Hereford Breed Forum. A successful Hereford Breed Forum, combined with a Hereford Young Guns component, was held at Hamilton, Victoria in 2019. Industry leading and world-renowned experts delivered outstanding breed and industry specific presentations. The forum was an outstanding success with those who attended wanting to know when the company will hold another. It is the company’s intention to hold a similar event every second year in a different location. • Super Sires Program. After the initial introduction of the Super Sires Program the Board decided to wait until the release of the new indexes and utilise them, not exclusively, to formulate the criteria for the new Super Sires Program. The Board recently adopted the criteria for the Super Sires Program and details will be released to the members in the near future. The program will not only provide a substantial marketing tool for seed stock members but will ensure the bulls who qualify will have the phenotype and genotype to make a difference to our breed’s sustainability and success into the future; • Feedlot Health. The Board recently adopted a proposal to implement a post weaning program which will also feature and complement weaning acclimation, herd health best practice and protocols that will assist with our breed’s acceptance into feedlots. The program
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
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is being prepared, the details of which will be released to members as soon as possible; • NSW Department of Primary Industry Multi Breed Project. The company has reached agreement with NSW DPI to co-operate with their Multi Breed BREEDPLAN Project. At no cost to the company for the 10-year term of the trial the company will receive all recorded data from the Hereford cattle in the program. All the cattle are registered with the company and the data will include the hard to measure maternal traits together with the data from their progeny, both male and female, including carcase data. The data will be included into the company’s database and reference population and will greatly enhance the Hereford BREEDPLAN EBV’s; • Dairy Beef. The company recently re-engaged with the dairy industry following an approach to assist in a project to be conducted in the dairy industry using Hereford bulls over dairy cows. The company has assisted with the project, which is designed to produce male progeny suitable for finishing on grass for the beef industry. The Board believes this is a great opportunity for our breed to re-establish its association with the dairy industry, and is an opportunity for our members to breed Hereford bulls to suit the dairy industry as was previously the case, and is done so successfully in other parts of the world; • Financial Position of the Company. Three years ago there was substantial concern about the financial position of the company. The Board was aware of those concerns and above all else set about ensuring the company was well resourced. It adopted budgets that provided sufficient funds to not only pay recurrent expenses but to pursue and deliver on the company’s strategic objectives. The financial statements provided to the members speak for themselves, and exhibits the Board has built a resilient company that is well resourced for the future. • Committees. The Board decided that rather than appoint numerous committees it was prudent to focus on two main areas to achieve the best results for the company. The Finance Audit and Risk Committee chaired by Tony Haggarty and the Marketing and Development Committee chaired by Geoff Birchnell were formed, and these committees were the drivers of the various achievements listed above. The committees were more than adequately supported by our general manager Andrew Donoghue and our breed development manager Michael Beattie. Finally, I thank all the Directors, management, staff and members for your tireless efforts, enthusiasm, vision, passion, support and contribution to the continued success of the company. I believe there is a great opportunity for our Hereford breed, the tide is turning and the incoming Board with its youth, vitality, vision, experience and passion can focus all their energy on strategies that will continue to add a value proposition to the Hereford breed and its members. In closing I again urge our members to embrace all our strategic projects, pursue excellence in all your endeavours and support those that add value to our breed. Let’s not be a breed that serves history, let’s be a breed that makes history!
Yours faithfully, Bill Kee
CHAIRMAN, HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA LIMITED
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GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENT
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Andrew Donoghue The annual run of weaner sales held from January to March in Victoria and NSW went from strength to strength. Western Victoria and Wodonga in early January were very solid given the state of the season at the time. They were followed up by unprecedented results in March at the Mountain Calf Sales and Casino weaner sales, assisted by a perfect combination of an exceptional autumn in some regions and export orders for Hereford heifers. Prices exceeded a level that would have been imagined late in 2019. The World Hereford Conference was held in Queenstown, New Zealand in March. The NZHA is to be congratulated on hosting a fantastic event. There was a broad and informative range of speakers as well as exceptional farm tours and opportunities to network with breeders from around the world. The conference hosted over 400 participants, with approximately 60 attendees from Australia. The World Hereford Conference included meetings of the World Hereford Council, which has two delegates from each member organisation. There were also important discussions around the need more international and multi-country performance analyses. This is seen as a priority by the World Hereford Council and a technical committee has been formed to ensure this is progressed. Herefords Australia entered two teams in the Young Breeder Challenge held in conjunction with the WHC. Our two teams, Team Red and Team White are to be congratulated on their performance in New Zealand. Team Red placed second overall and Team White fourth overall in a very strong field. Unfortunately, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in late March has meant all activities since then have been either cancelled or severely altered in line with necessary government restrictions. Despite the restrictions, the management committees of both of the Herefords Australia National Shows and Sales moved swiftly to ensure these events could proceed. Hereford cattle are highly efficient at turning grass into beef and are sought after by all processors that have grassfed branded beef. The Hereford Boss product produced by JBS is going from strength to strength. Hereford Boss is the fastest growing brand to come out of the JBS Great Southern program. On top of this demand from Hereford Boss, there is continued strong demand from all other processors for Hereford and Hereford cross cattle in their grassfed programs. We have seen a large demand for Hereford heifers in recent times. Destinations include Russia, Kazakhstan and China. In the most recent export order Herefords were receiving a premium of up to $250 over any other breed. There are emerging opportunities for our breed in the Dairy Beef market. Herefords Australia is working with both genetics companies and processors to ensure that suitable Hereford genetics are given the chance to be part of the emerging opportunities in Dairy Beef The Marketing and Development Committee have been working on phase two of the Super Sires program. The release of the new Breed Object Indexes has meant that phase two will have a defined eligibility criteria which means any bull that fits that criteria is eligible for the program. We have had a lot of enquiry as to the release of phase two and feel this program has a strong and important future for the breed. The Marketing and Development Committee is also working on a post weaning QA program for Hereford producers. Whilst this will be a broad QA program recommended for all producers, the initial focus is on feedlot performance and ensuring that producers vaccinate and acclimate correctly to enable optimum feedlot performance. This will also include a feedlot engagement strategy, primarily focusing on feedlots supplying the domestic market. Our BIN Project and Black Baldy Trials are nearing completion. Work previously done by the BIN Project will now be done in conjunction with NSW DPI in their Southern Multi-Breed Project. The Black Baldy trial final report is being put together. Once finalised, it is planned to incorporate the research data with benchmarking data to produce a range of tool kits for stud and commercial beef producers. It will contain valuable information on how Hereford genetics can increase the profitability if a commercial beef enterprise.
Regards, Andrew Donoghue
GENERAL MANAGER, HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
NEWS
WINTER 2020
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Herefords dominate 2020 RASV Heifer Challenge Herefords have excelled in the 2020 RASV Heifer Challenge claiming the champion and reserve champion titles with a third herd making the top 10. Champion pen in this year’s competition was awarded to Melville Park Herefords and Melville Poll Herefords of Vasey, Victoria. Stud principal David Lyons has been entering the competition every year since it first began nine years ago and was a top 10 finalist in 2019. “These were the best lot of heifers we’ve ever entered,” Mr Lyons said. The competition is a great opportunity for producers to showcase their female lines against females from other herds and other breeds with 32 herds represented in this year’s competition. The Challenge is described as recognising excellence in herd replacement females in seed stock operations throughout Victoria and NSW. “The competition gives everybody a chance to see what the exhibitor’s top 10 heifers are like and what they are trying to achieve,” Mr Lyons said. “It’s good to see what a herd’s future breeders will look like.”
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Mr Lyons is focused on good body type and structure, while trying to keep birth weights down and increase carcase EBVs with positive fats and IMF. Reserve champion was awarded to Ravensdale Poll Herefords of Holbrook, winners of the 2019 challenge. Stud principal Brian Burgess said the result validated the breeding program was heading in the right direction. “This result reinforces that it’s not just the bulls, our female herd is improving at the same rate,” he said. “Our pen of heifers were consistent across the board and by five different sires.” Ravensdale aims to breed a consistent line of cattle with a good balance across all traits, and EBVs in the top 10 per cent of the breed. Glendan Park Herefords was the third Hereford herd to make the top 10 finalists in this year’s competition judged by Rick Smith. This year is the first time the same breed has been awarded champion and reserve in the RASV Heifer Challenge since it began, and both Mr Lyons and Mr Burgess agreed having three Hereford herds in the top 10 was an excellent result. 1. David Lyons accepts the award for champion pen in the 2020 Heifer Challenge.
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2. Judge Rick Smith with Brian Burgess and Simon Ward of Ravensdale Poll Herefords, Holbrook.
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3. From left, Rick Smith, judge, winners Olwyn and David Lyons, runner-up Brian Burgess and Matt Coleman, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria at the announcement of the champion and reserve champion pens. 4. RASV Heifer Challenge judge Rick Smith and David Lyons of Melville Park Herefords with the winning pen of heifers. Images courtesy RASV 5. One of the PTIC heifers in the winning pen from Melville Park. 6. Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Challenge judge Rick Smith and Andrew Green, stud manager.
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NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Herefords show their strength on northern NSW circuit Despite drought and bushfires, the northern NSW show circuit went off with a bang for Herefords, which staged impressive displays of the breed. The 2020 Glen Innes show drew more than 40 head across both sexes. The junior and grand champion bull was Lotus Prophet and reserve was Amos Vale Guardsman. Hillview North was senior champion bull and in reserve his stablemate Hillview Naughty & Nice. Junior champion heifer was Mountain Valley Prudence and in reserve Neridah New Lydia. Mountain Valley Favourite was senior and grand champion female with Te Angie Staturesque sashed as reserve senior champion. In the interbreed classes, Lotus Hereford Stud won the sweepstake junior bull and was second in the pair of beef bulls, while Mountain Valley Hereford Stud was third in the pair of beef females and third in the breeders group. At Tenterfield show, Te Angie was successful in winning the interbreed bull, breeders group and most successful exhibitor. The Hereford breed took out the supreme exhibit at the Guyra show. Amos Vale Great Western was sashed junior and grand champion bull with Neridah Pure Direction in reserve, while Hillview North was senior champion bull with Hillview Naughty & Nice in reserve. Amos Vale took out the pair of bulls and junior interbreed champion bull. In the females, Neridah New Lydia was sashed as junior champion with Te Angie Magic in reserve, while Te Angie Necklet was senior and grand champion with stablemate Te Angie Statuesque in reserve. Te Angie went on to claim interbreed cow and calf, while Hillview Herefords won senior bull and interbreed champion. Around 40 Herefords were exhibited at the Inverell Show with Reevesdale Pumba P010 taking out supreme bull in the interbreed. Pumba teamed up with his stablemate Reevesdale Phantom P008 to win the interbreed pair of bulls. Reserve champion bull was Battalion Rimfire P054 while Amos Vale Ruby P036 was junior champion Hereford female and reserve champion interbreed heifer. After fronting up with a large team of animals, Te Angie headed straight into the winner’s circle with reserve junior Hereford female, Te Angie Belle P146 and senior and reserve senior female with Te Angie Staturesque M045 and Te Angie Necklet N059. Te Angie went on to win the interbreed breeder’s group.
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The stud continued to scoop the broadribbons at the Armidale show with intebreed champion female, TeAngie Mischief, and the breeders group. Herefords Northern NSW members Steve Collins, Zac McInerney, Scott and Pip Hann officiated as judges. The Herefords Northern NSW Group also bestowed a life membership on Neville Farrawell, Bonnie Brae Herefords, Tamworth, in December. Members paid tribute to the Reeves family who continue to support heifer shows even though their boys no longer participate. Graham and Felicity Reeves have fostered Inverell High School, which had not been active in cattle showing for many years. They have loaned cattle for school students to exhibit at northern NSW and Queensland shows. Graham is Herefords Northern NSW president and chief cattle steward at Inverell. Secretary Eunice Vivers said the fact the couple had given their time freely was a bonus to the youth of the area. “The students at Inverell High School have improved in leaps and bounds since competing at these events and came away with a reserve champion school at Inverell Show this year,” Mrs Vivers said. “This competition requires entrants to take part in a school ambassador talk, fitting challenge, junior judging, paraders and herdsman events. “The champion school was Downlands College, Toowoomba, with Herefords in their team.” At southern NSW shows, the Bush family, Cootamundra, exhibited Glenholme Packer to supreme whiteface exhibit and interbreed bull at the Gundagai Hereford feature show. At Blayney, Mountain Valley Parramatta P094 was champion bull, and Darren Crawford, Beau River Poll Herefords, exhibited Beau River Pearl to champion Hereford female. Robert Allan, Wingham, exhibited the junior champion bull, Bucklebah Emu, at Wallamba Show, along with the junior female. Robert Allan also showed the senior champion female Bucklebah Pam. Roselee Petal P002 was exhibited by Emilee Battiste, Roselee Poll Herefords, Goulburn, to junior champion female at Goulburn show. 1. Felicity Reeves sashes champion bull Reevesdale Pumba P010 held by Tyler Reeves at the Inverell Show. 2. Georgie Hobday sashes the interbreed champion bull paraded by Tyler Reeves at Inverell Show. 3. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall congratulates Jack Vivers, Richard Olgivie and on the halter is Taylor Hack at Guyra Show.
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NEWS
WINTER 2020
Book salutes the lives of rural women
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Queensland Hereford breeders Ian and Anne Galloway have paid tribute to the role women play in the bush through their book, Cattlemen in Pearls: Celebrating Women in Agriculture.
Launched in 2018, this self-published title has since sold more than 5000 copies, which is widely considered by booksellers’ as a metric for a best-seller in Australia.
The Galloways, who operate Cootharaba Beef Genetics at Roma, simply set out to publicly recognise and celebrate some of the unsung heroes of the bush, and have been overwhelmed by the book’s success and the positive feedback from readers.
“It was Ian’s idea to record some of the stories he had heard around the bush all his life, so he recruited a talented of team of friends to help him,” Mrs Galloway said. The book was written by five authors – Annabelle Brayley, Tracey Hartmann, Paula Heelan, Claire MacTaggart and Amanda Salisbury. “We wanted to create a book with stories of amazing women who are so dedicated to the cattle industry,” Mrs Galloway said. “A list of 28 women was drawn up and away we went, our friend and Roma artist Sandra Allen painted the cover design.
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“The women featured are considered by their industry peers as master cattlemen, not only for their husbandry skills but also for their roles as managers, marketers, wives, mothers and teachers.
“We must thank and acknowledge them for their candour and generosity of spirit, and for their emotional contribution in sharing their stories. Some of whom were touched by tragedy and loss. “To us the term cattleman has no gender, so we wanted to make sure people knew they were women and the name Cattlemen in Pearls struck a chord.” The book was launched by ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney at the EKKA and has in turn supported the RNA Foundation, which promotes agricultural youth education and heritage preservation.
One of the women featured is Pearl Saal, of Kalem Poll Hereford Stud at Pittsworth, a mother of eight, grandmother to 23 and great-grandmother of 35. At 90, she still manages a reduced herd and has swapped her beloved brown mare, Nell, for a motorbike. Cattlemen in Pearls retails at $40/copy and is available via an online shop at www.cattlemeninpearls.com 1. The book was launched in 2018 and has been a best seller. 2. Ian and Anne Galloway, Roma, initiated the idea of the book. 3. Poll Hereford breeder Pearl Saal, 90, is featured in the book.
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NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Whiteface vendors pocket an extra $105 for their steers By Kim Woods
Whiteface vendors pocketed an extra $105 a head for their steers above other British breeds at the 80th annual Mountain Calf Sales in March.
Held at Benambra and Omeo on March 3-4, the Mountain Calf Sales yarded 4647 cattle this year, despite some vendors electing to sell earlier due to bushfires and the cancellation of the Ensay leg. The four sales combined averaged $1267.
Autumn drop whiteface steer prices peaked at Omeo at $1750 – up from $1220 last year - and heifers at Omeo at $1810, up from $1090 in 2019.
Going into the sales, dry seasonal conditions and bushfires had created nerves for vendors. The majority of calves had been weaned early and either supplemented or run on creek flats.
Vendors were caught by surprise as grass fever and feedlot demand pushed prices into unchartered territory, setting new records for both the Benambra and Omeo yards and almost doubling their averages. Heifer prices surged to a new high of $1810 for autumn droppers, resulting in a windfall for Victorian high country producers who had held females back for the two-day event. The majority of cattle sold to Gippsland, Victoria’s north east, south west Victoria, the Riverina, central and northern NSW.
Repeat steer finishers did not hold back when it came to bidding on the heavy end. The whiteface offering hit its peak when 1391 Hereford and Hereford cross steers and heifers were sold at Omeo on March 4 for an overall average of $1321. The sale averaged $1443 for steers (up from $776 last year) and $1161 for heifers (up from $644 last year). This outpaced the steer average at the Omeo Angus sale on March 3 by $105, the heifers by $6 and the overall sale average by $77. The overall average for the Elders Benambra Weaner Sale was $1222, with steers averaging $1364 and heifers $1090. A total of 1345 mixed sex whiteface cattle were yarded at Benambra. In comparison, Omeo’s Angus sale yarded 1911 cattle for an overall average of $1244, a $1338 steer average and $1155 for the heifers. Autumn drop Angus steers topped at $1640 while whiteface vendors were $110 a head in front with a 2020 top price of $1750. Whiteface heifers were the big movers on the back of restocker demand with the top price of $1810 for autumn droppers at Omeo, $310 above the Angus top price of $1500.
Whiteface steers tracked above other British breeds by an average of up to $105 during the 80th annual Mountain Calf Sales. Photo Kim Woods.
STRAP LINE
WINTER 2020
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18TH ANNUAL SALE MARCH 17, 2021 - NEW SIRES - PURCHASED THIS AUTUMN KERLSON PINES NARDOO
WARRINGA QUINCY
EBV: BW scrotal milk 200g 400g 600g ema rib rump imf
EBV: BW scrotal milk 200g 400g 600g ema rib rump imf
Purchased at property sale - $19,000
+44 +71
Purchased privately - $12,000
+6.6 +1.9
+16
+99 +7.2 +2.6 +4.0 +0.9
+3.5 +2.0
+16
66% 70%
46% 63% 62% 62% 46% 51% 54% 52%
70% 76%
49% 66% 66% 65% 48% 53% 57% 53%
BANEMORE MCLAREN
+39 +65
+88 +4.8 +1.6 +2.6 +1.7
YARRAM STAR GENERAL
Purchased at Banendre Dispersal - $8,000
Purchased at Yarram Park Sale - $33,000
EBV: BW scrotal milk 200g 400g 600g ema rib rump imf
EBV: BW scrotal milk 200g 400g 600g ema rib rump imf
+2.0 +1.6
+15
+38 +59
+80 +4.3 +1.8 +2.7 +2.0
+4.3 +2.2
+18
66% 60%
49% 64% 63% 64% 43% 50% 54% 51%
73% 73%
37% 65% 68% 70% 46% 50% 54% 46%
Barry and Topsy Newcomen P: 5157 3209 M: 0427 242 238 Mat Marshall - M: 0400 606 269 E: newcomen@skymesh.com.au
+37 +62
+93 +5.4 +0.2 +0.6 +0.9
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CARCASE RESULTS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Potential show steers make 870c/kg at Glen Innes A Hereford infused steer has sold for 870c/kg liveweight at the 11th Glen Innes Potential Show Steer sale. Hosted by Colin Say & Co, the sale was held on March 2 with steers judged before the sale and then auctioned on a cents per kilogram basis. A Limousin-Hereford heifer entered by Hunday Pastoral Co, Quirindi, was sold for 540c/kg to Shakriba Partnership. The heifer won the Best Hereford Infused Exhibit and a $500 bull credit from Lotus Herefords, Pinkett, NSW.
A Limousin/Charolais/Hereford steer was sold by Hunday Pastoral to Macintyre High School for 870c/kg. Diamond Falls Pastoral sold two Hereford infused heifers, 220-255kg, for 420-500c/kg to Kempsey High School and O Walmsley. The top price of $16/kg was paid for a 310kg Limousin steer by professional steer fitter Travis Luscombe, Toowoomba, Qld. A total of 29 steers and heifers sold to an average of 729c/kg.
Liveweight and feedlot performance from whiteface team By Olivia Calver In their first year in the NSW Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial, the McIntosh family of north-east Victoria went top 10 overall with their team of whiteface steers. Gerard and Ben McIntosh, of Yackandandah, notched up a total of 782 points out of 1000 for their pen of Hereford infused steers, and gained 320 out of 500 points in the feedlot section to rank ninth out of 95 teams. Their steers entered the trial averaging 425kg and put on an average of 2.59kg a day for a final average weight of 697kg. Two of their five steers also received the maximum points in the carcase weight category, weighing 373 and 378kg. The team was ranked 19th of 95 teams in the carcase section overall and had a profitability of $815.05. The 112-day trial was run at the Teys Australia Stockinbingal feedlot and drew 16 Hereford and whiteface teams, with the winners announced at Wagga on January 31. Gerard McIntosh said they entered a mixture of
Ben and Gerard McIntosh, Yackandandah, Vic, are lifting marbling within their Hereford and black baldy herd. Image The Land
Herefords, black baldy and Simmental/Hereford cross steers to represent the 1200 breeders they run on their Kiewa Valley property. Mr McIntosh aimed to lift marbling within the herd by introducing black baldy cattle. “If we hit the 2 to 4 marble score as opposed to 0-2, people buying our cattle have more markets to offload to,� he said. The family has joined accreditation programs to ensure the premiums on offer, including European Union and grassfed. They send almost all the steer drop to Riverina Beef at Yanco at 18 months of age or 450-500kg liveweight. Cull heifers are sold as store cattle or fed through to kill weight, depending on the season. The Hereford genetics are sourced from Yavenvale, Gunyah, Wirruna and Ravensdale. Mr McIntosh said there was no clear difference between the purebreds and crossbred steers in the trial.
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CARCASE RESULTS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Herefords show their dominance in grass fed weight gain By Rowan McNaught Herefords have demonstrated their renowned grassfinishing ability in the 2019 Lardner Park Steer Trial with a pair of purebred steers finishing third in overall weight gain and carcase points. The Lardner Park Steer Trial is the only grass-based steer trial in Australia and has been running for 45 years at Lardner Park in the Gippsland region of Victoria. Cattle are managed under independently controlled grazing conditions during the period of the trial, providing valuable information on their growth and carcase quality. The steers were weighed five times throughout the trial, which began in June with the final weigh taking place on December 2, 2019. All steers entered in the 2019 trial were run in one mob on a predominantly ryegrass-based pasture with supplements fed as deemed necessary depending on pasture growth. A pair of Hereford-Charolais cross steers entered by Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Vic, topped the average daily weight gain at 1.53kg per day. Purebred Herefords entered by David Meikle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, Vic, had the third highest daily weight gain at 1.51kg while a second pen of Tarwin steers averaged 1.38kg per day. The average daily weight gain across all breeds entered in the trial was 1.28kg. Cattle entered must meet carcase specifications for standard domestic trade and be compliant with the Coles QA grass-fed program. Steers had to dress to a hot standard carcase weight (HSCW) between 220 and 310 kg, with a P8 fat depth of 8-14mm. Penalty points were imposed if cattle fell outside the specifications for carcase weight, making them ineligible for the award of Highest Weight Gain Pair. Due to one of the Tarcombe steers being 12kg over the carcase weight specifications, the pair was not eligible for the highest weight gain award. A different Tarcombe steer however had the highest individual carcase score of the competition with 91.95 points 1 out of 100. David Meikle entered two pairs of purebred Hereford steers in this year’s competition, with one of the pairs placing third overall with a score of 230.9 (narrowly behind the second placed pair which scored 231.0). Mr Meikle has been entering steers in the competition for over 20 years and won the trial on two separate occasions.
The four Tarwin steers entered in the 2019 competition were out of stud cows and sired by Days Brigadier G101 and Mount Difficult Kenneth K76. The Tarwin steers are selected from the stud herd prior to the competition starting in June. “We don’t keep all our males as bulls [within our stud], we then go through the steers to pick a couple to go into the trial,” Mr Meikle said. He said they had been focusing on increasing the growth rates in their cattle and refining carcase traits. “The last few years I’ve been looking more at IMF and EMA. “We also focus on doing ability on grass as most of our clients finish cattle on grass.” Mr Meikle regards the Lardner Park Trial as a useful competition to be involved in as it enables him to compare results between other breeds. “The trial recognises weight gain and carcase value and it gives me an insight into our management at home versus Lardner Park.” Having been entering the trial for many years, Mr Meikle is now confident the steers he selects for the trial in June will meet the carcase specifications come December. Tim Hayes said while it was only their second year entering the trial it was a great opportunity to compare their herd genetics with other breeds. Mr Hayes also likes that steers in the trial are judged in pairs, as it puts more emphasis on consistency. “The trial is fantastic; I wish I’d known about it earlier. “We entered straight Herefords in 2018 and did well, we didn’t have any Herefords ready for the trial in 2019 but we will again this year.” The Herefords Australia sponsored prize for highest ranked entry sired by a Hereford bull was awarded to the top Tarwin team, with the second Tarwin pair securing second place. Third place was awarded to a pair of Tarcombe HerefordCharolais cross steers. Mr Meikle encouraged fellow Hereford producers to become involved in the trial, a sentiment Mr Hayes agrees with. “We need more Herefords in [the trial]. “Herefords are known for their grass finishing, so we need to push it.”
