Herefords Australia - Winter 2023

Autumn bull sales CLEAR OVER $10 MILLION

Wodonga

tops at $75,000

Kings off grass at Lardner Park

Editor

Kim Woods

Outcross Media 0499 772 860

Email: kim@outcrossmedia.com.au

Art direction and design

Michelle Hoffman 0409 643 947

Email: mh_design1@outlook.com

Advertising

Annette Weatherstone 0428 844 937

Email: annette.herefords@gmail.com

Michelle Hoffman 0409 643 947

Email: mh_design1@outlook.com

Publisher

Herefords Australia

ABN 86 121 714 332

Email: info@herefordsaustralia.com.au

www.herefordsaustralia.com.au

P: 02 6772 1399

Chief Executive Officer

Michael Crowley

RD & E Specialist

Hamish Chandler

Marketing, Communications and Business Development Coordinator

Olivia Pearce

Communications and Breed Development Officer

Rowan Koebel

Member Services and Operations Manager

Ambrose Kenney

Registry and Membership Services Assistant

Naomi Oehlers

Youth Coordinator

Nikki Martin

Office and Accounts Coordinator

Stephanie Archibald

Board of Directors 2023

Ian Durkin - CHAIRMAN

Marc Greening - DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Mark Baker - DIRECTOR & COMPANY SECRETARY

Mark Duthie - DIRECTOR & MEMBER LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE

Sam Broinowski - YOUTH LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE

Annie Pumpa - DIRECTOR & YOUTH LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS

Sam Becker, Lisa Sharp and Alex Sparkes

Dear members,

As I write this report, I am privileged to be entering my third year as Chair of the Herefords Australia board. I am particularly excited about the year ahead for the company and our members as a range of new initiatives are coming together.

I appreciate the market conditions of 2023 create a less optimistic price outlook however we are playing a long game in the industry and the focus for the company today is to ensure the long-term future of the breed and breeders is bright.

Lisa Sharp recently completed her tenure as the CEO of Herefords Australia, and I would like to recognise several of her significant achievements during her time in the role. Lisa was instrumental in developing the HAL five-year strategic plan that provides the roadmap for our breed.

The plan’s implementation at the end of 2021 has led to a significant increase in social media marketing, increased website traffic and improved the effectiveness of HAL digital campaigns. Partnerships such as the HAL sponsorship of the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Program (ICMJ) lays the foundations for HAL to engage with the next generation of beef industry leaders and positioning Herefords at the forefront of the industry. Research and development have continued with collaborator herds adding valuable production and carcase data into the BREEDPLAN evaluation as well as the successful conclusion of some legacy investments.

The HAL board worked with Lisa on a successful transition and succession plan. The HAL board appointed Michael Crowley to take on the CEO role, commencing in March 2023. Michael was previously a board appointed skills-based director which has meant he had two years of company oversight before joining the business to run it. Lisa agreed with the board to take on the vacant skills-based appointment and remains on the HAL board. This has ensured a detailed hand over between Lisa and Michael as well as continuity for the board.

Other staff changes saw Hamish Chandler join Hereford as the RD&E specialist on a part time basis. Hamish has a career built on livestock genetics. He started his career with ABRI as a BREEDPLAN technical officer before he moved to MLA to be a LAMPLAN officer. He went on to manage Sheep Genetics and deliver services for the Australian sheep industry before he went on to run Livestock Genetics that encompassed all MLA’s investments in beef and sheep genetics. In his spare time, Hamish runs Poll Merino and White Suffolk studs. Having the practical and scientific expertise of Hamish is a huge value add for HAL and our members.

A focus of the board has been to drive continuous improvement of the governance of the company and its investments. Most recently, the board through the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, formed an Investment subcommittee to ensure the HAL investment portfolio is actively and appropriately managed. The board remain the gatekeepers of any decisions made and it is a great step forward in the oversight of the investment portfolio under the HAL board’s care.

To ensure the transparency of the company’s performance against the Strategic Plan, HAL have also released its Annual Report. The report is available to all HAL members on the website. The report provides transparency and context on the business performance as well as an easy reference alongside the more detailed audited financials.

The new initiatives for 2023 I would like to ensure members are aware of are the voluntary contributions of MSA data to HAL, the formation of the R&D Advisory Group and the prioritisation of Sustainability.

Breeders of Hereford cattle know that there is no better breed to finish on grass or grain that delivers an efficient production system and top quality beef product. The contribution of MSA data allows HAL to have the data and evidence to support those claims and this will be an ongoing initiative as we direct the business to pursue more commercial opportunities for Hereford and Hereford cross cattle.

R&D remains a priority for the breed to drive faster genetic progress on key economic traits and invest in projects that set the breed up for success in the future. In order to ensure the investments deliver the greatest impact for our members, we have established the R&D advisory group to make recommendations to the board. This group replaces the previous Technical Committee and I thank Lachy Day and his committee for their contributions.

Finally, as announced at the company’s AGM, Sustainability is the biggest macro trend in the industry and Herefords can lead. Fertility, weight for age, longevity, feed efficiency whilst delivering superior eating quality will take our breed forward. For our membership, this will not require a lot of change, however, it will provide strong direction for breed promotion and R&D investment as we build the data and evidence to support the claims that will in turn connect with the commercial pressure being placed on our industry to deliver against the sustainability expectations of our consumers globally. Herefords are well positioned to capitalise on this opportunity if we move now. Regards,

Ian Durkin CHAIRMAN, HEREFORDS AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Ian Durkin

Dear Members,

Having joined Herefords Australia at the start of March 2023, I thought it might be appropriate for my first report, to introduce myself to the membership.

My passion for Hereford cattle runs deep. I was raised on a beef cattle property at Barraba in northern NSW where we run stud and commercial Hereford cattle. My brother and I are involved in the business with Dad running the show.

Over the last 22 years I have worked in a range of roles along the red meat and livestock supply chain including beef processing, value adding, beef sales and marketing, livestock marketing and quality assurance. I have run my own business marketing livestock, running beef processing for branded beef owners and held my own meat export license.

More recently, I worked for Meat & Livestock Australia for the last 14 years. I joined MLA in 2009 where I managed the Meat Standards Australia program. In 2012 I moved with my family to Brussels taking on the role of International Business Manager for EU and Russia with MLA. I returned from Brussels in 2015 as the Program Manager – Meat Standards Australia and joined MLA’s Executive Team in 2016 where I was the General Manager Research, Development and Adoption.

This business unit was responsible for investments in RD&A across the supply chain including livestock genetics, on farm productivity, eating quality, sustainability innovation, automation, objective measurement, market access science and product innovation.

For the last six years I was in the MLA executive team reporting to the Managing Director. I was also a director of Herefords Australia for two years before joining HAL as the CEO.

Having had experience on the board before joining the company as a full-time employee, I have had the opportunity to be part of the strategy development and now execution of the plan. Knowing the journey of the business over the last few years and seeing the improvements Lisa Sharp has driven, enables me to focus on what is next for Herefords Australia and the Hereford breed.

I believe we must pursue outcomes that drive profitability for our customers. Our customer comes in the form of the bull breeder, bull buyer, backgrounders, feeders, finishers, processors, brand owners, retailers, and food service, with the key beneficiary ultimately being the consumer. We must work together as a membership to recognise and address key issues – reputational or otherwise.

There is plenty to work with when it comes to Hereford cattle. The main profit drivers in a commercial beef business can be addressed by Hereford cattle. Fertility, longevity, growth, weight for age, low cost of production, and high-quality carcase outcomes are all things Hereford cattle can deliver.

Hereford cattle compliment nearly every other breed in a crossbreeding scenario. The people in the breed are passionate about the breed and we have a rich depth of history to build upon.

There are several significant opportunities that Herefords Australia can get behind that align with broader industry developments. We can extract significant benefits for our members:

MSA carcase data – over 50 per cent of the national adult cattle slaughter is MSA graded. All the data sits within

one database for every carcase ever graded. It provides all the eating quality traits and will provide the benchmark for the quality and carcase performance of Hereford cattle. This data will help unlock market opportunities using this data and evidence of performance.

Sustainability – longevity, fertility, feed efficiency and economics. These traits are core to the benefits Hereford cattle can deliver. Reducing cost of production and delivering the most efficient production system, we can support the industry in delivering against the sustainability targets. Herefords Australia and our members can lead this.

Technology – genomics, walk over weighing/in paddock weighing, remote sensing, pasture mapping. Adopting the latest technology will help in driving precision in extensive production systems that results in reducing cost of production, improving compliance to market specifications and delivering profitable outcomes to our commercial customers and the supply chain.

Connecting the data through the supply chain - we can drive faster rates of genetic gain on the traits that deliver profitability to the supply chain. From bull breeder to commercial producer through to customer and consumer, if there is more transparency and feedback that supports driving improvements.

Markets – targeting new market opportunities such as the UK FTA will open new high value options for breeders of highquality cattle. Herefords need to be ready as this deal is a game changer with 35,000 tonnes of new beef access on day one of the agreement coming into force.

I have started at the point where the bulk of data is collected utilising the voluntary data contributions of members. With over 15,000 carcase records collated within a few weeks, we now have a baseline of performance for Hereford and Hereford influenced cattle.

I look forward to working with you all on the common goals we all want to achieve. I have strong support from the board and together we can take this breed ahead in leaps and bounds.

Regards,

Michael Crowley CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Michael Crowley

Unlocking the benefits of superior genetics in the Red Centre

Central Australian Hereford breeders Ben and Nicole Hayes hosted the northern beef pilot of Meat and Livestock Australia’s BredWell FedWell program.

The couple hosted visitors at Undoolya Station at Alice Springs on February 13 for the one-day practical workshop introducing key production benefits of superior genetics, plus feed management for improved reproductive performance and livestock productivity.

The program has been redeveloped and is being piloted before broader implementation this year.

Producers will be able to use the outcomes of the program to boost productivity through a genetics and nutrition regime suited to their environment and markets.

Producers will learn to develop a customised breeding plan for their beef enterprise aligned to their profit drivers, identify sires and select animals to achieve breeding plans, and learn about feeding animals well to achieve objectives and maximise their genetic investment.

Giving a helping hand to the flood victims in NSW

Genetics donated by central NSW stud, Llandillo Beef, were sold as part of a charity auction to assist those impacted by the 2022 NSW floods.

LLandillo, The Lagoon, donated two embryos to the Rebuild Molong Flood Charity held on AuctionsPlus in December. Much of the town’s sporting and recreation facilities and equipment were destroyed in the flood of November 14.

The two embryos were full siblings to Llandillo Julie S024 which the stud sold at the Herefords Australia 2022 National Sale at Dubbo for $13,500 and then went on to be supreme exhibit at the Herefords Australia Youth Expo at Wodonga.

The sire was Grathlyn Pacemaker P010, the dam Llandillo Julie P034 and the embryos sold for $1125 each.

Cattle, cuppas and conversation wrap up the year for members

Truro and Rayleigh studs opened their herds for inspection to members of the Herefords Northern NSW regional group for their annual stud tour and Christmas gathering in December.

The tour got underway at the Truro stud at Bellata, hosted by principals Scott and Pip Hann with a selection of heifers, cows and calves and young bulls on display in the yards followed by lunch.

The final stop was Jeff and Robyn Holcombe, Rayleigh Poll Herefords, Narrabri, with a display

of young bulls and heifers in the yards.

The Holcombe family hosted the annual general meeting where Scott Hann was elected as president, Ben Crowley and Graham Reeves as vice presidents, Amy Rawson as secretary, Kate Collins as treasurer, Eunice Vivers as public officer, Barb Hollis as publicity officer, Graham Reeves as AgQuip Coordinator, and Anne Starr as youth coordinator.

The event finished in the evening with a Christmas dinner at the Tourist Hotel, Narrabri.

1. Scott Hann, Truro Whiteface, with Greg and Kayla Tyler, Hillview Herefords.

2. The tour took in Truro Whiteface, Bellata, and Rayleigh Poll Herefords, Narrabri.

Participants at the pilot workshop at Undoolya Station. Image: Nicole Hayes

Llandillo Julie S024, junior champion at the Herefords Australia Dubbo National Show.

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Three new faces join team at Herefords Australia

Three new faces have joined the team in the Herefords Australia Armidale office in the last six months.

Steph Archibald took on the role of Accounts and Office Coordinator in December and has extensive experience in administration, accounts, bookkeeping and reporting and is familiar with the accounting software MYOB.

Steph also has experience managing office and retail sites, and as part of her role will be responsible for managing and maintaining the Armidale office and IT systems.

March saw Michael Crowley step into the role of CEO following the completion of Lisa Sharp’s contract appointment as CEO of Herefords Australia.

Mr Crowley has over 20 years industry experience including executive and international marketing roles with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), previous ownership of a cattle and beef marketing business and property management covering stud and commercial operations.

Most recently Mr Crowley held the position of General Manager, Research and Development with MLA where

he was responsible for a diverse number of programs, including Livestock Genetics, Meat Standards Australia (MSA), Animal Health and Welfare, Beef Productivity, Supply Chain Innovation, Sustainability and Producer Adoption.

The third new staff appointment is Hamish Chandler, who has taken on the newly created position of Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Specialist.

In this new role, Hamish will help to accelerate delivery of Herefords Australia’s priority R&D initiatives.

He will also facilitate the Herefords Australia R&D Advisory Group, ensuring the needs of members, clients and customers are considered in RD&E policy, programs, and initiatives.

Hamish has an extensive background in livestock genetics, having led Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) livestock genetics program since 2016. Prior to that role, Hamish held the position of Sheep Genetics Manager and LambPlan Development Officer at MLA and was a BREEDPLAN Technical Officer earlier in his career.

Queen Revona takes silver medal in Hereford - Miss World judging

Australia has won silver in the 2022 Hereford – Miss World judging with Queensland combination Kalara Binara Queen Revona Q03 and her calf.

The Champion of the World judges were Santiago Bordaberry Herran,

Uruguay, Erica Holliday, Australia, Gerard Ernst, Luxembourg and Brandon Callis, USA.

They went on to select Kalara Binara Queen Revona Q03 as Hereford – Miss Asia/Africa for gold on 11 points ahead of Koanui Glory 0303, New Zealand, for silver on seven points, and WDW 20/24 Lochein Hometown Lass, South African, taking bronze on six points.

Q03 was shown with her calf to champion senior and grand champion female at the Royal Queensland Show by Jamie Hollis and Mikalya Passmore, Clifton.

The 2019 drop cow was by Canadian sire Harvie 40Y Winston 252C, out of Kanimbla Revona F153 and was shown with her February drop bull calf, Kalara Laser T001, by Yavenvale Laser L326.

The judging for the Hereford – Champion of the World competition took place from December 1-14 with the overall Hereford – Miss World title going

to the Canadian heifer Haroldson’s Miley 48G 65J on eight points, Australia on 7 points and in third was Argentinian heifer Trangueras X5510 LG Lola T/E.

In the bulls, the Champion of the World title went to Canadian sire Remittal-W Haymaker ET 35H.

Australian sire Mawarra Ultra Star R182 was awarded the gold medal in the Hereford – Champion of Asia/Africa.

It was a unanimous decision by all four judges to award Australia the gold medal with 12 points in front of Lochein Sensation WDW2006, South Africa, on silver and seven points, with Tawanui EGL00, New Zealand, on bronze and six points.

Mawarra Ultra Star R182 created a new record top price of $130,000 at the Herefords Australia National Sale at Wodonga in 2022 when the 24-monthold was sold by the Sykes family, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Vic, to Tom Nixon, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham, Queensland.

The bull had been sashed as intermediate and grand champion at the National Show.

The 12th edition of the Hereford –Champion of the World competition takes place from December 1-14, 2023 with the official judges being Flavio Alves, Brazil, Brent Fisher, New Zealand, Robert Clarke, England and Tom McNeely, Canada.

1. Hereford – Miss World silver medallist Kalara Binarra Queen Revona Q03.

2. Gold medallist Mawarra Ultra Star R182.

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End of an era for Franco Herefords

Although the Franco stud has been dispersed, the Hannigan family will continue to run a commercial Hereford herd on their fourth-generation owned property near Casino.

The herd was dispersed at the Inverell Livestock Exchange in April with 162 lots selling from the 177 offered, to average $5454 and top at $20,000.

The top price bull at $20,000 was Franco Safari S510, bought by Glenellerslie Herefords, Adelong, NSW, while the cow and calf lots sold up to $18,000 for Franco Daffodil R132 with a heifer calf at foot sired by Franco Rockstar R100.

According to Elders selling agent Brian Kennedy there was a large buying panel on hand at the sale and online via StockLive with 85 registered bidders in total from across Queensland, NSW, and Victoria.

In the female lots the top price of $18,000 was paid by Jim Gibb of Cootamundra for the three-year-old daughter of the $45,000 sire Battalion Black Hawk K7, Franco Daffodil R132, sold with heifer calf Franco Daffodil U103 at foot.

Mr Gibb also purchased another Black Hawk K7 daughter, six-year-old Parson

Hill Cherry Ripe N107 with heifer calf at foot by Warwick Court Riverview R170 for $16,000, as well as Chery Ripe N107’s dam, nine-year-old Parson Hill Cherry Ripe J328 for $4000.

Bulk purchasers on the day were Vern and Debbie Robertson of McCooey Herefords, Goulburn who were winning bidders on 28 lots at the sale.

In the final breakdown of the sale offering the ‘S’ drop bulls, 26 head, sold

to $20,000 to average $7576 and the 19 lots of ‘T’ drop yearling sires sold to $8000 to average $4000.

In the female draft cows with calves, 68 lots, sold to $16,000 to average $5455. “R’ drop first calf heifers, 23 lots, sold to $18,000 and averaged $6087. The ‘S’ drop heifers, 20 lots, sold to $7000 to average $4975 while the ‘T’ drop yearling heifers, 32 head, sold to $6500 to average $3890.

New Herefords Australia R & D Advisory Group announced

Following a call for expressions of interest from members, the new Herefords Australia Research and Development (R&D) Advisory Group was announced at the beginning of March.

Established by the Herefords Australia Board, the Group is the forum for Herefords Australia members to provide insight and feedback in relation to Herefords Australia R&D policy and programs.

The following members have been appointed to the R&D Advisory Group:

• Victoria Archer (Tas)

• Lachy Day (SA)

• Nicole Hayes (NT)

• Jock Nivison (NSW)

• Tom Nixon (QLD)

• Stephen Peake (NSW)

• Steve Reid (QLD)

The objectives of the Advisory Group are to:

a) Proactively communicate and represent the views and requirements of Herefords Australia members,

potential clients and the wider beef industry to Herefords Australia staff and Board in relation to proposed R&D policy, programs, projects, and initiatives;

b) Proactively communicate and represent the views and requirements of Herefords Australia members and potential clients to Herefords Australia staff and Board in relation to BREEDPLAN and genomic services.