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1. Herefords Australia General Manager Andrew Donoghue, David Meikle, Tarwin Herefords and Herefords Australia Chairman Bill Kee at the Lardner Park Steer Trial presentation dinner in February. 2. Herefords Australia General Manager Andrew Donoghue, Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, David Meikle, Tarwin Herefords, and Herefords Australia Chairman Bill Kee at the Lardner Park Steer Trial presentation dinner. Photo contributed 3. The four Tarwin steers entered in the 2019 Lardner Park Steer Trial at the final weighing day in December. Photo David Miekle
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tanfor
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Breeding registered Poll Herefords since 1957 • 250 registered and 300 commercial breeders JUNIOR STUD/COMMERCIAL SIRES 20 Months. Thick Soft and doing it on grass
stanford pilgrim p25
stanford presto p42
stanford patch p108
stanford palermo p130
Commercial reality helps keeps our feet on the ground. Breeding moderate framed cattle with better doing ability, shape, fertility and calving ease.
Michael & Cheryl Rutherford, Stanford • 2145 Mid western hwy BATHURST NSW 2795 Ph: 02 6368 5837 • Mob: 0437 685 837 • E: mcrutherford1@bigpond.com
www.stanfordpollherefords.com
CR139590AA
GRASS FED BULLS AVAILABLE
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CARCASE RESULTS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Preparing trade cattle is a passion for John Barber By Kim Woods A well prepared prime yearling Hereford infused steer came up trumps in the competitive 2020 Wagin Woolorama unled prime beast competition. John Barber and Lone Chorley, Manjimup, exhibited the champion heavyweight yearling steer, a Hereford-Simmental cross weighing 482kg, and sold it to Landmark Katanning for $1800 (373c/kg live) at the Make Smoking History Wagin Woolorama sale. Judge Andrew Cunningham, Bunbury, was impressed by the 18-month-old steer’s softness and sound structure, with Mr Barber estimating it’s dressing percentage at 58 per cent. Mr Barber bid on the steer on behalf of regular Wagin trade sale supporter Sebastian Butchers, Kalamunda. John and Lone prepare trade cattle for prime cattle competitions for many country shows and Perth Royal each year. They have been consistent broad ribbon winners in the trade cattle pens at the Wagin Woolorama for over a decade. The couple source 2000-2500 weaners a year from the Muchea saleyards, 330km north of Manjimup. “Most of the calves are vealer types from 150-180kg – we go for heavy boned steers that are all meat,” Mr Barber said. “Our steers and heifers have achieved up to 74 per cent dressing percentage. Most of our winning cattle dress out at 60 per cent plus every time. “This was our first showing of a Hereford cross animal – I bought him out of Muchea as a 150-180kg vealer for $600. “We carried him on the farm for 10 months before putting him on feed on November 1 for 120 days. “Our feed ration is mixed by Semini Custom Feeds and it has a crude protein of 14-16 per cent and is mixed with oaten hay. “The cattle are bunk fed in a quarter acre paddock, with access to a large shed during weather extremes. “The steer had a nice shape and dark chocolate red coat – he was a short animal, all bone and with meat rolling from the back end right down to his knuckles. “I like trade animals to be short and dumpy because they shape up better when they are finished.” Each week, John, 78, and Lone, 75, attend the Muchea market to fill orders from clients for lightweight vealers, deliver the cattle and then bring the balance home for finishing. “During the week we take it easy – we have a lovely garden overlooking the 100 acre property,” he said. “I’ve been here since 1952, coming up to 70 years in the one location near the world reknown Cosy Creek motocross track. “Our house overlooks part of the farm and we always wake up each morning looking at some animals on the
Sponsors Paul Schulz, Country Wide Insurance Brokers and Henry Vaughan, UniGrain Pty Ltd, congratulate exhibitors John Barber and Lone Chorley, Manjimup on their win in the heavyweight category of prime yearling beef. Image courtesy Farm Weekly
property.” John said the farm was experiencing one of the best seasons in many years. “We only use 80 acres of the 100 divided into up a dozen paddocks – I rotate the cattle between the paddocks and don’t leave them for any more than a week in any one paddock,” he said. He seldom sources purebred steers for the trade competitions and prefers crossbreds for their hybrid vigour. “I started working with cattle at 20 years of age and learnt a lot of my skills from my uncle, Les Reeve, one of the top cattlemen in WA. “He was the most honest person and he would say to me, ‘Listen boy, when you start cattle buying and selling, the most fairest and honest thing to do is to agree on price. Nine times out of 10 we met half way, but if we didn’t meet half way, I would say there is always another time to do business. “He told me to never argue with people, shake hands, be fair and walk away happy. “I’ve sold thousands and thousands of cattle, and all my business has been done over the phone. “In my 58 years, I’ve only ever had one person who went crook on me. I get on well with the stock agents but never sell through the yards as we have enough orders (on-farm). “We buy cattle every week of the year (around 40 head) and last year we sold 2179 cattle off 100 acres. “We buy, sell and deliver everything ourselves.” Mr Barber watched trade cattle prices jump $300-$400 in autumn in WA this year following widespread rain and demand for cattle on the eastern seaboard. “We had 900kg bulls making over $3/kg and I have never seen that in my lifetime. We also had 40 road trains of sheep leaving WA bound for the east. “This will put a lot of pressure on our market going into July as we won’t have the cattle.”
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Richard Ogilvie Phone: 0488 758 490 Email: richardteangie@gmail.com
CR137110AA
Big, Bold and Beautiful!
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WORLD HEREFORD CONFERENCE
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
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WHC 2020 A MIX OF INFORMATIVE TALKS AND TOURS The American Hereford Association is set to host the next World Hereford Conference after their successful bid was announced in New Zealand. The next conference will be held in Kansas City Missouri in July 2024. A delegation of 60 Australians attended the 2020 World Hereford Conference in March in Queenstown, New Zealand, enjoying a range of informative talks and tours. Hereford multi-country genomic evaluation was discussed by Dr Brad Crook of Agricultural Business Research Institute, Australia, and Professor Dorian Garrick of Massey University. Dr Crook’s primary role at ABRI is the testing and implementation of enhancements to the BREEDPLAN analytical software (including the use of genomic evaluation). Professor Garrick has been integrally involved in the development and implementation of national animal recording programmes, performance recording databases and breeding schemes internationally. Professor Garrick also discussed the future of cattle breeding with delegates of the 2020 WHC. Findings of the B+L Genetics NZ progeny tests were discussed by Dr Jason Archer, AbacusBio, and Simon Lee, Mendip Hills Station, NZ. Established in 2014, the Beef Progeny Test (BPT) compares bulls under New Zealand commercial farming conditions. The BPT involves mating about 2200 cows and heifers on five large properties across New Zealand every year, including Mendip Hills Station. Steers are assessed on their finishing performance and
carcase traits, while replacement heifers are tracked for their maternal characteristics. Dr Jason Rowntree, of Michigan State University, discussed his research with beef cattle, carbon and the environment. Dr Rowntree’s work focuses on developing systems to increase the resilience of food production worldwide, and how grazing livestock can improve land and mitigate climate change by capturing carbon and providing other ecosystem services. Dr Rob Banks, of the University of New England, discussed the use of data and the future prosperity of the Hereford breed. Tom Schultz, Neogen Genomics, spoke about DNA testing for the Hereford breed from a global perspective. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Dr Rob Banks and Mr Schultz delivered their presentations via web-link to the audience in Queenstown. Agri-environmental analyst and commentator Dr Jacqueline Rowarth delivered a presentation on social media and science, and where the future lies for the beef industry. Each of the attending member countries also presented a report to the conference audience containing important information regarding the Hereford breed. A field day was held as part of the conference where delegates visited two mixed farming properties near Queenstown. Earnscleugh Station is a 21,000-hectare property owned by the Campbell family since 1862 and runs Merino sheep, Hereford, Angus and composite cattle. While at Earnscleugh delegates heard from Dr Jason
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WORLD HEREFORD CONFERENCE
Rowntree and Professor Pablo Gregorini who discussed their latest research findings on grazing management. The second property included in the conference field day was Locharburn Station, owned by Geof and Joyce Brown. Locharburn is one of the few horned Hereford studs left in New Zealand, which Geof believes brings an X factor to their cattle. While at Locharburn delegates were given a demonstration on scanning for intramuscular fat (IMF) by Bill Austin of Austin’s Ultrasound, and Allflex Research Scientist, Amanda Doughty discussed using Allflex monitoring systems to asses changes in animal behaviour and allow insights into animal health and welfare. At the end of the WHC delegates attended Wanaka Show to see the final challenges in the WHC Young Breeder Competition. The PGG Wrightson Gala Dinner was another highlight of the 2020 WHC where attendees 2 dined on Hereford Prime beef at the iconic 1. The Genetic Choice champion Hereford female and supreme all breeds animal at Wanaka A&P Show, the nine-year-old Waikaka Duchess 11090, and her bull calf. 2. The Blue Wing Honda Champion Hereford bull at the Wanaka A&P Show, Westholm Gallant R16. Photos courtesy NZ Herefords 3. Participants in the Young Breeder Competitors taken at the Rabobank Welcome Drinks during the World Hereford Conference.
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Walter Peak Station. The dinner experience included a ride on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Delegates also had the option of partaking in pre and post conference tours of the north and south islands of New Zealand, although some of the post conference tour had to be abandoned due to COVID-19 travel restrictions coming into effect. The WHC provided the opportunity for member countries to appoint delegates to meet as part of the World Hereford Council. A new Secretary General of the World Hereford Council was elected, Larry Feeney, of Ireland, replacing the outgoing Secretary General Mr Jose (Pepe) Bonico from Uruguay. Mr Bonico has been in the role of Secretary General for the past eight years with his term finishing at the 2020 World Hereford Conference in Queenstown.
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TECHNICAL NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Making bull selection decisions for heifer matings By Catriona Millen, SBTS technical officer There are numerous factors which need to be considered when selecting a bull to mate over heifers. In many cases, the primary aim of the beef producer is to produce a live calf which is born unassisted, with other economic traits (for example, growth) of secondary importance. Traditionally this has been done by selecting a ‘heifer bull’ to mate over the heifers; that is, a bull with a low Birth Weight EBV which will produce small calves easily calved down by the heifer. However, as birth weight is highly correlated with the other growth traits (for example 200, 400 and 600 Day Weight), this has traditionally been done at the expense of later growth. For those breeding replacement females, this has longer term implications for the genetic progress of the herd as a whole. The need for heifer bulls may be of more importance for herds calving in spring compared to autumn, or for herds grazing improved pastures compared to native pastures. This is because calves born from dams which have been on good nutrition during pregnancy are heavier at birth than calves born from dams on poorer nutrition. This article will discuss which BREEDPLAN traits are of particular importance when selecting heifer bulls. In addition, this article will outline the relationships between these traits, and the trade-offs that need to be considered when making these selection decisions. While this article has been written to focus on bull selection for heifers having their first calves, where the birth and fertility traits are of particular importance, these concepts are also applicable when considering bull selection for cow matings.
BIRTH WEIGHT
Birth Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic difference between animals for birth weight, expressed in kilograms. Small or moderate Birth Weight EBVs are more favourable, and indicate lighter birth weights. For example, a bull with a Birth Weight EBV of +4 kg would be expected to produce lighter calves at birth than a bull with a Birth Weight EBV of +9 kg, with a lower risk of a difficult birth. The importance of considering Birth Weight EBVs when selecting bulls to mate to heifers was highlighted at a recent herd visit. At this particular stud, the producer had used a team of bulls which had Birth Weight EBVs of double the breed average, with some of the heaviest Birth Weight EBVs in the entire breed. This bull team had been mated to the heifers; not surprisingly approximately 50 per cent of these heifers needed assistance at calving. This had a number of flow on effects for the business. In particular, this led to: • Many sleepless nights checking heifers and pulling calves during the calving period. • A greater number of vet visits and associated costs during the calving period. • Some mortalities – both heifers and calves.
While selecting an animal with a low to average Birth Weight EBV to use over heifers should help to reduce calving difficulties, correlations between birth weight and other traits need to be considered. Specifically, lower birth weight sires may cause fewer calving difficulties, but they can also produce calves with poorer growth to target market endpoints. The Hereford bull below is a good example of this. This bull has a Birth Weight EBV which is below breed average, being in the 10th percentile of the breed for birth weight. However his EBVs for 200, 400 and 600 Day Weight are all well below breed average.
Fortunately, there are bulls out there that are “curvebenders”; that is, those bulls that have below average Birth Weight EBVs but above average Growth EBVs. A good example of this is the Hereford bull below. Like the first bull, this bull is also in the 10th percentile of the breed for birth weight. However, unlike the first bull, this bull has good Growth EBVs, being above breed average for 200 Day Weight (5th percentile), 400 Day Weight (5th percentile) and 600 Day Weight (10th percentile). It is important to note that it is only possible to identify curve benders if both traits on the ‘curve’ (e.g. birth & 200 day weights) have been recorded. All other factors being equal (for example, structure), the second bull would be a better choice to mate over heifers (this is reflected in their respective selection index values). Both bulls would be expected to produce calves which are lighter than the breed average for birth weight, thus reducing the chance of calving difficulties, which is an important trait for a heifer bull. However, the second bull has better Growth EBVs, and thus his calves would be expected to have better growth to target market endpoint than the calves of the first bull. CONTINUED PAGE 22
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TECHNICAL NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Making bull selection decisions for heifer matings FROM PAGE 20
GESTATION LENGTH
Another trait to consider when selecting a heifer bull is gestation length. Gestation Length EBVs provide an estimate of genetic differences between animals in gestation length, and are expressed in days. Lower or more negative Gestation Length EBVs are considered to be more favourable. For example, a bull with a Gestation Length EBV of –2 days would be expected to produce calves that are born earlier than a bull with a Gestation Length EBV of +2 days. Gestation length is favourably correlated with birth weight and calving ease. In general: • As gestation length decreases, birth weight also decreases. Similarly, as gestation length increases, birth weights also increase. • As gestation length decreases, calving difficulties decrease. The converse is also true; as gestation length increases, calving difficulties also increase. Calves which have had a shorter gestation length are generally smaller, and thus the dam is able to deliver her calf with less difficulty. Therefore, when selecting heifer bulls, consideration should be given to the Gestation Length EBVS of the candidates.
cont’
Higher, more positive, Calving Ease Direct EBVs are more favourable. For example, a bull with an EBV of +5.0 per cent would be expected, on average, to produce 3 per cent fewer difficult calvings from twoyear-old heifers than a bull with an EBV of –1.0 per cent (6 per cent difference between the sires, then halved as they only contribute half the genetics). 2. CALVING EASE DAUGHTERS Calving Ease Daughters EBVs are estimates of genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s two-year-old daughters to calve without assistance. Calving Ease Daughters EBVs are also reported as differences in the percentage of unassisted calvings. Higher, more positive, Calving Ease Daughters EBVs are more favourable. For example, a bull with an EBV of +4.0 per cent would be expected to on average produce two-year-old daughters that have 3 per cent less calving problems than the daughters of a bull with an EBV of –2.0 per cent. When selecting heifer bulls, more positive Calving Ease EBVs are more favourable. However, producers should be aware not all bulls positive for Calving Ease Direct will be positive for Calving Ease Daughters. This is because a bull with a high Calving Ease Direct EBV will often produce smaller calves. As his daughters grow, they tend to develop into smaller cows, with smaller pelvises. Thus, when they calve as heifers, they are more likely to have calving problems than bigger, more roomy heifers. The Hereford bull below is a good example of this. This bull has a Calving Ease Direct EBV well above the breed average, but a Calving Ease Daughters EBV well below breed average. This bull may help to reduce calving difficulties in the current heifers, but his daughters may experience calving difficulties when they themselves are heifers. For those in a self-replacing herd situation, this is not desirable, as this can have a negative impact on the calving ease of the herd into the future. He would, however, be a handy bull for those in terminal production systems (e.g. Northern Baldy Terminal systems).
CALVING EASE
Whilst many large studies have consistently shown birth weight to be the most important genetic factor influencing calving difficulty, there are also other aspects that need to be considered. For example, calf shape, pelvic area and calving “will” all influence calving ease. BREEDPLAN Calving Ease EBVs take all the factors affecting calving difficulty into consideration and allow the best possible genetic improvement to be made for ease of calving. Two Calving Ease EBVs are produced by BREEDPLAN; these are Calving Ease Direct and Calving Ease Daughters. 1. CALVING EASE DIRECT Calving Ease Direct EBVs are estimates of genetic differences in the ability of a sires’ calves to be born unassisted from two year old heifers. Calving Ease Direct EBVs are reported as differences in the percentage of unassisted calvings.
CONTINUED PAGE 24
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Glendan Park Paydirt P078 (H) sold for $16,000 in our 7th Annual Bull Sale to Pepper Partnership, VIC.
Thank you to all new and existing clients, underbidders and agents for supporting the Glendan Park program in 2020.
8TH ANNUAL BULL SALE FRIDAY 26TH FEB 2021
40 rising 2 y.o. Hereford and Poll Hereford bulls
Alvio Trovatello: 0419 191 193 Andrew Green: 0427 400 337 2090 Kyneton-Heathcote Rd, Barfold via Kyneton VIC 3444 www.glendanpark.com.au | info@glendanpark.com.au
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TECHNICAL NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Making bull selection decisions for heifer matings FROM PAGE 22
Those in self-replacing systems (for example, Southern and Northern Self-Replacing systems) would be better to look for a bull above breed average for both Calving Ease Direct and Calving Ease Daughters. This will help to reduce calving ease problems not just in the current heifers, but also in future heifers. The Hereford bull below is a good example of a bull that is above breed average for both traits, being in the 20th percentile for Calving Ease Direct and the 10th percentile for Calving Ease Daughters.
3. CONSIDER FERTILITY AND BIRTH TRAITS Animals with the same selection index value can have very different individual EBVs. Consider the Calving Ease Direct, Calving Ease Daughters, Birth Weight and Gestation Length EBVs and exclude any bulls which don’t have EBVs in acceptable ranges. You can use the online search and sort facility to quickly exclude animals which don’t met your criteria. 4. CONSIDER OTHER TRAITS Consider EBVs for all other traits of economic importance, as per your breeding objectives. Exclude any bulls which don’t have EBVs in acceptable ranges. 5. CONSIDER OTHER INFORMATION Consider other selection critieria of importance (for example, horn status, structural and functional soundness and genetic condition status). Exclude any bulls that do not meet requirements. This approach should allow Hereford producers to select heifer bulls which, in addition to reducing the risk of calving problems in their heifers, should also improve other economically important traits within the herd.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO SELECTING HEIFER BULLS
The traits discussed so far in this article are not inherited indvidually; they are correlated with each other. Relationships also exist with other traits of economic importance. Therefore, placing selection pressure on one trait could push other traits in an unfavourable direction. To avoid this, it is recommended heifer bulls are selected using the Hereford selection indexes. Selection indexes rank animal on profit (dollars per cow mated), within a specific production system. The four Hereford selection indexes have been designed to balance genetic improvement across traits, thus taking the hard work out of deciding how much emphasis to place on each individual trait. To use selection indexes to select heifer bulls: 1. IDENTIFY THE SELECTION INDEX OF MOST RELEVANCE Identify which of the four Hereford selection indexes best fits your production system. The Herefords Australia Selection Index Flow Chart (available on the Herefords Australia website) can assist you to do this. 2. RANK ANIMALS ON SELECTION INDEX Rank bulls available for selection on the selection index of most relevance. The online search and sort facility can help you to identify bulls for sale, and to rank them by your chosen selection index.
cont’
When selecting heifer bulls, selection indexes should be used to rank bulls on economic merit. Particular consideration should then be given to Birth Weight, Gestation Length, Calving Ease and Growth EBVs. Other traits which are of importance to the breeding objectives for the herd, and other information should also be considered before finalising selection decisions. When selecting heifer bulls, remember: • While lower birth weight is generally associated with lower growth, curve-bender bulls do exist. Where possible, try to select bulls with moderate Birth Weight EBVs and above average Growth EBVs. This should equate to smaller calves at birth, thus reducing the likelyhood of calving difficulties, without compromising on growth as the calf gets older. • Shorter gestation lengths are more favourable. Bulls who have shorter Gestation Length EBVs should sire calves who are born earlier than those sired by bulls with longer Gestation Lengths. Thus the progeny of bulls with shorter Gestation Length EBVs are generally smaller at birth, and in turn, more likely to be delivered with less calving difficulties. • Bulls with higher, more positive Calving Ease Direct EBVs are more favourable, as they are more likely to have calves that are born unassisted from two-yearold heifers. For those in self-replacing herd situations, higher, more positive Calving Ease Daughters EBVS are also desirable in a heifer bull. These two traits need to be carefully managed to avoid decreasing the calving ease ability of future heifers. For further information regarding selection of heifer bulls, or to discuss the relationshiops between the traits discussed in this article, please contact Catriona Millen, SBTS Technical Officer for Hereford, on (02) 6773 3357 or via email catriona@sbts.une.edu.au.
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GENOMICS Genomically tested to identify homozygous polled bulls, genetic conditions and improved EBV accuracy
MUSCLE
Top 15% of breed for eye muscle area & better muscled steers
MARBLING
Highest herd for genetics of IMF averaging in top 5% of Hereford breed to boost MSA index
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PROFIT POTENTIAL 2019 calves average in top 5% Hereford breed for $index values showing profitable balance of traits CALVING EASE Low birth weights & calving ease in top 20% of breed FERTILITY Vet checked & service tested. Top 15% ranking for fertility traits
DISPOSITION Docility scores and docility EBVS to improve temperament STRUCTURE All sale stock independently beef class structurally assessed
Enquiries and inspections welcome: Wirruna Poll Herefords “Spring Valley” Holbrook NSW 2644 • Ian & Diana Locke T 02 6036 2877 M 0408 637 267 • E locke.ian@bigpond.com
ON-PROPERTY BULL & FEMALE SALE SPRING 26 AUGUST 2020 • AUTUMN 10 MARCH 2021 WWW.WIRRUNA.COM
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GROWTH 200 & 400 day growth averages in top 25% of breed for all ‘P’ calves
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TECHNICAL NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Performance recording mature cow weight By Catriona Millen, SBTS technical officer Beef producers need to balance the gains of running heavy cows with the cost of maintaining those cows. Hereford breeders can improve their profits and reduce costs by tailoring the weight of their breeding cows to suit their country and market trends.
WHY SHOULD MATURE COW WEIGHT BE RECORDED?
The weight of a mature cow has a considerable influence on herd profitability. In general, lighter cows tend to have lower feed requirements and thus are more efficient to maintain compared to heavier cows. The returns from cull cows can make up a significant proportion of the total income of a beef breeding business. In most situations heavier weight cows will return more per head than lighter weight cows, but at the cost of lower carrying capacity. Additionally, within a breed, lighter cows tend to be more fertile than larger cows. Recording mature cow weights also offers Hereford producers the ability to identify bulls that are “curve benders” for post-birth growth such as 600 day growth and mature cow weight. That is, they produce calves that have genetics for above average post–birth growth but moderate mature cow weight genetics in the retained daughters. By selecting for curve-bender animals, Hereford producers are able to breed moderate, fertile cows without having a detrimental impact on the growth rates of slaughter progeny such as steers.
INTERPRETING MATURE COW WEIGHT EBVS
Mature Cow Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between cows in live weight at five years of age and are expressed in kilograms. A bull with higher, more positive Mature Cow Weight EBVs is expected to produce daughters with, on average, heavier mature cow weights than bulls with lower Mature Cow Weight EBVs. The optimal mature cow weight will depend on the individual herd and its breeding objective. For example: • Hereford breeders looking to decrease the mature weight of their cows may look for lower Mature Cow Weight EBVs. • Hereford breeders looking to increase their returns from the sale of cull cows may look for higher Mature Cow Weight EBVs. • Hereford breeders looking to maintain the mature size of their breeding cows while maximising the growth of their progeny to say 600 days may look for moderate Mature Cow Weight EBVs.
RECORDING INFORMATION ON MATURE COW WEIGHT
Mature Cow Weight EBVs are generated from the live weights of mature cows recorded within two weeks of the 200 day weight of their calves, with up to four weights analysed per cow.
Hereford BREEDPLAN will only analyse a mature cow weight if the cow is older than 2.4 years of age (870 days) at weighing and had her first mature cow weight recorded at less than 6 years (2200 days) of age. Weights are not analysed from cows without a calf with a 200 day weight. Best practice is to weigh all of your cows when recording 200 day weights on their progeny, and allow the Hereford BREEDPLAN analysis to sort out which mature cow weights are eligibile. Mature Cow Weight EBVs for bulls are generated from the mature cow weight performance of all known female relatives such as dam, grand dams, half sisters and daughters. In addition, correlated traits, such as 600 day growth, as well as genomic information, are also used in the calculation of Mature Cow Weight EBVs. It is essential correct management group information is recorded with mature cow weight performance. Management groups work slightly differently for mature cow weights. If no management group information is defined for a set of mature cow weights, the BREEDPLAN analysis will use the management groups submitted with the 200 day weights of their calves to sub-group the weights of the cows. Therefore, if you have correctly recorded the management group information with the 200 day weight performance for your calves, then you only need to assign a different management group to a cow that has experienced an effect on her weight that is different to that experienced by her calf. For example, if the cow was injured/sick or has been supplementary fed. If both the mature cow weights and the 200 day weights for their calves are submitted without management group information, the BREEDPLAN analysis will assume all cows and calves have been run under similar management conditions. Do: ✔ Record mature cow weights on all cows. BREEDPLAN will work out which weights will be analysed. ✔ Measure mature cow weight on the same day or within two weeks of recording a 200 day weight on the calves. ✔ Record management group information with mature cow weight performance.
SUBMITTING MATURE COW WEIGHT INFORMATION TO BREEDPLAN
Mature cow weights should be submitted directly to Hereford BREEDPLAN using any of the BREEDPLAN data submission methods, including paper forms, the Microsoft Excel template, a data extract from a BREEDPLAN compatible herd recording program or online via Hereford Live. For further information regarding recording mature cow weight or submitting mature cow weight data to Hereford BREEDPLAN, please contact Catriona Millen, SBTS Technical Officer for Hereford, on (02) 6773 3357 or via email catriona@sbts.une.edu.au.
WINTER 2020
EXPORT DEMAND
27
Lucrative live export orders for Hereford heifers Live export orders for commercial Hereford heifers to China as breeders are paying premium rates to producers.
Heifers sired by a registered Hereford bull, aged between eight and 16 months, and weighing 200-400kg, fetched $1300 plus GST.
Purebred heifers weighing 200-400kg are sought for live export orders.
Landmark International buyer Andrew Wishart said there was regular demand for quality Hereford breeders to be exported to China with multiple orders per year.
Cattle sent on these orders must meet the China protocol meaning they have to be purchased on-farm and be from a Bluetongue free zone. According to Scott Altschwager, Elders, there is usually an added premium to live export cattle as there is more processing and handling work involved to get cattle into that market. “There’s a bit more to it than just selling to a feedlot or to a store sale, the premium makes the extra work worthwhile,” Mr Altschwager said.
He said there was a premium for heifers as quality breeding stock were scarce due to the seasonal turnaround, females being retained and strong domestic demand. “It’s a good opportunity for the Hereford breeder if they have marketable cattle available,” Mr Altschwager said.
Yarram Park Herefords manager Jeremy Upton is delighted to see such strong premiums being paid for Hereford heifers.
“It’s fantastic, it’s a terrific price for young heifers and they’re going into a future breeding program in China, not being processed,” he said. According to Mr Upton, the Chinese are choosing pure Herefords as breeders over other British breeds as they have previously had good results with Herefords. “[The Chinese] have had good experiences with Herefords in the past and they like them,” he said. Many southern Hereford producers have opted to sell their heifers for the higher live export prices this year rather than selling at weaner sales.
Mr Altschwager is pleased to have good opportunities to present to Hereford breeders regarding price premiums and describes the market as “really good for the breed.”
He said the live heifer export market was a well-accepted market opportunity across the Hereford breed and breeders are genuinely interested in where their cattle are going. “It’s pretty exciting at the moment for the Hereford breeder,” Mr Altschwager said.
51st Annual On Property Sale Friday 4th September 2020
Robert Hain, GUNYAH Cooma NSW T 02 6452 6445 M 0403 483 702 E rhgunyah@bigpond.com
CR139665AA
This has led to smaller heifer numbers in saleyards and premium prices for those heifers that are sold through the yards to domestic buyers.
28
CROSSBREEDING
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Trial reveals greater carcase value using Hereford genetics By Kim Woods Hereford sired black baldy steers have more valuable carcasses both with and without an eating quality premium over their Angus sired siblings. The advantage has been quantified with the release of preliminary data from the Herefords Australia Black Baldy trial. The trial was run over five years from 2014 to 2019, continuing into 2020, with the heifers and steers born and raised at Musselroe Beef, in Tasmania. Angus dams were joined to leading Angus and Hereford bulls by artificial insemination, and raised under commercial conditions on pasture with no supplementary feeding. A key aim of the project was to generate grass fed carcase data on the male progeny, and the natural reproduction data of up to two calvings from the female progeny to aid genetic evaluation for the Hereford breed. It was not a breed comnparison, instead it quantified the performance benefits of reproduction, growth, carcase and eating quality of grass fed Hereford x Angus progeny against pure Angus progeny in the Australian production system. The trial will continue to build a Hereford and crossbred reference population by genotyping large numbers of well-measured cattle. It is a partnership between Herefords Australia, Adelaide University, Meat and Livestock Australia and Musselroe Beef. Around 1100 cows were mated with many joined over multiple years to result in 1650 calves born across the project. In 2019, 270 two-year-old steers were scanned on July
The Herefords Australia Black Baldy Trial has revealed black baldy steers have a higher carcase weight, fat depth and eye muscle area than Angus.
15 and slaughtered on July 25 at JBS Tasmania while 221 heifers were live scanned on February 18. The traits measured at scanning included weight, eye muscle area, intramuscular fat, P8 fat depth and rib fat depth. The steer carcasses were measured for loin eye muscle area, rib fat depth, marble score, MSA Index, meat colour, fat colour, pH and ossification. Further testing was carried out by the University of New England meat science laboratory for IMF%, pH, cooking loss, shear force, brightness, redness and yellowness. Live, carcase and meat eating quality data has been analysed by Professor Wayne and Dr Judith Pitchford, of the University of Adelaide. “The trial has confirmed Hereford cross Angus cattle have heavier carcasses at slaughter compared to purebred Angus and when carcass value was calculated based on saleable meat yield alone or with an assumed eating premium included, the Hereford crosses were more valuable to the producer,” Prof Pitchford said. “Black baldy steers had heavier carcasses which despite having lower marble scores were still worth more than Angus carcasses unless a specific Angus premium is paid.” But, the advantage of black baldies for reproduction is less clear-cut. “While a greater proportion of black baldy heifers were pubertal going into the first mating, this did not translate into any more calves,” Prof Pitchford said. “However, they did produce more second calves so maybe if they are retained in the commercial herds there could be benefits in reproduction.” The black baldy calves have been genotyped with
WINTER 2020
significant maternal and carcass data collected for contribution to BREEDPLAN analyses. At birth, data recorded included survival, calving ease, birthweight, sex and dam body condition score. At weaning each March, the animal’s DNA was sampled for genomic testing to determine breed composition and parentage. Of the 1424 calves that were recorded at weaning, 607 were sired by Hereford and 817 by Angus bulls. Hereford sired calves were heavier at birth (7.9 per cent) and weaning (3.1 per cent) however calving difficulty and calf loss was nominal between the two breeds. “This carried through to yearlings where Hereford sired calves had greater weights (2.9 per cent for heifers and 3.4 per cent for steers),” Prof Pitchford said. “Hereford sired heifers had larger eye muscle area and more fat cover (rib and rump) than Angus sired heifers but this was not significant for steers. At the live scan, Hereford sired steers were 3.4 per cent heavier, had a 1.7 per cent larger eye muscle area, and more rump fat. They had less intramuscular fat than the Angus sired calves. “Black baldy steers had a higher hot standard carcase weight, P8 fat depth and eye muscle area,” Prof Pitchford said. “However, AUSMEAT and MSA marbling plus MSA Index were significantly lower.” Marbling was lower but there was no significant difference for cooking loss or tenderness measured as shear factor. “When a dollar value was calculated for carcasses based on a lean meat yield price per kilogram, Hereford sired
CROSSBREEDING
29
steers had more valuable carcasses both with and without an eating quality premium,” Prof Pitchford said. There was no difference between the sire breeds in heifer calving rates but a greater proportion of Hereford sired cows had a second calf than the Angus sired. Herefords Australia general manager Andrew Donoghue said these carcase results showed Hereford sired steers maximise the profitability for a beef producer selling grass finished steers direct to processors. “The carcase results, along with the extra growth and maternal benefits show the advantage of using a Hereford sire in your beef enterprise,” Mr Donoghue said. “It has also shown a Hereford sire can increase the profitability of a beef enterprise through a lower bull cost per calf produced.” Queensland producer Tom Nixon uses Hereford bulls over 250 Angus females and cannot fault the F1 female for mothering, survival and ability to go back into calf. He will use genomic testing and sire verification on the progeny this year to determine what F1 females to retain. “We don’t want to get caught up in a singular trait but really utilise the carcass side of the Hereford and benefit steer wise from that,” Mr Nixon said. “We have been following the Herefords Australia Black Baldy trial and am interested in the new commercially based indexes. “The ability of the black baldy female to go back in calf every year is a massive plus.” Mr Nixon said black baldy programs could benefit from Hereford bulls with muscle and positive fat combined with the Angus marbling.
A Hereford sire can increase the profitability of a beef enterprise through both carcase value and maternal benefits. Photo Kim Woods
30
ROYAL SHOW RESULTS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Pinnacle rises to top to be sashed as supreme exhibit Grand champion Hereford bull and supreme Hereford exhibit at the 2020 Royal Canberra Show was awarded to Granite Hill Pinnacle paraded by Kierin Martin. The 22-month-old Poll Hereford bull was sired by the $31,000 high marbling Wirruna Kalimna K326 and has a 400-day weight EBV in the top five per cent of the Hereford breed. Pinnacle also made the top three exhibits in the champion interbreed bull class. The bull was exhibited by Danny and Debby Hill, Granite Hill Herefords, Bungendore, NSW and was out of Kanimbla Revona M017, purchased as a heifer from the Sydney Royal. Judge Sam Hunter, Yass, NSW, was impressed by the length, muscle, and sire appeal of Pinnacle. Reserve senior champion bull was awarded to Cranbury Tornado N043 exhibited by Doug Nash, Cranbury Poll Herefords, Cudal, NSW. The September 2017-drop bull was sired by Kidman Governor K059. In the female classes Cloverlee Cherry Ripe (AI) (P) took top honours as grand champion Hereford female after winning the title of senior champion female. The 2016-drop female was sired by Injemira Redford J084 and was shown with her spring drop calf, Cloverlee
Cherry Ripe (P), by Ken and Liz Ikin, Cloverlee Poll Herefords, Bannister, NSW. Cherry Ripe’s dam, Cloverlee Cherry Ripe K165, has won the supreme award four times and the interbreed female last year. Reserve senior champion female was awarded to Cranbury Colleen K62. Junior champion female was presented to 10-monthold Cloverlee Minerva Q001, a daughter of Tycolah Mastercraft J151, and reserve junior champion female was awarded to Cranbury Ursula P004. Cranbury Poll Herefords capped off a successful day in the show ring by taking out the breeders group title and sires progeny group with animals by Kidman Governor K059. In the miniature Hereford classes, Palisade Gloria was junior champion female, while Palisade Donna won the senior and grand champion female with Palisade Fraya sashed as reserve senior champion for Sue Parish, Palisade Miniature Herefords, Cowra, NSW. Palisade Ernie was the senior and grand champion bull and supreme exhibit while Palisade Gypsy won the miniature Hereford dam’s progeny group.
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1. Cranbury Poll Herefords won the breeder’s group. 2. Sponsor Eliza Babazogli, International Animal Health, judge Sam Hunter, the grand champion bull and supreme Poll Hereford exhibit with parader Kierin Martin and owner Danny Hill. Images Emily H 3. Senior champion bull was won by Granite Hill Pinnacle paraded by Kierin Martin and owned by Danny Hill. 4. Junior champion heifer Cloverlee Minerva Q001 with exhibitor Ken Ikin and Lillian Turgeon on the halter. 5. The senior champion female was Cloverlee Cherry Ripe held by Lillian Turgeon and Savannah Boutsikakis.
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STRAP LINE
WINTER 2020
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LOTUS HEREFORDS 29th Annual Sale - 11am Thursday 23rd July 2020 All bulls Sire Verified - Semen Tested - Breedplan Recorded Inspections Welcome.
2020 Sale On-Property & Online Holliss Family, Glen Innes NSW. Ph: 02 6733 4658, 0418 655 009 E: info@lotusherefords.com.au
www.lotusherefords.com.au
DEVON COURT HEREFORDS
Devon Court Jubilant P044
Devon Court Jubilant P175
Devon Court lassoo P065
Devon Court lassoo P101
Devon Court lassoo P102
Devon Court lassoo P104
ON PROPERTY SALE Devon Court • Drillham • QueenSlanD
TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2020
Devon Court hereForDS tom niXon 769 Wallan Creek rd, Drillham QlD 4424 mobile: 0427 276 182 email: tom@devoncourt.com.au www.devoncourt.com.au
CR139553AA
35 Horned and Polled Bulls And 20 Females
32
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Time to capitalize on certified grass-fed premiums By Rowan McNaught Hereford producers are in a prime position to capitalise on market premiums in certified grass-fed markets. Processors are paying up to a dollar per kilogram more for certified grass-fed cattle that meet the specifications of certain products and brands. Herefords’ renowned doing-ability on grass and the seasonal turnaround across much of Australia offers an ideal opportunity for producers to take advantage of these premium markets. The contract grid released by JBS Australia at the beginning of May had prices hitting $7.00 per kilo in August for cattle eligible for the company’s Great Southern farm-assured certified grass-fed program. Australian owned HW Greenham & Sons has introduced winter base price agreements for cattle farmers supplying their Gippsland facility. The Greenham Gippsland Winter Base Price Agreement was first presented to farmers in February this year and also offers $7.00 per kilo for cattle killed in August 2020. Heightened demand for quality grass-fed cattle is purely supply based according to JBS Australia’s southern livestock manager Steve Chapman. “The grass-fed cattle that are available of the right weight, style and finish are limited, there will be a lot more available in spring, but less available until then,” Mr Chapman said. The JBS Hereford Boss brand (a sub-brand of Great Southern) is also facing supply shortages. “On weight we’ve had some very good Hereford cattle killed under Hereford Boss, but we’ve been challenged by numbers,” Mr Chapman said. This was largely due to the autumn break enabling producers to hold onto cattle for longer to make use of the abundance of feed and reach heavier weights. While consumer demand for premium products is quite unpredictable, Mr Chapman says JBS is committed to sticking by their brands and will continue to purchase cattle. “Demand is quite volatile at the moment - we are having more trouble shifting premium cuts due to closures of ‘white tablecloth’ restaurants,” he said. “I’ve never seen [this situation] before in my life.” Despite the volatile market, processors’ commitment to their products and clients offers a good opportunity for producers to capitalise on high market prices. While restaurant demand has dropped steeply, consumer demand for products deemed healthier or ‘cleaner’ has spiked amid COVID-19 concerns. Grass-fed products have been growing in popularity in Australian domestic supermarkets, where overall beef demand has increased during COVID-19. High demand for cattle has also seen prices driven upwards in the restocker and backgrounder markets with a line of 22 unmated Poll Hereford cows and calves from Mansfield, Victoria selling for the second top price of $3,020 on AuctionsPlus in May.
The three-year-old cows weighed 579kgs and have 3-10 week old calves at foot weighing 103kgs. A line of 48 Hereford steers offered by J & S Moreing in Bombala, NSW made the top heavy steer price on AuctionsPlus in the same week, selling for 393c/kg. The steers are 17-20 months old, weigh 420kgs and will cross the border to Barnawartha North in Victoria. To round out a strong week for Herefords on AuctionsPlus, Woomargama Station sold 178 August/September 2019 drop Hereford steers averaging 239kg for $1252 or 524 cents/kg on May 1. Further opportunities for Hereford producers lie in the live heifer export orders, which are paying producers up to $1300 (plus GST) per head for Hereford heifers between 200 and 400 kilograms, aged between eight and 16 months. According to Scott Altschwager of Elders, the live export order is a good opportunity for Hereford breeders if they have marketable cattle available. Similar to the grass-fed market, the export premium is also being driven by high demand for similar cattle as producers choose to retain more of their heifers as future breeders following the seasonal turn around.
40 BULLS
2020 BULL SALE Thurs 3rd September
CR137080AA
STRAP LINE
WINTER 2020
33
THINK HEREFORD
Think Beefgen The Greatest of his Generation
NJW 79Z Z311 ENDURE 173D (PP)
AUS EBV's - BW +3.2 (30%), 400D +73 (5%), DtC -3.8 (25%), Carc. Wgt +69 (5%), EMA +5.4 (10%), IMF +1.2 (10%)
The $150,000 sire from NJW Poll Herefords. The reputation of Endure is surpassing all others. He is producing exceptional cattle across the globe, every day confirming himself as one of the great sires of his generation. Endure offers an unrivalled combination of phenotype and outstanding EBV's across all traits. He is also backed by some of the breeds most prolific breeding females, Endure simply does it all! Don't miss using the opportunity to use the Polled sire of his generation.
The Horned sire we've been searching for
HH ADVANCE 8132F (H)
USA EPD's - CED +12.3 (5%), BW -0.7 (5%), WW +56 (35%), Carc Wgt +79 (10%), REA +0.44 (35%), Marb +0.38 (5%)
HH Advance 8132F is the product of the renowned Holden Line One program and the Horned sire we have been searching for. His influence will be strong across the globe. 8132F combines exceptional raw performance, striking phenotype, unmatched breeding values and is backed by 7 generations of elite donors. The EPD's of 8132F are exceptional with elite calving ease, strong growth, valuable carcass traits and all the maternal power that Line One cattle are renowned for. Seldom does the opportunity to utilise one of the most in demand global sires arise.
The Cattleman's Kind
NJW 135U 10Y HOMETOWN 27A (P)
USA EPD's - BW +1.8 (25%), WW +63 (10%), Udder Susp +1.40 (10%), Carc Wgt +73 (20%), REA +0.61 (10%)
INFO@BEEFGEN.COM.AU
Hometown 27A is a favourite of commercially minded Cattlemen across the globe. Another product of the exceptional NJW program, 27A has successfully produced many sale toppers and high selling lots, and his progeny are in high demand. 27A progeny are thick made, deep-bodied, structurally correct, and eye-catching. The 27A daughters are now emerging as superior matrons while sons are built to last in the real world. Global demand is high and semen is limited, don't delay in using a sire that will set the standard in your program for generations to come.
WWW.BEEFGEN.COM.AU
+61 412 425 949
34
YOUTH NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
White wins tricolor at Northern NSW Youth Show Four years of perseverance paid off for Beau 1 White when he took home the grand champion paraders title at the Northern NSW Youth Group heifer show. The show was held at Inverell in January and drew 60 entrants. Beau, Top Notch Poll Herefords, Inverell, exhibited the junior and grand champion heifer, and the champion cow and calf under judge Hannah Gibb, AACo, Brisbane. The 10-month-old heifer Mountain Valley Prudence Q009, sired by Injemira Anzac H006, was the sashed as the junior and grand champion. Last year’s champion futurity cow, Mountain Valley Favourite M091, a 2016 drop female sired by Wynella Vinnie J047, was shown with her spring drop calf, Mountain Valley Quebec Q052, to win champion cow. Champion intermediate heifer went to The Ranch Tilly P044 exhibited by Leisel Cooper, 1. The grand champion Tamworth. Leisel had won the heifer as a prize heifer held by grand for the most potential breeder award in 2019. champion parader The champion bull was won by Eclipse Optimus Beau White, Inverell, Prime Q002, shown by Emily Taylor, Tamworth. at the Herefords Bronwyn Neilsen, Calrossy Anglican School, Northern NSW youth Tamworth, judged the paraders competition and chose Beau White as the senior and grand show. Photos Kloud champion. Photography Although Beau swept the board with senior 2. Emily Taylor, Eclipse champion parader titles in 2019, the grand Stud, Quipolly, was championship had eluded him for four years named the overall until Inverell. breed ambassador, He was pitted against pee wee champion Isla McIndoe, junior champion Riley Bacon, intermediate champion Ownaview stud, Yangan Qld, and intermediate parader and judge. winner Emily Taylor. 3. Intermediate champion The junior judging section was officiated by parader Emily Taylor Tyson Wiil, Delungra, with Aleacea Nixon, Mickey Mouse Herefords, Dulacca, Qld, winning shows her style. grand champion. Pee wee champion was Elsa Mesaros, junior champion was Riley Bacon, intermediate Emily Taylor and Jacinta Cooper, Infinity stud, Bithramere, NSW, senior champion. Senior and grand champion herdsman was awarded to last year’s most potential breeder winner, Paul Murphy, Tamworth. Logan Scott took out the pee wee, Riley Bacon again dominating the junior and Lachlan Bacon, Yangan, Qld, the intermediate. In the special awards, 15-year-old Emily Taylor, Eclipse Stud, Quipolly, NSW, was named the overall Hereford breed ambassador and most potential breeder award was presented to Lachlan Bacon. The best presented stall was won by the team from Reevesdale Herefords, Gum Flat.
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WINTER 2020
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TUMMEL GERRY P159
HEREFORDS
30 HORNED & POLLED 2 year old bulls to sell 21 July 2020 Enquiries & inspections welcome
CHRIS LISLE “Lochaber” Walcha NSW 2354 0459 772 810 . 02 6777 2810
OPEN DAY - 21 JULY, 1PM BULLS FOR PRIVATE SALE ‘LOCHABER’ WALCHA
GLEN INNES BULL SALE - 24 JULY - 7 BULLS FOR SALE
Industry leading genetics since 1933
TOTAL REGISTERED FEMALE DISPERSAL Thursday 29th October 2020 Commencing 10.30am 87 YEARS OF QUALITY GENETICS 260 FEMALES, BULLS AND SIRES Ben & Annabelle Monie 0427 005 352 • E: abmonie@bigpond.com www.thornleighherefords.com.au
CR139715AA
36
YOUTH NEWS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Team Red comes up trumps at the World Hereford Conference Australian Hereford Youth members bagged several titles at the World Hereford Conference Young Breeders Competition in New Zealand. Two teams of four enthusiastic Hereford breeders represented the nation, with both teams tallying up a number of event wins across the six individual competitions including modules, judging, quiz, presentation, clipping and handling. Reserve champion team overall, on 433 points out of a possible 600, was the Australian Red Team comprised of Keirin Martin (captain), Kianma Poll Herefords, Forbes, NSW, Annie Pumpa, Hurricane Stud, Table Top, NSW, Brendan Sykes Mawarra Genetics, Vic, and Connor Evans, Paling Yards, NSW. They were pipped at the post for champion by the New Zealand Hereford Youth team with a score of 444. The red team defeated the eight other teams when it came to clipping and handling, taking the champion sash in both sections. Keirin Martin had a successful competition winning grand champion handler and grand champion herdsperson. The herdsperson competition included the individual’s performance in the handling and judging components of the event. Mr Martin scored 172 points while team mate Connor Evans was named the reserve champion on 170.14. Annie Pumpa and Brandon Sykes received most valuable participant awards for the red team. The Young Breeders event comprised 36 competitors from seven countries. “From the outset the aim of the competition was to be competitive, informative, fun and possibly most importantly to provide a platform for the next generation of leaders to build a network for the future of the Hereford breed,” organising committee member Rebecca Paterson said. “The competition was taken seriously by all nine teams and the calibre of the competitors was far beyond the expectations of the organising committee. “They were all fantastic ambassadors for their country and the future of the Hereford breed.” Competitors visited New Zealand farming operations with farm tours of Monymusk Poll 1 Herefords and Waiau Herefords. “There was integration into the conference with a visit to Lockarburn Herefords for a technical session,” Rebecca said. 1. Team Red’s Keirin Martin and Connor Evans with sponsor, Paul Fitzpatrick, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, New Zealand, at the World Hereford Conference. Photos contributed 2. Teams Red and White did Australia proud at the World Hereford Conference Young Breeders Competition. 3. Team Red, from left, Kierin Martin, Annie Pumpa, Connor Evans and Brandon Sykes at the presentation.