The Group will provide advice to the Herefords Australia Board who will consider recommendations regarding R&D programs from the Advisory Group, along with the fit to strategy, feasibility of implementation and viability of any suggested projects or initiatives.

The Group will be facilitated by Hamish

Chandler (Herefords Australia R, D&E Specialist) and will replace the current Herefords Australia Technical Committee. The Group has two board sponsors (Marc Greening and Lisa Sharp) with meetings observed by HAL CEO, Michael Crowley.

It was the end of an era for Franco Herefords principal Frank Hannigan, second from left, when he dispersed the stud. Frank is pictured with top selling female Franco Daffodil R132 and her heifer bought for $18,000 by Jim Gibb, Cootamundra, Elders stud stock agent Brian Kennedy and auctioneer Paul Dooley. Image courtesy The Land

Women of Pittsworth to benefit from the pearl of Trevor’s life

Hereford breeder Trevor Saal has donated funds for a community facility to be established in Pittsworth, Queensland, and named in his late wife’s honour for the use of a local not-forprofit organisation.

Trevor, 94, fondly remembers his wife of 72 years, Pearl, as a terrific gardener, sewer, knitter, cook and cattle breeder.

He has donated a sewing machine to the Pittsworth Women’s Shed, a group which is renting premises and are looking forward to a permanent home with the financial assistance from Trevor.

He has approval from Toowoomba Regional Council to build the monument to Pearl, a shed in Pittsworth’s Pioneer Village and dedicated to the women of Pittsworth. The Pioneer Village contains the Men’s Shed, museum buildings and RSL memorabilia including a restored 1942 army jeep donated to the Pittsworth RSL by Trevor and Pearl.

Trevor and Pearl had a happy 76-year partnership together after meeting at a dance on New Year’s Eve 1945.

The couple lived initially at “Waco”, Brookstead, then purchased “Karinya” in 1957, allowing them to start their own mixed farming operation using Hereford bulls over dairy Shorthorn cows.

For many years these quality vealers won prizes at the Pittsworth show. The couple had a family of four boys and

four girls, and as the children grew and left home, Pearl’s love of Hereford cattle helped fill in the gaps.

In 1972 Trevor bought her four registered Hereford heifers and the Kalem Poll Hereford Stud was founded.

The family moved to “Tarewinnabar”, Goondiwindi, in 1978 and Pearl went on to sell her first stud bull in 1982.

Trevor and Pearl moved to “Tarewinnabar”, Arcadia Valley, where the stud grew to 180 females and Trevor ran 400 commercial cows.

Showing cattle was a large part of the couple’s life and they were familiar faces

at the Dubbo Hereford National Show and Sale, the Roma Poll Hereford Bull Sale and they travelled to Canada, America and New Zealand on Poll Hereford study trips.

Pearl and her daughter Kate attended the first Queensland Junior Poll Hereford Show in 1982 as spectators and then returned in 1983 to begin a long term as exhibitors.

“Dad would load up a single deck of heifers annually and head to the Toowoomba showgrounds for this event,” daughter Amanda Burcher said.

“Mum enjoyed the junior shows and encouraged not only her own family but others who didn’t own their own by donating cattle to get involved in the Hereford breed.”

Fellow Hereford breeders Ian and Anne Galloway featured Pearl in their 2018 book, Cattlemen in Pearls, a story of prominent women in the cattle industry.

Trevor and Pearl retired to Pittsworth with around 30 stud cows before Pearl passed away in January 2022. She is survived by eight children, 23 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.

Trevor, 94, continues to take an active interest in the Kalem stud herd owning 10 registered cows run at Binara Poll Herefords by daughter Amanda and her husband Ivan Burcher. In 2022, he celebrated 50 years of breeding stud Hereford cattle and is a life member of Herefords Australia Limited.

Trevor Saal with the last load of Kalem cattle to go off to market in May 2022.

Pearl and Trevor Saal with the restored 1942 army jeep they donated to the Pittsworth RSL in 2019. Images courtesy Amanda Burcher.

Whiteface producers pocket an overall extra $304 a head

By Kim Woods

Whiteface vendors pocketed an extra $396 a head for heifers and $244 for their steers above other British breeds at the 83rd annual Mountain Calf Sales.

Held at Benambra, Ensay and Omeo on March 7-8, 2023, the Mountain Calf Sales yarded 6418 cattle in the Elders dedicated sales to average $1317.

Whiteface steer prices peaked at Ensay at $2130 and for heifers at $2240.

It was the bidding frenzy by restockers for heifers which left vendors smiling with the top price of $2240 eclipsing the steers, resulting in a windfall for high country producers who had held females back for the two-day event.

The majority of cattle sold to Gippsland, Victoria’s central and north-east, King Island, the Riverina, and South Australia.

Repeat steer finishers did not hold back when it came to bidding on the heavy end.

Typical of those was Romsey finisher Arthur Angliss who has bought the same Shorthorn-Hereford and Hereford lines for the past decade for JBS grass fed programs. He had just turned off his record-breaking priced steers sourced the Ensay sale last year and said even on those prices there was some fat in the system.

He was quick to reinvest, paying the top whiteface steer price of the whole circuit of $2130 at Ensay for steers to grass finish over winter.

The whiteface offering hit its peak when 1260 Hereford and Hereford cross steers and heifers were sold at Omeo on March 8 for an overall average of $1500 – well down on the 2022 record of $2269 but a far cry from just four years ago when the top average was $793.

The Omeo sale averaged $1519 for steers and $1465 for heifers.

This outpaced the steer average at the Omeo Angus sale on March 8 by $244, the heifers by $396 and the overall sale average by $304.

Omeo’s Angus and Black Baldy sale yarded 2556 cattle for an overall average of $1197, a $1275 steer average and $1069 average for the heifers.

A total of 1105 head were offered at Ensay with steers averaging $1437 and heifers $1291.

The overall average for the Elders Benambra Weaner Sale on March 7 was $1184, with steers averaging $1328 and heifers $996.

A total of 1497 mixed sex whiteface cattle were yarded at Benambra.

So, how were the whiteface calves tracking on a cents per kilogram basis?

Donald Betts, Bairnsdale, offered spring drop, milk tooth purebred steers weighing 596kg (green weight) to return an estimated curfewed price of 362c/ kg at Hinnomunjie, and milk tooth Shorthorn/Herefords with a green weight of 504kg to return 375c/kg (curfewed).

At Ensay, Craig Lloyd sold 366kg Hereford steers for a curfewed price of 482c/kg.

Barry Newcomen, Ensay, sold EU accredited Hereford steers, autumn drop and 415g, for 461c/kg, 375kg steers for 460c/kg, and 350kg steers for 418c/kg.

Among those buyers sourcing several hundred Hereford steers with known performance in average daily gain off grass and compliance with grid specifications for branded programs was Phil Gledhill, Elders Holbrook.

“We like the Herefords as they do finish with a good fat cover and we tend to get them out a bit earlier so the cattle we are sourcing today are not so much those leggy types but good, long steers with shape to fit the Coles GRAZE program for late winter onwards,” Mr Gledhill said.

“If you want to buy good Herefords you need to go either to the Western District or the High Country for those good runs of Herefords you can put your teeth into.”

Whiteface cattle tracked above other British breeds by an average of up to $396 during the 83rd annual Mountain Calf Sales.

Image: Olivia Pearce

GENOMICS

Whole herd genomically tested to identify homozygous polled bulls, genetic conditions and improved EBV accuracy

DISPOSITION

Docility scores and docility EBVS to improve temp erament

GROWTH

200 & 400 day growth averages in top 15% of breed for 'S' calves

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

PROFIT POTENTIAL

2021 calves average in top 5% Hereford breed for $index values showing profitable balance of t raits

CALVING EASE

Low birth weights & calving ease in top 25% of breed

FERTILITY

Vet checked, semen & service tested. Top 15% ranking for fertility traits

STRUCTURE

All sale stock indep endently beef class st ructurally assessed

Herefords prove their weight gain and carcase quality in prestigious grass fed trial

By Kim Woods

Herefords have proven their superior grass-fed performance by taking out the carcase and eating quality sections of the Lardner Park 2022 Steer Trial.

The 47th trial began at Warragul, Victoria, in July 2022 with 35 teams of mixed breed steers entered from around the state from 26 producers. The winners were announced on March 24 at Farm World, Lardner Park.

Purebred Hereford entries were:

• Overall runner-up in the combined weight gain and carcase awards

• Winner of the highest carcase score as a pair

• Winner of the highest eating quality (MSA Index) as a pair

• Highest dressing percentage of 57.5 per cent with a Hereford infused entry

Purebred entrants were Tarcombe Herefords, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Charellen Poll Herefords, and Moorville Herefords and those with infused cattle Riverbend (black baldy) and Hillridge Farm (Limousin/Simmental/Hereford).

David Meikle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, entered two teams with the top pair of steers recording individual average daily weight gains of 1.46 and 1.54kg to give an overall pair average daily weight gain of 1.50kg at the fifth and final weighing, and overall second place in the combined weight gain and carcase award on 228.32 points.

The Hereford team was 1.53 points behind the overall winners, two Angus steers on 1.55kg/day from Tim Wilson,

Amphitheatre Pastoral Partnership, Labertouche.

Stan and Denise Walker, Charellan Poll Herefords, Pearsondale, had an overall pair daily gain of 1.26kg and individual overall gains of 1.35 and 1.17kg. Charellan won the highest carcase score for the pair on 90.66 points.

Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, entered two teams with the overall pair daily gains of 1.10 and 1.22kg. The individual gains ranged from 1.08 to 1.23kg. Tarcombe won the highest eating quality (MSA Index) as a pair.

The fifth and final weighing was held on November 28 with many producers and stakeholders enjoying a barbecue and networking session before the steers were transported to JBS for processing.

As the only grass-fed steer trial in Australia, producers across multiple states are provided the opportunity to assess cattle under independently controlled grazing conditions.

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

The final grid specifications are 220330kg hot standard carcase weight.

The herd was grazed on ryegrassbased pasture with supplements with the average weight gain being 1.18kg a day, with individual steer weight gains averaging from 0.6kg to 1.67kg a day.

The highest dressing percentage of 57.5 per cent was a Limousin/ Simmental/Hereford cross, while the largest eye muscle area was 97sqcm for a Devon steer. A Hereford steer had the second largest eye muscle at 90sqcm.

Tarwin Poll Hereford’s winning team had a carcase score of 87.58 and 83.78 points, carcase weight of 317 and 327kg, eye muscle area of 84 and 90sqcm respectively and MSA Index of 60.13 and 58.46.

David Meikle regularly competes in carcase competitions and the Lardner Park steer trial.

He maintains a focus on traits needed for sound practical cattle, including

adequate weight gain, ability to finish, tractability, mothering ability and structural soundness.

The overall second placed Tarwin team were sired by Tarcombe Homeland P177 while the second pair placed seventh overall and were by Wirruna Nolan N146.

Mr Meikle said a combination of growth rates and finishing ability got the Tarwin teams across the line.

When selecting steers, David looks at the weight range, estimates where the steers will be in six months’ time and works backwards to choose animals of the desired entry weight.

“It was a tremendous result for the breed – weight gain, carcase and eating quality all go towards good viable cattle that make money,” he said.

“Hereford cattle have been consistently reliable in this competition. We make our selections in June and over the 10 years the cattle always meet the specifications.

“This competition is there to be dominated by Hereford cattle and I would love to see more commercial purebred and crossbred entries from around Victoria and interstate.

“It leads to the Hereford strengths of being able to grass finish. I get a benefit out of the competition promotion wise – we put our cattle out there to be challenged and tested, and that’s a positive.”

Denise and Stan Walker won the highest carcase score with their Hereford team.

Stan Walker, Charellan Poll Herefords, Pearsondale, and David Meikle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, winners in the Lardner Park Steer Trial. Images: Warragul Gazette

Talbalba Horizon S084

CARCASE

Mr Meikle enjoys the networking opportunities and cross pollination of ideas with producers of other breeds fostered by the competition.

Finishing fifth overall, Stan and Denise Walker, Charellan Poll Herefords, Pearsondale, had few steers to choose from this year as the drop was mostly heifers but have entered calves sired by Ravensdale Trooper L179 and Ravensdale Spark M016.

It was the second time the couple had entered the trial and this year their carcases scored 88.15 and 93.16 points to win the carcase component. The steers had a carcase weight of 278 and 297kg and eye muscle areas of 77 and 88 sqcm respectively.

“We entered them to get a guide on how they kill out – generally our steers are sold direct to the Greenham Never Ever program at 450-500kg liveweight,” Mr Walker said.

“The Lardner Park Trial is a good educational trial with all the steers on the same pasture and normally the Herefords perform well.

“We were running seventh on weight gain and the MSA Index scores (60.87 and 62.18) helped push up our overall result.”

Mr Walker said the key was to have steers at the June entry of 300-350kg liveweight to meet the end specifications of 220-330kg carcase weight.

“David (Meikle) and I have been selecting sires with above average IMF and in the top 30 per cent of the Hereford breed for the Southern Self Replacing Index.”

Finishing eighth overall and winning the MSA Index component, the Tarcombe team had a carcase score of 86.34 and 88.87 points. The carcase weights of the winning steers for eating quality were 254 and 253kg, eye muscle area 78 and 65sqcm, and MSA Index of 63.79 and 62.9.

The winning steers were sired by NJW Historic and Tarcombe Trust Q299.

Mr Hayes said the eating quality win reaffirmed the stud’s breeding focus on increasing muscle, marbling, carcase quality and finishing ability.

Tarcombe has been a regular entrant in the steer trial with both purebred and Hereford infused steers, achieving consistent results.

“To have Herefords represented among the winners in the weight gain, carcase and eating quality says a lot – it is not an easy competition to win as there are some large commercial operations supplying the supermarket trade competing with teams,” Mr Hayes said.

“I encourage more Hereford breeders to get behind this trial – next year I will have a team of Hereford and Hereford/Charolais steers.”

Herefords at the forefront of beef industry innovation

Breeders of Hereford cattle know there is no better breed to finish on grass or grain, and deliver an efficient production system whilst producing topquality beef.

Herefords Australia is investing to take the breed to the forefront of industry innovation.

The main profit drivers in a commercial beef business can be addressed by Hereford cattle.

Fertility, longevity, growth, weight for age, low cost of production and high-quality carcase outcomes are all things Hereford cattle deliver.

Hereford cattle compliment nearly every other breed in a crossbreeding scenario.

In building on these foundations, Herefords Australia announced at its AGM in May sustainability would be a major focus for the breed. Sustainability is the biggest macro trend in the beef industry globally.

Herefords Australia will invest in innovation that positions Hereford cattle as a significant part of the sustainability solution for the Australian beef industry. Herefords are a leader across a number of economically important traits including fertility, weight for age, longevity and feed efficiency that also deliver against the key industry indicators of sustainability.

“The commercial pressure being placed on our industry to delivery against the sustainability expectations of our consumers globally is growing and Herefords are well positioned to be a significant contributor to the solution

in collaboration with the rest of the beef value chain,” HAL deputy chairman Marc Greening said.

Herefords Australia has been working with members to collate data and evidence from the MSA database to support what Hereford breeders know is a superior eating quality product. With over 15,000 carcase records contributed from all eastern states over the first few weeks of the initiative, there is no doubt that Hereford and Hereford cross cattle are hitting the mark.

Herefords Australia chief executive officer Michael Crowley said with an average MSA Index of 60, this outcome exceeds most major customer brand specifications and places the breed at the top end of quality when benchmarked across the country.

The collation of voluntary contributions of MSA carcase data will be an ongoing initiative for the breed.

The use of genomic technology is driving faster genetic progress on carcase and production traits that position the breed to be outcome focused, and delivery productivity, profitability and quality wrapped in a Hereford package.

Herefords Australia R,D & E Specialist Hamish Chandler said the rapid and growing uptake of genomics will enable producers to select the right animals, more often, to drive progress on key outcomes for the benefit of the breeder and deliver greater predictability for the commercial producer in line with their breeding objectives.

Super Sires program the ideal linkage between commercial and seedstock producers

By Kim Woods

The impact of the Herefords Australia Super Sires program is being felt in store sales across the country as the progeny make their way onto the market.

Among the run of purebred Herefords at the Hamilton weaner sales in January was a pen of steers from Ian, Hazel and Corey Sutherland, “Darjeeling”, Konongwootong, Victoria, and sired by phase one Super Sire Wirruna Matty M288.

The European Union accredited steers weighed 337kg and sold for $1533 or 455c/kg to Miller Whan and John, Mt Gambier.

They were among the first progeny of Wirruna Matty M288 to be offered in a major commercial physical Hereford sale with the joining details promoted on the pen card.

A trait leader for gestation length, birthweight and IMF, Wirruna Matty was used by the Sutherland’s across commercial heifers following a recommendation by their local vet.

A third generation Hereford breeder, Corey said Matty was both an outcross and proven sire for use within their autumn calving 300 cow herd.

The Oak Downs and Kerlson Pines blood breeding herd is run in a 650mm rainfall zone and dovetails with a large stud and commercial sheep enterprise.

The heifer portion is retained as replacements while the steers are sold each January at the Hamilton weaner sales.

Calves are yard weaned for three to five days and fed on silage/hay in late November/early December before being moved to fresh pasture on the family’s Balmoral block.

For the past four years, Nationwide Artificial Breeders has undertaken a fixed time AI program on the classedup heifers and cows, with back-up bulls following.

“We generally achieve 50 per cent conception rates on the first round. It was very cost effective to do the AI programs – what you spend and what you get in

return pays dividends,” Corey said.

“Matty made a huge difference over the calf drop with growth rates and calving ease. Using the Super Sires injects the best genetics available in the Hereford breed into the herd.

“We could see the rapid genetic gain with the extra growth. The heifers sired by Matty will be joined in June.

“Herefords are beautifully natured cattle, great to deal with and easy care. They are great mothers and the calves put weight on quickly. We always have repeat clients buying our steers with many going to feedlots.”

Corey uses BREEDPLAN EBVs to select bulls focusing on moderate birthweight, calving ease, 400-day growth, milk, eye muscle area and intramuscular fat.

The Herefords Australia Super Sires initiative was launched in 2018 with the aim of identifying elite young bulls within the breed in order to grow demand for Hereford genetics in the industry and deliver aspirational targets for breeders based on a set of objective criteria.

The program draws young sire candidates endorsed by the breeder on their phenotype, structural soundness and temperament, and expressing a balance of favourable traits at the highest level.

There is now a catalogue of 34 sires in the program with eligible bulls identified in June and December each year and meeting a selection criteria on BREEDPLAN estimated breeding values.

The autumn 2023 catalogue from genetics company ABS Australia feature two Super Sires, Injemira Robert Redford Q287 and Tarcombe McLaren Q203.

ABS Beef Product Manager – Australia and New Zealand Fletch Kelly confirmed semen was no longer available in the company’s first Super Sire, the now deceased Wirruna Matty M288 and the focus has really turned to their two young super sires McLaren and Redford.