“The event culminated with a show competition which included clipping and handling. Thank you to Duncraigen, Kane Farms, Waiau, Waikaka, Foulden Hill and Lime Hills Hereford studs for providing heifers for the teams to use, and the Wanaka A & P Show for hosting us. “A special mention goes to the Most Valuable Participant member, Mike Brems, Team Denmark, Herdsperson winner and reserve, Keirin Martin and Connor Evans, both from Team Australia Red, and Champion team, NZ Herefords and Reserve Champion, Team Australia Red.” NZ Hereford Youth Team Captain Sam Tipping said to be part of the winning team was something special. “The cherry on the cake was the camaraderie between all the young breeders and how well we all came together on and off the field,” he said. Annie Pumpa grew up in Culcairn, NSW, and works as a sales representative with ABS Australia Beef. “I delved into the seedstock sector over the last 10 years starting through the agriculture program at Billabong High School in 2011,” she said. Keirin Martin grew up in Narromine, NSW, and works as a livestock contractor. “In 2008 I developed a passion for the seedstock industry and founded Kianma Poll Herefords,” he said. “I came up through the youth program and enjoyed everything it has had to offer me. The opportunities it has provided have been invaluable.” Connor grew up in Crookwell, NSW, and works as a farm hand at Llandillo Poll Herefords. Brandon Sykes hails from East Gippsland, Vic, runs his own business, BJS Livestock Photography and has been involved in Hereford Youth for about a decade, including two terms as president. “I am the third generation at Mawarra Herefords and have been passionate about Herefords all my life,” he said. “I founded my own stud Mawarra B Herefords in 2013. I am grateful for the opportunities I have received from being involved in the Hereford breed and Herefords Australia Youth.”
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"It’s all about the CARCASE" WINTER 2020
2020 Talbalba Sale bullS
Ce Dir
Ce DTrs
Gl
bW
200 day
400 day
600 day
Mat cow wt
Milk
SS
Days Carcase to calve wt
R5XP043(H) By M.Emperor
+1.7
-2.7
+0.4
+4.1
+33
+64
+92
+76
+23
+1.1
-1.0
R5XP087(H) By M.Emperor
+0.5
+0.7
-0.2
+4.4
+35
+53
+73
+42
+22
+1.4
R5XP039(S) By Days Executive
+2.0
+4.9
-2.1
+5.3
+40
+68
+94
+73
+16
R5XP112(P) By Days Executive
+1.7
+6.0
-2.6
+5.3
+38
+68
+94
+68
R5XP171(S) By Days Executive
+0.1
+0.3
-3.3
+5.3
+40
+72
+102
R5XP054(P) By H.Victor 0136
+8.6
+6.7
-1.5
+2.1
+34
+55
R5XP126(P) By R5XM044
+1.9
+1.7
+0.1
+5.5
+41
R5XP159(S) By R5XM044
+9.3
+5.8
-2.0
+1.1
R5XP014(S) By OD Lawloit
+8.1
+4.4
-2.1
R5XP133(P) By W. Kelso
+6.2
+3.4
-5.0
eMa
rib fat
rump fat
rbY
iMF
+62
+4.9
+0.5
+0.7
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+2.0
-2.1
+48
+4.3
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+22
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+34
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0.0
+27
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+31
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+15
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+39
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New sale date for 2020 Thurs 27th August @ 11:30 am
R5XP043 (H) by Mawarra Emperor L336
R5XP039 (S) by Day’s Executive K168 Semen and Morphology Tested Genomics Complete breedplan data Online bidding - auctions Plus Vacc: Tick Fever, Vibrio, b.e.F, 5 in 1 Free transport within 500km
55 Bulls for Sale On property, Millmerran, QLD Thurs 27th August @ 11:30 am
Steve and Debbie Reid 0427631014 www.talbalba.com
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Team White spin their general knowledge and clipping skills 1 the event by the whole organising committee, sponsors, judges and hosts. It is for the best attitude, involvement in the event, and willingness to help out others. Danish entrant Mike Brems was the overall winner of this award. Based at Currawarna, NSW, Helen De Costa, 24, has been involved with Herefords since 2009 when she 2 attended her first National Heifer Show in Goulburn. Cloverlee Poll Herefords took Helen under their wing and she now has a small stud of her own, Double H Livestock, was Youth Ambassador in 2015 and is treasurer of the National Youth Committee. Helen works as a trainee stock and station agent in Wagga Wagga and is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at 3 Charles Sturt University Janet Caldwell, 22, points to her family buying two registered heifers when she was 17 as sparking an interest in Herefords. She joined her school’s cattle team and founded Mulloon Poll Herefords, Mulloon, NSW. Janet is in her final year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University and helped start the CSU 4 Livestock Show Team to connect with youth in agriculture. She said the Young Breeders competition gave her an insight into breeding and management practices in different climates, alongside meeting others. Alicia Trovatello, 19, of Kyneton, Vic, has had a lifelong involvement with Herefords through her family’s stud, Glendan Park. That involvement has evolved to now 5 having input on the direction of the stud and meeting objectives of the business. Alicia is in her second year of a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, and is secretary of the Herefords Australia National Youth committee. “Going to New Zealand as part of the Young Breeder’s competition allowed me to broaden my knowledge 1. Australia White team members Janet 4. Janet Cantwell, Alicia Trovatello, Lachlan about management Cantwell, Alicia Trovatello, Lachlan Woodcock and Helen De Costa receive Woodcock and Helen De Costa. their sashes for champion module team. practices and meet other delegates from all over 2. Herefords Australia chairman Bill Kee, left, 5. Team White, from left, Helen De Costa, the world to advocate for a with the Australian Red and White Teams. Lachlan Woodcock, Alicia Trovatello breed we all love,” she said. and Janet Cantwell. Photo Kate Taylor, 3. All the teams competing in the WHC Australia’s Team White finished a credible fourth in the World Hereford Conference Young Breeders Competition in New Zealand on March 7-13. The team finished on 427 points out of 600, scoring the highest for modules at 73.3 points, were runners-up in the clipping at 92 points and the quiz on 41 points, and equal third in the handling. The modules comprised beef cuts, fencing, agri business, animal health and beef genetics. Waiau Herefords hosted some of the modules and gave the teams a tour of operations while the clipping competition was done at Wanaka Show. Foulden Hill Genetics supported Team White with heifers for use at the Wanaka Show. Monymusk Polled Herefords, Te Anau, hosted the judging competition. The quiz was a general knowledge test of the breed, sport, geography, food, animal health, beef and agriculture. Team member Helen De Costa placed third in the handler competition under judge Gemma Hain. The competition drew nine teams, with Australia and New Zealand contributing two teams each, and one from UK, USA, Sweden, Ireland and Denmark. Team White was captained by Lachlan Woodcock and comprised Helen De Costa, Janet Caldwell and Alicia Trovatello. Lachlan, 30, hails from Tasmania and works as an agronomist. With his partner Tamieka and son Harvie, Lachlan runs stud and commercial cattle under Lachanora Livestock based at South Riana. “I have participated in anything that involves cattle or shows over the last 24 years and have recently been involved in committees to run junior events,” he said. Lachlan aimed to bring new ideas for his cattle breeding toolbox from New Zealand. His passion earnt him the Most Valuable Participant winner for Team White. The award was judged throughout
Young Breeders Competition 2020.
CommuniKate, NZ.
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Herefords Australia Youth president’s report Over the coming months, the Herefords Australia Youth Committee is working hard to create one-day workshops in different regions across eastern Australia. We are planning to host workshops aimed at different aspects of the beef industry on a seedstock and commercial basis. We are also considering hosting a hands-on Stock Show University day in conjunction with The Cattle Shop. Our last project update is one the committee is excited to present to our community. Over the next 12 months, our board will be constructing their own cookbook. For more information you will need to have your email with Herefords Australia and follow our Facebook page to keep up to date with what we anticipate being a project not to be missed. The National Youth Committee had an eventful start to 2020. Two teams represented Herefords Australia and Youth in the Young Breeders Competition in New Zealand at the start of March. We are ecstatic to acknowledge all eight competitors for their complete integrity and professionalism while proudly representing the Australian beef industry, and more importantly the Hereford breed. Both the White and Red team were honoured to have received accolades to bring back to home soil. On other news, the committee had to unfortunately announce in April the cancellation of the 2020 National Youth Heifer Expo, which is our annual major event for the year. This was due to COVID-19 and the uncertainty of not knowing when the restrictions put in place by the government would be lifted in the future. Although a decision the committee did not want to make, the safety and wellness of our youth members, breeders, family and friends is a priority to us in this time. Save the date for July 8-11 2021, where we will be holding the next National Youth Expo in Wodonga, Vic.
Annie Pumpa and her committee have exciting plans for the remainder of 2020. Our 2021 calendar advertising with revised pricing is now open, please contact Alicia Trovatello on 0400 885 731 for more information. We will follow the advertising with our annual photo competition. Entries are expected to be opening in midJuly. Over the course of three days in June the Youth held, with support of AuctionsPlus, our annual youth charity auction. For results please head to our Facebook page. All proceeds will be going towards the youth program for creating more educational workshops and avenues for our youth members to upskill and network within the agricultural industry. Finally, I welcome and introduce Taylah Sykes from Longford, Vic, Grace Elsom from Macarthur, VIC and Beau White from Inverell, NSW. These newly elected members will combine to be part of our general committee, which we are thrilled to start working with. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via mobile on 0458 660 091.
Annie Pumpa PRESIDENT
Herefords Australia Youth Co-ordinator’s report This year has seen some all-time highs and lows early in the year for the Herefords Australia Youth. We had two outstanding teams representing Australia in New Zealand at the World Hereford Conference in March. I was proud of how both teams conducted themselves - well done to Red and white teams on such great achievements both as a team and individually. In a normal year we would be really ramping up and ticking off the tasks for organising the annual Herefords Australia National Youth Expo due to take place in Wodonga in July 2020.
However due to COVID –19, the National committee have had to cancel the Expo for this year. I am fortunate to be working with a great team of people who are enthusiastic, optimistic and determined to continue providing for the youth with some exciting projects in the pipeline.
To stay updated on what is happening make sure to be following Herefords Australia Youth on social media.
Nikki Williamson
YOUTH CO-ORDINATOR
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Wodonga National moves to digital platform amid COVID-19 The Herefords Australia National Show and Sale (Wodonga) took a leap into the digital age under the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held in online video format with the bull videos used for virtual judging and for an online auction hosted by AuctionsPlus. The Show and Sale committee were focused on being proactive and decisive about the outcome of the 2020 event, ensuring the Show and Sale were able to proceed regardless of further government restrictions, all while keeping the safety of vendors and buyers in mind. Wodonga Show and Sale coordinator Jamie-Lee Oldfield said the committee was pleased the 2020 event went ahead, albeit in a different format. “As they say, necessity is the mother of invention, and this innovative solution to being unable to hold a physical event will hopefully open up new avenues for vendors and buyers well into the future,” Ms Oldfield said. Wodonga committee chairman Alvio Trovatello said although the committee’s hand was forced with deciding on the 2020 event, the situation was a good opportunity to be innovative. All bulls entered for the 2020 Show and Sale were professionally videoed prior to the event with videos being made available online from May 1. Bulls were subject to all veterinary checks, semen evaluations, pestivirus clearance, DNA sire verification and genomic testing as per previous years. Although no raw EMA or fat scan data was available, all bulls had weights and scrotal measurements supplied
which were signed off by a vet, as well as a full set of BREEDPLAN EBVs. Bulls were judged online prior to the sale by Erica Halliday, Ben Nevis Angus, Walcha, NSW. Ms Halliday said the new show format was exciting and interactive while making the best out of what could have been a sad situation if the show had not gone ahead. This year’s show incorporated a people’s choice award as well as the judge’s placings in each class. “We’re trying to encourage positive interaction and get people involved that may not have always had an interest in the showing side,” Ms Halliday said. “Adding the people’s choice award adds a whole other element [to the show].” The professional videos of each bull taken prior to the show and sale had uniform shots of the bulls to allow fair assessment of each animal. Each video showed the bulls front on walking, side on walking, as well as close-up shots of the feet and testicles. “The videos were taken more from a judging perspective rather than a marketing perspective,” Mr Trovatello said. The online sale was a simultaneous auction hosted on AuctionsPlus on the original sale date of May 14. According to Ms Oldfield, the Show and Sale committee worked hard to ensure all the regular buyers at the sale had the best opportunity possible under current restrictions to operate, and the agents (Elders and Nutrien Ag) helped greatly in this area. Mr Trovatello said the different auction format worked in favour of buyers as they had more opportunity to secure the bull they want within budget. “The world has changed a lot in a short period of time,” he said. “The good thing about making a call early is it gives people more time to talk to agents or talk to venders directly. “It gives people time to do their homework.” Junior and grand champion bull Kanimbla Power Town P067. Photo contributed
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Carcase and pizzazz sees Kanimbla power over the line A combination of carcase and pizzazz resulted in a young Kanimbla bull storming through the lineup to take the 2020 Herefords Australia National Show and Sale (Wodonga) grand champion title. Exhibited by Kanimbla Poll Herefords, Holbrook, NSW, the 21-month-old Kanimbla Power Town P067 is a son of imported US sire NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y. Judge Erica Halliday, Ben Nevis Angus, Walcha NSW, described Power Town as beautifully balanced and difficult to fault. “What we’ve got [in this bull] is something really rare, and that’s a combination of muscle and softness, doing ability and constitution combined with an extra bit of pizzazz and sire power that you don’t see every day,” Ms Halliday said. Power Town weighed 916kg, had a scrotal circumference of 42cm, and 200, 400, and 600-day weight BREEDPLAN EBVs in the top 10 per cent of the breed. “He just blew my mind when we saw him in the class, and to me he’s a clear winner,” Ms Halliday said. Jim McWilliam of Kanimbla Poll Herefords, was delighted with the result and had received a lot of positive feedback on the bull. He said Kanimbla aimed to produce cattle that are “functional and consistent” with the ability to move the Hereford breed into the future. “We want our cattle to be high muscling without losing maternal traits, and backed by a strong cow family,” Mr McWilliam said. It was a double for Power Town after taking out the junior champion bos Taurus male in The Land’s national online show. Reserve junior champion bull was awarded to Ravensdale Rocket P233, exhibited by Ravensdale Poll Herefords, Holbrook. The 20-month-old bull was by New Zealand sire Monymusk Gallant 110089 and weighed in at 838 kilograms with a scrotal measurement of 42 centimetres. Ms Haliday described Rocket as “a magnificent package of 1. Reserve intermediate champion bull Doodle Cooma Prime Time. Photo contributed 2. Intermediate champion bull Tarcombe Homeland P177. Photo contributed 3. Senior champion bull Ravensdale Trojan P007. Image Emily H
phenotype and genotype.” In the intermediate classes, the champion title was awarded to 21-month-old Tarcombe Homeland P177 exhibited by Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Victoria. Tarcombe Homeland P177 is a high indexing bull with a Northern Self Replacing, Northern Baldy Terminal and Southern Baldy Maternal Index in the top five per cent of the breed. His Southern Self Replacing Index figure is in the top 10 per cent of the breed. Ms Halliday loved Homeland’s mobility and power, as well as his ability to bring about change in the Hereford breed. “Every now and then you come across special bulls that bring about change and change that is really needed,” she said. “For him what he adds to the breed is extra muscle without losing the softness and the doing ability.” Ms Halliday also commended Homeland’s excellent EBVs, describing him as “the complete package.” Reserve intermediate champion was awarded to Doodle Cooma Prime Time. The June 2018 drop sire weighed 914 kilograms and had a scrotal circumference of 35cm. Ms Halliday described Prime Time as stylish and balanced, with a lovely soft muscle pattern and extension through his front end. Ravensdale Poll Herefords took a clean sweep of the senior division, claiming both the champion and reserve titles with Ravensdale Trojan P007 and Ravensdale Spitfire P047. Senior champion Ravensdale Trojan P007 weighed 1008 kilograms with a scrotal circumference of 41 cm. Sired by Kidman Decker H273, Trojan impressed the judge with his combination of mobility and genetic strength. “It was [his] combination of structural correctness, genetic potential and phenotypic excellence that put this bull right up in the top of the senior section,” Ms Halliday said. Reserve senior champion Ravensdale Spitfire P047 was sired by Injemira Anzac K220 and weighed 992kg with a scrotal circumference of 43cm. Ms Halliday commended Spitfire’s mobility and structure, describing him as a free striding bull. Most successful exhibitor of the show was awarded to Ravensdale Poll Herefords.
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4. Reserve senior champion bull Ravensdale Spitfire P047. Image Emily H 5. Reserve junior champion bull Ravensdale Rocket P233. Image Emily H
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Wodonga National sails to top of $55,000 with innovative format It was paradise for vendors and buyers at the newlook 55th Herefords Australia National Show and Sale (Wodonga) as prices hit $55,000 and averaged a massive $9040. Held online on May 14 via AuctionsPlus due to COVID-19 restrictions, 100 of 110 bulls sold for a clearance of 91 per cent and a sale gross of $904,000. In the breakdown, 40 from 44 junior bulls sold to a top of $55,000 and average of $10,975; 35 from 37 intermediate bulls sold to $15,000 and averaged $6969 and 27 fro 29 senior bulls sold to $22,000 and averaged $8704. Billed as one of the largest multi-vendor sales in southern Australia, the sale rode on the back of buoyant seasonal conditions to record a $1961 jump in the average on 2019. Show and sale coordinator Jamie-Lee Oldfield was pleased with the outcome considering the events leading up to the sale. “The sale matched and probably exceeded our expectations given the changed format,” Ms Oldfield said. The top price of the sale of $55,000 was paid for Yarawa South Paradise P112, offered by the Forster-Peel Partnership of Batlow, NSW. The 20-month-old bull was purchased in a 50/50 partnership between Valma and Nova Poll Hereford studs in Tasmania. By imported US sire KCF Bennett Homeland C34, Paradise weighed in at 895kg and had a scrotal circumference of 45cm. Cam Clements, of Nova Poll Herefords, and Andrew McLauchlan, of Valma Poll Herefords, were both impressed by the combination of phenotype and the strong EBV set Paradise offered. “His fats and IMF were one of the main things we were drawn to,” Mr McLauchlan said. “He has a soft skin and good doing ability which is important in the commercial market. “He’s also an outcross sire with a good set of EBVs that will compliment our cow herd really well.” Paradise is a low birth weight bull with an IMF EBV in the top five per cent of the breed and an eye muscle area EBV in the top 10 per cent. Mr Clements commended Paradise’s structure and EBVs, combined with softness and easy doing ability. “We like the structure in the bull and the depth in his hindquarter,” he said. “He had everything we were looking for and Andrew and I felt he was the complete package.” Greg Peel, of Forster-Peel Partnership, was happy with the sale result and said they have been focussing on carcase traits within their herd. “We’re aiming to improve our carcase with good growth, milk and easy calving,” Mr Peel said. The second top price of the sale was $42,000 paid for yearling bull, Tarcombe Encore Q053, offered by
Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Victoria. At only 13 months of age, Encore weighed 668kg and had a scrotal circumference of 40cm. Purchased by Yavenvale Herefords in Adelong NSW, Encore was by US sire KCF Bennett Encore Z311 and out of a Tarcombe Cora female sired by Wirruna Fort F382. Tarcombe Encore Q053 offered a strong EBV set with a scrotal circumference and IMF EBV in the top five per cent of the breed and 200, 400, 600-day weights in the top 10 per cent of the breed. James Pearce of Yavenvale Herefords was drawn to Encore’s impressive genetic package combined with his excellent phenotype. “It’s rare to find that combination of performance data with outcross genetics and a pretty impressive phenotype, so we thought he was pretty unique in that respect,” Mr Pearce said. He was also drawn to the fact that Encore was one of the youngest bulls offered in the catalogue. “It’s pretty exciting that a bull this young sold so well,” Mr Pearce said. Grand champion bull of the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale (Wodonga), Kanimbla Power Town P067 made the third highest price of the sale at $30,000. Power Town was purchased in partnership between 3R Livestock, Loomberah, and Bowen Downs Poll Herefords, Warwick, Qld. The August 2018 drop bull impressed show judge Erica Halliday, Ben Nevis Angus, in the show classes, and equally impressed Geoff Birchnell of 3R Livestock. “The bull himself is a standout individual, he’s a hard bull to fault,” Mr Birchnell said. Another son of an imported U.S. sire NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y, Kanimbla Power Town P067 weighed 916 kg and had a scrotal circumference of 42cm. Mr Birchnell was particularly drawn to the NJW Hometown genetic line having had success with similar genetics and having seen Hometown progeny sell well across the world. “Hometown progeny are commercially relevant, and the line has been so well proven – there are between 10,000 and 15,000 registered Hometown progeny around the world. “We’ve used the Hometown line before and been really impressed with the cattle he has produced. “Throughout the drought our Hometown cattle performed really well and maintained very high fertility.” Adding to Power Town’s genetic merit is a well-rounded set of EBVs, with milk, scrotal circumference, EMA, carcase weight and retail beef yield figures in the top five per cent of the breed and 200, 400 and 600-day weight EBVs in the top 10 per cent of the breed. Kanimbla Poll Herefords went on to average $20,000 for three bulls. CONTINUED PAGE 44
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Wodonga National sails to top of $55,000 with innovative format FROM PAGE 43
NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y is also the grandsire of top priced bull Yarawa South Paradise P112. A second Kanimbla bull, Kanimbla Tundra P110 made the equal fourth top price of the sale, selling for $22,000 to Yavenvale Herefords. Weighing in at 803kg and with an IMF EBV in the top five per cent of the breed, Tundra appealed to James Pearce with his impressive carcase data and well balanced EBVs. “He’s got very strong carcase data with a really high IMF EBV and terrific balanced figures,” he said. “I found him a really eye-catching bull.” According to Mr Pearce, the two bulls Yavenvale purchased are part of a continued effort to maintain their herd’s high carcase EBVs with a particular focus on IMF. The second bull to make $22,000 was Mawarra Star Attraction P033, which sold to Philip Davie of Guilford Poll Herefords, Ouse, Tasmania. By renowned New Zealand sire Koanui Techno 3062, Star Attraction boasts 400 and 600-day weight EBVs in the top one per cent of the breed and is in the top five per cent for scrotal circumference and IMF. At 27 months, Star Attraction weighed in at 1132kg and with the top scrotal measurement of the catalogue of 49cm. The bull was offered by the Sykes family, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Vic. While buying strength at the top end of the sale was underpinned by stud buyers, agents reported great commercial enquiry in the lead up to the sale, which was reflected in the overall sale clearance. David Hill, Elders Omeo, purchased six bulls in the sale
cont’ on behalf of a number of commercial clients who would normally attend the sale in person. “The guys we were buying for wanted horned bulls and they’ve been buying bulls [at Wodonga] for years,” Mr Hill said. “There’s a lot of positives that came out of the sale, I reckon the format was really good.” Vendors and purchasers commended the innovative new format that was adopted for the 2020 National Show and Sale, noting the exceptional result given the different circumstances. “The organisers have done an outstanding job, I couldn’t fault it in any way,” Mr Clements said. “The whole format was really good and innovative,” Mr Birchnell said. Ms Oldfield also commended the videographers Ben Hooper, Brandon Sykes and Emily Hurst on what was a “momentous task” to get all the bulls photographed and videoed in time for the judging and sale.
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1. Yarawa South Paradise P112 was bought for $55,000 by Tasmanian studs Valma and Nova Poll Herefords. 2. Tarcombe Encore Q053 sold for $42,000 to Yavenvale Herefords, Adelong, NSW. 3. Kanimbla Tundra P110 sold for $22,000 to Yavenvale Herefords. 4. Kanimbla Power Town P067 sold for $30,000 to 3R Livestock and Bowen Downs Poll Herefords. 5. Mawarra Star Attraction P033 was sold for $22,000 to Guilford Poll Herefords, Tasmania.
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Dubbo National sale averages $8375 for bulls A powerful son of Merawah Spotlight H35 stole the limelight at the Herefords Australia Dubbo National Sale topping the catalogue at $16,000. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the sale was held in a digital format only, interfaced with AuctionsPlus on June 2. There was no digital show component. A total of 16 bulls sold from the 23 offered to a top of $16,000 and average of $8375 while all four heifers sold to a top of $10,500 and average of $5875. Selling as Lot 13, Supple Panlicker P160 was offered by Ben and Leanne Rumbel, Supple Whiteface, Guyra, NSW, and snapped up by Robert Hain, Gunyah Hereford Stud, Cooma, NSW. The August 2018 drop bull was sired by Merawah Spotlight H35, out of Lindendale Annette 38th, weighed 878kg and had a scrotal circumference of 39.5cm. Robert Hain was impressed by the bull’s conformation and muscle pattern. “We’re looking for cattle that are easy doing with a moderate frame and slightly earlier maturing,” he said. Despite being unable to see the bull in person prior to the sale, Mr Hain said the bull had caught his eye early on. Panlicker will be joined with 40 Gunyah cows at an agistment block in Yeoval due to a lack of feed around Cooma. “Hopefully we’ll get some sort of a Spring and they can all come home again,” Mr Hain said. Bulls at the Supple stud were chilling in a New England snowfall while buyers made their bids from the comfort of their own homes. Supple Photograph was bought by Phil “Bluey” Commins, Nunniong Herefords, Ensay, Vic, for $4000 and Supple Playful also sold for $4000. Ben and Leanne Supple run their stud and commercial females under the same conditions. “We concentrate on high yielding cattle with good fat cover – temperament is our first priority while producing commercially profitable cattle,” Ben said. “We aim each year to produce an even line of bulls that will improve any herd they go into and this years lot were one of the most even we have ever produced.” Second top price bull was Lot 11 Grathlyn Pacemaker P010 offered by the Rayner family, Grathlyn Pastoral Company, Mudgee, NSW and bought by Llandillo Herefords, Bathurst, NSW. The August 2018 drop bull was an 890kg son of Koanui Techno 3062 and out of Grathlyn Chance H31. Pacemaker had a scrotal circumference of 40.5cm and semen retained by Grathlyn. Pacemaker is a high indexing bull with an impressive set of EBVs with 200, 400 and 600-day weights in the top one per cent of the breed and all indexes in the top 10 per cent. Llandillo manager Lee White said they were interested in the Koanui Techno bloodline and were impressed by Pacemaker’s good carcase EBVs and scan data. “He’s the type of bull we’re looking for with good softness and carcase. He’s got good power over the top and good skin,” Mr White said.
He said Pacemaker suited the Llandillo commercial branded beef operation, but he will also be used over stud cows. “Pacemaker is out of one of our elite females in H31, a standout Nuff Said daughter who has five calves behind her and every one has made the show team,” Andrew Rayner said. “She leaves bulls with the extra shape and muscle we want while her females are refined and feminine.” Grathlyn Pastoral sold the third top price bull Grathlyn Pagen P009 for $13,000. Another son of Koanui Techno 3062, the August 2018 drop bull was out of Grathlyn Chance F35. Mr Rayner said P009 was a maternal brother to Grathlyn Lifetime, a member of the winning Presidents Shield team in 2017, and his dam, F35, has been one of the stud’s top producing females. Grathlyn also sold Techno son Grathlyn Pacifier P008, Lot 7, for $11,000. In the female lots, Lot 27 JTR Cherry Ripe Q006 topped the sale at $10,500 for Tim and Jemma Reid, JTR Cattle Company, Roslyn, NSW, selling to Talumbi Herefords, Yarra, NSW. Q006 was by Valma Landslide and out of JTR Cherry Ripe L17. Both Tim and Jemma Reid were “stoked” with the result and saw the heifer sale as a good opportunity to get their female line out there in the breed. “We offered what we thought was our best heifer and it paid off,” Mr Reid said. “To have a 14-month-old, unjoined heifer make $10,500 is pretty exciting.” “She is out of one of our best cows, it’s a family line that we really liked,” Mr Reid said. “She’s really feminine, long, and deep.” Tim and Jemma also sold JTR Payrise P013 for $6000 to Supple Whiteface, Guyra. Including the heifer sale in this year’s Dubbo National was a revisited idea rather than a new idea, according to committee chairman Andrew Rayner. “We knew bull numbers would be tight this year and with the Sydney Royal sale not going ahead it was a good opportunity to boost our numbers,” Mr Rayner said. The online only sale format was deemed a success by both vendors and buyers with both parties agreeing it was the best way for the sale to still be able to go ahead given the restrictions. “There were no complaints with the online sale, but we didn’t have much choice this year,” Mr Rayner said. Ben Rumbel sold bulls at both the Wodonga and Dubbo National online sales this year and deemed both a success. “I believe the buyers who can’t attend the sales in person in future will now be more confident with the digital platform,” he said. Robert Hain agreed the online sale had been successful but noted it was important for buyers to do their research on the bulls they are interested in prior to the sale.
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Herefords Australia National Show and Sale (Dubbo)
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1. Supple Panlicker P160 was the top price bull at $16,000 selling to Gunyah Herefords, Cooma, NSW. Photos contributed 2. JTR Cherry Ripe Q006 topped the female offering at $10,500, selling to Talumbi Herefords, Yarra, NSW. 3. Grathlyn Pacemaker P010 offered by the Rayner family, Grathlyn Pastoral Company, Mudgee, NSW and bought by Llandillo Herefords, Bathurst, NSW. 4. Grathlyn Pastoral sold the third top price bull Grathlyn Pagen P009 for $13,000. 5. Morganvale Pattison was sold by Morganvale Pastoral, Willalooka, SA, for $10,000. 6. Morganvale Pinpoint was sold by Morganvale Pastoral for $8000. 7. Ivy Bank Nellie Q003 was sold by the Ivy Bank Partnership for $5500. 6
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Kidman Commodity P236 400 Day Wt (kg) +55 59%
600 Day Milk (kg) Scrotal Eye Muscle Rib Fat Wt (kg) Size (cm) Area (sq cm) (mm) +81 +13 +1.4 +4.1 +0.2 63% 44% 66% 41% 46%
Rump Fat (mm) 0.0 50%
IMF (%) 0.0 44%
Kidman Genius P126 Gestation Birth Wt. 200 Day Length (days) (kg) Wt (kg) -1.2 +5.0 +43 43% 56% 60%
400 Day Wt (kg) +64 60%
600 Day Milk (kg) Scrotal Eye Muscle Rib Fat Wt (kg) Size (cm) Area (sq cm) (mm) +95 +21 +2.3 +3.7 +0.9 63% 43% 67% 44% 48%
Gestation Birth Wt. 200 Day Length (days) (kg) Wt (kg) -4.5 +3.7 +39 66% 67% 67%
400 Day Wt (kg) +62 68%
600 Day Milk (kg) Scrotal Eye Muscle Rib Fat Wt (kg) Size (cm) Area (sq cm) (mm) +80 +12 +3.6 +4.4 +2.0 69% 56% 71% 58% 62%
Rump Fat (mm) +3.0 65%
IMF (%)
Rump Fat (mm) +2.4 60%
IMF (%)
+1.6 63%
Kidman Trigger P118 Rump Fat (mm) +1.0 52%
28th Annual On Property Bull Sale Tuesday 1st September 2020 Open day by appointment Monday 13th July
IMF (%) +0.9 45%
Gestation Birth Wt. 200 Day Length (days) (kg) Wt (kg) -1.7 +4.5 +35 75% 63% 66%
400 Day Wt (kg) +54 67%
600 Day Milk (kg) Scrotal Eye Muscle Rib Fat Wt (kg) Size (cm) Area (sq cm) (mm) +79 +17 +2.1 +1.8 +2.1 70% 50% 75% 54% 57%
+1.6 57%
Kidman Cattle Co 22 L Dulcidene Road Dubbo NSW Nelson Carlow 0427 823 832 E: kidmancattle2@bigpond.com
CR139576AA
Gestation Birth Wt. 200 Day Length (days) (kg) Wt (kg) -0.8 +5.6 +38 39% 53% 61%
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AUTUMN WEANER SALES
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Feedlot buying spree on whiteface cattle at Wodonga By Kim Woods Lot feeders and a live export order underpinned the Wodonga Blue Ribbon Weaner Sale, with prices for whiteface steers topping at 308c/kg and heifers at 283c/ kg. Selling agents Brian Unthank Rural, Peter Ruaro Rodwells, Corcoran Parker and Schubert Boers yarded 4288 Hereford, Hereford cross and Euro mixed sex weaners on January 9. Topping the purebred weaner offering on a dollars per head basis was the McCormack family, “Muskerry”, Bullioh, Vic, with a pen of 22 Mawarra blood steers, 1012 months, and weighing 393kg, selling for $1135 or 288c/kg to JBS Australia. John and Jane Witherow, Murmungee, Vic, topped the Hereford yarding on a cents per kilogram basis at 306c/ kg with 343kg steers, eight to 10 months. Mullwood Partnership, Holbrook, topped the overall yarding for autumn drop whiteface steers at $1300 for 10-11 month-old black baldies weighing 451kg. In the purebred yearling and heavy grown steers over 350kg, prices settled at $650-$1210 or 238-287c/kg. The black baldy portion sold for $735-$1425 or 227286c/kg. Moving into the autumn drop 2019 weaners, Hereford steers weighing over 350kg were $940-$1135 or 242294c/kg. Steers weighing 250-350kg finished at $650-$1055 (equal to the 2019 sale) or 233-306c/kg and the lighter weights under 250kg settled at $560-$720 or 261-275c/kg. In the black baldy pens, steers over 350kg finished at $1050-$1300 or 278-308c/kg, and those under 350kg sold for $830-$970 or 287-307c/kg. In the heifer pens, grown Hereford females over 350kg made $970-$1110 or 255-279c/kg and those under 350kg $470-$850 or 185-256c/kg.
Grown black baldy females sold for $525-$1270 or 211283c/kg, while the weaners under 350kg made $395$845 or 212-261c/kg. Active buyers included JBS Australia, Landmark International, Ladysmith and Ravensworth feedlots, Westside Meats Bacchus Marsh, Davidson Cameron & Co Gunnedah, Rodwells Benalla, commission buyer Andrew Lowe and Albury-Wodonga agents. Ongoing fires in the Upper Murray and Gippsland prevented many buyers, steer finishers and vendors from attending the sale, while the northern drought also resulted in a subdued northern buying presence. Albury commission buyer Graeme Ward judged the Herefords Australia champion pen of steers, awarding the sash to Jeanette McCormack, her son David and granddaughter Clare, Bullioh. The pen went on to top the purebred weaner offering for the family and it was their third win in four years. Mr Ward was impressed the structural correctness, bone, genetics and health care of the steers. He said EU accredited cattle were in “terrific demand” this season, driven by feedlot demand. The McCormack’s had topped the 2019 sale with their weaners at $1150. Mr McCormack said an ordinary season had resulted in the calves weaned on December 2 onto silage and hay, with weights up 5kg on last year. Andrew Wishart, Landmark International, helped to underpin the sale, buying British bred steers, weighing 250-350kg, for a live export order destined for Russia. He had averaged 297c/kg at Yea and paid 285-290c/kg at Wodonga. David, Jeanette and Clare McCormack, “Muskerry”, Bullioh, received the sash for the Herefords Australia champion pen of steers. The 10-12-month-old steers, Mawarra blood, weighed 393kg and sold for $1135. Photo Kim Woods
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Grass fed programs underpin demand for Hereford weaners By Kim Woods Hereford calves were highly sought after for certified grass fed programs at the Wodonga Premier Hereford Euro and Other Breeds Sale, with prices jumping 30c/kg on the previous day. Selling agents Elders, Paull & Scollard Landmark yarded 3800 Herefords, black baldies and Euro cross steers and heifers on January 10 at the Northern Victorian Livestock Exchange. Topping the purebred weaner offering on a dollars per head basis was David Sleigh, Sleigh Pastoral, Ruffy, Vic, with a pen of 25 Allendale blood, Bayunga Paull and Scollard Landmark livestock manager Luke Deimel bred steers, 356kg, and selling for represents client Bernie McNamara, Corryong, upon winning the $1120 or 314c/kg to Phil Gledhill, Herefords Australia champion pen. Also presenting the sash is Elders Holbrook. judge Graeme Ward, Albury. Photo Kim Woods Mr Sleigh offered 98 head, saying weights were 20-30kg down on the back of an ordinary season. The cattle sold above his expectations of $1000 or 280-300c/kg. Steven Oliver and his daughter-in-law Lucy Oliver paid 322c/kg for the Sleigh Pastoral’s run of 50 steers weighing 319kg for the family’s Everton property. Richard Long, Howitt Plains, topped the yarding on a cents per kilogram basis at 336c/kg (up 5c/kg on the same sale last year) for a draft of 34 Yavenvale, Glentrevor and Wirruna blood steers, weighing 301kg. Mr Long uses Hereford bulls in the top one per cent for intramuscular fat, top five per cent for eye muscle area and growth, and had yard weaned the calves in December. The heavier end of the autumn drop 2019 draft over 350kg sold for $1050-$1120 or 280-314c/kg, or up 20c/kg on the Thursday sale. Steers weighing 250-350kg commanded plenty of attention to make $660-$1060 or 249-336c/kg. Corryong school bus driver Bernie McNamara was unable to see his steers win the Herefords Australia champion pen as he was busy with fires in the Nariel Valley. The pen of 28 spring-drop steers weighed an average of 442kg and sold for $1310 or 296c/kg to Rodwells Mansfield. Judge Graeme Ward had bought bullocks from Mr McNamara in the past for Queensland buyers. “They hang up well, yield, have plenty of bone and softness – they are great performers,” Mr Ward said. Cecily Trickett, Culcairn, has taken over the herd of the late Isobel Webb, who was Australia’s oldest commercial Hereford producer at 101 before she passed away in 2018. Cecily sold the top pen of Wirruna blood calves, 344kg, for $1045 or 303c/kg to Pat Kindellan, Paull & Scollard Landmark, the seconds at 318kg for $960 or 301c/kg and the thirds at 282kg for $865 or 306c/kg. Mrs Trickett said she was pleased to carry on the legacy for Isobel. Elders auctioneer Brett Shea said there was strong feedlot competition on the lead weaner calves and heavier grown steers. “As we rolled through into the weaners, there was less commission buyer and feedlot competition and more backgrounders chasing those good quality Hereford steer calves to tuck away for a grass fed program,” Mr Shea said. He said the front lane of Hereford calves were well sought after, were annual drafts and clearly performed for buyers. “The top priced calves at 336c/kg showed a lot of depth and muscle, with vendor Richard Long himself commenting they were probably the best calves he had lined up here for sale,” he said. “Buyer Phil Gledhill will put those cattle away for a certified grass fed program for spring 2020.” Mr Shea said JBS were rock solid on the heavy end of the heifers for lot feeding. “Heifers were generally making up to $910 or 260c/kg – there was solid demand for heifers 350kg and above.”
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EU Herefords earn premium prices at Hamilton By Rowan McNaught A quality yarding of 2,308 steers including 737 purebred Herefords had buyers bidding to premium prices at the Hamilton All Breeds Weaner Sale in January. The top dollar per head price for Hereford steers was $1297 paid by Princess Royal Station, SA, for a pen of 17 EU accredited Bendulla blood steers weighing 409kg, offered by Mibus Brothers, Sandy Camp. The top cents per kilogram rate in the Hereford cattle was 326c/kg for a pen of 27 EU accredited Yarram Park, Injemira and Melville Park blood steers offered by Beerik Partnership, which averaged 373kg and sold to Paul Mason of Wellington, NSW. In the Hereford crossbred cattle, Mibus Brothers earnt top dollar with a pen of six EU accredited black baldy steers averaging 441kg making 310c/kg or $1367. Hereford steers weighing over 350kg ranged in price from 275-326c/kg and averaged 307c/kg. The lighter Herefords weighing up to 350kg made between 255c/kg and 312c/kg with an average price of 291c/kg. Crossbred steers ranged from 260c/kg to 310c/kg and averaged 287c/kg. The premium prices for quality EU cattle was a highlight of the sale with agents agreeing the EU premium was the highest they had seen in a long time. “Usually we see a premium of 5-8c/kg but today is anywhere from a 25-40c/kg premium which is the most we’ve seen for a fair while, so obviously a great demand for EU cattle for feedlotters and bullock purchasers,” Landmark agent Sam Savin said. The main buying strength of the sale was attributed to return buyers such as Paul Mason who picked up 133 head in the top runs of EU Herefords. The champion pen of Hereford steers was awarded to John and Liz Craig of “Inverell” with a pen of 22 EU accredited Yarram Park blood, 398kg steers. Murray Arnel, Beef Central, judged the champion pen and selected the Inverell steers for their good preparation and described the March/April drop steers as “well boned and square.” The champion pen sold for 317c/kg or $1262 per head to Paul Mason who has been buying the Inverell steers for the last 18 years.
John Craig was pleased with the sale results for the 182 steers they had on offer. “319c/kg was our top price for our middle weight range which was about 363kg on average, and that’s for a draft of 84,” he said. Owen McClure of Beerik Partnership was also happy with how the sale went: “We had 87 steers at the sale, the heavy ones that were over 370kg sold very well to a grass finisher with some feedlot competition there, and the couple of lighter pens that were around 340kg still sold well to a repeat buyer, and some went to Gippsland,” he said. The quality of the cattle offered was commended by the agents with some excellent genetic lines on offer to buyers. Michael Beattie, Herefords Australia, Maggie, Sam, Liz and John Craig, with pen judge Murray Arnel, Beef Central, and the champion Hereford pen. Photo Rowan McNaught
“There’s a lot of money spent down here on bull power and it’s evident by the breeding of the cattle and who comes back every year and rebuys them,” Sam Savin said. The quality of the steers was also attributed to the better season experienced in the western districts with late spring rain making up for a slower start to the season. “We had a good spring in the end, we got enough rainfall at the crucial times and that carried us through, and we ended up with a good spring and everyone made hay, so we’re very fortunate,” Mr Craig said.
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Hereford weaners top at $1161 at Casterton By Rowan McNaught Lot feeders and local buyers formed a solid buying base at the annual Casterton Hereford and Euro Steer Weaner Sale in January. Selling agents Elders and Landmark drafted a quality yarding of 1164 head, the majority of which were Herefords. Once again there was a premium on EU accredited cattle with heavier EU steers making an extra 15-20c/kg and lighter steers under 300kg making a 5-10c/kg premium. Elders agent Sam Broomby quoted heavy EU calves at 300-318c/kg, non-EU heavy calves at 280-295c/kg, lighter EU calves at 280-295c/kg and the lighter non-EU calves at 250-270c/kg. The top dollar per head price in the Hereford pens was $1161, which was paid by Princess Royal Station, Burra, SA, for a pen of Injemira and Wilkah blood EU accredited steers averaging 387kg, offered by Rosebank Pastoral. The top cents per kilo rate was 318c paid for a pen of 360kg Injemira, Melville Park and Taronga blood EU accredited steers offered by Shallum Holdings. The pen was purchased by Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW, as part of the Injemira buyback scheme to go into a grass-finishing program. “Our aim is to go Coles Graze which is roughly a 280kg carcase with about 11mm of fat at milk tooth stage,” Mr Greening said. In the crossbred runs the top dollar per head price was $1172, paid for a pen of Hereford/Simmental steers, which averaged 407kg offered by IJ Kerr of Glenaulin. The top crossbred cents per kilo rate was 302c/kg which was paid for a pen of 353kg Hereford/Simmental cross steers offered by Rosebank Pastoral.
The champion sash for the best presented pen of Herefords was judged by Herbie Neville, Elders Alice Springs, and awarded to the Lambert family of Taronga Poll Herefords, Paschendale.
The pen of EU accredited steers averaged 369kg and sold for the second top cents per kilo and dollar per head rate of 314c/kg or $1159 to O’Connor and Graney.
Taronga had 151 head on offer at the sale of their own breeding which focuses on temperament and carcase attributes. A well-managed weaning program also assists in building good temperament in the Taronga cattle.
“We started weaning on the first of December and then they’re yard weaned for four or five days, I work them through the yards twice a day, so they know where they’re going and they get handled,” Bill Lambert said.
Despite the yarding of cattle being lighter in weight than previous years due to a poorer start to the season, the quality was still good according to agents and buyers. Luke Bavistock of Princess Royal Station picked up 65 head at the sale to be fed at their feedlot in Burra, South Australia.
Buyer numbers were down on previous years according to Sam Broomby, however, the sale result was still above what had been expected in the weeks leading up to the sale. PICTURED ABOVE: Geoff and Bill Lambert, Taronga Poll Herefords, Paschendale, are presented the champion sash for best presented pen by judge Herbie Neville, Elders Alice Springs. Photo Rowan McNaught
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Buyers bid to $1374 for Hereford steers at Hamilton By Rowan McNaught Hereford steers hit a top price of $1374 at the annual Hamilton private agents Hereford and Euro steer weaner sale in January. Local agents yarded 2586 head with around half the yarding being purebred Herefords. Lot feeders and repeat buyers made up the bulk of the buying strength with a few local buyers keeping the market strong. A premium on quality EU cattle was once again in play, lifting prices above expectations and the rates of last year’s sale, which topped at 319c/kg and $1259 per head. Heavy Hereford steers over 350kg made between 290c/kg and 330c/kg and averaged 317c/kg. Leon Wheeler (centre) was presented with the champion sash for best Lighter Hereford steers up to 350kg made presented pen of Herefords by Michael Beattie, Herefords Australia between 265c/kg and 330c/kg and averaged (left) and judge Jake Taylor, JBS Australia. Photo Rowan McNaught 307c/kg. The opening pen of the sale offered by Leon Wheeler made the top dollar per head price of $1374 and were judged as the best presented Hereford pen by Jake Taylor, JBS Australia. The pen of Yarram Park and Mawarra blood steers were EU accredited and averaged 428kg, selling for 321c/kg to Princess Royal Station. Hereford steers sold for a top cents per kilo rate of $3.30, which was paid twice by Paul Mason, Wellington, NSW. The first lot to make the $3.30 rate was a pen of EU accredited, Yarram Park and Mawarra blood steers, which averaged 387kg and were offered by Leon Wheeler. The second $3.30 pen were offered by Bruce and Debbie Miller of Rowan Partnership with the pen of EU accredited, Yarram Park and Injemira blood steers averaging 329kg. Mr Mason is a repeat buyer at the Hamilton sales where he purchases steers to grass fatten and sell to JBS at Scone at a 345kg dressed weight. Quality cattle with good genetics are the number one priority according to Mr Mason. He purchased 359 head at an average of $1182 over the Western Districts weaner sales. “The cents per kilo rate was a bit dearer than last year, I paid 17c/kg or $65 per head more than last year on cattle averaging 360kg,” Mr Mason said. Crossbred steers made a top dollar per head rate of $1346 paid for a pen of EU accredited Hereford/Shorthorn/ Simmental steers offered by MJ and SM Robertson of The Highlands, averaging 418kg and sold for 322c/kg to Princess Royal Station. The Highlands cattle also made the top cents per kilo rate of $3.23 on a second pen of steers weighing 367kg and sold to Princess Royal Station. Luke Bavistock of Princess Royal purchased 225 head at the sale to be lot fed in Burra, South Australia for 310-320c/ kg. “I was looking for anything well-bred with the weight in it, around 400kg and EU accredited,” he said. The quality of the cattle was once again commended by buyers and agents who agreed that despite a difficult start to the season vendors had presented their cattle well. “We had a tough start to the season with our summer and autumn, but we’ve had a good finish to the season through late winter into spring and back into summer, so the calves presented extremely well,” selling agent Bernie Grant, LMB Livestock, said. Marcus Winter-Cooke, Murndal Partnership, was happy with the prices at the sale considering the seasonal conditions in eastern Australia and fact their cattle were lighter this year than in previous years. “We sold 140 head here averaging 312kg which over a 10-year average is a lighter weight,” he said. A lot of Hereford heifers from the region had already been sold prior to the sale on live export orders to Russia and China. “We sold the majority of our heifers over 250kg on an export order to China for $950 a head which was a very satisfactory sale,” Mr Winter-Cook said.
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"We haven't forgotten what we breed stud cattle for"
On Property Sale 22nd July 2020 at 11.30 am
Glenwarrah Kooragong P159
Glenwarrah Kooragong P285
Glenwarrah Mumbai P162
Glenwarrah Mumbai P233
Contact Dave & Kate 0497270455 or Leanne 0428680814
CR139570AA
Interfaced with Auctions Plus Inspections Welcome prior to sale by appointment
54
AUTUMN WEANER SALES
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Mountain Calf Sale opener sizzles with a new record top of $1710 By Kim Woods For buyers it was a case of throw away the calculator and for vendors just enjoy the ride as prices pushed into unchartered territory for whiteface weaners of 650c/kg at the Benambra Calf Sale. Victorian, NSW and South Australian steer finishers and lot feeders converged on the Victorian high country on March 3 to bid to $1710 for whiteface cattle at the 80th anniversary circuit opener. This eclipsed the previous record set in 2017 of $1570. Selling agents Sharp Fullgrabe yarded 1200 yearling and weaner Hereford, Hereford cross, Angus and Euro steers and heifers for the fixture at the Hinnomunjie yards. Buyers attended from Warragul, Leongatha, Pakenham, Albury-Wodonga, Mt Gambier, Coonamble, Gunnedah, Tamworth and local districts. For steer finishers who recently made a $1000 profit on steers they picked up at last year’s sale, the squeeze was on as prices soared to historic highs for the vendor bred offering. But the smiles couldn’t be wiped off vendor’s faces after enduring years of drought and recent bushfires, with their averages lifting by $300 on last year. The overall run of Hereford and yearling steers topped at $1500 and sold down to $890 – a rise of $490 on last year’s top of $1010. The Shorthorn Hereford cross steers sold for $1340$1710 – up from the 2019 top of $1030. Black baldy steers returned $920-$1410. In the heifer pens, Hereford females sold for $650-$1390, black baldies for $1030-$1060 and Shorthorn-Hereford cross females finished at $1100-$1430. Sharp Fullgrabe principal Graeme Fullgrabe, Bairnsdale, said the sale was well supported by buyers and vendors. “It was great to see the Hereford cattle fly their flag and be out in front again in the whole area,” Mr Fullgrabe said.