Mr Kelly said the Super Sires program was a fantastic collaboration with

genetic providers, giving a pathway for the collection of commercially relevant data and mutual benefits in promoting the bulls.

“It brings everyone closer together and shows the value Herefords Australia is putting on the genetics their customers are using.”

Mr Kelly said the uptake of artificial breeding in commercial herds had increased in the last five years, as evidenced by strong commercial sales in Redford and McLaren.

“Commercial producers are seeking rapid genetic gain and also using AI as a herd reproductive management tool to tighten calving and boost fertility in the females by allowing, particularly heifers, to get in calf earlier during their maiden joining season.

“It’s great to be able to offer Super Sires to the commercial market and producers can buy their sons from the studs and put those bulls over the herd to give two or three rounds of similar genetics within the one joining program.

“Super Sires is a wonderful linkage between commercial and seedstock producers to advance the breed.

“When the progeny sell, buyers will know they are at the cutting edge of the breed in terms of their performance.”

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

The steers sired by Herefords Australia foundation Super Sire Wirruna Matty M288 at the Hamilton sale. Image: Kim Woods

Genomic testing helps to make right decision, more often

around

records

The inclusion of genomics in the Hereford BREEDPLAN analysis means data from all sources, pedigree, performance and DNA now gets used simultaneously to give the highest possible accuracy estimated breeding values (EBVs).

This in turn means we are making the right choice about which animals have the best combination of EBVs to breed from more often.

Selecting for higher growth rates is an important profit driver for Hereford breeders but is usually related to higher birth weights, which in turn has an impact on calving ease.

Birth weight (BWT) EBVs are an important tool allowing Hereford breeders to manage this relationship by identifying animals carrying both the genes for moderate birth weight and the genes for good growth rates.

The genetic trends for the breed over the past 10 years show Hereford breeders have been using these tools effectively. Genetic progress for the breed shows current calves can be

expected to be 0.6kg lighter at birth but nearly 12kg heavier at 600 days of age than calves born 10 years ago.

With the Hereford reference population now around 30,000 records for birth weight and early live weight traits, Hereford breeders now have access to higher accuracies EBVs for these traits.

Because higher accuracy means we are making the right choice more often we are seeing an improvement in the rate of genetic progress with genetic trends demonstrating the breed has maintained its rate of progress for growth at the same time as increasing the rate of improvement for birthweight since the use of genomics was implemented.

However, it is important to understand that every time more data is included in the analysis for an animal, whether it is

CONTINUED PAGE 20

With the Hereford reference population now

30,000

for birth weight and early live weight traits, Hereford breeders now have access to higher accuracies EBVs for these traits. Image: Kim Woods

more performance/phenotypic data, more pedigree/relative’s information, or more genomic data, it is telling us something more about the genes that animal carries. Therefore, it is possible that its EBVs may change to some degree to better reflect the most up to date information about the genes they carry.

Changes in BWT EBVs show no bias

There has been a significant amount of work done to investigate changes caused by the inclusion of genotypes. Test analyses run by ABRI both with and without genotypes have shown that, as expected, some animals BWT EBVs remain reasonably stable, some go down and some go up. Importantly, there was no significant systematic bias created in either direction by the inclusion of genomic information.

Further analysis showed there are many SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms – or locations on the DNA where we can identify variation) that have some level of association with birth weight in Hereford cattle.

It was found that out of these SNPs there were 5 or 6 SNPs that were significantly associated with larger changes in BWT EBVs. The animals that had demonstrated the largest changes in BWT EBV when genotypes were included were shown to have been carrying unfavourable variants of multiple SNPs that have a significant impact on birth weight. It is the combination of the impact or ‘dose’ from each of these SNPs that has led to the larger changes.

This gives us much more specific information about the genes these animals carry and the genetic merit they are likely to pass on to their progeny.

Single step BREEDPLAN improves accuracy

Because there had been structured R&D projects done in the past to develop a reference population, Herefords Australia was one of the first breeds in the world to move to a Single-Step BREEDPLAN analysis in October 2017.

The implementation of Single-Step BREEDPLAN has meant higher accuracy EBVs for all animals in the evaluation, with greater improvements for animals that have been genotyped.

The biggest impact is for young animals that have limited (or no) other information available. Older animals that already have high accuracy EBVs based on their own performance and progeny performance will see relatively minor increases in accuracy with the inclusion of a genotype.

Reference populations critical to genomics

The use of genomics to calculate EBVs relies on having a reference population, a group of animals that have been measured for the traits of interest and that have also been genotyped.

Herefords Australia has a very sound reference population for birth weight, live weights and ultrasound scan traits as well as gestation length and male reproductive traits. The key focus areas for further development are female fertility traits and carcase traits.

The factors that influence the accuracy of genomic EBVs (GEBVs) include

• The size of the reference population, i.e. how many animals with both phenotypes and genotypes

• The heritability of the trait – the lower the heritability, the more records are needed in the reference population to get the same accuracy

• The relationship between the animals you are genotyping and the reference population. Higher relationship = higher accuracy.

The Herefords Australia reference population is developed using information collected through a number of channels including structured R&D projects such as the BIN (Beef Information Nucleus) project and Southern Multi Breed project; animals in stud breeders’ herds that have been genotyped as well as phenotyped as part of normal practice (usually limited to relatively easy to measure traits); and data captured on commercial animals i.e. co-operator herds.

The Southern Multi-Breed Project, a joint project between Herefords Australia, NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of New England, and Meat and Livestock Australia, captures reference population data for a wide range of traits for multiple breeds, including Hereford, Angus, Wagyu, Charolais, Shorthorn and some Brahman.

These include traits from fertility to birth, growth rate, carcase, feedlot performance, net feed intake and methane measures, with the aim of building a data set that enables BREEDPLAN analyses for more than one breed at a time.

This would enable a breeder to buy bulls with the best EBVs irrespective of breed type, and give Hereford breeders the ability to benchmark cattle against animals from other breeds as well as their own.

Sire: Allendale Jackal P176 (PP)

**Grand Champion at Hereford National Show & Sale (Wodonga)**

Sold for $45,000 to Tummel Herefords, NSW

Sire: Glendan Park Panama P004 (PP)

Sold for $52,000 to The Ranch Poll Herefords, NSW.

Sire: Allendale Jackal P176 (PP)

Sold for $35,000 to Karoonda Herefords, VIC.

Thank you to all new and existing clients, underbidders and agents for supporting the Glendan Park program in 2023.

GLENDAN PARK SUPER COOL S081 (PP)

GLENDAN PARK SOPRANO S115 (PP)

GLENDAN PARK SHREK S112 (PP)

Co-operator herds growing the carcase data for reference population

The accuracy of GEBVs relies not only on the number of records in the reference population, but also the quality of that data.

There are several ways to collect the data, some more useful than others:

0408 297 368 0436 015 115

• Structured R&D projects – collect good quality, wellstructured data, particularly useful for hard to measure traits we can’t get any other way. However, these projects are often quite expensive to fund.

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0409 229 651 0417 265 980

• Breeder records – a cost effective way to utilise data recorded as part of normal practice in stud breeding programs. It has the advantage of being directly recorded on the animals that selection decisions are targeted at. The disadvantage is that it is usually limited to easy to record traits and means things like carcase traits are not being collected.

You can count on u

Across

Across

• Commercial animal data – hundreds of thousands of animals have their carcase records collected every year. However, data quality is often low, and it is not possible to account for differences in feeding, animal health treatments or paddock effects, or for fixed effects like the age of dam etc.

Across the country, our people work hard to know livestock best. We’ve been in for more than 150 years and we’re committed to provide the best

Co-operator herds are our way of combining the best of each of these approaches in a targeted way. The intent of the two co-operator herds - Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Victoria, and Andrew Bell, Red Gum Herefords, Millicent, South Australia - is to grow the carcase data available in our reference population.

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

options That’s why you can rely on Landmark.

Y o u ca n co u

oss the country, our people work hard

Bulls that are likely to go on to be used as stud sires across a number of herds are identified for use by AI. Known/identified commercial cows are AI’ed and the resulting calves are recorded for birth date, birth weight and calving ease. Calves are grown out with management group details being recorded and then ultimately have carcase details recorded from effective sized contemporary groups.

oss the country, our people work hard to know livestock best.

more than 150 years and we’re committed to

, our people work ha r d to know livestock best. W e’ve been in the business e than 150 years and we’ r e committed to p r ovide the best

s why you can rely on Landmark.

Herefords Australia’s newly formed R&D Advisory Group will be exploring opportunities to get more leverage from this approach to continue to build the reference population.

HAL supports the co-operator herds through the funding of genotypes, data and sample collection costs at slaughter, and in-kind support via the coordination of data at slaughter, grading, sample collection and analysis.

GEBVs ‘build background’ for breed, speed up progress

Victorian stud and commercial breeder Tim Hayes said genomic EBVs ‘speed up’ the process of genetic advancement for traits such as ease of calving and carcase characteristics, along with raw data and recording.

Tim and his family run Tarcombe Hereford stud at Ruffy, one of two Herefords Australia co-operator herds contributing to CONTINUED PAGE 24

in

business more than 150 years and we’re committed to provide the best marketing options for every season. s why you can rely on Landmark.

the BREEDPLAN reference population with a particular focus on building the data for carcase traits and fertility.

Mr Hayes has DNA profiles for all the Tarcombe sires and around 60-70 per cent of the cow herd of 300 registered females and 150 commercial breeders.

“Genomics is certainly making our information more accurate, especially on hard to measure factors such as raw carcase traits, and this will help us make more informed breeding and management decisions in the long run,” Mr Hayes said.

“Genetically I’m seeing a big improvement in marbling and other carcase traits, yield has improved a fair bit and I’ve seen a massive difference in calving ease.”

Mr Hayes runs a herd of females that are AI’ed to specially selected sires, with all participating animals DNA sire and dam verified.

Their calves are comprehensively performance recorded, with factors such as DNA, birth weights and calving ease entered on BREEDPLAN.

The steer portion of the Tarcombe progeny, around 70 animals, are finished on feed and processed as a group, with carcase data on fat depth, muscle, marbling and yield collected through the abattoir. Tissue samples are taken for shear force, tenderness and eating quality analysis.

Tarcombe’s 2022 cohort recorded an average liveweight of 572kg, 100 per cent compliance rate, average hot standard

carcase weight of 309kg, rib fat 8mm, eye muscle area of 80sqcm, marble score one and MSA Index of 62.6.

“Our fellow co-operator, Andrew Bell of Red Gum Herefords at Millicent, slaughters around 200 steers. We see a lot of sires change just on the back of this important data. They would change anyway, it just happens faster through GEBVs,” Mr Hayes said.

“We try to select genetically different sires and commonly used sires as much as we can, but we’re very strict on data, the EBVs have to be right for calving traits etc.”

The Hayes family were one of the foundation herds in the Beef Information Nucleus (BIN) and Young Sire Progeny Test Project co-funded by MLA in the early 2000s, and Mr Hayes says he and Mr Bell are clear about the BREEDPLAN ranking of the sires they select.

“Calving ease in the top 20 per cent of the breed, 400-day weight in the top 20 per cent of breed, EMA top 10 per cent, IMF top 5 per cent and we’ll use the Southern Self Replacing Index that HAL has developed, which is a ranking in the top 5 per cent,” Mr Hayes said.

“The benefits of recording and having this data is not only in the genomics, it’s all the other information that we identify through DNA, such as poll testing. Raw data and recording are also very important.

“Instead of just one trait we’re measuring a whole range to support the data and build a background to each animal.”

Genomic testing improves accuracy of hard to measure traits

The introduction of genomic testing has helped Hereford stud breeders to more accurately choose the right genetics to make progress.

Herefords Australia R,D & E Specialist Hamish Chandler said for commercial Hereford bull buyers, it provides the most comprehensive set of information to assist in their choice.

Mr Chandler said co-operator herds like the Hayes family’s and Andrew Bell’s help to build the breed’s reference population, so that producers can gain a more accurate prediction of hard to measure data like carcase traits.

“Herefords were one of the first pure breeds in the world to move towards BREEDPLAN evaluation and we already have 30,000 animals with phenotypes and genotypes for traits like birth weight and growth,” Mr Chandler said.

“As new animals are bred and tested, we can compare them with this reference population to find animals with common

genes that indicate what we can expect. And the more animals we sample, the more accurate the prediction is likely to be.”

Mr Chandler said the introduction of a single step in BREEDPLAN that combined phenotypes, pedigree and genomic information had benefited the breed by providing the most accurate set of breeding values.

“The BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation has always used information on an animal’s relatives to tell us more about the genes that animal carries. The relatives’ performance information is effectively weighted by how many genes we think they carry, or in other words, the relationship between those animals.

“Before now we have had to assume that each one of an animal’s half-siblings (calves by the same bull) shared the same number of genes and therefore we have used the same weighting for the contribution of their performance.

“Now that we are able to use genomics, we have a much better understanding of how many genes each of these animals really share and therefore exact weighting can be used.

“It also means we can use the information from a much wider range of animals where we can identify genes in common, even if there isn’t a direct pedigree relationship, to get a more accurate prediction of their true genetic merit for the trait,” he said.

“A lot of productivity traits are controlled by hundreds of different genes, so we use the genomic testing to get more information about the genes an animal is likely to carry, and what that means in breeding terms.”

Hamish Chandler

FUTURE

BUSINESS MODELS

new revenue sources to ensure company’s longevity and prosperity.

To drive unprecedented demand for Hereford genetics and strengthen the breed’s renown for productivity and profitability throughout the beef supply chain.

LONG-TERM GOALS

• Marketing activity is targeted, with claims backed by evidence

• Investments in R&D deliver outcomes, support breed productivity and profitability

• The breed is recognised for its commercial relevance, demonstrated by growth in registrations

• The company is sustainable, meeting the needs of members today and anticipating the needs of the future

revenue from sale

catalogues by 10% magazine ad revenue by 10% new magazine advertisers in

FUTURE

BUSINESS MODELS

new revenue sources to ensure company’s longevity and prosperity.

• Herefords Australia is recognised as a key contributor, helping to shape policy and programs in support of a sustainable, prosperous, and responsible industry

STRATEGIC PILLARS

The six strategic pillars will support Herefords Australia in delivering on its vision and the Strategic Plan goals. Each pillar has major initiatives and measures of success, which will be reported on annually to members and stakeholders.

LONG-TERM GOALS

• Marketing activity is targeted, with claims backed by evidence

• Investments in R&D deliver outcomes, support breed productivity and profitability

• The breed is recognised for its commercial relevance, demonstrated by growth in registrations

• The company is sustainable, meeting the needs of members today and anticipating the needs of the future

• Herefords Australia is recognised as a key contributor, helping to shape policy and programs in support of a sustainable, prosperous, and responsible industry revenue from sale

2022 KPI s ACHIEVED

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

Be recognised as the breed that delivers against all key profit drivers.

• Ensure share of voice is equal to market share during key campaign periods

• Increase website engagement (monthly average sessions from 8,200 to 8,800) while maintaining session duration (2min)

• Increase social media audience, social media click-through rate (CTR) and conversation rate

• Improve effectiveness of digital campaign as measured by CTR

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Partnerships to inform and accelerate marketing, R&D and adoption and extension activity.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Targeted data and evidence to back breed claims and improve genetic gain, to demonstrate we are breeding commercially relevant cattle.

• Enter into a strategic partnership by end Quarter 2 (e.g. five year strategic partnership with Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association)

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

SCHOLARSHIPS

Continued focus into 2023:

• Complete RD&A strategy and portfolio plan

• Induct two new co-operator herds

• Increase number of records for hard to measure traits

• Automate and streamline data collections for co-operator herds

• Herefords Australia Youth President’s Award - Georgia Wragge, Woormargama, NSW

ADOPTION AND EXTENSION

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

FUTURE BUSINESS MODELS

• Jason Sutherland Award - William van Gend, Llandillo Polled Herefords, The Lagoon, NSW

Gather information to support the production of commercially relevant Hereford and Hereford-based cattle, reproductive genetic material and beef.

• Travel scholarships ($2500 each) - Brittany Abbott, Wagga Wagga; Janet Cantwell, Mulloon Pastoral, Braidwood, NSW

Execute, with excellence, initiatives that deliver tangible value to members.

Create new revenue sources to ensure the company’s longevity and prosperity.

• Most Potential Breeder Award (heifer donated by Sugarloaf Creek Herefords) - Katie Kerby, Coongulla, Vic

• CM Hocking Scholarship ($5000) - Emily Taylor, Eclipse Poll Herefords, Quirindi, NSW

• Emerging Leader Award ($2000) - Jill Burgess

Continued focus into 2023:

• 40 attendees at HAL/HAL partner workshop

• Recognise and reward EQ excellence through alignment with Meat Standards Australia (MSA) awards

• Three member forums held

• Two marketing committee meetings and three technical committee meetings

• Member functions following Royal Sydney Easter Show, Melbourne Royal Show and Royal Queensland Show (Ekka)

• Open rate on e-news maintained at greater than 50%

• Seven entries received for CM Hocking Scholarship

• Ten entries received for travel scholarship

• Increase revenue from sale catalogues by 10%

• Increase magazine ad revenue by 10%

• Five new magazine advertisers in 2022

Mawarra taking Australian Hereford genetics to the world

There is no denying the Sykes family’s Mawarra brand has had a significant impact on both the Australian and global Hereford industry with genetics infused into many herds world-wide.

Their dedication to the beef industry spans four generations and more than 60 years.

The family is committed to producing seedstock that offer a range of industry leading genetic options and performance driven traits to ensure clients can genuinely improve and diversify their own breeding programs and profitability.

In 2023, Mawarra notched up its 50th anniversary bull sale, celebrating the milestone surrounded by family, friends and clients on March 20.

The stud was founded by Robert and Helen Sykes using early influential sires including Clear Springs Caesar, Ardno Ablution, Ardno Clunes, Standard Britisher 39D, Franz Joseph Lieutenant 2 and Charvel Lawful, with their inaugural bull sale taking place on May 29, 1974, in Bairnsdale, Vic.

Trading as Mawarra Genetics, the business is now in the hands of the second generation, Peter and his wife Deanne, with support from their children, Brandon and wife Brittany, Logan, and Taylah and her husband Hayden Brunt.

Peter and Deanne share a love of agriculture, strong personal drive, keen eye for detail and a genuine desire to contribute meaningfully to their chosen industry.

Deanne’s business management and marketing skills have helped take the business to another level.

“We strive to present bulls and females that offer a range of genetic options and performance traits, enabling our clients to purchase from the same farm gate while continuing to improve and diversify their own breeding programs,” she said.

“We are encouraged by the passion and enthusiasm our children have for Mawarra and the beef industry. Together we are committed to consistently breeding modern, efficient, profitable cattle to meet the needs of our clients and the greater beef industry.”