South Gippsland steer finisher Alan Mitchell judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding it to Gus and Sandra Crisp, Omeo, for their 10-11-month-old steers The champion pen made $1480 to Alex Scott & Staff, Warragul, and was estimated to return 360c/kg. Livestock carrier Donald Betts created a new record top price for the sale at $1710 when he sold his spring drop Hereford/Shorthorn steers, weighing 490kg and Yarram Park and Karoonda blood, to Alan Mitchell, Wonthaggi. Mr Betts said depending on the season, he takes cattle through to finish for JBS or Greenham’s Never Ever program. He likes how Herefords are suited to the high country and prove their toughness in the harsh winters. He was the only vendor displaying liveweights (green weight) with his spring droppers making 348c/kg, autumn droppers 426c/kg, spring drop heifers 315c/kg and autumn drop females 373c/kg. Topping the run of autumn drop Hereford weaners was Peter Soutter, Benambra, with a pen of 19 selling for $1500 to Benambra steer finisher Paul Pendergast. Mr Pendergast had sold in January the steers he paid the top price of $1030 at last year’s sale to average $2000 and with an average carcase weight of 370kg. In the females, Donald Betts topped the sale with spring drop Shorthorn/Hereford heifers, Yarram Park and Karoonda blood, 453kg, at $1430 or 315c/kg. The run of autumn drop Hereford and black baldy heifers was completely dominated by Albury commission buyer Graeme Ward purchasing for Olgivie’s Airlie feedlot in Victoria. He paid to a top of $1390. The lighter end of the steer weaners topped at an estimated 650c/kg with the middle run of the lighter end making 570c/kg and the 250kg steers averaging 500c/kg.
Herefords Australia breed development manager Michael Beattie, agent Graeme Fullgrabe and vendors of the champion pen Sandra and Gus Crisp. The 21 autumn drop steers sold for $1480. Photo Kim Woods
75 ANNUAL
WINTER 2020
th
STRAP LINE 55 Longest running Hereford multi-vendor sale in Australia
GLEN INNES HEREFORD
BULL SALE FRIDAY 24 JULY 2020 followed by Female Sale
We invite all past vendors and purchasers to help us celebrate this milestone. Glen Innes Hereford Show will be held on Thursday 23 July 2020 at the Gleeen Innes Sale Yards and will be followed by dinner and Gl a drinks at the New England Club, Club Glen Innes. Innes CATA CA TA T ALOGU LOGU LO GUE EO ON NL LIINE AT: T
www ww w..hheere refo ford fo rddssaaus u tr t al alia iaa.com .ccom m.aau or or fro rom m El Elde d rs Glen de leen Innne ne s
02 6739 7300
An A ngu gus Vi gus Vivers Vive vers ve rs (Ch Chai airm irm man n) 04 0428 28 336 36 724 24 Tess Te essa sssa Pe P ar arso son so n (Sec (S Sec e re reta tary y) 04 0 37 3 783 8 772
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AUTUMN WEANER SALES
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Grass fever and lot feeders help set a new record for Benambra By Kim Woods Grass fever maintained the momentum to push autumn drop steer prices to a new record of $1660 at the Benambra Weaner Sale. A big crowd of buyers and vendors descended on the Benambra yards for the opening Elders whiteface fixture of the 80th annual Mountain Calf Sales on March 4. The selling agents penned 1700 Hereford, Hereford cross and Euro steers and heifers with quality, weight and prices lifting rates on the previous day’s sale at Hinnomunjie. Hereford steers settled at $750-$1660 - a jump of $150 on the previous day - and European Union accredited pens sold for $1410-$1660. In the heifers, the EU pens finished at $810-$1450 - a rise of $20 on Hinnomunjie - and the overall run was $760$1450. The opening pen of W A Pendergast and Sons topped the sale at $1660 with the 17 EU accredited steers selling to SEJ Leongatha. Greenham’s buyer and pen judge Sean Kallady awarded the Herefords Australia champion pen to first time winners Kelvin and Jackie Pendergast, Benambra, for their pen of 25 European Union accredited steers. The pen was snapped up by Ron Rutledge, Elders Deniliquin, at $1590 for Australian Food and Agriculture’s Boonooke Feedlot, Conargo, NSW. One of the bigger vendors was Richard and Anne Faithfull, Benambra, with 119 steers and 54 heifers. Although Richard had expected the tops to make $1500, the seconds sold for his top price of $1560 to Ron Rutledge. The couple use Mawarra, Sugarloaf and Karoonda genetics and believe the Herefords do well in the high country bush. David Hill, Elders Omeo, described the sale as an “excellent result”. “The majority of the cattle sold between $1300 and $1450
in the steers with cattle going from South Gippsland to Tamworth in northern NSW,” Mr Hill said. “The top heifers made over $1300 but the majority sold between $1200-$1300, with many returning to the paddock for breeding.” Mr Hill said just 20 per cent of the EU accredited cattle were retained in the system. He said the grass fed Never Ever program was well supplied at Benambra. Mr Hill estimated the top pen of steers at 430kg and made 386c/kg with the middle run at 500-550c/kg and lighter weights at 600c/kg. In the female pens, Brian Higgins and son Mark, Glenmaggie, Vic, snapped up the first pen for the top price of $1450 from Kelvin and Jackie Pendergast. Russell and Steph Cornall, Benambra, offered 90 March/ April drop steers to a top of $1560, and 20 heifers. “Last year’s prices made breeding cattle barely viable but this year it makes it worthwhile,” Mr Cornall said. “The money will go towards fertiliser, infrastructure, pasture improvement and bull genetics. “We use Mawarra, Karoonda, Sugarloaf and Warragundi – I love the Hereford’s doing ability in tough country. “I run 500 head by myself with no dogs as the cattle are quiet.” Taking home 105 heifers was Peter and Sheryl Conlan, Binya, NSW, suppliers to Greenham’s Never Ever grass fed program. “The Herefords can do it hard and are the best breed for bouncing back after drought,” Mrs Conlan said. “The steers were just too dear for us so we put together a truck load of heifers and will finish them to trade weights.” PICTURED ABOVE: Jackie and Kelvin Pendergast, Benambra, accept the champion pen sash from Michael Beattie, Herefords Australia. Photo Kim Woods
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$
R SEMEN FO HESE SALE IN T ING OUTSTAND SIRES: TARCOMBE ENCORE Q053 (PP) Exciting young sire purchased at 2020 Wodonga National for $42,000
TARCOMBE ENCORE Q053 (PP) – May 2020 Hereford GROUP BREEDPLAN Gestation Length (days)
BW (Kg)
200G Wt. (Kg)
400D Wt. (Kg)
600D Wt. (Kg)
Milk (Kg)
Scrotal Size (cm)
Eye Muscle Area (sq cm)
Rib Fat (mm)
Rump Fat (mm)
IMF (%)
EBV
-0.9
+4.7
+41
+67
+95
+18
+3.5
+4.9
+0.8
+0.7
+2.4
Acc
74%
72%
66%
64%
63%
48%
71%
45%
50%
54%
51%
YAVENVALE POWERHOUSE P499 (PP) – May 2020 Hereford GROUP BREEDPLAN Gestation Length (days)
BW (Kg)
200G Wt. (Kg)
400D Wt. (Kg)
600D Wt. (Kg)
Milk (Kg)
Scrotal Size (cm)
Eye Muscle Area (sq cm)
Rib Fat (mm)
Rump Fat (mm)
IMF (%)
EBV
-0.8
+4.9
+46
+82
+114
+17
+3.0
+6.5
+1.2
+1.3
+2.2
Acc
59%
71%
65%
66%
63%
45%
75%
49%
53%
58%
52%
Impressive all-rounder retained at Yavenvale with exceptional EBVs TH MASTERPLAN 183F (PP)
Australian semen rights purchased in this outstanding US prospect Top 1% Yearling Weight, Top 10% Rib Eye Area & Top 5% Marbling FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING SPRING SALE ‘RIVERVIEW’ BORAMBOLA via WAGGA WAGGA - 40 BULLS FOR SALE (See website for details) BULLS FOR SALE PRIVATELY ALL YEAR ROUND!
James & Nicki Pearce T: 02 6946 5141 M: 0458 465 141 E: jimanic@yavenvaleherefords.com Pat Pearce T: 02 6928 4180 M: 0437 465 114 Adelong, NSW
www.yavenvaleherefords.com @yavenvaleherefords
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AUTUMN WEANER SALES
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Heifer prices shoot into unchartered waters on back of demand By Kim Woods Restockers and lot feeders made a plunge for the heifers, Heifer prices labelled as “insane” left vendors stunned as pushing prices skywards by $360 on the morning’s they eclipsed the steers and skyrocketed to a new record Benambra sale. of $1810 at the Omeo Weaner Sale. Shorthorn/Hereford heifers finished at $1100-$1810 Buyers were met with some of the best line-ups of while purebred heifers settled at $750-$1530. whiteface weaner calves in the nation for the final leg of Elders Omeo branch manager David Hill had never the 80th annual Mountain Calf Sales at Omeo, with steers witnessed such a buying frenzy at Omeo before, hitting $1750 and heifers $1810. confirming $1810 was a new record top price. Selling agents Elders yarded 1500 Hereford and Mr Hill said the $1810 paid for Connley’s 18-monthShorthorn-Hereford cross yearling and mixed sex old, spring drop steers eclipsed the previous record of weaners for the March 4 fixture. $1730. The fixture finalised two days of selling where 7200 cattle He confirmed the Mountain Calf Sales would remain at were offered at Hinnomunjie, Benambra and Omeo. their new date on the week before the Labour Day long The Ensay sale, normally part of the circuit, was cancelled weekend, with Ensay set to return in 2021. when vendors elected to sell Volume buyer across the early due to bushfires, but Simon and Sonya Lawlor, Omeo, sold their champion sales circuit Noel Olgivie, has been slated to return in pen of autumn drop steers for $1570 to Wagga Airlie Feedlot, Vic, 2021. commission buyer Andrew Lowe. Photo Kim Woods awarded the Herefords The large crowd was left Australia champion reeling in the rain when pen to 27 autumn drop a bidding duel erupted steers, Mawarra blood, on the opening pen of offered by Simon and heifers, autumn drop Sonya Lawlor, Omeo. Shorthorn/Herefords Mr Olgivie liked the from the Ahsam family, frame, stretch and bone Omeo. of the pen. The April-May They were knocked drop steers had been down for a new Omeo weaned on January 10 record of $1810 to Alex onto rape and ryegrass. Scott & Staff, Warragul. Mr Lawlor said the steers while the seconds made $1600. weighed 375-440kg. The sale had opened “The rise in our averages strongly on the steers this year means a lot for with a pen of European the district as most of us Union spring droppers are playing catch up – from Roger and Yvonne everyone will breathe a Connley snapped up sigh of relief as we have by SEJ Leongatha for had some pretty tough $1750. years,” he said. Then it was onto the “People will use it on autumn drop weaners capital improvements, with the Ahsam family fertiliser and genetics.” ringing the bell again with Shorthorn/Herefords at $1630 and their Hereford portion at $1610, both going Noel Olgivie bought 600 cattle on day one of the calf sales averaging 260-270kg for backgrounding for to Rodwells. 40 weeks before grain feeding for 60 days for the A large crowd of backgrounders, steer finishers, lot supermarket trade. feeders and restockers attended from Bairnsdale, Leongatha, Warragul, Pakenham, Kyneton, Albury- Heavier cattle will be backgrounded for 30 days and 60 days grain feeding. Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Gunnedah and Quirindi. Autumn drop Hereford steers sold for $1100-$1610, Mr Olgivie said his budget sat around 400c/kg. while the European Union pens settled at $1430-$1610. “We buy around 300 head a week and sell 22,000 cattle The spring drop steers sold for $1550- $1750. Shorthorn/ a year to Woolworths and JBS, so we are in the market seven days a week to keep the system going,” he said. Hereford cross steers sold from $1390-$1630.
STRAP LINE
WINTER 2020
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truro wHitEfAcE HEREFORDS AND POLL HEREFORDS
On farm ANNUAL BULL
Sale
In conjunction with FEmALE PROdUCTION SALE
20th JuLY 2020 25 BULLS 50 STUd FEmALES
SALE
JDHE058
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HELmSmAn intErfAcEd witH AuctionS PLuS
Bidding begins online 17th July, culminating on sale day.
SCOTT, PIP, TILLY & SOPHIE HANN • ‘TRURO’ BELLATA NSW 2397 0427 937 839 or 0428 937 839 | trurowhiteface@bigpond.com | www.truroherefords.com
Cows Built to Last 1HP00854 BOYD 31Z
BLUEPRINT 6153
Reg#: 43764491 | R Leader 6964 x NJW 73S M326 Trust 100W ET BLUEPRINT combines exceptional phenotype with breed-leading genetic predictions all in one impressive package. He is truly one of the most unique bulls in the breed. CED
BW
WW
YW
DMI
12.5 1.0 55 88 0.0 .59 .86 .74 .72 .20 4% 20%
30%
SC
SCF
MILK M & G CEM
3%
35% 20% 20%
1.7 17.5 29 .61 .22 .28
1HP00836 TH 22R 16S
57
9.3 .32 3%
MCW UDDR
85 .41
1.5 .53 2%
TEAT
1.5 .52 3%
CW
FAT
REA
MARB $BMI
$BII
$CHB
15%
20%
20%
69 0.014 0.39 0.23 381 462 114 .26 .32 .25 .28
35%
25%
LAMBEAU 17Y
Reg#: 43171190 | TH 121L 63N Tundra 16S x S&S Rock Solid 3L LAMBEAU has a reputation as a sleep-all-night heifer bull that sires dark-pigmented daughters with ideal frame size, deep bodies and exceptional udder quality. CED
BW
5%
3%
WW
YW
DMI
SC
SCF
MILK M & G CEM
11.5 -1.8 44 74 -0.4 0.3 11.3 16 .72 .91 .86 .85 .44 .75 .47 .70 5%
38
1.9 .61
10%
Agri-Gene Pty Ltd 123-125 Tone Road, Wangaratta Victoria 3677 Ph: 03 5722 2666 Fax: 03 5722 2777 Email: info@agrigene.com.au www.agrigene.com.au © 2020 Genex Cooperative. All rights reserved.
A-22671-20
EPDs as of 5.7.2020
MCW UDDR
TEAT
10%
3%
57 .62
1.4 .81
10%
1.5 .82
CW
FAT
REA
MARB $BMI
$BII
36 0.074 -0.06 0.23 244 313 .53 .53 .51 .52 15%
$CHB
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AUTUMN WEANER SALES
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Weaners make to 520c/kg at Northern Rivers sale By Rowan McNaught Hereford infused steers topped at 520c/kg at the 45th Annual George and Fuhrmann Hereford Weaner Sale at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange in March. Agents yarded 1220 head of quality Hereford steers and heifers which, according to George and Fuhrmann agent Darren Perkins, was approximately 300-400 head back on previous years due to some vendors selling early in the season. Buying strength came from across NSW, Victoria and Queensland. “A lot of buyers were backgrounding for feedlots, only a handful [of cattle] went directly to feedlots,” Mr Perkins said. He quoted Hereford steers at between 480c/kg and 505c/kg and Hereford heifers between 380c/kg and 440c/kg. Black baldy steers made between 464c/kg and 520c/kg while black baldy heifers made between 390c/kg and 450c/kg. The champion pen of Hereford steers was presented to John and Marie Smith of Woodenbong, with a pen of 21 EU accredited steers weighing 299kg. The steers sold for 496c/kg or $1485/head. 1. Siblings Kathleen Griffin, Dianne Pembroke and Les O’Reilly caught up at the Casino weaner sale. Photos Rowan McNaught 2. Jan and Jim Smith, Townview Pastoral, with grandson James at the Casino weaner sale. 3. John Smith with grandsons Archie and Hughie Holden with the sash for the champion pen of Hereford steers. 4. Brian O’Reilly, Les O’Reilly and Mark 1 Bilby caught up above the pens at Casino. 5. Brett Hannigan, Franco Herefords and George Hardcastle, McPherson Herefords at the Casino Hereford weaner sale.
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John and Marie offered 366 head at the sale and sell at the Casino Hereford weaner sale every year. John was pleased with the result on sale day and was happy to be awarded champion pen. The top cents per kilogram rate for Hereford steers of 504c/kg was paid for 48 EU accredited steers offered by Peterson Partnership. The top black baldy rate of 520c/kg was paid by Elders Goondiwindi for 20 steers offered by S and S Edmonds. In the heifer pens the top rate was paid for the champion pen of Hereford heifers, offered by RB and N Maloney of Woodenbong. The pen of 19 EU accredited heifers weighed 196kg and sold for 434c/kg or $851/head. Black baldy heifers sold to a top rate of 450c/kg for 16 EU accredited heifers offered by GS and MM Quinn. According to Mr Perkins, the majority of heifers either went back into the paddock as breeders or to be fattened for the supermarket trade. Vendors were pleased with the prices on offer after the difficult seasonal conditions in the lead up to the sale. Jim and Jan Smith, Townview Pastoral, offered 204 June/ July drop steers at the sale and made a top cents per kilo rate of 498c/kg. The opening pen of 20 Townview steers weighed 303kg and made 488c/kg or $1479. “We topped at about $4.00/kg last year, so it’s nearly a 25 per cent increase [in price],” Jim said. Darren Perkins commended vendors on the quality of the cattle they presented at the sale given the poor start to the season. “It was a great quality yarding considering the season the vendors had experienced with only about an eight-week turnaround to present the calves as well as they did,” he said.
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WINTER 2020
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BR Parker, Kingston, SA
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VALUE ADDING
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
BEEF BRAND WINNING OVER CUSTOMERS IN GRASS FED MARKET
Indianna and Thomas Baulch on their family’s Tower Hill property. Herefords and black baldies are contributing to a boutique grass fed beef brand gaining popularity with Victorian consumers. Clinton and Jacqui Baulch quietly launched their Jaclinton Beef brand around two years ago but the COVID-19 pandemic gave impetus to the home delivery side. Clinton juggles the deliveries of boxed beef around Victoria with running a stud and commercial Hereford herd, and Clinton Baulch Motor Group in Warrnambool. Jaclinton Beef’s main aim is to be a progeny test exercise, collecting carcase data on the purebred and black baldy steers sired by Jaclinton bulls. A secondary aim is to create awareness among consumers of Herefords as the grassfed kings of beef to increase market share. “If you want a McDonalds hamburger, Angus are tremendous, but if you want a proper steak which tastes good, buy Hereford beef,” Clinton said. He pays suppliers a year round premium for their steers and is processing around three bodies a week. Clinton and Jacqui, with children Thomas and Indianna, run 100 stud and 130 commercial cattle in 965mm rainfall country at Illowa near Warrnambool.
Clinton’s father was a stud groom at Wollbull Poll Herefords for more than 30 years making the breed a natural choice for Clinton when he founded the Jaclinton stud in 2009 on Allendale and Bendulla genetics. “Traditionally, we were selling our steers through the store or prime markets and were frustrated at the lack of feedback on our genetics,” he said. “Using our seedstock and buying back steers off our clients was the obvious way to go. “The idea came together from the late Peter Lillie (Wolbull) speaking about it when I was a young lad. His theory was that’s where we should be looking at as a breed. “We’ve nurtured and grown it, and seen a real need for it. “I truly believe Herefords Australia are on the right track now with genetics and I’m passionate about the marketing of our breed.” Hereford, black baldy and Hereford cross steers sired by Jaclinton bulls need to be grass fed, free range, antibiotic and growth promotant free. The cattle are processed at Hardwick’s, Kyneton, and portioned by Bouchier Butchers, Mortlake. The beef is offered in family, mini, slow cooking, mince/ sausages and premium barbecue boxes, and is home delivered to Warrnambool, Bendigo and Melbourne areas. The Jaclinton country beef box weighs 10kg and contains a combination of scotch fillet, eye fillet, porterhouse, rump, topside roast, diced chuck steak, corn beef, mince and gourmet sausages. Despite running a car dealership, Clinton conceded the steps to value adding beef was a learning curve when he took the leap. He found selling the primals like scotch fillet, porterhouse and eye fillet a walk in the park but The value added program allows sires the secondary cuts of mince and sausages were more of a challenge. to be progeny tested. CONTINUED PAGE 64
WINTER 2020
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VALUE ADDING
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
BEEF BRAND WINNING OVER CUSTOMERS IN GRASS FED MARKET cont’ FROM PAGE 62
Clinton admits to being a work alcoholic doing the home deliveries himself as well as juggling the farm and car dealerships. “I need a 26 hour day to get it all done,” he said. He is exploring a joint venture with a brand already supplying a supermarket chain to get the Jaclinton Hereford Beef into the retail trade and fine dining restaurants. The purchase of a small butcher shop is among future plans for retail sales. Jaclinton Beef can be found on the menus at Quorum Restaurant, Whitley Fine Dining and Catering, Lady Bay Resort and Tasty Plate Catering in Warrnambool. “We use our own audit system but going forward we will use DNA on meat samples to ensure the beef is the Jaclinton brand,” Clinton said. “The beef will be fully traceable which helps us at the breeding end with traits such as intramuscular fat.” Sires are selected for a balance of traits but must have a high IMF on BREEDPLAN. Jaclinton Beef benefited from the panic buying amid COVID-19 with a jump in orders. “Our consumers love to hear it is grass fed and free range beef,” he said. “They are loving the back 1 story around the provenance
1. Cantonese Beef using Jaclinton Beef wok tossed in a rich cantonese barbecue sauce served on egg and pea fried rice with Asian greens. 2. Slow cooked pot beef roast – a great winter warmer. 3. The Jaclinton Hereford Beef brand is featured at restaurants in Warrnambool 4. The secondary cuts are sold as premium Jaclinton Beef mince. Photos supplied
– Rafferty’s in Warrnambool have a video on the beef brand playing all the time in the background. “Farmers don’t think they have a story to tell but people want to know their story, what the animals have been fed and how they were looked after. “They also want taste, juiciness and tenderness – we all know the Hereford does produce those things.” Clinton involves son Thomas in the genetic selections within the stud herd and eventually plans to expand the beef brand. “It’s a love and a passion for the whole family and why not follow that path,” he said. Mark McIlroy, Rafferty’s Tavern owner, had been looking for a local producer of Hereford cattle when he discovered Jaclinton Beef. “We wanted to do something unique for Warrnambool not only paddock to plate but also nose to tail to use the whole animal,” he said. “We select the cattle on-farm so we can guarantee the best quality meat. We have our meat delivered from a farm just three minutes down the road. “Using those local businesses is great for the community – we are a family business here. “We are struggling to keep up with demand from repeat customers. “The first night (on the menu) it sold out in an hour.” Rafferty’s chef Dan Storr said it was a nice partnership having Jaclinton Beef on board. “We are getting fresher product 2 and not spending weeks if not months in storage it comes straight from the farm and local processor to us,” he said. “Compared to everything else on the market it is tender, juicy with great marbling – a really nice all round product.”
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Price makers and loving it with Our Cow In what started as a refusal to be price takers in the cattle market 18 months ago has now grown into a value added beef brand home delivered nation-wide for a young NSW couple. David McGiveron and Bianca Tarrant wanted more than just selling their Santa Gertrudis-Hereford weaners at the Northern Rivers autumn weaner sales, and founded “Our Cow” to sell their ethically raised, hormone and antibiotic free beef direct to the consumers. In 12 months, the brand has developed alliances with other like-minded beef producers, leased a butchering business, diversified into pork and lamb, employed 10 staff and aims to have Our Cow in every Australian home. The young couple had worked in the Queensland mining industry to save enough money to pursue their dream of farming. They bought about 800ha at Baryugil in 2017 and stocked it with their preferred breed of Hereford. They love the hardiness and fertility of the breed. “Herefords are such a good base to cross with anything – we put Santa bulls over them but the options were endless with what we could have crossed them with,” Bianca said. “Our country is not the most lush country so they have had to adapt to the terrain. “The average rainfall is about 1200mm but last year we had 200mm – even so, the cows all calved. “The Santa/Hereford cross gives added weight, hardiness and softness for our environment and ideally suit our paddock to plate job.” Drought reduced herd numbers from 120 to 80 with
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high prices limiting restocking opportunities. At weaning, calves are run on native and improved pastures to 400kg liveweight. As young farmers new into the industry, the couple had to secure themselves a price for their product. “We couldn’t keep running a business with massive fluctuations in our returns when selling through the saleyards,” Bianca said. “We needed to make the most out of the country that we had as we couldn’t afford to buy into a bigger place to run more cows. “We talked to a few other paddock to plate businesses – it was risky and daunting to go out on our own.” They started with a Facebook page and one body in March, 2019. “We had a goal of selling one calf and in the first month we sold six – we were blown away, we couldn’t believe it,” Bianca said. “It grew rapidly and we got to the point where we couldn’t keep up with demand so we have a good network of farmers in the area and we sell their cattle under the Our Cow brand. “We can bring some consistency to their operations as well – we try not to fluctuate with the saleyard prices. “If they are producing a good quality animal all year they should be getting paid for that, no matter what the weather does.” David describes Our Cow as a paddock to plate business that provides customers with a delicious, nutritious and tasty beef that is ethically and sustainably produced.
1. The Hereford cow herd is joined to Santa Gertrudis bulls with the weaners pasture finished. Photos courtesy Our Cow 2. The family value clean, green, ethically raised beef. 3. COVID-19 has put the spotlight on home delivery. 4. David McGiveron and Bianca Tarrant established Our Cow in 2019.
CONTINUED PAGE 66
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VALUE ADDING
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Price makers and loving it with Our Cow FROM PAGE 65
“Fifty per cent of meat is sold through the big supermarket chains so if we can have a movement where people buy directly from the farmer, then those choices will greatly affect how the industry goes into the future,” he said. “We were a weaner producer, thought we were raising a great product and believed we should be getting a fair price for it. “We want to provide Our Cow farmers the opportunity to be paid a premium all year round for their product, and tell their individual story. “We aim to provide our customers with a traceable product so they know exactly where the food they are eating comes from, how it is raised and have that connection with the person who farmed that animal. “Our vision is to connect every farmer with a customer and every customer with a farmer.” Cattle are processed for the brand in Casino by the Northern Co-operative Meat Company with specifications being British bred steers and heifers, 200-220kg dressed weight and 10mm of fat. Cattle can either be grass fed, grain fed, grain assisted or organic. Low stress handling, transport and lairage is important to comply with the animal welfare and ethical raising claims. “Most city consumers love to support Aussie farmers and want to know the provenance behind the story of the meat,” Bianca said. “They are more focused on the flavor, the convenience of free home delivery and the fact they are supporting Australian farmers. “People in the city often get disconnected to what life is like on a farm so they get really involved in watching our social media. “Our product is fully traceable from the paddock to the plate.” Bianca said customer demand resulted in the brand forming alliances with Northern Rivers pig and lamb producers in mid 2019. Our Cow is a nose-to-tail operation to maintain sustainability, and has alliances with olive oil, herb and spice producers, precipitated by the #buyfromthebush campaign. The mini, mega, max, no bull and Holy Cow packs contain a variety of primals and secondary cuts.
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The cuts are cryovacced in 100 per cent compostable and biodegradable bags. Home delivery is now almost Australia wide, including Darwin, and Our Cow hopes to bring the service to Perth this winter. “To be Australia wide is something we wanted to strive for and have Our Cow on the dinner table of every family in the country,” Bianca said. “The technology is there to be able to support that – if we started this business five years ago, we certainly wouldn’t have the reach of what we do now but technology and transport makes it a possibility.” David and Bianca leased a butchering facility in Casino to maintain quality control but have no plans to launch into the retail market. The brand processes 30-50 beef bodies a week, plus pigs and lambs. A small good line of free-range bacon and cabana has been launched and quickly gained momentum. Bianca said the impact of COVID-19 panic buying put pressure on the Our Cow supply chain. “It has given us a vision of what we can be and what our potential is so it was exciting for us to see what Our Cow can be in the coming months,” she said. “Home delivery is the platform for us, especially after COVID-19 with people looking for that type of service. “Before the regulations came in, we were on the front foot to keep our team as safe as possible and made it clear to them to look after this opportunity while we can. “It is a great thing for any producer to value add especially with consumers wanting to know where their food is coming from and supporting the grassroots farmers. “Value adding highlights the positive things our industry does.” Our Cow is always on the look out for beef producers from around the nation to join the network and is also investigating other products such as seafood and condiments. 1. The mini, mega, max, no bull and Holy Cow packs contain a variety of primals and secondary cuts. 2. Our Cow is a paddock to plate business that provides customers with a delicious, nutritious and tasty beef that is ethically and sustainably produced. 3. Our Cow aims to have the beef brand in every Australian home.
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VALUE ADDING
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
CLEAN AND GREEN FROM THE RED CENTRE Hereford cattle free ranging across eight million hectares in central Australia are producing some of the world’s most premium organic grass fed beef. They contribute to OBE Organic Beef, a company established in the 1990s, as Australia’s first and only premium meat exporter, 100 per cent dedicated to the production of organic beef. Formed by a group of far-sighted pastoral families, the company was founded on century old traditions – raising cattle exactly the way nature intended. Free of chemicals, pollutants and artificial hormones, OBE Organic brings a whole-hearted commitment to letting the most enriching natural forces and environment produce the very best grass fed organic beef. Organically produced food is one of the fastest growing markets in Australia, worth an estimated $1.76 billion a year. By creating an organic beef value chain in Australia, OBE Organic opened up an entirely new market for all cattle producers, especially in remote areas. According to Hereford breeder and company founder, David Brook, Brook Pastoral, certified organic beef is a product with several benefits that appeal to healthconscious consumers. As consumer preferences evolve, it is important for the Australian beef industry to reimagine and rethink their approach to increase beef enterprise profitability. Since first launched, OBE Organic has seen a growing demand internationally for organic grass fed beef. With this increasing demand, the company paved the way to expand the number of export markets including: USA, Asia, South America and the Middle East.
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David Brook entered the organic market in 1996 when he co-founded OBE Organic along with 32 other family farmers in the area. When asked about how the idea was born to use organic certification to market Australian cattle, David reflected on the small spark that lit the fire for OBE Organic. “I was in Adelaide around at the local greengrocer shop in the early 1990’s where I saw organic vegetables,”he said. “I thought about how they were charging a bit more for it. These fruit and vegetables might have been fresh but most of it had marks, brushing and dark stains. “They were using the organic story to sell it because it did not have pesticides and chemicals sprayed. I thought that beef can be perfect with it being protected under a hide and if raised the right way on the right pasture, we can have organic and it could look as good or better than anything else.” Adria Downs Station, owned by the Brook family, is situated approximately 135 km north-west of Birdsville, bordering the Simpson Desert National Park - MungaThirri. The family uses Hereford genetics as they are preferred for the arid conditions to fill this organic demand. The property occupies an area of 8,750 square kilometres. The Hereford breed was chosen for a variety of reasons. One would be hard pressed to find a more resilient and overall outstanding breed of beef cattle, which has so thoroughly conquered the beef business. Being a traditional breed, one of the Hereford’s main characteristics is its ability to fatten off grass, without the need for supplementary diets of cereals as is the case with modern continental breeds. “Cattle fatten faster here than almost anywhere in Australia in the right conditions,” David said. “And we really do think the varied diet including saltbush makes the flavour of our beef unique.
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“OBE has given us much more stable prices compared to the roller coaster returns producers historically received.” “Hereford cattle are advantageous for use in organic livestock systems because they have good forage conversion and are suitable for conservation grazing. They produce good quality beef, calve easily and are docile,”Livestock breeds and Organic farming systems researcher Pauline Van Diepen said. To comply with organic certification, producers have requirements for land management, soil health and biodiversity. In addition, producers benefit from: - A generous pricing grid. - Assistance to improve profitability and productivity, through our pioneering work in data feedback, biosecurity, farm safety, social media, and more – all to support organic beef producers. - Loyalty and reliability that comes from being part of Australia’s oldest farmer-owned organic beef supply chain. OBE Organic livestock coordinator Ross McKenzie said the company’s mission was to help people lead better and healthier lives. “We help committed organic beef producers flourish by offering consistently high organic premiums and a strong focus on improving producer’s profitability and innovation.” Producers interested in joining the OBE Organic community can contact Ross Mackenzie on (07) 3062 9600 or livestock@obeorganic.com 1. OBE Oganic Beef supplies beef into the US, Asia, South American and Middle East markets. Photos courtesy OBE 2. OBE offers producers a generous pricing grid. 3. The company’s mission is to help people lead healthier lives. 4. The cattle graze on native species including saltbush. 5. Hereford cattle have a good forage conversion and are suited to conservation grazing.
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AROUND THE SALES
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Prices head into unchartered waters in store markets Restocker, lot feeder and processor demand sent prices spiralling into unchartered territory in early 2020, with Hereford steer weaners hitting 528c/kg, heavy steers to $2430 and whiteface cows to $3100. The store and prime markets were all played out against drought, bushfires and COVID-19 regulations, which saw saleyards off limits to vendors and spectators. Widespread rain resulted in purebred weaner heifers topping at 450c/kg, PTIC heifers at $2470, cows and calves fetching $2960 and whiteface PTIC heifers to $2750. In Victorian markets, prices rose at Wodonga to unexpected levels in February on the back of the break in dry seasonal conditions. Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, bought a line of 172 steers from Tarabah Livestock Company, Holbrook, with a line of 97 weighing 230kg and making 436c/kg or $1005. Among the heavier steers, M Murphy, Swifts Creek, sold 459kg purebreds for $1520 or 331c/kg. In March, S & L Outhred sold 452kg Hereford steers for $1730 or 383c/kg, and K Cardwell sold 471kg steers for $1720 or 365c/kg. Wodonga annual beef breeds female sale saw a herd dispersal by Arthur Trethowan, Woomargama, with the tops of the Mawarra blood PTIC heifers topping at $2000. By late March, sales were a quiet affair with the public banned from Wodonga due to social distancing requirements. Perkins Pastoral, Alexandra, sold two and four tooth steers weighing 546kg for $1800 while Ewan Mar, Tooma, offered a line of 52 spring drop weaner steers, 218kg, for $995 or 456c/kg. The prices jumped sharply in May when 752kg Hereford steers sold for 323c/kg or $2430. At the same market I Whitehead, Mudgegonga, sold cows and calves for $2540, while Bundoora Pastoral, Jerilderie, sold six-year-old PTIC cows for $2430. At Wangaratta, fire affected cattle swelled the yarding to 4258 head in February with Abberfold selling Yavenvale blood steers, 373kg, for 344c/kg or $1286. Cattle from fire-threatened properties bumped up numbers at Leongatha in January with Russell and Marilyn Pendergast, Benambra, selling the top priced pen of steers for 359c/kg or $1280. Meryl Read, Melrose Herefords, Cann River, sold steers, 10 months and 354kg, for 406c/kg or $1480, and 324kg at 426c/kg or $1380 to a South Gippsland steer finisher. At Leongatha, Don and Dorothy Fairbrother sold heavy steers, 478kg, for 389c/kg or $1860. In the same market Don and Kay Belcher, Woodside, were surprised when their 263kg steers made $1390 or 528c/kg to a Shepparton buyer. Evan and Dot Newcomen, Ensay, were forced to turn off steers due to the fires and they returned 365c/kg or $1290 at Bairnsdale in January. Bruce Treasure, Stratford, sold a line of 102 Hereford calves including a pen of steers, 263kg, for $1175 or 446c/kg to top the weaners at Bairnsdale. Hereford steers from Nutfield Partnership, weighing 340kg, sold for 379c/kg or $1290 at the Yea store sale. The Brislin family sold 361kg weaner steers at Koonwarra store sale for $1540 or 427c/kg. At Myrtleford, Masterton Brothers sold 366kg purebred steers for $1550 or 423c/kg while G & E Jones sold 339kg steers for $1480 or 437c/kg. Deano Michelini, Valunga Pty Ltd, sold steer weaners 265-313kg for $1205-$1460 or 455466c/kg to exceed his expectations. Pure Yarram Park blood steers, 16 months, sold to Herds Geelong, dressing at 306kg and yielding 55.5 per cent to return $1775.
Heading north to NSW and a pen of six tooth Herefords, 509kg, sold by Bob Mullott, Pappinbara, at Wauchope made 268c/kg or $1365 to Bob Lynch, Beechwood for finishing on grass and grain. Rain lifted the Casino market where milk and two-tooth Hereford steers, 417kg, from Frank Hannigan, Woodview, sold for 312c/kg to Mort and Co feedlots, Darling Downs, Qld, and a line of PTIC Hereford heifers sold for $2400 at the Casino store sale. Grant and Kylie Kniepp, Battalion Herefords, Dundee, sold EU accredited steers at the Glen Innes Blue Ribbon weaner sale for $1355 or 440c/kg to Tim and Sue Sloman, Dundee. The heifer portion, 244kg, made 450c/kg to the Darling Downs. EU Herefords, 301kg, and bred by Bernie and Leanne Grogan, Tenterfield, made to 448c/kg or $1347 going through Kellco. Roger Kniepp, Dundee Echo Park, sold purebred steers, 202kg, for 488c/kg or $988 going to the Looker family, Ben Lomond. The Alt brothers sold Lotus blood heifers, 243kg, at Glen Innes for 430c/kg or $1045 to the Darling Downs. At Western Australian markets, Dival Nominees, Toodyay, sold purebred steers, 301kg, for 300c/kg or $903 at Muchea, along with 276kg steers for 310c/kg or $856. J and J Gibbs, Boddington, sold Hereford steers at Boyanup with Terry Tarbotton, Elders Nannup, securing the cattle for the sale’s top price of 324c/kg. A Della-Bosca and Son, Southern Cross, sold grain assisted purebred steers, 621kg, for 268c/kg or $1644, and Westhaven Herefords sold 764kg cows for $1513 at Boyanup. Hereford-Friesian heifers were in demand at the Supreme springing heifer sale selling to a top of $2500 and averaging $2147. MS Farms, Wagin, sold 452kg yearling purebred steers at Mt Barker for $1463 or 324c/kg. Heading north to Queensland, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham, sold 452kg steers for 400c/kg or $1805 at Dalby in February. In March, CA Hauff & Son, Blackall, sold 218kg Hereford steers for 412c/kg to return $901 and 302kg heifers for 355c/kg or $1072 at Blackall. At Warwick, Stillwater Pastoral Company, Clifton, sold a line of Hereford steers, 365kg, for 406c/kg or $1483. In April, the Seawright family, Yuleba, sold purebred steers to 448c/ kg, reaching a top of $1142 while the heifer portion sold to 392c/kg, reaching a top of $955 at Roma. South to Tasmania and yearling purebred steers from Scottsdale, weighing 381kg, made $1420 or 369c/kg. Feeder heifers, 18 to 20 months and 369kg, from Forth made $1100 while 366kg bullocks from Whitemark, Flinders Island sold for $1220 and Hereford/Friesian cows and calves, from Kindred, sold for $2225. Backgrounding steers, 366kg, from Sheffield fetched $1220 or 332c/kg and unjoined Poll Hereford cows and calves, from Erriba, made $2000. In the black baldy pens, Blue Range, Mansfield, sold steers, 324kg, for 382c/kg or $1240 at Wangaratta while Mark Smith, Holbrook, sold 395kg steers for 324c/kg or $1280 at Wodonga. Alden Commins, Orange, sold back baldy steer weaners, 317kg, for $1452 or 458c/kg and their sisters averaged $1333 at seven to eight months of age at CTLX Carcoar. At the same sale Michael Anderson sold 190kg steers for $1080 or 586c/kg. In the Hereford infused females, Katie Robinson, Kilfeera, sold Charolais/Hereford cross heifers, 317kg, for 354c/kg or $1050 while Santa Gertrudis/Herford heifers, 16-22 months,
AROUND THE SALES
WINTER 2020
from Theresa Creek, NSW, sold for $1570 or 453.9c/kg. The seconds at 230kg made 524c/kg. Santa Gertrudis/Hereford cows with Angus calves and back in calf to a Charolais bull made the top money of $3100 at Casino special store sale. Brahman/Hereford cross heifers in calf to Angus bulls topped Casino in March at $2750 for Alan Maloney, North Casino, while Sam Carlton, Clovass, sold joined Santa/ Hereford heifers to $2560, and PTIC Braham/Hereford heifers made $2626 in February. Bred by John Smith, Woodenbong, they were bought by European Union accredited graziers Mike and Sharyn Benn, Dalveen. The record prices continued with joined Hereford heifers selling for $2400. Brahman/Hereford heifers made $2625 and first calf cows with Hereford calves making to $2325 at Grafton. At Lismore, Brahman/Hereford cows made $2540 to repeat client Max McCabe, Murwillumbah, Santa/Hereford cows to $2460 and black baldy heifers PTIC to $2240. Joined Hereford-Friesian heifers were in demand at Mount Compass, SA, where B & M Cornish, Forreston, sold a pen for $2300 to Callery Livestock. Hereford infused steers, 16-20 months and 346kg from Guluguba, Qld, made 440.2c/kg live or $1524 online. Weaned black baldy steers from Goodiwindi, Qld, and weighing 261kg, sold for 540c/kg or $1421. Spring drop Charolais/Hereford steers 247kg, from Mark and Wendy Campion, Pinkett, made 470c/kg or $1163 at Glen Innes weaner sale, while their black baldies, 235kg, made 475c/kg. The Alt brothers sold a 220kg Charolais/Hereford show steer at Glen Innes for 735c/kg or $1486 to Glen Innes High
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School. M Moulto, Elleker, sold Hereford cross steers, 585kg, for $1834 at Mt Barker, WA. In online sales, Poll Hereford backgrounding heifers, 12-16 months and weighing 249kg, were sold at Tambo, Qld, for 343c/kg or $855. From Gravesend, NSW, Hereford steers, 14-16 months, 382kg, made 385c/kg or $1472, black baldy steers, 14-16 months, 377kg, sold for 395c/kg or $1487 and black baldy feeder heifers, 14-16 months, 351kg, 365c/kg or $1283, and Hereford feeder heifers, 14-16 months, 360kg, made 357c/kg or $1287. Heavy black baldy steers, 450kg, fetched 427c/kg or $1920 at Wodonga in May. The Bush family, Kirraweena Glenholme stud, Cootamudra, sold online a draft of 16-22 month-old unjoined heifers sired by Curracabark Junee, Lotus Larsen, Yarram Park Empire L093 and Westwood Veron, and out of registered cows. They averaged 400kg liveweight and sold for $1530 or 382c/kg. Woomargama Station sold August-September 2019 drop steers, 239kg, for $1252 or 524c/kg in May. T & E Young, Koreelah, NSW, sold PTIC EU accredited heifers, 451kg, 30-36 months, to top AuctionsPlus in April at $2470. A line of PTIC Poll Hereford cows from Ballyrogan, Vic, sold for $2130. The EU accredited cows weighed 614kg, were autumn 2016 drop and PTIC to Days and Allendale bulls. Injemira blood feeder steers, 351kg, aged 11-12 months, offered by D & K Turner, South Gundagai, topped AuctionsPlus in April at 419c/kg to a Yass buyer.
Wodonga National 2020 12 BULLS SOLD - AVERAGE $10,833
Sold for $42,000 to Yavenvale Herefords
TARCOMBE HOMELAND P177 Intermediate Champion
Sold for $15,000 to Tarwin Poll Herefords & Ke Warra Poll Herefords
Thank you to all purchasers and under bidders Tim Hayes 0439 257 693 • temagong@bigpond.com
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GLEN INNES 75TH ANNIVERSARY
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
A traditional barometer for the breed spanning 75 years Australia’s longest running regional multi-vendor bull sale, the Glen Innes Hereford Show and Sale, has in the past always been something of a barometer for the Hereford breed. The event’s 1985 catalogue paints a picture of the breed’s dominance of the Australian beef industry. A staggering 797 bulls were offered by 152 vendors, with the sale grossing $1.148 million. In the led classes, there were 55 Hereford and 82 Poll Hereford bulls judged, and 30 pairs of three were entered. The fixture was billed as the largest regional multi-vendor sale in the Commonwealth. The catalogue had risen sharply from 491 lots in 1984 when the sale grossed almost $1 million and averaged $2381. This year, Australia’s Hereford genetic nursery is set to celebrate its 75h anniversary. The first sale was initiated by Glen Innes stock and station agent Claude Bloxsome in November 1946 for commercial producers across the New England region of northern NSW. It was a mixed breed affair with Aberdeen Angus, Shorthorn and Devon bulls also on offer. Bulls listed as stud lots were auctioned at the Glen Innes showground while unled or herd bulls were offered at the saleyards. A total of 179 bulls grossed 11,297 guineas, with the top price bull, Bective Craftsman, sold by Bective Hereford stud, Tamworth, to Lilburn Hereford Stud, Glen Innes, for 75 guineas. The Hereford and Poll Hereford catalogue continued to flourish over the next decade, encouraging the involvement of the Commonwealth Wool and Produce Co, New England Agency Co, and Elder Smith and Co. But, it wasn’t all strictly whiteface with eight Jersey bulls offered in 1948 and three mares and a colt after the bulls in 1961. The first Australian Hereford Society sponsored show and
sale was held in 1956 with a crowd of 300 watching the judging adjudicated by David Pratten, Turee Stud, Cassilis. AHS president Ian White, Timor, Murrurundi, remarked at the opening that the event was an important milestone in the triumphant progress of Hereford breeding in Australia. A record top price of 800 guineas was paid for Colly Creek Dudley, a 16-month-old sire sold by Tanner and Felton, Eyton Stud, Quirindi, to Blairmore Grazing Company, Stonehenge, Glen Innes. A total of 161 Hereford, Poll Hereford and Devon bulls grossed 33,542 pounds. The introduction of the show section for Herefords in 1956 saw a class for teams of three unled bulls, won for the first time by K P Wright & Son, Lomani Stud, Quirindi, NSW. The pens of three competition evolved into a prestigious event on the show and sale calendar, and was named the Lomani Challenge Trophy. Miss E P Wright, Benama Stud, Nundle, won the trophy three times in succession in 1958-1960. Other outright winners included Geoff Smith, Franz Josef Herefords, Tara, Qld, Bob Smith, Bobanken Herefords, Bingara, NSW, and the McIndoe family, Smithston Herefords, Glencoe, NSW. The first Poll Hereford classes were sponsored by the Australian Poll Hereford Society in 1961, and herd bulls were phased out from the catalogue in 1969. Courallie stud, Bellata, NSW, achieved a record in the led section in 1967 when they were awarded senior champion, reserve senior champion, reserve junior champion and grand champion Hereford bull. Up until 1973, other breeds had been represented by invitation but that year the catalogue was exclusively whiteface. A three person judging panel was adopted in 1993, placing greater emphasis on commercial traits. Over the history of the sale, the top price of $45,000 was achieved by Battalion Herefords, Dundee, NSW, in 2017, selling to a partnership between Franco Herefords, Woodview, NSW, and Thornleigh Herefords, Little Plain, NSW.
1. Timor Courage was sold by Timor stud, Murrurundi, to Langton Downs Pastoral Co, Claremont, Qld, for the top price of 800 guineas in 1959. 2. Auctioneer Claude Bloxsome, in the top left hand corner, sells bulls at the first sale in 1946. 3. Benaman Apollo was sold by Miss E P Wright for the top price of 575 guineas in 1954. 4. The Glen Innes catalogue in 1953.
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Glen Innes set to celebrate prominent place in nation’s beef industry The format of the 75th anniversary Glen Innes Bull Show and Sale will be largely unchanged this year but minus the celebratory dinner. Sale committee president Angus Vivers said the function was cancelled due to COVID-19 regulations but the sale would go ahead on July 24 in a physical format and interfaced with AuctionsPlus. Weighing and scanning of the bulls will take place on the morning of July 23 at the Glen Innes saleyards, with the lots to be judged by Erin Waters, Andtravern Herefords, Lancefield, Victoria. With around 65 lots anticipated, the sale will get underway at 11am on Friday, July 24. Mr Vivers said buyers could expect value for money in a wide range and type of bulls on offer at the 2020 sale. “Although we expect fewer numbers due to the past year or two of drought, we anticipate that the bulls that do make TOP: Supple Naked sold for the 2019 top price for it will be the cream of the crop,” he said. vendors Ben and Leanne Rumbel, with Ashley Estcourt, “The Glen Innes Bull Sale is looking forward to the future Vic, Elders agent Andrew Meara and Bluey Commins, in our younger breeders – Brad Thomas, Kylandee, on the Ensay, Vic. Photo Rowan McNaught committee as Vice Chairman, and Ben Rumbel, Supple ABOVE: Roger Kneipp has attended every horned Genetics, the other Vice Chairman. “Glen Weller is part of Swanvale stud, Tyler and Baden show and sale at Glen Innes in the event’s 75 year Reeves Tybay Poll Herefords, have sold here for several history. Photo Kim Woods
At Glen Innes on July 24, 2020
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years, while Will Vivers is part of Jindalee, which has been a vendor for 10 years. “The door is always open for new members to sell their first bulls at auction. “The enthusiasm of our youth must be encouraged as they are the ones who will take over the reins of this long running sale.” Mr Vivers said in the past 75 years vendors have sold at Glen Innes from New South Wales, Southern Queensland and Victoria. “Many of these bulls sold at Glen Innes have gone on to be prolific in Hereford and Poll Hereford pedigrees throughout Australia,” he said. “Not forgetting that many Australian Studs began their selling careers at Glen Innes – trophies that are still in existence today are the Steven Peake Memorial Trophy for Grand Champion Bull and the Bundarra Trophy (Reid family) for the Pen of 6/Truckload of bulls. “The sale is conducted by Elders and the local branch support from Elders Glen Innes, as well as the support from Elders Stud Stock, has been greatly appreciated over the years.” Elders Glen Innes manager Chris Alt has travelled around the vendor studs to photograph and video the bulls, and was impressed with the high quality of the lots. Among the crowd this year will be vendor Roger Kneipp, who was a babe in arms when his parents Frank and Mackie Kneipp were among the small throng of vendors and buyers at the first Glen Innes bull sale in 1946. “Most studs in Australia have either bought or sold at Glen Innes – it is the longest running multi-vendor sale in the nation, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Roger said. “Many industry stud sires have gone through Glen Innes but there are bulls there to suit all markets.”