In marking the golden milestone, matriarch Helen Sykes recalled her

father L.C. (Dick) Rogers, helping run the family herd in the bush around Black Mountain Station, in the far East Gippsland, in the early 1900s.

“Herefords, the prevalent breed of the era, were ideal for these conditions, and my father’s preference for them would continue throughout his life,” she said.

Growing up at Wulgulmerang, Helen was surrounded by Herefords and sheep until the family moved to Swan Reach to concentrate on founding their stud, Norwood Herefords.

“There was no showing or special feeding – just naturally raised cattle offered by a recognised cattleman,” Helen said.

Norwood went on to become the foundation genetics for Mawarra when Helen was given the opportunity to select and buy seven of the most successful cows.

With the purchase of stud sire Silverton Cyclone in 1963, Helen and husband Robert Sykes founded Mawarra Herefords.

“Looking back nearly 60 years, Rob and I could never have predicted where this decision would take us. Never did we dream of being dependent on the stud for our living, or of the highs and lows that went with it,” she said.

“We never thought of shows and sales, of championships or record prices, or of Mawarra genetics being used in international breeding programs. But I had married a cattleman, and we had a

son of the same ilk, and these things, in time, became part of our family life and Mawarra.

“I remember the anticipation of waiting to see the first calves of a new sire, and those cold snowy nights when occasionally the newborns needed help to get to their feet for that first drink. Sometimes it was our lounge room fire that warmed them up.”

Mawarra’s first sale in 1974 was recalled by David Phelan, Phelan Herefords, when 4 female lots sold from $500-$1800, 16 bulls from $500-$2050 and commercial PTIC heifers to a top of $280.

Working for Elders Bairnsdale at the time, David bought two PTIC females, both out of foundation cow Norwood Bisetta 15 and went on to miss just one sale in 50 years.

“Each year I would see the same top cattle breeders such as John Rogers, Jim Treasure, Viv Scott, Lachie Hodge, CJ Prendergast, John White, the Henderson, Woodgate and Newcomen families, Alex McArthur, Neville Beasley, Kent Park, Jambro Pastoral, Keith Davies and Alex Patterson. A lot of these families are still buying bulls at Mawarra today,” David said.

Industry legend Dick Green worked for Norwood/Mawarra and was on the halter in 1979 when Mawarra won their first broad ribbon at a Royal Show with Mawarra Overseer in Adelaide.

Commercial producer Leon Wheeler, Wallacedale, has purchased 19 bulls from Mawarra since 2013.

From left, Hayden Brunt, Taylah Brunt Sykes, Logan, Deanne, Peter, Carter, Brandon and Brittany Sykes with matriarch Helen Sykes in the front. Image: Studstocksales.com

“The Sykes family has built a trusted brand that breeds bulls for all markets. I prefer larger-framed cattle which you need, if like me, you want to achieve those early-maturing weights in order to sell calves under two years of age,” Mr Wheeler said.

Now approaching 90, Helen paid tribute to son Peter, his wife Deanne, and their family for bringing the stud to the point where it is today.

Helen’s granddaughter, Taylah, has founded her own Hereford stud called Norwood in honour of her great grandparents.

Her other grandchildren Brandon and wife Brittany operate Mawarra B stud, and Logan operates under the Mawarra prefix.

Mawarra Genetics topped the 2022 Herefords Australia National Sale Wodonga with Mawarra Ultra Star R182 by US sire NJW 79Z Z311 Endure 173D at a record breaking $130,000 to Devon Court Herefords. The Sykes family were the most successful exhibitor, won grand champion bull with R182 and averaged $38,700 for their 10 bulls.

In 2022, Mawarra Genetics sold 81 whiteface bulls on-property and at Wodonga to average $15,604 and 32 heifers to a top of $9000 and average of $6250. At the 2022 Mawarra Genetics Ladies Day, 134 females sold to $30,000 and averaged $7224.

Semen has been exported to New Zealand, Uruguay, the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, and other EU countries.

Mawarra Emperor L336 sired Australia’s 2020 $100,000 top-selling Hereford bull, Talbalba Emperor P043, and the $103,000 top-selling bull, Mawarra If Only Q264, at the 2021 Wodonga National. L336 was accepted into the Herefords Australia Young Sire program,

the BIN progeny test – 7th cohort, and the NSW Department of Primary Industries Southern Multi-breed project.

Another modern influential sire is Mawarra Terminator Q274, bought by Morganvale and Oak Downs in 2021 for $53,000, and the New Zealand semen rights purchased by Stoneburn Herefords. Semen has sold to 20 studs nationwide and his sons led the 2023 sale draft.

The Mawarra Genetics blood cattle are backed by strong maternal lines.

Mawarra Miss Titania 054 is one of the most successful cows in the breed with her progeny including retained sires Showtime and Private Eye, Terminator ($53,000) and Rhinestone ($40,000). A daughter Miss Titania 188 sold for $30,000 in 2022 to Newcomen Herefords.

Speaking on behalf of the third generation of the family at Mawarra, Brandon Sykes said they were honoured to be part of something that has influenced industry, both at home and overseas.

“We are constantly reminded of the positive impact our family’s efforts have had and continue to have on others –whether it is clients producing lines of Mawarra blood calves or seeing the Mawarra name in the pedigrees of bull sale catalogues from Australia, the UK, Europe and beyond, we couldn’t be prouder,” he said.

1. Royal Adelaide Show 1979 with Anita, Helen and Robert Sykes and on the halter of Mawarra Overseer is Dick Green. Images: Sykes family

2. A teenage Helen with Norwood calves at the family property at Swan Reach.

3. Robert Sykes with Widgiewa Falleen 61 purchased at the Widgiewa dispersal in the 1980s.

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Growing knowledge and skills at Glen Innes youth camp

The Herefords Northern NSW Youth Group hosted their annual youth show at Glen Innes showgrounds on January 12-14 with 85 up and coming cattle enthusiasts attending.

The event is an opportunity for students to grow their knowledge of the beef industry and improve animal handling techniques, including parading and judging.

The intermediates and seniors were treated to a tour of the Glen Innes Agricultural and Research Station and talks on meat science from Dr Peter McGilchrist, University of New England School of Environmental and Rural Science, ear tagging and tattooing with Ben Crowley, cattle welfare and safety from Murray Weller, and cattle nutrition and careers in research with Sam Platts.

Lachlan James was the overjudge for the junior judging while James Forsyth judged the paraders and Tyson Will judged the cattle classes.

Riverina Australia senior nutritionist Cameron Wright covered feeding grain, molasses and oil to demonstrate the development of a balanced feed ration to the pee wee and junior participants.

“It is exciting to see the knowledge and skills among the more advanced age groups – the future is looking bright for industry with such capable individuals,” Cameron said.

Mort & Co sponsored the pee wee dress-up challenge where students decorated their animal in “anything

but cows” and were marked on their creativity.

In the junior judging, Hunter Will was champion pee wee with Alice Coombes in reserve, while in the juniors Kirsty McIndoe was sashed as champion and Allora Gould in reserve.

Gemma White triumphed in the intermediates as champion and Laura Vary was reserve champion. Olivia Laney emerged as senior and grand champion while Zoe Rudder was reserve senior champion.

In the paraders, Angus Emery was sashed champion in the pee wee division with Sophie McDonald in reserve. Josh Hartup was champion junior parader and Isabella Hann reserve champion, Mattia Rudder was sashed intermediate and grand champion and Marcus Wythes in reserve, and Ryan Knee was senior champion with Georgia Bailey in reserve.

In the herdsman classes, Jessica Tower was champion in the pee wee division and Angus Emery in reserve, Josh Hartup completed a double to be champion junior and Isabella Hann in reserve, Toby Lamph emerged to win intermediate champion with Georgia Sheridan in

reserve, and in the seniors Riley Weller, Weller Bros Herefords, Hodgson Vale, Qld, was champion and grand champion parader, with Olivia Laney in reserve.

The competitive Breed Ambassador category resulted in Arley Crowley sashed as pee wee champion and Hugh Crowley in reserve, Skye McIndoe was junior champion and Jackson Emery in reserve, Drew Weller was sashed intermediate champion and Toby Lamph in reserve, while Damon Murphy was senior and grand champion with Lucy Crowley as reserve senior champion.

Competing for the Most Potential Breeder Award were Arley Crowley, Logan Scott, Gemma White, Mitch Taylor, MT Herefords, Quipolly, NSW, and Riley Bacon, Ownaview Herefords, Yangan, Qld, with Riley taking out the prestigious award.

The Herefords Northern NSW Youth Group held their annual general meeting at the show with Emily Taylor, Eclipse Herefords, Quipolly, elected president, Damon Murphy as vice president, Jessica Kernahan as secretary, and Makaala Dodd as sponsorship officer.

1. The youth show at Glen Innes showgrounds drew over 80 young cattle handlers.

2. Eunice Vivers, Jindalee Herefords, Chris Lisle, Tummel Herefords, and guest speaker Dr Peter McGilchrist, University of New England.

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“We select for functional cattle that can handle Australian outback conditions. Good growth rates, carcass and fertility are essential,” Peter says.

General committee members are Drew Weller, Morgan Hay, Jacinta Cooper, Taylah Doman, Georgia Sheridan, Leisl Cooper, Rhani Dorey, Victoria Sullivan, Sophie Cooper and Isabella Thompson.

Chris Lisle, Tummel Herefords, Walcha, was on hand to see three Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander teenagers compete at their first youth show with their Tummel heifers.

The siblings, Year 12 student Anika McKenna,17, Shaun, 15 and Olivia, 13, had grown up in Townsville, Qld, and moved with their parents to a Walcha farm six years ago.

3. There were plenty of skills to be learnt and honed in the parader’s classes. Images: Mikaala Dodd

4. Intermediate champion parader Mattia Rudder.

5. The pee wee handlers get a helping hand from their buddies.

6. Matthew Durkin placed fourth in the paraders and breed ambassador in the pee wee division.

“Their father works part-time for me and the kids came over to help with the cattle so I let them break some heifers in themselves and take them to the heifer show,” Chris said.

Coming from an urban childhood, Anika said the siblings had been well mentored by Chris.

“We started out leading the heifers and young bull at Walcha show then to the youth camp during the holidays, followed by Guyra and Inverell shows,” she said.

“For me, I picked up leaderships skills and helped teaching the young ones about preparing and leading, it helped with my self-confidence and networking.

“We love the Herefords, they are so quiet – we broke them in and prepared them ourselves. Walcha is a great community with lots of people willing to help you out.”

The siblings followed up the youth camp with the Guyra show and Anika taking out the paraders 17 to 22 years, Shaun placed second in the junior judging, and Olivia was called up in her heat.

cubic metre models.

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Jill Burgess receives Herefords Australia Emerging Leaders Award

By Rowan Koebel

A passion for Hereford cattle, feedlot carcase research and encouraging the next generation to consider a career in agriculture has seen Jill Burgess awarded the Herefords Australia Emerging Leaders Award, along with a suite of other accolades.

Jill, 24, is in her second year of her PhD study at the University of Sydney which involves working in a Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) project studying the carcase composition of British, European and Bos Indicus steers during growth in feedlots.

Jill’s research and passion for the beef industry has gained her a great deal of well-deserved recognition.

She has been the recipient of the Feedlot Cattle Production Scholarship through the University of Sydney, the Christian Rowe Thornett Stipend Scholarship from the Sydney Institute of Agriculture, has been named the 2024 Hawkesbury Young Woman of the

Year and was selected to be a MLA Red Meat Industry Ambassador at the start of March this year, as well as earning the Herefords Australia Emerging Leaders Award.

While Jill grew up in Sydney her family have always had a cattle property, initially at Tenterfield but now at Retreat, north of Tamworth.

Jill would ideally like to start her own Hereford stud in the future and sees the temperament and consistency of Hereford cattle as well as the progress being made on carcase traits as some of the major drawcards.

When she’s not working on her PhD or helping out at the family farm, Jill also coaches the cattle show team at Pymble Ladies’ College and says it’s one of her favourite things to do.

When she initially started coaching the team five years ago there were only eight students involved, and now there are between 35 and 40 from year seven to 12.

The exposure to cattle and agriculture through the Pymble show team has led to students considering careers in agriculture when they may not have had a previous interest.

Many of Jill’s students have also participated in the Herefords Australia National Youth Expo which Jill says has been an invaluable experience.

“The students come back from the Youth Expo and I’ve never seen them so passionate and excited.

“The connections and friendships the students make at the Expo are another aspect that makes the experience so valuable.”

Jill further involves herself with teaching through her involvement with the Sydney Uni Inter Collegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) team to compete in Wagga.

She encourages young people to consider a career in the beef industry, something which she is thrilled about.

As for her future plans, along with her own Hereford stud, Jill says she would like to end up in a career that is similar to her PhD research where she can work with cattle while still being involved in the science that will benefit the industry.

HAL Youth President’s report

I have been blown away by our members’ successes this year. The Northern NSW Group held a fantastic event in January at Glen Innes and our members got to shine and showcase their cattle at Royal Canberra Show in February, Sydney Royal in April and many local shows.

A few Victorian members attended the Stud Beef Victoria Handlers Camp where they took home many awards. Well done to you all!

I attended the Intercollegiate Meat Judging competition in Rockhampton with my workplace and was pleased to see HAL sponsor the event. I learnt so much about the red meat industry and I encourage our members to support this event, whether it be with a university or workplace team.

We are now finalising plans for the Herefords Australia National Youth Expo in Parkes, NSW, on July 6-9. With a record number of entries, some great awards and prizes are

up for grabs and a good education program, I believe this will be one of the best expos yet. If you are in the area, make sure to come to Parkes and see 141 young cattle enthusiasts in action including a New Zealand team.

Advertising spaces for the 2024 calendar will be opening shortly and it is a great promotional tool for studs and agribusinesses.

I would like to thank the National Youth Committee for their efforts, Nikki Martin for her tremendous work as coordinator and to HAL for their advice and support.

Alicia Trovatello President Herefords Australia Youth

Herefords Australia Youth Coordinator’s report

2023 kicked off productively with the committee planning ahead for the year’s events.

It’s an exciting year starting with more than 140 competitors entered for the 2023 National Youth Expo in July. The committee is working tirelessly to make it one of the best we have had to date.

We are looking forward to seeing all our members new and old. Thank you to those who have supported the youth movement, allowing us to offer great scholarships and prizes not just at the Youth Expo but through the year. It is greatly appreciated.

The youth will be calling for nominations for the National Committee. Nominations this year will be opening at the Youth

Expo. I encourage all those who are eligible to lodge a nomination.

Please keep an eye out on our social media and e-news for the release of the calendar advertising spots. The photo competition will also be kicking off, so please make sure you get your photos in for the chance to have them feature in the 2024 calendar.

Exciting times to come with some new scholarships in the making – follow Herefords Australia Youth on social media to keep up-to-date on these.

Nikki Martin Youth Coordinator

Where are they now?

Kate Reid is a self-described beef enthusiast – from breeding, genetics and meat quality to branded beef products – she has Hereford in her DNA and a passion for agriculture.

At the age of 28 she has experienced the full gamut of the Hereford breed from growing up on a stud in Queensland, owning her own stud cattle, moving through the ranks of Hereford Youth to serve at state committee level, taking on an ambassadorial role, being a recipient of a prestigious Hereford scholarship and serving on a technical committee with Herefords Australia Limited.

Kate now calls Inverell, in northern NSW, home and works as Livestock and Genetics Officer for the innovative seedstock operation, Palgrove.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Animal Science from the University of New England, completing her Honours on the potential of genomic selection in the Hereford breed.

As a Herefords Australia Youth alumni, Kate believes the program is the ideal

Kate Reid

starting point for young people wanting a career in the livestock industry.

“The Herefords Australia youth programs and committees are such a great opportunity because you learn so many leadership, teamwork and networking skills, and it is a fun way to get involved in the industry,” she said.

“Being brought up in the stud world and being involved in the youth committees, and then studying animal science at university all contributed to my career in agriculture.

“Involvement with Hereford Youth is a great way to get to know the Herefords Australia staff and board members, and you take those networks with you as you progress through the industry.”

Kate served as treasurer, secretary and president of the Herefords Queensland Youth Association, was a Hereford Youth Ambassador in 2014 and received the CM Hocking Scholarship in 2016.

She advised any youth members aspiring to apply for a scholarship or ambassadorial role not to be shy of taking hold of the opportunity.

“Agriculture was my calling, I stuck with it, pushed through and had that gut feeling it was meant to be. Growing up in that environment you do learn to love it.”

Kate has watched the dramatic leaps made in genomics since she completed her Honours in 2016.

“At that stage we were just modelling and predicting what genomics could do and now we are utilising the technology for making selection decisions with wide adoption by the industry,” she said.

“With the likes of the sire benchmarking and verification programs based on genomics, it will make it easier for commercial producers to see the benefits, and there are opportunities for the commercial and stud sectors to work together to utilise that data.

“Wouldn’t it be fantastic in a few years if commercial bull buyers sent back all the genomics and feedlot data on their progeny?”

Kate took on a graduate program with corporate agricultural giant AACo, moving around the stations, feedlots and head office for two years, then progressing through the ranks to the

inhouse Breeding and Genetics Advisor collecting data on the stud herds.

She then moved to an analyst role in finance and reporting for the stud program.

Kate took on a position of Livestock and Genetics Officer in November 2021 with Palgrove, based in Inverell, helping to oversee the sale of around 1000 bulls annually via stud and paddock sales.

“It is a varied role as I assist with the stud registries, administration, invoicing, analysis, reporting, livestock flows and budgeting. Sometimes I get to help with pregnancy testing, muscle scanning and semen testing in the yards,” she said.

“I’m heavily involved in the joinings with each cow mated individually to a bull through the AI program.”

Kate said there was a 50:50 gender split in the administration and station hands with plenty of opportunities for young women to progress their agricultural careers.

Despite her busy work schedule, Kate likes to remain involved in the stud, Talbalba, operated by her parents Steve and Debbie Reid, particularly at bull selection and sale time.

Kate sold her first bull in the 2022 Talbalba sale and is pleased to have open discussion around succession planning in the family business.

Steve has been a role model for his daughter serving as Herefords Australia Limited Chairman and director, while Kate had the privilege of being appointed to the HAL Research and Development Committee in 2022.

“That gave me a great insight into what is happening at board level and what goes on. I have set myself up in the way I have quite a good knowledge base allowing me to contribute to the likes of the board or committees later on,” she said.

“The breed has a strong leadership team and it is very exciting times for the Hereford industry.”

Away from beef cattle, Kate enjoys horse riding.

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Soprano hits the high notes to take grand champion bull at Wodonga

By Kim Woods

Glendan Park Soprano S115 hit all the high notes on his way to taking out the coveted grand champion bull of the 58th Herefords Australia National Show.

A total of 160 junior, intermediate and senior bulls from 53 vendors vyed for the broadribbons under judge Ben Noller, Palgrove, Bukkulla, NSW, at the Wodonga Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, May 10.

Glendan Park Soprano S115 (AI) (PP), exhibited by Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, Vic, emerged from the intermediate classes to be sashed intermediate champion and grand champion bull.

The 24-month-old bull weighed 1010kg, had a whopping eye muscle area of 141sqcm, scanned at 17mm on the rump and 10mm on the rib, and had a scrotal circumference of 41cm.

Sired by Allendale Jackal P176, Soprano ranked top 1 per cent on BREEDPLAN for 600-day weight at +119kg and carcase weight at +81kg.

Judge Ben Noller described Soprano as a big performance bull with frame, weight, extra length, beautiful hips and hindquarter.

Alvio Trovatello said that Soprano was out of a strong cow family with the dam, Glendan Park Moth G142, breeding 12 calves in 13 years, and moves “like a cat” for such a big bull.

He paid tribute to Andrew Green for preparing the bull for his showring debut.

As National Show and Sale Committee chairman, Mr Trovatello said the strong

crowd and large catalogue of bulls was a credit to the breed.

Scott Lewington, Kymarney Herefords, Uranquinty, NSW, exhibited the junior champion bull, Kymarney Techno S022 (AI) (PP), a 21-month-old son of New Zealand sire Koanui Techno 3062.

The young bull weighed 820kg, had a raw eye muscle scan of 127sqcm, 15mm on the rump, 9mm on the rib and a scrotal circumference of 41cm.

Ben Noller said Techno stood out for his extra carcase, spring of rib, butt shape, ideal fat, large eye muscle area and big scrotal.

Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Vic, exhibited Tarcombe Sling Shot S200 to reserve junior champion bull.

The 21-month-old bull weighed 890kg, scanned with an eye muscle area of 130sqcm, 18mm on the rump, 10mm on the rib and a scrotal circumference of 41cm.

By US sire TH Masterplan 183F, Sling Shot ranks top 2 per cent for 400-day weight at +81kg, top 6 per cent for carcase weight at +71kg and top 5 per cent eye muscle area at +6.5sqcm.

Mr Noller admired the carcase shape of the moderate framed bull along with his softness, fleshing ability, structural soundness, hips and butt shape.

The Sykes family, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria, exhibited the reserve intermediate champion, Mawarra Valley S198 (AI) (PP).

The 23-month-old son of Kanimbla Power Town P067 weighed 972kg, had the biggest raw eye muscle area in the catalogue of 147sqcm, 21mm of rump fat, 12mm on the rib and a scrotal of 39cm.

Mr Noller praised the bull’s medium frame package, fat cover and large eye muscle area.

The Sykes family’s success continued into the senior champion where Mawarra Vice Admiral S081 (AI) (PP) stole the show with a tremendous weight of 1024kg.

Grand champion bull Glendan Park Soprano S115 with handler Andrew Green, vendors Alicia and Alvio Trovatello, judge Ben Noller and Michael Crowley, Herefords Australia CEO.

Grand champion bull Glendan Park Soprano S115 with Andrew Green.

The 27-month-old son of Mawarra Showtime P277 scanned with an eye muscle of 140sqcm, 22mm on the rump, 13mm on the rib and a scrotal of 42cm.

He ranks top 1 per cent for eye muscle area on +7.7sqcm, top 2% for carcase weight on +77kg, top 4% for rib eye yield at +2.1, top 4 per cent for milk, and top 6 per cent for 600-day weight at +106kg.

Mr Noller said Showtime was a big framed, mobile bull with carcase and softness.

Young stud master Caleb Croker, 21, secured his first broadribbon at the Wodonga National when Talumbi Sid (AI) (PP) was sashed as reserve senior champion.

Sired by Yarawa South Paradise P112, the 25-month-old weighed 938kg, scanned at 130sqcm, 18 and 10mm, and a scrotal of 40cm.

For Caleb, it was the second time as a vendor at Wodonga and said it was exciting to be among the broadribbon winners.

“This has been my dream after watching my grandfather and uncles show here – it has always been a goal to win a ribbon here,” he said.

Caleb established the Talumbi stud at Yarra, NSW, at age 12 and runs 35 breeding females in conjunction with his family’s Bolong stud herd.

“We did an embryo program to boost numbers and we have just weaned 18 bull calves so we will really start offering bulls in the next few years,” he said.

“It’s pretty cool and exciting to be here – I have spent plenty of time watching from the sidelines and seeing everyone win ribbons but to finally actually be part of it is pretty special.”

The most successful exhibitor of the show was Mawarra Genetics.

Herefords Australia chief executive officer Michael Crowley paid tribute to Bruce Gunning, Emu Holes Herefords, Quirindi, for the family’s 102-year membership of the society.

Mr Gunning paid tribute to his grandfather for founding the stud in 1921, his father Jack and uncle Bob for keeping the stud going.

As a former HAL director, Bruce said he was proud to be associated with the Hereford breed.

1. Junior champion bull Kymarney Techno S022 with Nicholas Byrne-Quinn, vendor Scott Lewington, Kymarney Herefords, Uranquinty, Ryan Bajada, Elders, Adrian Whitehead, Virbac and judge Ben Noller.

2. Reserve senior champion Talumbi Sid with Caleb Croker and judge Ben Noller.

3. Senior champion bull Mawarra Vice Admiral S081 led by Logan Sykes with judge Ben Noller.

4. Reserve intermediate champion bull Mawarra Valley S198 held by Logan Sykes, Scott Colbert, Beachport Minerals, and judge Ben Noller.

All Images: Kim Woods

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Sought after herd improver genetics sell to $75,000 at Wodonga

By Kim Woods

A South Australian bull created a bidding frenzy in the sale barn at the 58th Herefords Australia National Sale to sell for the top price of $75,000.

Held at the Wodonga Exhibition Centre on Thursday, May 11, the sale was southern Australia’s single biggest multi-vendor British bred offering with 53 vendors from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Drawing 149 registered buyers, the sale resulted in a total of 121 bulls selling under the hammer from the 160 offered for a clearance of 75 per cent, a top price of $75,000, an average of $11,917 and gross of $1,442,000.

Celebrating 96 years of performance breeding, Ian and Anne Galloway, Cootharaba Herefords, Roma, Queensland, outbid a New England syndicate to secure Lot 55 Wild Bear Stranger S007 (AI) (H) for $75,000.

The 22-month-old bull was offered by Ben and Katelin Davies, Wild Bear Herefords, Paris Creek, SA, and was a homebred bull by Wild Bear Powerhouse P010 and out of Wild Bear Angeline N005.

Stranger weighed 856kg, had a raw scan of 124sqcm on the eye muscle area, 19mm of fat on the rump, 10mm on the rib and a scrotal circumference of 42cm. On BREEDPLAN, the bull ranked top 6 per cent for eye muscle area at +6.3, top 15 per cent for 600-day weight and intramuscular fat at +1.3 per cent.

Ian Galloway said the bull fitted the Cootharaba program as an outcross bloodline coupled with his thickness, muscle, skin type and eye pigment.

He spotted Stranger in the ring the day before, liking his figures for eye muscle area and gestation length, and the fact his grandsire, Glendan Park Empire E002, was purchased by Cootharaba in the past.

With his meat processing background, vendor Ben Davies breeds for performance, doing ability, carcase merit and eating quality. He had collected semen from the bull prior to the sale, with 110 retained for in-herd use and 10 females joined - 200 straws were offered with the bull.

James and Melinda Higgins, Curracabark Herefords, Gloucester, NSW, returned to the sale after many years break to outlay $60,000 for the second top price bull, Lot 163, Mawarra

Valley S198 (AI) (PP), offered by the Sykes family, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria.

Sired by Kanimbla Power Town P067, the 23-month-old had been sashed as reserve intermediate champion bull, weighed 972kg, and scanned at 147sqcm eye muscle area, 21mm on the rump, 12mm on the rib and a scrotal of 39cm. On BREEDPLAN, he ranked top 1 per cent for retail beef yield, top 2 per cent eye muscle area, top 5 per cent carcase weight, top 8 per cent for 600-day weight and top 4 per cent for milk.

Valley is an outcross for Curracabark and will be used over the stud polled cows.

Chris Lisle, Tummel Herefords, Walcha, NSW, paid the third highest price of $45,000 for the grand champion bull Glendan Park Soprano S115 (AI) (PP) from Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, Vic.

Sired by Allendale Jackal P176, the 24-month-old bull weighed 1010kg, and scanned with a 141sqcm eye muscle, 17mm on the rump, 10mm on the rib and a 41cm scrotal. He ranks in the top 1 per cent for carcase weight and 600-day weight, and top 2 per cent for 400-day weight.

Mr Lisle liked the bull’s overall quality, softness, carcase, moderate birthweight, and intramuscular fat.

Scott Reardon, Rockford Pty Ltd, Bothwell, Tasmania, paid the top price for a commercial producer of $42,000 for Mawarra Kentucky Bourbon S281 (H) from Mawarra Genetics, Longford.

The 22-month-old bull weighed 1002kg, scanned with an eye muscle area of 132sqcm, 14mm of rump fat and 8mm on the rib, and had a scrotal of 44cm.

Sired by Sugarloaf Nowra N124, the bull ranked top 3 per cent for carcase weight at +75kg, top 1 per cent for retail beef yield at +2.6 and top 5 per cent for 600-day weight.

Mr Reardon was impressed with the length, muscling, pedigree and BREEDPLAN figures.

He had purchased Mawarra stud females and will use the bull over them as a bull breeding nucleus. The family runs a commercial herd of around 300 breeding females.

Mr Reardon had received the champion pen for his six to nine-month-old purebred steer weaners at the Hereford feature weaner sale at Powranna in 2023. The top pen of JulyAugust drop calves weighed 409kg and sold for $1900 or 464c/kg to repeat buyers Steve and Anne Ward, West Kentish, Tasmania, for grass fed programs. The Rockford heifers weighed 295kg and topped the market at $1740.

1. Tom Wilding-Davies on the halter of top price bull at $75,000, Wild Bear Stranger S007 with Paul Dooley and Ross Milne and Andrew Meara, Elders, vendor Ben Davies, buyer Ian Galloway, Cootharaba Herefords, Roma, Katelin and Elle Davies.

Mawarra Genetics continued its successful run with senior champion Mawarra Vice Admiral S081 (AI) (PP) and stablemate Mawarra Knight Rider S137 (AI) (ET) (H) both selling for $28,000.

Commercial Hereford producer Robert Reid, Reid Trust, Howlong, bought Knight Rider, a 26-month-old son of Mawarra Hugo P190 with a weight of 992kg, an eye muscle of 136sqcm, and top 5 per cent for retail beef yield.

The 27-month-old, 1024kg Vice Admiral was bought by Andrew and Serena Klippel, Sugarloaf Creek Herefords, Towong, Victoria.

Andrew and Vanessa Schwarz, Oak Downs Poll Herefords, Bordertown, SA, paid $26,000 for Mawarra Vodka S036 (PP), a 26-month-old, 1036kg son of Mawarra Showtime P277 from the Mawarra Genetics stable. The bull ranked top 1 per cent for eye muscle area, carcase weight, and retail beef yield.

Andrew Mackay, Merawah Herefords, Boggabilla, and Hunter Lakes Poll Herefords, Richmond Vale, NSW, partnered to secure Truro Spartacus S135 (AI) (PP) from first time Wodonga National vendors Scott and Pip Hann, Truro Whiteface, Bellata, NSW, for $25,000.

The 23-month-old son of US sire Churchill Gunpowder 657D weighed 924kg and ranked top 7 per cent for 400- and 600-day weight, and retail beef yield, and top 5 per cent for carcase weight.

Tom and Sophie Holt, Coonong, Urana, outlaid $24,000 for Kirraweena Silver Fern (AI (H) from Geoff and Heather Bush, Glenholme/Kirraweena Herefords, Cootamundra, NSW. The 24-month-old son of US sire Pute Nascar N13, Silver Fern weighed 896kg with an eye muscle of 125sqcm.

Ken and Liz Ikin, Cloverlee Poll Herefords, Bannister, NSW, partnered with David and Janelle Manwarring, Rose View Herefords, Cootamundra, NSW, to pay $24,000 for Mawarra Ventriloquist S197 (AI) (PP). The 23-month-old son of Mawarra Terminator Q274 weighed 1008kg, scanned with an eye muscle

of 136sqcm and ranked top 3 per cent for eye muscle area and carcase weight.

Among the volume buyers were David Phelan, Phelan & Henderson & Co, Leongatha, Vic, paying to $22,000 for three bulls for clients, Bill and Kathy Lambert, Taronga Poll Herefords, Paschendale, Vic, bought two bulls to a top of $12,000, J, S & W Webb, Adelong, NSW, bought three bulls to $10,000, Lucy McEarchern, Spring Run Herefords, Wingeel, Vic, two bulls to $14,000, and Peter and Christine Faithfull, Omeo, two bulls to $20,000.

The bulls offered were required to meet strict criteria including DNA testing for sire verification and genomics, performance recorded with BREEDPLAN, tested free of all known genetic conditions, semen quality tested, Pestivirus-free and independently vet inspected to boost buyer confidence.

Herefords Australia National Show and Sale Wodonga committee chairman Alvio Trovatello said the sale was well supported by commercial producers and buoyed by strong seedstock support.

He said the committee consistently aimed to improve on the proven formula for the event and to have it as a great representation of the breed.

“As a committee we aim for the best result for buyers and vendors alike, and the dinner is a success at bringing the Hereford family together for networking and socialising – that is an envy of a lot of breeds.

“Other breeds have tried it and we are one of the last ones standing, and we are successful at it.”

Selling agents were Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions with the sale interfaced with AuctionsPlus.

2.

3.

2. Mawarra Valley S198, held by Logan Sykes, was sold by Mawarra Genetics for $60,000 to James and Melinda Higgins, Curracabark Herefords, Gloucester, NSW, with vendors Deanne and Peter Sykes, Longford, Vic.

3. Mawarra Kentucky Bourbon S281, held by Logan Sykes, sold for $42,000 to Scott Reardon, Rockford Pty Ltd, Bothwell, Tasmania. He is pictured with Peter and Deanne Sykes, Mawarra Genetics, and James, Adelyn, Belinda and Brodie Purvis, Ballarat, Vic. All Images: Kim Woods

Adapted Hereford genetics: more than just a pretty face

Central Queensland cattle producer Alice Marks freely admits her family likes a good-looking bull with tropical skin, eye pigment and a clean polled head, but she says sire selection is about more than just a pretty face.

Alice, husband Darren and eldest daughters Olivia and Natalie run Winvic Pastoral in the Kilcummin district near Clermont, joining 1000 commercial females annually on a Braford base and crossing Poll Hereford and Brahman genetics back in.

Key to their operation is the use of Tropical Composite BREEDPLAN to evaluate and compare sires and dams for docility, fertility, growth and carcase traits, such as intramuscular fat (IMF) and eye muscle area (EMA).

The herd is run across four properties of different land types totalling 10,074ha, with the majority of sale cattle finished on grass, 885ha of leucaena and forage crops, and turned off as Jap ox weight-for-age bullocks to JBS Rockhampton and Dinmore, or as cull heifers to the Teys Grasslands program.

The family started using Poll Hereford bulls 12 years ago, when the decision was made to establish a 100 per cent polled herd.

“We started buying Hereford bulls and they came with BREEDPLAN figures. Initially we only docile polls with big red goggles and good eye setting but our selection process has since evolved to utilise bulls with high ranking EBVs generated through BREEDPLAN,” Alice said.

Weigh Better

“We didn’t want to lose sight of weight, and Hereford breeders have done well to keep the growth in their poll sires. Now that we’re able to genotype, it makes selection for polledness much faster. We only purchase and retain homozygous poll bulls.”

The number one benefit that emerged from the Hereford input was the quietness and docility evident from the very first calf drop.

“That quiet temperament keeps compounding and the other big bonus we found is Herefords are hard to beat for grass conversion, which results in turnoff at a younger age,” Alice said.

“There’s also a lot of longevity in Hereford bulls which makes them good value for money, especially with the information that’s provided in terms of EBVs and genomics.

“You could keep a Hereford bull in your herd until they’re 10-years-old if you wanted to, they’re built tough and have the lowest breakdown rate in our herd.”

crossbreeding system each year, continuously adapting the herd’s genetic makeup to meet the environmental conditions the cattle are raised in. While every

Winvic principals Alice and Darren Marks. Image courtesy: Winvic Pastoral.

Docility and grass conversion are two Hereford traits used to advantage in the WinVic Pastoral herd. Image: Winvic Pastoral.

Honour Roll for 2023

100 YEARS + MEMBERSHIP

• Emu Holes, Quirindi, NSW

75 YEARS MEMBERSHIP

• Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura, Victoria

50 YEARS MEMBERSHIP

• GR & EA Alston, NSW

• Burrawang Herefords, NSW

• JW Gough, Vic

• Glen Goulburn, Vic

• GF & CM Healey, NSW

• Keglsugl Poll Herefords, Qld

• WE Lambert, Vic

• Lowana Partnership, NSW

• CK Mudge Pty Ltd, SA

• MW Murray, Vic

• Ross Robertson, NSW

25 YEAR MEMBERSHIP

• JB & AM Derham, Vic

• Glentrevor Herefords, NSW

• JTR Cattle Company, NSW

• LI & EJ Kahler, Qld

• Peter McDonald, Vic

• FH Moses & Sons, NSW

• KW & JA Pendergast, Vic

• Rosehill Herefords, Vic

• GJ & DL Rees, NSW

• GR & HD Scurr, NSW

• Timberlane Pastoral Company, Vic

• CD & JL Walters, Tas

• Maree A West, Vic

• Wilkah Herefords, Vic

DALKEITH RANDY R090 - Super Sire

DALKEITH SHAMROCK T071 Daughter of Super Sire Dalkeith Randy R090

Quality autumn drop steers a hot ticket at 585c/kg

By Kim Woods

For steer finishers, backgrounders and lot feeders quality Hereford autumn drop steers remained a hot ticket item selling to 585c/kg at the summer sales opener at Wodonga, Victoria.

A total of 5040 cattle were yarded at Wodonga on January 5 for the Premier All Breeds Grown and Feature Weaner Sale including Hereford grown and weaner steers and heifers.

The yarding returned $8.296 million and averaged $1646 or 482c/kg for selling agents Elders and Paull and Scollard Nutrien Ag Solutions. In the breakdown, steers averaged $1729 or 488c/kg and heifers $1511 or 471c/kg across all breeds.

Topping the autumn drop Hereford steer weaners was David Sleigh, Sleigh Pastoral, Ruffy, Vic, with a line of 26 Allendale, Mawarra and Wirruna blood steers, 378kg and selling for $1925 or 509c/kg to Stephen Paull, Paull & Scollard Nutrien, on behalf of grass fed steer finisher Neil Schmidt, Rutherglen.

The pen had been judged as the Herefords Australia champion pen by Albury commission buyer Graham Ward.