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AUTUMN BULL SALES
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
The 2020 autumn bull selling season one to remember Droughts, fire, floods, a pandemic and record cattle prices was the background to an autumn bull selling season unlikely to be forgotten for decades. A total of 957 bulls were sold from 1158 offered at 26 onproperty and multi-vendor sales in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania from February 10 to May 14. The sales have grossed $7,018,919 to average $7334 and recorded a clearance of 82 per cent. The top on-property price of $36,000 was set at the 49th annual Injemira Beef Genetics on-property sale at Book Book on February 25. The sale averaged an impressive $8919 for a complete clearance of 87 bulls. Sale highlights included 15 sons of new Injemira sire, Ravensdale Wildfire, grossing $205,000 for an average of $13,666. Sale topper, Injemira Wildfire P021 weighed 846kg and was bought by repeat clients David and Michelle Elsom, Macarthur, Vic. In the sale break-down, six bulls sold for $20,000 plus, 24 at $10,000-$19,000, 22 at $6000-$9000, and 35 at $4000-$5000. Injemira principal Marc Greening said a mix of stud and commercial producers chased the top end bulls, including Hunter Lakes, Jarrah Cattle Co, Rayleigh, Ardno, Ravensdale and Tarari. Mr Greening said the sale rounded out with eight sires selected for live export to China. Second top price for the autumn sales circuit was $33,000 for Yarram Star General P181 sold by Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura, Vic, to Barry Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, Vic. In one of the strongest sales to date for Yarram Park, the stud cleared 58 bulls for the second highest seasonal average of $9224. Coming at the third top was $30,000 for Mawarra Superior P023 sold by Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Vic, to Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura, Vic. The February 2018-drop bull was by Koanui Techno 3026 and out of Mawarra Miss Titania 081. Mawarra topped the sale averages for the season on $9322. In southern NSW, Wirruna Poll Herefords topped at $22,000 for Wirruna Neutron N449, a sire ranked in the top one per cent for muscle and marbling, The Locke family achieved one of their highest averages on record at $8120. Neutron N449 was purchased by Cascade Poll Herefords, Currabubula, NSW. Days Hemisphere P012, an embryo transfer bred son of Injemira Anzac H006, sold for $21,000 to Scott Harlock, The Herefords Australia National Show and Sale (Wodonga) moved to a digital format for the first time in history due to COVID-19.
Harlock Pastoral, Bool Lagoon, at the Days Whiteface sale at Bordertown, SA, in February. The highest indexing bull across the Hereford breed topped the Allendale sale draft in SA at $20,000. The homozygous polled son of Allendale Chisel L3, Allendale Jackal P176 was bought by the Trovatello family, Glendan Park, Kyneton, Vic. Another Chisel son sold for $14,000 to G & P Gum, Pinnaroo. Rain and an improved cattle market helped Barry Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, Vic, top at $20,000 for the 948kg Newcomen Paris bought by new client Mark Campion, Amos-Vale Herefords, Glen Innes, NSW. The rising two-year-old Kerlson Pines Nardoo P014, weighing 952kg, was sold by Kerlson Pines stud, Keith, SA, for $18,000 to Newcomen Herefords. Another Gippslander, Paul Sykes had his Karoonda Park auction sale coincide with new social distancing guidelines implemented that day. The auction was held outside to adhere to Federal Government restrictions, and resulted in a 93 per cent clearance and the top price bull at $15,000, Karoonda Viggo, selling to Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, Vic. Sugarloaf Creek stud at Towong, Vic, was among the studs caught in the middle of bush fire zones this year. One of the Klippel family’s properties was hit and, despite road closures, their sale was well supported with repeat buyers Scott and Robert Reid, Chudleigh, Howlong, snapping up the top price bull for $14,000. At South Australian sales, Morganvale posted its highest sale average of $7089 at its 14th annual sale, with the first 14 lots averaging $8143. In Western Australia, the Francis family’s Yallaroo Hereford stud topped the Supreme Bull Sale at Brunswick for the seventh consecutive year in March. The March 2018 drop, 856kg Yallaroo Pioneer P9 sold for $18,500 to repeat buyer Eddie Wedge, Gingin. At WA’s 27th annual Narrogin invitation bull sale, Terraneil offered and sold the top price lot, Terraneil Kalimna P4, for $9250 to Kevin McLean and Christine Brown, Banksia Downs Grazing Company, Coomberdale, for their 200 cow Poll Hereford herd. Terraneil had the highest stud average at the multivendor, multi-breed sale of $6250 (up $1250 on last year) and cleared 10 from 11 bulls. Overall, the Hereford breed recorded the second biggest rise in sale average by $898 on 2019, had the second highest average for all breeds at $6333, and recorded the second highest top price. Bendulla, Mundulla, SA, opted not to hold the Diamond Sale this year and made a successful transition to paddock sales, selling 21 of 30 bulls to a top of $8000 during the South Australian Beef Week Field Days in February. Bendulla also sold 32 PTIC commercial heifers, due to calve in April, for an average of $1800. Warrensville also recorded bull sales during the SA Beef Week with five bulls to a top of $6000, while Diamond
WINTER 2020
Sale vendor Wrattenbullie sold three from nine bulls to a top of $6000 during Beef Week In the stud female sales, Wirruna Poll Herefords, Holbrook, sold PTIC cows, 2.5 years, for $2450-$2600, PTIC cows, 3.4 to 4.5 years, for $2450, PTIC cows, five to 10 years, $2300. Hancock Pastoral, Cambooya, Qld, secured the top priced stud female for $5250. Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Vic, had a complete clearance of 30 heifers to a top of $2500 and average of $2025. The top priced heifer, Tarcombe Dowager P045, was bought by B & A Kelly. The Jenkins family dispersed their Banemore stud at Penshurst, Vic, on March 5 with 151 lots selling from 164 offered to a top of $15,000 for stud female, Banemore Victoria L33, and an average of $3720. The April 2015-drop Allendale Anzac E114 sired female was bought by Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura, Vic. The PTIC mixed aged females averaged $3706 and autumn calving heifers $3640. D & J House, Smithon, Tas, purchased 20 head including 19 mixed age females. In the bull lots, two-year-olds averaged $4589 and yearlings $708. The Sykes family, Mawarra Genetics, offered 127 females and sold 96 to a top of $13,000 and average $4306.
AUTUMN BULL SALES
75
Western Australian sales were buoyant this year with Herefords having the second highest average for all breeds. Yallaroo Herefords principals Rob and Heather Francis with repeat buyer Matt DellaGolla, Tonebridge Grazing and the $18,500 Yallaroo Pioneer P9. Image Farm Weekly Offered as the star lot, the top priced Mawarra Tabitha 041 was out of Tabitha 006, regarded as the best poll female the stud had bred and was by the $110,000 Injemira Anazac K220. Stanford Poll Herefords, Bathurst, sold 40 PTIC heifers, 19-20 months, to a top of $2400 on May 1.
NEOGEN.com
NEOGEN Australasia One sample. One simple, comprehensive solution. Test today to achieve the herd you want sooner at Australia’s largest animal genomic testing facility. For customized testing options for your herd please contact Herefords Australia or Neogen Australasia: Hannah Bourke (NSW) 0447 299 096 • hbourke@neogen.com Rodney Parker (Vic & Tas) 0427 167 148 • rparker@neogen.com
Fair pricing. Experienced team. NEOGEN Australasia Building 8126, Hall RD, UQ Gatton Campus, QLD 4343 07 3736 2134 • naa@NEOGEN • genomics.NEOGEN.com/au
AUTUMN BULL SALES
Autumn Bull Sales For 2020 STUD
OFFERED SOLD
TOP
AVE
ALLENDALE
36
27
$20,000
$6593
DAYS WHITEFACE
44
29
$21,000
$8448
ENNERDALE
31
25
$6000
$4000
GLENDAN PARK
40
35
$16,000
$7200
GLENELLERSLIE
36
22
$9000
$4659
GUILFORD
38
34
$12,000
$6515
INJEMIRA
87
87
$36,000
$8920
INVITATIONAL SALE, WA
11
10
$9250
$6250
KAROONDA
44
41
$15,000
$6792
KERLSON PINES
27
17
$18,000
$6912
MAWARRA
77
65
$30,000
$9322
MELVILLE PARK
39
23
$11,500
$5391
MORGANVALE
44
40
$12,000
$7089
NATIONAL SALE WODONGA
110
100
$55,000
$9040
NEWCOMEN
47
43
$20,000
$6657
NUNNIONG
30
13
$11,000
$6269
OAK DOWNS
28
15
$7000
$4367
QUAMBY PLAINS
43
41
$14,000
$7250
SUGARLOAF CREEK
32
28
$14,000
$6446
STANFORD
24
20
$8750
$5075
TARCOMBE
34
16
$8000
$5031
WA SUPREME BULL SALE
20
14
$18,500
$6393
WILKAH
19
8
$11,500
$5750
WIRRUNA
58
50
$22,000
$8120
YARRAM PARK
62
60
$33,000
$9224
YAVENVALE
97
94
$16,000
$6170
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
NUNNIONG HEREFORD STUD ENSAY Bulls are mountain bred, hearty, fertile and ready to go
Bull Sale Wednesday 17th March 2021 1.30pm
Bulls are only fed silage
What you see is what you get
Contact Bluey: 03 5157 3331 or 0427 573 331
CR139636AA
76
DIRECTORS
WINTER 2020
77
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Meet our team for 2020. For the benefit of the membership, included are details for the Herefords Australia board directors.
Trish Worth
Geoff Birchnell
Tony Haggarty
Sam Becker
gbirchnell@herefordsaustralia.com.au
thaggarty@herefordsaustralia.com.au
sbecker@herefordsaustralia.com.au
DIRECTOR Mobile: 0412 425 949 Email:
CHAIRMAN Mobile: 0417 812 175 Email: tworth@herefordsaustralia.com.au
DIRECTOR Mobile: 0418 878 428 Email:
Marc Greening
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Mobile: 0411 043 039 Email:
mgreening@herefordsaustralia.com.au
DIRECTOR Mobile: 0417 576 667 Email:
Ian Durkin
Mark Duthie
Bill Kee
idurkin@herefordsaustralia.com.au
mduthie@herefordsaustralia.com.au
bkee@herefordsaustralia.com.au
DIRECTOR Mobile: 0427 299 012 Email:
DIRECTOR Mobile: 0448 016 950 Email:
DIRECTOR Mobile: 0407 825 555 Email:
78
REGIONAL CONTACTS
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Regional Breed Development Groups – contact information Southern NSW Hereford Youth Group Brittany Sykes, secretary Central Tablelands Herefords Association PO Box 435 Cootamundra NSW 2590 Paul Hancock, Secretary T: 0408 734 696 “Whim Park’’ E: brittanysykes@outlook.com.au 66 Kings Plain Road Blayney NSW 2799 Queensland T: 02 6368 2140 M: 0418 639 597 Herefords Queensland Association Inc E: whimpark@bigpond.com.au Amanda Burcher, Secretary Hunter Valley Herefords Association “Binara’’ Carolyn McDonald, secretary Goondiwindi Qld 4390 893 Hinton Rd T: 07 4676 1183 M: 0427 132 188 Nelsons Plains NSW 2324 E: binaraburcher@bigpond.com T: 02 4987 3405 M: 0427 293 015 Herefords Queensland Youth Association Aleacea Nixon, secretary E: mondeo.p.h@bigpond.com.au “Colville Park’’ Herefords Australia Northern NSW Dulacca Qld 4425 Association M: 0473 404 216 Tammy Kimmince, secretary E: mouse18.aln@outlook.com “Redbank” Mt Russell Rd Victoria Little Plain NSW 2360 T: 02 6723 2902 Victorian Herefords Youth Group M: 0429 919 031 Elle Woodgate, secretary E: kimo2@bigpond.com 1 Armstrong Street Herefords Australia Northern NSW Youth Buchan Vic 3885 M: 0428 192 229 Sophie Cooper, secretary E: victorianherefordyouthgroup@outlook. M: 0407 805 682 com E: sophiej.cooper98@gmail.com North East Victorian Herefords Group Sydney Regional Herefords Breeders Ferruccio Tonini, secretary Group 321 Moyhu/Glenrowan Rd Ellen Hussein, Secretary Glenrowan Vic 3675 2 Eskdale Close, T: 03 5766 2417 Narellan Vale NSW 2567 E: glenpoll@internode.on.net M: 0411 089 578 Herefords Gippsland E: ellenhussein@gmail.com Lauren Hill, secretary Western Regional Herefords Association M: 0427 750 250 Brooke Rayner, Secretary E: lauren@karoondapark.com “Grathlyn’’ Corrangamite Hereford Breeders Group Hill End Road Inc Via Mudgee NSW 2850 Margaret Allen, secretary T: 02 6373 8677 PO Box 105 E: grathlyn@gmail.com Mortlake Vic 3272 Southern NSW Hereford Breeders Group Northern Herefords Group Inc Brittany Sykes, secretary Emilie Lyons, secretary PO Box 435 C/- 17 Emily St Cootamundra NSW 2590 Seymour, VIC 3660 M: 0408 734 696 M: 0404 956 038 E: brittanysykes@outlook.com.au E: emilielyons@hotmail.com
New South Wales
South Australia Herefords SA Tessa Dawes, secretary PO Box 108 Goodwood SA 5034 T: 08 8210 5299 E: tdawes@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
WINTER 2019
STRAP LINE
79
80
ADVERTISER’S INDEX
ADVERTISER
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
PAGE NO.
ADVERTISER
PAGE NO.
ADVERTISER
PAGE NO.
Agri-Gene
59
Glenwarrah
53
Ravensdale
Inside front cover
Akubra
63
Grant Daniel Long
14
Amos-Vale
81
Gunyah
27
Rayleigh
81
Bahreenah
73
Hillview
81
Stanford
15
BeefGen
33
Ironbark
Te-Angie
17
Bowen
39
Kanimbla
Talbalba
37
Bowen Downs
81
Kidman
47
Tarcombe
71
Braelyn
81
Koanui
79
The Ranch
81
Devon Court
31
Llandillo Beef
81
Thornleigh
35
Eastern Spreaders
67
Landmark
61
Elders
55
Lotus
31
Truro
59
Elite
32
Neogen
75
Tummel
35
Enduro Tags
67
Newcomen
11
Warragundi
21
Franco
80
Nunniong
76
Wirruna
25
Glendan Park
23
Qld Machinery Agency
67
WRL
81
Glen Innes bull sale
55
Performance Feeds
63
Yavenvale
57
Inside back cover Outside back cover
April 2020 Hereford BREEDPLAN Eye 200 400 600 Birth Day Rib Rump Retail Day Milk Muscle Wt. Wt Day Area Fat Fat Beef IMF Wt Wt (kg) (%) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (sq (mm) (mm) Yield (%) cm) EBV +3.7 +31 +70 +105 +16 +5.1 +0.5 +1.0 +1.7 +0.1 SELECTION INDEX VALUES Index Value
Market Target
OPEN DAY: SuNDAY 28 JuNE 2020 10.00Am tO 4.00Pm
Sons of: Battalion Black Hawk K7
Southern Self-Replacing Index ($) Northern Self-Replacing Index ($) Southern Baldy Maternal Index ($) Northern Baldy Terminal Index ($)
+$180 +$164 +$189 +$141
Breed Average +$126 +$112 +$127 +$93
April 2020 Hereford BREEDPLAN Eye 600 Rib Rump Retail Day Milk Muscle Fat Fat Beef IMF Wt (kg) Area (%) (sq (mm) (mm) Yield (kg) (%) cm) EBV +7.5 +38 +67 +93 +11 +4.0 +1.3 +2.2 -0.1 +1.4 200 400 Birth Day Wt. Wt Day Wt (kg) (kg) (kg)
SALE DAY: FriDAY 17 JuLY 2020 1.30Pm At AvOcA vALE, 4015 tENtErFiELD rD, WOODviEW viA cASiNO
SELECTION INDEX VALUES Index Value
Market Target
Sons of: Mawarra Explosive L417
Southern Self-Replacing Index ($) Northern Self-Replacing Index ($) Southern Baldy Maternal Index ($) Northern Baldy Terminal Index ($)
+$133 +$113 +$108 +$74
Breed Average +$126 +$112 +$127 +$93 CR139619AA
For any queries, please contact:
Brett Hannigan 0429 675 115 Ruth Attewell 0427 538 627 Frank Hannigan 0411 288 118
www.francoherefords.com.au
HELPiNg YOu imPrOvE YOur HErD
BREEDER’S DIRECTORY
WINTER 2020
81
POLL HEREFORDS
EnquiriEs always wElcomE
GreG & Del rees TominGley nsW
ConTaCT us on 0488503300
Bulls & Females Available
CR139664AA
3 Top Sires on track for The Nationals 2021
CR139664AA
Breeding Quality from Quality
CR139456AA
Est. 1972
Meandarra & Warwick Bart 0424 039 032 | Bill 0414 723 254 bart.bowen@cqumail.com
For all enquiries Lee White; 0439 595 814
2020 Bull and Female Sale Friday 10th July.
CR139571AA
JeFF – 0427 285 226 and roByn – 0428 285 226 email - rayleigh8@bigpond.com www.rayleighpollherefords.com.au
CR139666AA
lee@llandillobeef.com.au
‘Holcombe Family’ “RayleigH” buRRen Junction nSW 2386.
Bulls for sale from September 1st
Amos-Vale Herefords Open Day Monday 29th June 2020
3rd On Property Sale Saturday 27th June 2020 1:00pm
36th Annual On Property Sale 28 Bulls
Mark & Wendy Campion | T: 02 6733 4626 | Mobile: 0428 334 626 E: info@amosvaleherefords.com.au | W: www.amosvaleherefords.com.au
179 Cedar Log Road, Tyringham 30 BULLS - 5 STUD HEIFERS
Hillview Herefords: Greg Tyler 0428 578 126 Mitch: 0428 470 132 Office: 02 6643 4411
Tim: 0439 009 414 Office: 02 6657 1777
CR139638AA
Great Western P001
CR139560AA
Sale Day Thursday July 23rd at 1:30pm
PaDDoCK bULLs always aVaILabLe 0427 789 906
neville & denise shannon www.braelynherefords.com.au • braelyn@bigpond.com
“Rowden Farm” via Dalby Qld 4405
p: 0418 989 285 Bulls for private sale all year round e: wlowien@gmail.com | www.wrlherefords.com.au facebook: wrl herefords
CR137267AA
shannon family Toowoomba – Texas
CR139637AA
WRL Herefords
82
CALENDAR
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
Calendar of events 2020 Visit www.herefordsaustralia.com.au for an updated listing of events JUNE 19 27
Bowen Pol Herefords Open Day Hillview 3rd On-Property Helmsman Sale
Barraba, NSW Tyringham, NSW
6 10 13 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 20 20 22 23-24 21 23 23 30
Battalion and Cara Park 2nd annual bull sale Rayleigh annual bull and female sale Kidman 28th annual bull sale Remolea annual bull sale Merawah & Tenaru annual bull sale Cascade annual bull sale Bowen 25th annual bull sale Franco & Parson Hill bull and female sale Tycolah/Kyan/Bellco annual bull sale Mountain Valley annual sale Truro annual bull and female sale Curracabark annual bull sale Glenwarrah annual bull sale 75th annual Glen Innes Bull Show and Sale Tummel open day and sale Amos Vale 36th annual bull sale Lotus 29th annual bull sale Weetaliba annual bull sale
Glen Innes, NSW Burren Junction, NSW Dubbo, NSW Clifton, Qld Boggabilla, NSW Currabubula, NSW Barraba, NSW Casino, NSW Barraba, NSW Goondiwindi, Qld Bellata, NSW Gloucester, NSW Bundarra, NSW Glen Innes, NSW Walcha, NSW Glen Innes, NSW Glen Innes, NSW Gunnedah, NSW
5 7 10 21 26 27 28
RNA beef competition carcase judging Oldfield 24th annual bull sale Yalgoo annual bull sale Warragundi Beef Co production sale Wirruna spring bull and female sale Talbalba annual sale Ironbark 47th annual bull sale
Gympie, Qld Gunnedah, NSW Walcha, NSW Tamworth, NSW Holbrook, NSW Toowoomba, Qld Barraba, NSW
1 1 3 4 7 8
Lambert bull sale Kidman annual bull sale Elite annual bull sale Gunyah 51st bull sale Jarrah Genetics bull sale Devon Court annual bull sale
Blackall, Qld Dubbo, NSW Gundy, NSW Cooma, NSW Banana, Qld Drillham, Qld
16 29
Warren Point annual sale Thornleigh total registered dispersal
Mitchell, Qld Little Plain, NSW
26
Glendan Park bull sale
Kyneton, Vic
10 17
Kanimbla annual bull and female sale Newcomen bull sale
Holbrook, NSW Ensay, Vic
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
FEBRUARY 2021 MARCH 2021
www.facebook.com/Herefords.Australia
www.twitter.com/HerefordsAust
www.youtube.com/HerefordsAustralia
STRAP LINE
WINTER 2019
83
Performing in the real world
BULL SALE
FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2020 @ 12.30pm | Mulwarree Yards, Barraba NSW 170 GENOMICALLY TESTED, SIRE VERIFIED STUD HEREFORD BULLS ADRIAN SPENCER 0429 659 766 Email: ironbarkherefords@bigpond.com | www.ironbarkherefords.com.au
The Ironbark Advantage
The Bulls
HH Advance 5345C
Bullet Proof Bulls The Ironbark bulls are ready to go to work and breed a lot of cows in any environment. They hold up really well and don’t require any special treatment because they weren’t overfed as yearlings. Longevity Structural correctness and easy fleshing ability (constitution) have been bred in to Ironbark bulls since 1933. Ironbark bulls are working from Tasmania through to central Queensland. Their easy fleshing ability and structural correctness allows them to perform well in any environment. The Cow Herd Ironbark bulls breed predictably. They breed strong because of our 80+ years of using top quality genetics. They are not one hit wonders. These bulls are raised by their own mothers in realistic conditions. We have never sold off our top females. Our cows are some of the best in the breed. Genomics 2017 Herefords Australia introduced Single Step Genetic Selection into Breed Plan analysis. Ironbark has embraced this progressive Single Step Genetic Selection to ensure the Ironbark Herd is at the forefront of genomic accuracy. This has been completed by ensuring that all historical and currently used bulls that have had an impact on the Ironbark breeding program over the last 15 years have been tested with either a High Density or Low Density Genomic test through Herefords Australia. More than 100 sires have been genomically tested over the past 3 years and we have been able to DNA test bulls dating back to 1984. All bulls in this year’s sale have been parent verified to their sire.
MSA KiLL DATA GrAin FeD
HH Advance 7076E
Total HSCW eMA MSA Marbling Meat Colour Fat Colour rib Fat Ph MSA index
ironbark Blood 4,906 hd
All Breed Grain Fed 43,833 hd
307.17 68.91 347.18 2.29 1.13 9.25 5.51 59.92
262.18 67.33 345.25 2.31 1.12 6.36 5.53 55.98
Mawarra Daybreak K451
Total HSCW eMA MSA Marbling Meat Colour Fat Colour rib Fat Ph MSA index
ironbark Blood 1,931 hd
All Breed Grass Fed 9,296 hd
292.64 69.61 374.15 2.22 1.50 6.42 5.54 57.17
269.71 67.41 344.59 2.22 1.23 5.7 5.52 55.23
CR139591AA
MSA KiLL DATA GrASS FeD COMPAriSOn
84
STRAP LINE
Wodonga National 2020 Junior and Grand Champion Sire: NJW Hometown 10y
HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA
3 Bulls offered Averaged $20,000
Kanimbla Power Town P067 Sold To 3R Livestock and Bowen Downs Poll Herefords $30,000
Kanimbla Tundra P110 Sold To Yavenvale Herefords $22,000
CR139587AA
1st in class 3 Sire: Kanimbla Super Duty
New On Property Sale Date March 11, 2021
Bulls For Sale Privately For Remainder of 2020 James & Belinda Mcwilliam 0438 268 406 james@kanimblapollherefords.com
Mike Todd 0428 355 234 www.kanimblapollherefords.com