David Sleigh also topped the weaner steers on a cents per kilogram basis with a pen of 24 weighing 292kg and selling for 585c/kg or $1710 to Neil Schmidt.

Mr Ward was active in the Hereford pens, buying cattle for backgrounding at Gundagai and northern NSW for supermarkets, and lot feeders in South Australia.

He said the feedlot demand had eased providing an opportunity for supermarkets to step in.

Buyer Neil Schmidt likes the quiet temperament and ability of the Hereford to reach over 700kg by 17 to 18 months of age. Coming into the sale he had sold heavy 380-400kg dressed weight steers for 750c/kg carcase weight in the prime market.

He invested in 79 Sleigh Pastoral steers, weighing 292-378kg for $1710 to $1925.

In the female pens, A T Lonergan, Sandy Creek, topped the heifer weaners

with a Rotherfield blood pen weighing 337kg and returning $1430 or 424c/kg.

Cecily Trickett, Culcairn, topped the heifer weaners on a cents per kilogram basis with a pen of Wirruna blood heifers weighing 258kg making 480c/kg or $1240.

Robert Hain, Gunyah Herefords, Cooma, made the trip to Wodonga to sell steers and heifers for the first time at the January sales. His spring drop steers weighing 453kg made $2000 or 491c/kg.

“With Herefords more people are realising there is the ability to value add their calves, keeping them on to feedlot weights. They have the ability to grow out slightly better than the Angus and the people sticking with Herefords realised that is a positive of the breed,” Mr Hain said.

“Commercial Hereford bull buyers like the adaptability of turning a calf off at 10 or 11 months old with the option of taking them forward – they need to get going early, present well and have the ability to take them on if needed.”

David Sleigh, Sleigh Pastoral, Ruffy, Vic, with the champion pen of steers, Allendale, Mawarra, and Wirruna blood, 378kg and selling for $1925 or 509c/kg. Image: Kim Woods

Te-Angie Poll Herefords

Hereford steers snapped up for grass fed programs to $1965

By Kim Woods

A quality run of autumn drop Hereford weaners brought out those supplying grassfed programs with bids to 655c/kg for the steers at the final day of the weeklong January weaner sales at Wodonga.

Selling agents Rodwells Peter Ruaro, Brian Unthank Rural, Corcoran Parker and Schubert Boers yarded 3677 for the Premier Hereford, Hereford Cross and Euro Grown and Weaner Sale on January 6.

Grossing $5.672 million, the sale resulted in an overall average of 463c/ kg or $1639 for steers and 430c/kg or $1391 for heifers.

Hunter Valley grass fed steer finisher Ken Sylvester, Scone, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding the sash to David Trethowan, Cookardinia, for his pen of 20 Wentworth blood steers weighing 397kg.

The March/April drop calves were snapped up by Barry Peel for $1965 or 494c/kg, the top steer weaner price in the Hereford run and ultimately across the summer sales series for purebreds.

Mr Sylvester described the steers as an even line with plenty of stretch, frame and bone, and ability to grow into good bullocks.

He had bought 82 Hereford steers the previous day weighing 360-420kg for 430-470c/kg to grass finish for Greenhams Never Ever, JBS and NH Foods.

“Herefords are one breed where you can always sell yourself out of trouble – they hold up in the bad times and do well on grass,” he said.

David Trethowan offered 130 March/April drop steers at the sale.

Topping the Hereford run on a cents per kilogram basis was Albury-Wodonga builder Garry Zauner, Bungil, with steers weighing 215kg and making 655c/kg or $1410 to Brian Unthank Rural. This was the highest c/kg price across the summer sales series for autumn drop Hereford steers.

Trevor Ralston, “Hollywood”, Euroa, presented a quality lineup of Rosstulla and Kanimbla steers, with the tops weighing 371kg and making $1800 or 485c/kg. Trevor offered 57 steers

and 20 heifers – with memories of last year’s top steer price of $2220, he was hoping for $1850 this year.

David McCormack, Bullioh, had sold spring drop steers in November for $2100 and his 10-month-old Mawarra blood calves weighed 340kg and made 529c/kg or $1800.

Adrian Rowe, Glenrowe Pastoral, Yarck, was selling his Glendan Park and Yavenvale blood Hereford steers for the first time at Wodonga. The tops of the steers were Never Ever Accredited and were grass fed only, weighed 340kg and aged eight to 10 months.

Adrian offered 25 black baldy and 20 Hereford steers. He likes the docility and doing ability of the Herefords and also runs a black baldy program to take advantage of hybrid vigour.

“The black baldies come out like peas and grow like spuds,” he said.

“We aim for 400-day weights and calving ease and eye pigmentation is important.”

Nankervis Nominees topped the weaned heifers with a pen of 28 weighing 298kg selling for $1420 or 476c/kg.

David Hocking, Mulwood, Mullengandra, topped the black baldy heifer weaners with a pen aged 9-11 months, weighing 343kg and making $1520 or 443c/kg.

David Trethowan, Cookardinia, won the Herefords Australia champion pen with his Wentworth blood steers, 397kg, selling for the top price of $1965 or 494c/kg.

Image: Kim Woods

Sydney Royal - Junior, grand Champion Bull and Supreme Hereford and Top 5 in Interbreed Taroom Show (242 head exhibited) – Junior Bull Challenge, Champion Bos Taurus Bull and Super Bull Challenge – first bull to ever win all 3 major awards

20 brothers in the sale to the Sydney Champion

By yALgOO PEACEMAkER (PP)

By HyLANdS FORTUNATE (H) 6 brothers in the sale to Sire Power

Repeat buyers pay to $1930 for leading Hereford genetics

By Kim Woods

NSW steer finishers competed strongly on big runs of vendor bred, European Union accredited calves at the Hamilton Hereford feature weaner sale with prices hitting the Western Districts circuit topper for purebred steers of $1930.

Selling agents JM Ellis & Co, LMB Livestock & Land, Lanyons, Kerr & Co, Southern Grampians Livestock and J & J Kelly yarded 2473 Hereford and Hereford cross steers and heifers for the feature weaner sale on January 11.

The run of quality autumn drop Hereford steers averaged 472c/ kg or $1541 and grossed $1.96 million while the Hereford cross steers averaged 482c/kg or $1697. Overall the sale grossed $3.81 million.

Coles national livestock manager for beef and lamb, Stephen Rennie, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding the sash to Gordon, Jane and Owen McClure, Beerik Partnership, Coleraine, for a pen of 29 European Union accredited steers, Yarram Park, Injemira and Melville Park blood, and weighing 378kg.

The pen sold for $1844 or 488c/ kg to Wagga Wagga commission buyer Andrew Lowe. Beerik offered 101 steers and last year the calves topped at 615c/ kg or $2358.

Mr Rennie said the Beerik steers had maximum credentials with EU accreditation, grass fed, weaned, good temperament and evenness of the pen making them attractive to purchasers wanting flexibility for markets.

He suggested vendors include the health status, including time since weaning and all health treatments to maximise purchasers.

The sale opened on the draft from Leon Wheeler, Wallacedale, with the pen of 23 EU accredited, Yarram Park and Mawarra steers, weighing 409kg, receiving the best presented pen award.

They were snapped up by steer finisher and repeat buyer, Paul Mason, Wellington, NSW, for $1930 or 472c/ kg – the top price on a dollars per head basis for the purebred autumn drop steers.

Mr Wheeler’s seconds were a pen of 26 Shorthorn/Hereford steers, February drop, weighing 402kg, and returning $2001 or 498c/kg, the equal top sale price on a cents per kilogram basis. His thirds, a run of 82 Herefords weighing 371kg sold to Paul Mason for $1788 or 482c/kg.

Repeat buyers looking for quality Hereford genetics for grass fed programs paid to a top of $1828 for autumn drop steer weaners at the Hamilton All Breeds Weaner Sale.

Selling agents Elders, Nutrien Ag Solutions and J & J Kelly yarded 3250 Hereford, Hereford cross, Angus and Euro steer weaners in the January 10 fixture, the opening salvo for the Hereford breed in the Western Districts sale circuit.

Ben Davies, Thomas Foods International, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen and selected the lead pen in the draft from John and Liz Craig, “Inverell”, Casterton and Hamilton.

The pen of 22 March/April drop calves were Yarram Park blood, yard weaned in December, weighed 389kg and carried accreditations for European Union and Greenhams Never Ever markets.

They were snapped up by Andrew Lowe for repeat buyer and grass-fed steer finisher Paul Mason, Wellington,

NSW, for the top purebred Hereford price of $1828 or 470c/kg.

Mr Davies described the steers as showing plenty of length, bone and weight for age.

The Craig family also topped the autumn drop Hereford weaners on a cents per kilogram basis with a pen of 28 weighing 282kg returning 502c/kg or $1415.

Dinwooly Farm topped the black baldies on a cents per kilogram basis with a pen of 17 weighing 325kg and making 495c/kg or $1608.

Alison Woolridge and Wilf Dinning, who run 300 cows at Merino, were on hand to see their 89 Hereford and black baldy steers from Dinwooly Farm sell.

“We use Angus over the (Hereford) heifers to take advantage of the hybrid vigour. A few years back we were part of an AI trial with Hereford, Angus, Limousin and Simmental, and if we had any doubts about using Hereford, it would have shown up in that trial,” Alison said.

“The temperament, ease of calving and growth – they tick every box. The buyers are coming back every year looking for our animals. They tell us the steers walk off the truck and start eating.”

Gordon, Jane and Owen McClure, Beerik Partnership, Coleraine, won the Herefords Australia champion pen at Hamilton with their 29 EU accredited, Yarram Park, Injemira and Melville Park blood steers. Image: Kim Woods

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Branded grass-fed program underpins buy-up at Casterton

By Kim Woods

A grass-fed program supplying Coles Graze accounted for 30 per cent of the yarding at Casterton, pushing prices to $1833 for autumn drop Hereford steers.

Selling agents Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions yarded 1160 Hereford and Hereford infused steers for the Casterton Annual Hereford and Euro Steer Weaner Sale on January 11.

Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW, sourced predominantly Injemira blood steers and rated Casterton as “great value buying”, taking home 30 per cent of the yarding to background on properties at Holbrook, Book Book and Tarcutta, in the Riverina.

Mr Greening paid 460c/kg for Injemira blood steers and 440c/kg for non-Injemira blood pens.

“The cattle aren’t mollycoddled – a lot of these cattle have been running with sheep so you can afford to pay a bit more cents per kilo as you get a lot of compensatory gain,” he said.

“These will be targeted at the domestic grass-fed market through the Coles Graze brand. It is season dependent so I’m looking to get a 290-320kg carcase with 10mm of fat as early as possible.”

Mr Greening described the market as positive and pointed to short term trends in the US.

“The fundamentals of the industry are perfect – we have a low Australian dollar, a country full of feed, the US market is rising, there is rainfall in the US and they are in a big rebuild phase at the moment. Retail meat sales are high,” he said.

“If you get involved with these grass-fed branded programs and know where your market is heading, there are certainly margins in those cattle at those prices.”

Tom Wilding-Davies, Premium Livestock Solutions, Brisbane, and Rodney Mobbs, Martins Livestock, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding the sash to Bill and Kathy Lambert, Taronga Herefords, Paschendale, for their top pen.

The pen of 20 autumn drop, Taronga blood steers weighed 349kg and sold for $1669 or 460c/kg to AuctionsPlus.

Bill Lambert keeps track of his averages each year with the figures telling liveweights have remained relatively stable while the market has fluctuated wildly.

This year the draft averaged 321kg but was back 207c/kg and $575 on the 2022 Casterton weaner sale to finish at 463c/ kg and $1489.

In 2019, the Taronga draft had averaged 319kg, 301c/kg and $963 while in 2020 when the draft averaged 329kg, 296c/ kg and $977.

By 2021, the Taronga draft was averaging 314kg, 524c/kg and $1650 and then skyrocketed to 670c/kg or $2064 in 2022 while the average weight was slightly heavier at 325kg.

The top price autumn drop Hereford steers were a pen of 18, EU accredited, March/April drop, Injemira blood steers sold by Cam and Carol Emerson, Alva Downs to Injemira Beef Genetics for $1833 or 480c/kg. This pen also topped the yarding on a cents per kilogram basis.

Neil Cooper, Elders Casterton, presents the Herefords Australia champion pen sash to Bill and Kathy Lambert, Taronga Poll Herefords, Paschendale, at the Casterton sale. Image: Kim Woods

Agri-Gene Hereford’s

GERBER HIGH TIME H65

TH MILESTONE 138J

KOANUI LAYER P028

Koanui Layer 6278 x Koanui Baritone

Gerber Canaan 041C x Mohican THM Excede Z436

Harvie Smoke Stack ET 195B x TH Frontier 174E

• Latest release from the prestigious Koanui herd from New Zealand.

• New release USA sire who is an outlier for combining Calving Ease, Growth and Carcase traits without sacrificing maternal traits.

YAVENVALE ROMEO R055

Endure x Pine Hill Derby D578

• New release Homo Polled Endure son with a deep red coat, abundant pigment & EBV’s that are hard to match.

• New release USA sire who is soft, deep and well-balance with tremendous shape and sire appeal whilst offering calving ease, pigment, carcase merit and performance.

Hereford infused heifers ring the bell at $1633 at Casterton

By Kim Woods

Restockers and backgrounders from Victoria and South Australia dominated the heifer weaners at Casterton, pushing prices to $1568 for purebreds and $1633 for Hereford infused pens.

Selling agents Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions, Casterton, yarded 2451 Hereford, black baldy and Angus heifer weaners for the Casterton Annual Heifer Weaner Sale on January 13.

Topping the purebred pens on a dollars per head basis was Glenside with a pen of 10 Ennerdale and Banemore blood heifers weighing 338kg, March/April drop, and bought by Miller Whan & John for $1568 (464c/kg).

Jeoff and Jill Hortle, “Woranga” topped the sale on a cents per kilogram basis with a pen of 13 Bowmont and Yarram Park blood hefiers, 225kg and EU accredited, snapped up by Elders Bordertown for 498c/kg ($1422).

Scott Creek, Creek Livestock, Mount Gambier, SA, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding the sash to Bill and Kathy Lambert, Taronga Poll Herefords, Paschendale, for their pen of 22 weighing 297kg. The pen sold to Andrew Whan, Miller Whan & John, for $1354 or 456c/kg.

Mr Creek said the pen was well boned, had the weight for age, depth, length and were well presented with EU accreditation.

Bill and Kathy Lambert averaged $1293 or 463c/kg for their draft of 56 heifers weighing an average of 278kg.

In last year’s record market, their draft of 125 heifers averaged 677c/kg or $1906 at 276kg. In 2021, the Taronga draft averaged 268kg, $1446 and 539c/ kg. This contrasts with 2020 when the Taronga heifers were heavier at 283kg and averaged 270c/kg or $768.

Dale Sullivan, ‘Shallum”, Strathdownie, was back at the yards offering European Union accredited Melville Park, Taronga and Injemira blood heifers after selling 74 steers earlier in the week for 20c/kg more than expected.

He said the EU accreditation had resulted in no premium in 2022 and 2023 but had been 5-10c/kg in the past.

He selects his Hereford bulls on 600 day growth and likes the docility and doing ability in his 700mm rainfall environment.

Jack and Mark Storer, Kleenview Pastoral, Hotspur, topped the black baldies with a pen of 26 November/ December 2021 drop heifers, Mawarra

blood and 371kg, returning $1580 or 426c/kg.

Richmond Park sold the top pen of March/April black baldies, 330kg, for $1432 or 434c/kg.

Kevin and Alan McDonald, Sunningdale, Digby, sold the highest priced Hereford infused pen, Limousin/Hereford heifers, Banemore blood, March/April drop, and 389kg, for $1633 or 420c/kg.

Stephen Koch, “Rosebank” Casterton, offered 51 Hereford, Simmental and Simm Angus heifers after retaining 58 Hereford heifers and 41 Simmental. The Hereford and Simmental cow herds are run separately across two properties.

Mr Koch said running the two breeds totalling 500 cows gave the family flexibility in marketing cattle.

He selects bulls with above average muscle from Injemira to go over his large-framed Hereford herd.

Graham Foster, Haven Park, Nareen, was also selling Simmental/Hereford heifers at Casterton. The pen weighed 330kg and sold for $1419 or 430c/kg.

He usually grows the Hereford infused steers out to bullock weights and had received $3300 for black baldy steers from JBS Brooklyn.

Scott Creek, Creek Livestock, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen and awarded it to Kathy and Bill Lambert, Taronga Poll Herefords, Paschendale. Image: Kim Woods

Industry heavyweights push heifer prices to stellar heights

By Kim Woods

A bidding duel between two industry heavyweights set the Hereford lanes alight at Hamilton as buyers jockeying for quality future breeders sent prices skyrocketing to $2098.

The Hereford offering averaged 573c/kg or $1694 - $132 or 72c/kg above the Angus run of heifers.

Selling agents Elders, Nutrien Ag Solutions and J & J Kelly yarded 1406 Hereford, Angus and Euro heifer weaners for the All Breeds Weaner Heifer Sale on January 12. Overall, the sale grossed $2.12 million and averaged 495c/kg or $1514.

A drawn-out bidding duel between Injemira Beef Genetics and Yarram Park Herefords created plenty of excitement in the Hereford offering and resulted in the yarding’s top price of $2098 or 662c/kg on both a dollars per head and cents per kilogram basis.

Marc Greening, Injemira, Book Book, NSW, secured the pen for his joined female program, Injemira Advantage.

Offered by Gordon, Jane and Owen McClure, Beerik Partnership, Coleraine, the pen of 46 Injemira, Yarram Park and Melville Park blood heifers weighed 317kg, were EU accredited, weaned, and March/April drop.

Mr Greening sources 200 to 300 Injemira blood heifers from the Western District sales each year.

They are naturally joined over eight weeks, this year using low birthweight paternal brothers of Australian record-breaking sire Injemira Robert Redford Q287. The PTIC heifers are marketed at Injemira’s annual bull sale in February.

“The heifers bought today are a single line from a client and will go into the joined program to be offered in 2024 as single lines of pregnancy tested and EU accredited females,” Mr Greening said.

“It’s taking a punt but it’s also supporting the clients –they get increased competition on their calves and I get the opportunity to see how the females grow out in a large contemporary group, and it also gives clients an opportunity to restock with females ready to go.”

The Hereford run opened on the Herefords Australia champion pen judged by LMB livestock agent Darren Dawson, a former manager of South Boorook Herefords from 1984 to 1997.

The pen of 18 EU and Greenhams Never Ever accredited heifers weighed 331kg, were March/April drop and were offered by John and Liz Craig, “Inverell”, Casterton, and bought by Antony Baillieu for Yarram Park’s commercial operation, Western District Pastoral for $1959 or 592c/kg.

Yarram Park Herefords has been sourcing future breeding females from bull clients for the past decade to build herd numbers in the South Australian commercial operation trading as Western District Pastoral.

Country had been returned to pasture from blue gum production, allowing expansion of the 2500 cow herd.

Repeat buyers seeking known quality and performance paid to $1706 for autumn drop Hereford heifers at Hamilton to wrap up the 2023 Western Districts weaner sales circuit.

The sale on January 13 grossed $3.67 million and averaged 483c/kg or $1477. The Hereford offering averaged 468c/kg or $1374 and black baldies 461c/kg or $1388.

Topping the Hereford run was Leon Wheeler, Wallacedale, on $1706 or 474c/kg for his opening pen of EU accredited Yarram Park and Mawarra blood heifers weighing 360kg and selling to Charles Stewart & Co.

Mr Wheeler’s seconds weighing 318kg made the top price in the purebreds on a cents per kilogram basis of 492c/kg or $1564, selling to repeat buyer Yarram Park Herefords.

Matt Spry, Ray White Rural Albury, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen and awarded it to Cam and Carol Emerson, Alva Downs, Tahara, for their pen of 21 Injemira blood heifers, EU, and weighing 329kg. The pen sold for $1566 or 476c/kg to Elders Holbrook.

Sam and Robin Rundell, RS Rundell & Sons, Breakaway Creek, offered 47 Glendan Park and Oak Downs blood heifers to average $1401. Their top pen weighed 298kg and returned $1460 or 490c/kg to Yarram Park Herefords.

The family dovetail 400 autumn and spring calving cows with 2000 crossbred sheep, and retained 60 heifers while also selling the bottom end on the export market to China for the past two years.

The family like the breed’s docility and select on frame and muscle.

Liz and John Craig, “Inverell”, Casterton, won the Herefords Australia champion pen of heifers at Hamilton and sold them for $1959 or 592c/kg. Image: Kim Woods

We are here to support your farming business with the knowledge + insight to help you reach your goals. With over 70 years experience, our team of specialists proudly continue to support our farming clients on their financial journey.

Mountain calf sales kick off with autumn drop steers to $1870

By Kim Woods

Gippsland steer finishers snapped up heavy cattle while southern NSW buyers punting on autumn rain thought Hereford heifer weaners were value buying at the Benambra Calf Sale.

Victorian and NSW steer finishers, restockers and lot feeders converged on the Victorian High Country to bid for whiteface cattle at the 83rd annual Mountain Calf Sales circuit opener.

Selling agents Nutrien Ag Solutions yarded 1600 yearling and weaner Hereford, Hereford cross, Angus and Euro steers and heifers for the March 7 fixture at the Hinnomunjie yards.

Heavy yearling Hereford steers, spring drop 2021, sold for $1730-$2050 (362-375c/kg).

The overall run of autumn drop Hereford steers topped at $1870 and sold down to $600.

Black Baldy steers returned $810$2140 while Hereford/Shorthorn steers sold for $800-$1900 and Hereford/ Brafords $880.

In the heifer pens, spring drop 2021 Hereford and Hereford/Shorthorn females sold for $1200 or 272c/kg while the autumn drop Hereford heifers returned $580-$1260 and the black baldy heifers made $590-$760.

Steer finisher Alan Mitchell, Wonthaggi, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding the sash to Gus and Sandra

Crisp, Omeo, for their Mawarra and Newcomen blood steers.

The champion pen made $1780 purchased by Pat Cleary, Elders Moss Vale. The seconds sold for $1700 to Elders Korumburra.

Mr Mitchell described the pen as well grown, with depth of body, and well weaned.

He paid $1730-$1980 for the tops of the spring drop Hereford steers at the sale, aiming for a quick turn-around to supply the Greenham Never Ever program.

Jim Pendergast, Penderscort, Hinnomunjie, opened the sale with heavy grown black baldy steers, with a green weight of 609kg, and selling for $2140 or 370c/kg (curfew weight).

Topping the autumn drop Hereford steer weaners was R E Hutton with his pen of 12, Mawarra blood, 10- to 12-month-old steers for $1870, snapped up by SEJ Leongatha.

Peter Soutter, Benambra, sold a draft of 88 April/May drop steers, Karoonda, Nunniong and Newcomen blood, to a top of $1710.

In the females, Gus and Sandra Crisp sold the top priced purebred Hereford females with a pen of 17 making $1260 to Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Selection Matters...

Donald Betts, Bairnsdale, sold Yarram Park and Nunniong blood Hereford and Hereford/Shorthorn grown females with a green weight of 464kg and returning a curfewed 272c/kg or $1200.

Graeme Fullgrabe, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Bairnsdale, said cattle sold to the Riverina on the punt of autumn rain while South Gippsland steer finishers were strong on the front lane heavier cattle.

Our commitment to market savvy selection will ensure our bulls give clients market premiums

t More calves to sell... our years of selection for CE daughters and CE direct ensure more live calves

t Better growth at early ages... selection emphasis on 400 day wt. gives more weight to sell and better ossification for top MSA indexes

t Better market compliance... from balanced selection for growth, fat, muscle and IMF to suit processor grids

t Outstanding EMA’s... selected to achieve better yields and dressing percentages for increased returns without compromising CE

t More IMF... to enhance eating quality for consumers, achieve higher MSA indexes and better Feedlot acceptance

Our sale bulls regularly rate in the top 5% for CE, 400 day growth, EMA, IMF, Yield and $Indexes

All bulls poll tested, sire verified and free from genetic diseases

Sandra and Gus Crisp, Omeo, received the Herefords Australia Champion Pen of steers at the Benambra Calf Sale.

Image: Kim Woods

SALE DATE - July 26th 2023 @ 11.30am

OPEN DAY - July 12th from 9.30am

Featuring sons of the horn bull LOTUS

and poll sire GLENWARRAH

DAVID & KATE COLLINS - 0497 270 455

Inspections anytime by appointment

“Brooksby”, 5341 Thunderbolts Way, BUNDARRA NSW 2359

Glenwarrah Marshall S305

Glenwarrah Frank S077

Glenwarrah Marshall S771

Glenwarrah Frank S269

MARSHALL M102

FRANK N264

Quality females in hot demand from restockers at Benambra sale

By Kim Woods

Restockers and local grass fatteners went head-to-head on the quality Hereford heifers to push up prices by $100 a head 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 83rd annual Mountain Calf Sales on March 7.

The selling agents Elders Omeo penned 1700 Hereford, Hereford cross and Euro steers and heifers for the fixture.

Hereford spring drop steers settled at $1830-$2090 but the focus was on the autumn drop weaners where prices finished at $750-$1810.

A limited offering of Hereford/Shorthorn steers sold for $1600-$1720.

In the heifers, purebred prices finished at $600-$1360.

The opening pens of spring drop 2021 steers topped at $2090 for Beloka Pastoral and bought by Gippsland steer finisher Graeme Osborne.

Elders southern livestock manager Matt Tinkler judged the Herefords Australia champion pen and awarded the sash to Russell and Steph Cornall, Benambra, for their pen of 26 steers.

Mr Tinkler said the steers exhibited temperament, bone, consistency, evenness and length.

The Mawarra, Sugarloaf Creek, Karoonda and Warragundi blood steers sold for $1650 to Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW.

It was the first champion pen award for the young Cornall family at the sale.

The couple offered 101 steers and 24 heifers after retaining 110 heifers as replacements.

Mr Cornall aims to breed quiet, medium framed, easy doing cattle that fatten reasonably quickly.

“All our cattle are worked with low stress stock handling techniques in the yards. It keeps the labour input cost down and the cattle do well straight away for the buyers.”

Topping the autumn drop Hereford steers was Ray and Max Pendergast, Benambra, with a pen of 14, March/April drop steers selling for $1810 to Delaney Livestock and Property.

Richard and Anne Faithfull, Benambra, topped the heifers with a pen of 22, Greenham Never Ever accredited, and returning $1360 to Elders Omeo.

Among the restockers active on the heifers were Darren Askew, Mokoan Livestock Agency, Benalla, paying $1160 for a pen of 22 from Russell and Steph Cornall, and Robert Newnham, Longford, paying $1310 for a pen from Ray and Max Pendergast.

Scott Anderson, Benambra, sold 22 steer weaners for $1560 and runs a herd of 150 Hereford cows.

He does grow out some steers on improved pasture to twoyear-olds weighing 700-800kg for Greenham Never Ever and JBS programs. Scott yard weans and supplementary feeds the cattle to have them quiet for the annual Benambra sale.

David Hill, Elders Omeo, said the front lane autumn drop weaners had sold “exceptionally well”.

Mr Hill said restockers and local grass fatteners had competed on the heifers.

Russell Cornall, Benambra, with judge Matt Tinkler, Elders, and the Herefords Australia champion pen at the Benambra Weaner Sale. Image: Kim Woods

Heifers shine at $2240 and steers sizzle to top of $2130

By Kim Woods

Vendors regained their confidence in the market as buyers kicked up a gear on steers and heifers at the Ensay Weaner Sale, lifting autumn drop heifer prices to top at $2240.

Selling agents Elders Bairnsdale yarded 1100 mixed sex weaners for the March 8 fixture at the Ensay yards.

Autumn drop Shorthorn/Hereford steers rang the bell to top the sale on $2130 and sold down to $1300.

The purebred autumn drop steers sold for $710-$1820, or 412-482c/kg, while the European Union accredited pens made $1040-$1820.

The spotlight was firmly on the females with the unjoined heifers outgunning their siblings by topping at $2240 for Shorthorn/Herefords.

The purebred unjoined heifers sold for $800-$1610.

Jamie Quinlan, Elders Yea, judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding the sash to Evan and Di Newcomen, Ensay, for a pen of 21 Hereford and Shorthorn/Hereford, European Union accredited, steers.

The April/May drop calves were also the best presented pen in honour of Tony Pianto.

Repeat buyers and steer finishes Arthur and Jenny Angliss, Romsey, snapped up the pen after a bidding duel for $2130.

The couple bought three pens from the Newcomen families last year to a top of $2780 and delivered them to JBS for processing in January this year at an average of 700kg liveweight.

Mr Angliss said the Hereford and Shorthorn/Hereford steers averaged 1.5kg a day off grass.

Claiming top price in the Hereford autumn drop calves was Barry and Topsy Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, with a pen of 20 EU accredited steers and selling for $1820 to Anthony Delaney, Delaney Livestock and Property.

The April/May drop steers had a green weight of 415kg to give a curfewed price of 461c/kg.

Restocker Greg Prichard, Tallangatta, Vic, returned to buy Evan and Di Newcomen’s Shorthorn/Hereford females after setting a record for the Ensay sale of $2600 in 2022 for the Newcomen’s strawberry roan heifers.

Mr Prichard paid $2240 for the pen of 22 heifers and said the 2022 record priced heifers had calved.

Lynn and Pam Vearing, Glen Goulburn Poll Herefords, Whittlesea, were also buying heifers through Anthony Delaney, Delaney Livestock and Property.

The strawberry roans and Herefords the couple bought out of Ensay last year from the Newcomen and Pendergast families were traded as PTIC to Glen Goulburn bulls at Pakenham store sale to average $2900 in January. Their Hereford heifers topped at $3500 and the roans at $3175.

The Vearings run their cattle enterprise across five properties.

Vendor Phil “Bluey” Commins, Nunniong Herefords, Ensay, offered 120 July/August drop steers, with the tops estimated to weigh 300kg, and 80 heifers after retaining 50. This year the top pen of Nunniong calves made $1450.

Morgan Davies, Elders Bairnsdale, said the sale drew strong support from repeat buyers.

“The big thing is a lot of people come to the mountains to buy Hereford calves and that was certainly the case again today,” he said.

“The vendors and buyers were happy.

“The rain event last year caught us unguarded so there has been a fair investment in gravel and excavation to bring the yards back on a level playing field.”

Evan Newcomen, Ensay, won the Herefords Australia champion pen for his April/May drop steers which sold for $2130. Image: Kim Woods

Barry Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, topped the Autumn drop purebred Hereford steers at $1820 to Delaney Livestock and Property.

Big lines of vendor bred, cold country calves create buyer frenzy

By Kim Woods

Buyers were met with some of the best line-ups of vendor bred, one mark whiteface weaner calves in the nation for the final leg of the 83rd annual Mountain Calf Sales at Omeo, with steers hitting $2090 and heifers $2050.

Selling agents Elders Omeo and Bairnsdale yarded 1500 Hereford and Shorthorn/Hereford cross yearling and mixed sex weaners for the March 8 fixture.

The sale finalised two days of selling where 7000 cattle were offered at Hinnomunjie, Benambra, Ensay and Omeo, injecting much needed funds back into a post-COVID community.

Autumn drop Hereford steers sold for $980-$1910, while spring drop purebred steers returned $1850-$2090, and Shorthorn/Hereford autumn drop steers finished at $1010$1880.

Shorthorn/Hereford heifers finished the sale circuit at $1100-$1930, while the purebred autumn drop heifers settled at $760-$2050.

The sale opened on the spring drop 2021 calves of Betts and Noonan with the pen of 11 Herefords snapped up by SEJ Leongatha for $2090.

Then it was onto the autumn drop 2022 Herefords with the top price of $1910 shared between vendors Peter and Christine Faithfull, Omeo, and Simon and Sonya Lawlor, Omeo.

It was a back-to-back win for Simon and Sonya Lawlor, Omeo, for the Herefords Australia champion pen after taking the sash in 2022.

Their 35 April/May drop weaned steers were given the nod by judge Pat Cleary, Elders Cleary McDowell, Moss Vale, for their length, evenness, and temperament.

Gippsland steer finisher Graeme Osborne outlaid $1910 for the pen. Princess Royal feedlot, Burra, SA, paid $1910 for a pen of 32 Herefords offered by Peter and Christine Faithfull.

The couple went on to top the heifers with a pen of 23 Herefords making $2050 to Delaney Livestock and Property.

Pat Cleary was buying cattle for Willinga Park, an operation owned by entrepreneur Terry Snow, requiring 340-380kg steers to fit a grass-fed supermarket program. Mr Cleary purchased over 300 steers to average $1588 and at an estimated 410420c/kg.

Brendan and Tracey Ah Sam, Omeo, topped the Shorthorn/ Hereford heifers with a pen of 19 making $1930, after setting a record price of $2900 for females in 2022.

The family offered 111 April/May drop Hereford and Shorthorn/Herefords steers to $1870.

Alan and Noeline Smith, Omeo, topped the Shorthorn/ Hereford steers with a pen of 17 at $1880 to Graeme Osborne.

David Hill, Elders Omeo, quoted the middle run of steers at $1600-$1750 to predominantly Gippsland buyers with excellent feedlot support.

“With the top heifers over $2000, around two thirds returned to breeding programs and one third into grass programs,” Mr Hill said.

“Breeders were dominant on the heavier end of the heifers and the lot feeders ran out of weight.

“These events are not only good for the livestock producers from their income basis but also for these little communities with the catering, accommodation and hotels.

“Post-COVID it is really good to see these little communities back to normal.”

Anthony Delaney, Delaney Livestock and Property, Bunyip, is a return buyer for the Hereford temperament, weight gain and performance off grass.

“Different clients have different specifications with one in particular wanting the heavier end to go into some intensive fattening programs with irrigation and supplementary silage, while another client will grow out the cattle in the Yarra Valley,” Mr Delaney said.

“For that job we buy them small and grow them out over winter, spring and autumn next year.”

Mr Delaney was chasing steers weighing close to 400kg and sourced around 500 head out of the Mountain Calf Sales.

Among those buying cattle for grass fed programs was Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW, with over 300 steers.

“We were targeting the heavier end to give us a shorter turn over than what we normally do,” Mr Greening said.

“With the uncertainty of the season, it is an insurance policy to have cattle that won’t take as long to get to target weights.

“There were discerning buyers over the last two days – the sales of the better quality cattle made more money.

“Depending on the quality and past performance of the cattle we went up to $1850 for those high 300kg steers.”

Simon and Sonya Lawlor, Omeo, were awarded the Herefords Australia champion pen at Omeo.

Hereford infused females in demand at Casino for crossbred programs

Repeat restockers paid the top price for Hereford infused weaner heifers of $1412 at the 2023 annual George and Fuhrmann British breeds weaner sale in northern NSW.

Selling agents George and Fuhrmann Casino yarded a total of 1997 steers and heifers for the March 17 fixture at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange. Steers averaged 408c/kg and heifers 357c/kg.

Sponsored by Herefords Australia, the champion pen of steers was judged by Yuglibar manager Brett Ellem and presented to John and Maree Smith, Woodenbong, for a pen of European Union accredited steers averaging 341kg and returning $1341 or 393c/kg.

Jim, Jan, Jamie and Vanessa Smith, Townview, Urbenville, sold EU accredited Hereford steers weighing 322kg for 430c/kg or $1388 to Wickham Farms. Their draft of 177 steers topped at 354kg and averaged $1150 or 421c/kg.

George, Shirley and Karen Hardcastle, McPherson Herefords, Old Koreelah, topped the Hereford steer offering with a pen averaging 314kg, McPherson blood, and returning 442c/kg or $1389.

The family’s heifers sold to first-cross breeder Darryl Amos, Old Bonalbo, and destined for joining to Brahman bulls. The seconds made 402c/kg to Yulgilbar Station for their Santa GertrudisHereford program.

Paul and Marian McKey, Bundaleer, Woodenbong, topped the heifers with their pen weighing 282kg returning $1412 or 500c/kg selling to a Whiporie buyer while their brothers weighing 311kg sold for $1282 or 412c/kg.

Jim and Jan Smith sold a feature line of 230 Santa/Hereford cross weaners in the third leg of the weaner sales series at Casino on March 24. Their top pen of steers weighing 328kg returned 416c/ kg or $1367.

Jamie and Vanessa Smith, Upper Toolum, also sold a run of mixed sex, European Union accredited Santa/ Hereford weaners. The best of the lighter steers at 200kg made 500c/kg or $1000 while a 251kg pen made 480c/kg to return $1205. Their Santa/Hereford cross heifers topped at $1560.

Karen and Shirley Hardcastle, Old Koreelah, sold their McPherson blood steers, 314kg, to 442c/kg or $1389, the top price in the purebred Herefords.

Image: The Land

Glen Innes Hereford Bull show and sale moves to a new format

The nation’s longest running regional multi-vendor bull sale, the 78th Glen Innes Hereford show and sale, will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

To be held at the Glen Innes saleyards, the show and sale is expected to draw a similar number of vendors as past years

6TH ON PROPERTY SALE

Saturday 24th June 2023 @ 1pm

• 15 Hereford Bulls

• 14 Poll Hereford Bulls

• 10 Stud Heifers

offering

All bulls are semen and pestivirus tested, vet checked and ultra-sound scanned.

An evening social function will be held at the New England Club on Tuesday, July 25 from 6.30pm for all vendors, buyers and visitors.

Cattle will be judged in the morning from 9am by Geoff Bush, Glenholme/Kirraweena Herefords, Cootamundra, NSW, with classes for junior, intermediate, and senior bulls, the champion pen of three, and champion truckload of six bulls.

Starting at 2.30pm, the sale will be interfaced with AuctionsPlus and auctioneer in the sale barn will be Lincoln McKinlay, Elders Stud Stock.

Glen Innes Hereford Bull Show and Sale Committee chairman Peter Weller said the sale has been changed to a one-day show and sale on a Wednesday this year.

“We are seeing a strong demand for Hereford and Hereford cross cattle, for their ability to fatten on grass and meet MSA specifications, which contributes well to any crossbreeding program,” Mr Weller said.

“Producers have a great opportunity to secure quality bulls at Glen Innes, with high-quality fertility, good temperament and weight for age.”

Last year’s sale topped at $26,000 for the grand champion, Willgoose Detour, offered by Phill and Lyle Yantsch, Willgoose Herefords, Toowoomba, Qld. A total of 47 bulls were cleared from the 57 offered to average $8915.

There was a 100 per cent clearance of nine PTIC females to a top of $7000 and average of $4750.

The catalogue will be online at www.herefordsaustralia. com.au or from Elders Glen Innes on 0267 397 300.

around 65 polled and horned bulls plus registered heifers.

2022 grand champion bull Willgoose Detour with judge, the late Jeremy Upton, Willaura, Vic, and Jacob Moore, Singleton, representing Willgoose Herefords. Image: Kim Woods

For Sale

45 Bulls

BULL SALE - Friday 21st July 2023

OPEN DAY - Thursday 22nd June 2023

SALE HELD ON-PROPERTY @ TYCOLAH BARRABA NSW

ContactBen 0419 832 270 or Steve 02 6783 2278 www.tycolah.com.au

Restockers active on breeding females and heavy steers supply grass fed programs

By Kim Woods

Restockers chasing quality females and steer finishers sourcing the heavy end for grass fed branded programs kept the market buoyant for Hereford cattle at national store sales over the autumn.

Heavy grown pasture finished Hereford steers over 350kg liveweight finished the autumn sales season at $1430-$2714 or 325-590c/kg while yearling steers settled at $1400-$2060 or 319-434c/kg and feeder steers at $1400-$1762 or 333420c/kg.

Backgrounding purebred steers made $1400-$2080 or 416479c/kg, the heavier weaners weighing over 350kg sold for $1165-$1950 or 314-490c/kg, steers weighing 280-350kg made $936-$1830 or 325-584c/kg and the lighter weights $930-$1395 or 428-525c/kg.

In the females, weaner heifers over 300kg finished at $1210$1643 or 352-473c/kg, weaners under 300kg made $870$1620 or 340-587c/kg, and grown unjoined heifers sold for $1517-$3025 or 327-597c/kg.

Yearling heifers finished at $1120-$1610 or 308-456c/kg, background heifers at $1090 or 355c/kg.

Moving into the breeding females and PTIC heifers sold for $1720-$4000, heifers and calves for $2020-$3700, station mated heifers and calves, $2150-$2400, PTIC cows for $1800$2980, cows and calves $2025-$2740, PTIC cows and calves made $2750 and unjoined cows $2078.

In Victoria at the Creek Livestock Blue Ribbon Weaner Sale in January, Neville and David McClure, Mooree Partnership, Chetwynd, offered 450 Yarram Park and Glendan Park blood steers and 150 heifers. The purebred steers topped at $1560 or 448c/kg for a pen of 106 weighing 348kg. The heifers topped at $1275 for a pen of 73 weighing 294kg. W Richardson sold Hereford steer weaners weighing 349kg for $1570 or 449c/ kg while I Ross, Sandford, sold weaned steers, 363kg, nine to 10 months, for $1640 or 451c/kg.

At Pakenham female sale, Vearing and Davies sold a draft of unjoined grown Hereford heifers, with the top price pen weighing 506kg and aged two years, for $3025. M Armstrong sold heifers, 28 to 30 months, with calves for $3300 at the same sale.

Armstrong Evergreen, Yea, sold Yavenvale and Tarcombe blood heifers, 532kg and 20-22 months, and joined to a Yavenvale bull for $2720. G and D Comerford, Mansfield, sold PTIC cows, 752kg, Ravensdale and Morganvale blood, and six to seven years, for $2500.

At the Elders Yea 36th annual blue ribbon weaner sale, Armstrong Evergreen Pty Ltd sold steers, 10 months, Yavenvale and Tarcombe blood, 390kg, for $1900 or 487c/kg. J Hiscock and Sons sold Coolana and Glendaloch blood steers, 385kg, for $1890 or 490c/kg while I and P Ralston sold Tarcombe blood steers, nine to 10 months, 360kg, for $1690 or 469c/kg. G and M Aldridge sold Injemira and Wirruna blood steers, 310kg, EU and Greenhams Never Ever accredited, for $1640 or 529c/kg.

Phil and Kerry Geehman, Ensay, topped the Bairnsdale store sale on $2310 or 590c/kg for Hereford and Hereford/ Shorthorn steers, 354kg, bought by Nutrien Delaney Livestock and Property director Anthony Delaney. Their seconds weighing 354kg made $1940 or 548c/kg and bought by Colin Jones, Bill Wyndham & Co, Bairnsdale.

Tim Woodgate, Buchan, consigned a big run of 247 mixed sex, June-July 2022 drop Herefords to a top price of $1610 at Bairnsdale in March. His draft included 368kg steers at $1610 or 448c/kg, 347kg steers at $1330 or 383c/kg, 301kg heifers at $1210 or 401c/kg and 276kg heifers at $1100 or 398c/kg. G and S Moon Pastoral, Black Mountain, sold 81 Hereford steers and 48 heifers, JuneJuly 2022 drop, including a top pen of 304kg steers for $990 or 325c/kg and heifers weighing 256kg for $920 or 378c/kg at Bairnsdale.

1. John Payne, Mulwala, NSW, sold PTIC Hereford heifers, Mawarra blood, 560kg and 23 to 24 months, for $4000 on AuctionsPlus. Images: AuctionsPlus

2. S and A Mitchell, Ellerston, NSW, sold a line of Strathleigh and Glenwarrah blood PTIC cows, 707kg and four years, for $2750.

2.

1.

INAUGURAL SPECIALLY SELECTED SPRING BULL SALE

TUESDAY 22ND AUGUST 2023

40 POLL HEREFORD BULLS

ONLINE SALE THROUGH AUCTIONSPLUS

Inspections:

• MONDAY 24TH JULY 2023 during The Land Southern Beef Week at “Riverview”, 616 Borambola North Rd, Borambola NSW

• TUESDAY 22ND AUGUST 2023 at “Riverview”, Borambola NSW from 10am

• ANYTIME by appointment

Sale video available late July

Includes sons of: TH Masterplan 183F, Yavenvale Powerhouse P499, Tobruk Queenstown Q004, Orari Gorge Quoit and Glentrevor Trust N909

BREED LEADING EBVS | CATALOGUE OF CURVE BENDERS | FOLLOW US

Rostella Pastoral, Yea, sold its complete herd of 129 Hereford and Hereford/Simmental steers, 16 to 24 months, at Leongatha sale to a top of $2500 or 400c/kg for a pen weighing 624kg. Hicks Herefords, Running Creek, sold 180 Ironbark blood weaned steers, 414kg, EU and Never Ever accredited, 11 to 13 months, for $1800 or 434c/kg.

DM Phelan, Billy Creek Station, Staceys Bridge, sold a run of 142 steers, 1012 months, and 14 months, with the tops weighing 429kg to make $1740 or 405c/kg and those weighing 375kg making $1520 or 405c/kg at Leongatha in March.

Lucy McEachern, Spring Run Herefords, Wingeel, sold weaner heifers, nine to 10 months, online to a top of $1620 or 587c/kg. R and D Aumann, Warrenbayne, sold PTIC heifers, 400kg, Wirruna blood, and 16 to 17 months, for $1720. Maree Paton, Tallangatta, sold a draft of 42 PTIC cows, Newcomen and Mawarra blood, 694-713kg, 3.5 to 4.5 years, for $2700.

At Wodonga store sale, a consignment of 600 weaners, Wirruna blood, from Tarabah Livestock, Holbrook, saw the top pen of 51 weighing 241kg making 456c/kg or $1100, and a second pen of 131 weighing 213kg sold for 495c/ kg or $1055.

Over the border into NSW and Okeview Pastoral, Scone, turned off feeder steers, 15 to 17 months and 404kg, for $1700 or 420c/kg. Paspaley Pastoral Company, Aberdeen, offered a run of 273 feeder steers aged 18 to 20 months and weighing 419kg, returning $1690 or 402c/kg. The second run of 98 weighing 382kg made $1580 or 413c/kg. They had been finished on millet, forage brassica and supplementary grain.

In March, Paspaley Pastoral, Kurrajong Park, Coolah, sold a run of 225 Hereford steer weaners, 196kg, seven to eight months, for $930 or 473c/ kg and 115 feeder steers, 367kg, 18 to 20 months, for $1400 or 381c/kg. The 100 Paspaley heifers, 250kg, and eight to 11 months, made $990 or 395c/kg.

In February Okeview Pastoral, Wantabadgery, sold Yavenvale, Bowen, Cascade and Injemira blood feeder steers, 445kg and 15 to 16 months, for $1860 or 417c/kg while 100 Group Pty Ltd, Book Book, sold unjoined Yavenvale blood heifers, 15 to 16 months, and 386kg, for $1400 or 362c/kg.

Mannus Valley Livestock, Tumbarumba, sold PTIC heifers, 528kg and 28 to 32 months, for $2180. Hayden Orford, Braidwood, sold cows, 443kg and 2.5 years, with calves, for $2310.

P and L Galloway, Wagga Wagga, sold Yavenvale blood station mated heifers, 31 to 33 months and 538kg, with calves for $3700 whilst Woodstock Partnership, Tooma, sold a draft of 43 yearling steers, 393kg, and 16 to 18 months, for $1700 or 432c/kg.

Canonbar Pastoral and Agtrade Pastoral Company, Nyngan, sold a draft of 56 PTIC heifers, 504kg, 18 to 30 months, for $2600. The heifers had been sourced from southern NSW and Victorian weaner sales, had been AIed to Injemira Robert Redford Q287 and run with an Injemira back up bull.

Fresh from paying the top price for heifers at the Wangaratta weaner sale, John Payne, Mulwala, sold PTIC Hereford heifers, 560kg and 23 to 24 months, for $4000 on AuctionsPlus. The Mawarra blood heifers had been bought out of the Mountain Calf Sales from Peter Faithfull, Omeo, and joined to low birthweight Angus bulls for a March calving.

H and J Fraser, Wollomombi, sold PTIC cows, 535kg and five to eight years, with calves, for $2850. S and A Mitchell, Ellerston, sold a line of Strathleigh and Glenwarrah blood PTIC cows, 707kg and four years, for $2750. M and J Pendergast,

3. Armstrong Evergreen, Yea, sold Yavenvale and Tarcombe blood heifers, 532kg and 20-22 months, and joined to a Yavenvale bull for $2720.

4. Agtrade Pastoral Company, Nyngan, NSW, sold a draft of 56 PTIC heifers, 504kg, 18 to 30 months, for $2600. The heifers had been sourced from southern NSW and Victorian weaner sales, had been AIed to Injemira Robert Redford Q287 and run with an Injemira back up bull.

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Cooma, sold future breeders, Allendale blood, 389kg, and 16 to 17 months, for $1660 or 426c/kg.

At the Clarence Valley Select Female and Breeder sale, Baryulgil Pastoral Co sold Hereford heifers and calves for $2400, PTIC heifers for $2150 and Hillview Herefords sold heifers, 12 to 14 months, for $1350.

In South Australia, Nayook South, Allendale East, sold a draft of 142 284-368kg EU, PCAS, March-April drop Banemore blood Hereford steers from $1510 to $1770 for an average of $1585 at the Mount Gambier sale. Thomas DeGaris & Clarkson paid $1770 or 481c/kg for a draft of 28 of the steers weighing 368kg.

In the Naracoorte combined agent’s sale in January, Killarney Family Trust sold PTIC heifers, 599kg, for $2700 and I and S Agnew sold cows, three years and 700kg, PTIC to an Angus bull for $2840. Hillgums Pastoral sold PTIC cows, five to six years, with calves for $2740.

B and S Skeer sold Bovilis MH + IBR treated weaner steers, nine to 10 months, and 403kg, for $1690 or 419c/kg at the Naracoorte weaner sale whilst D and A Flint sold steers, nine to 10 months, 390kg and also vaccinated with Bovilis for $1670 or 428c/kg.

The market toppers at Strathalbyn in March were April-May drop steers, 477kg, from M and K Peters, Kimba, making $1520 or 319c/kg. Harlock Pastoral, Naracoorte, sold weaned steers, 326kg, Allendale and Days blood, EU accredited, Bovilis MH + IBR vaccinated, nine to 10 months, for $1350 or 413c/kg.

At Mt Gambier store sale in South Australia, Avonlea, Strathdownie, sold 488kg steers, 14 to 16 months, to Teys Australia for $1820 or 373c/kg, Walkenny Park, Cape Bridgewater, sold a line of 50 Ardno, Bowmont and Bra-Ma blood steers, 333-368kg, for $1640 or 492c/kg to Nutrien Mt Gambier

Across to Western Australia and the WALSA Boyanup weaner sale – Nutrien saw Tonebridge Grazing sell Hereford steers, 370kg, nine to 10 months, for 440c/kg or $1628, the seconds at 324kg, nine to 10 months, for 434c/kg or $1406 and the thirds weighing 341kg returned 438c/kg or $1493.

The Elders Boyanup January store cattle sale resulted in E and B Hill selling Hereford weaner steers, nine to 11 months, 404kg for 400c/kg or $1616, 337kg at 414c/kg or $1395. The heifer portion weighing 381kg returned 358c/kg or $1363 and the seconds at 381kg made 358c/kg or $1364.

Heading north to Queensland where Remolea Poll Herefords, Warwick, sold a draft of future breeders, 15 to 18 months and weighing 345kg, for $2080, the seconds aged 15 to 20 months and 415kg, for $1900, the thirds weighing 386kg and 18 to 19 months, made $1880 and the fourths weighing 366kg and 13 to 20 months, returned $1780.

CA Hauff & Son, Blackall, sold four decks of Hereford feeder steers, milk tooth, 450-520kg, at the Blackall weaner sale with the top steers weighing 509kg making 346.2c/kg or $1762.

W Hartwig and K Bliss, Goombungee, sold Ironbark blood heifers, 438kg and 24 to 30 months, with calves for $2020 while Warren Point Pastoral, Mitchell, sold a draft of 38 unjoined heifers, 345kg and 14 to 18 months, for $1280 or 370c/kg. The second pen of 34 weighing 296kg made $1100 or 371c/ kg.

Down to Tasmania where Killara Pastoral, Springfield, sold backgrounder steers, 407kg, for 479c/kg or $1950 along with a draft of 47 weighing 447kg and retuning $2080 or 464c/kg and another pen of 47 weighing 439kg, 16 to 17 months, and returning $2050 or 466c/kg.

Chester Partnership, Selbourne, sold Quamby Plains blood yearling heifers, 371kg and 16 months, for $1610 or 433c/kg. J Cowen and A Kitto, Bridport, sold PTIC heifers, 518kg, and 27 to 29 months, for $2000.

5. Ruthven Family Trust, Brit Brit, Vic, sold cows, three to seven years, PTIC to Wilkah Quest Q011 and 708kg, for $2980.

6. Woomargama Station, Woomargama, NSW, sold Injemira blood yearling heifers, 16 to 17 months and 369kg, EU and Greenham Never Ever accredited, for $1360 or 367c/kg. Images: AuctionsPlus

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Nation’s on-property sales clear over $10 million worth of bulls

By Kim Woods

The 2023 autumn on-property sales season has resulted in more than $10 million changing hands for Hereford bulls from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

A total of 1397 bulls were offered with 1052 sold for a 75 per cent clearance, gross of $10,051,697 and average of $9555.

Leading the charge was Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, clearing 82 from 90 bulls to a top of $75,000 and average of $14,231 at their 52nd annual production sale on February 21. The average was the second highest for the season’s run of on-property sales.

David and Michelle Elsom, and daughters Grace and Emily Elsom, Emigrace Poll Herefords, Macarthur, Vic, outlaid the top price for Lot 4, Injemira Patriarch S042, a 19-month-old son of Bowen Patriarch P017 and out of first calf heifer Injemira Mischief Q053.

Described by Injemira principal Marc Greening as a “meat machine”, Patriarch had a low birthweight of +1.4kg, and ranked top 5 per cent for eye muscle area at +7.1sqcm, combined with moderate growth.

Second top price at $70,000 was Lot 3 Injemira Kickstart P093 S013, a 20-month-old son of Injemira Kickstart P093 ranking top 1 per cent for growth and eye muscle area, combined with calving ease and marbling. S013 was purchased by ABS Australia, Bundoora, Vic, represented by Annie Pumpa and Harry Comley, Ardno Performance Livestock, Mt Gambier, SA.

Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, was putting together a powerful sire battery from sales this autumn.

He secured the top price bull for $55,000 at the nation’s biggest offering of whiteface bulls this autumn at Yavenvale Poll Herefords and Herefords sale, at Adelong, NSW.

The July 2021 drop Yavenvale Silverstone S335 was sired by Glentrevor Trust N909, weighed 760kg and ranked on BREEDPLAN top 5 per cent for gestation length and all indexes. This was combined with top 10 per cent for all growth traits, scrotal size, and intramuscular fat, and top 20 per cent for calving ease direct and milk.

Mr Trovatello also paid $16,000 for Yavenvale Special Edition S696, one of the first TH Masterplan 183F (IMP USA) sons to be sold in Australia.

The big draft of 138 bulls at Yavenvale resulted in 119 sold under the hammer to average $10,773.

At its 10th on-property sale, Glendan Park sold 38 of 43 bulls to a top of $52,000 and average of $11,815. The top price bull, Glendan Park Super Cool S081, was bought by Greg and Del Rees, The Ranch Poll Herefords, Tomingley, NSW. S081 ranked in the top 5 per cent for 200-day weight, top 10 per cent for 400- and 600-day weights, retail beef yield and southern selfreplacing index. The Malseed family, Orana Partnership, bought Lot 11 for $20,000 with all proceeds going to BeyondBlue.

James and Kate Luckock, Ennerdale Poll Herefords, Dundonnell, sold Ennerdale Currency S207 to Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, for $42,000. The 22-month-old bull was by Tarcombe Cadbury P181, the first son of this sire to be offered and the stud retained semen for in-herd use.

Currency had BREEDPLAN figures of +17kg for milk, +5.8sqcm for eye muscle area, and 600-day weight of +96kg. Ennerdale cleared 30 from 36 bulls for an average of $8111.

Greg and Kayla Tyler, Hillview Herefords, Tyringham, paid the top price of $37,000 for Valley Vista Shaquille S104 at the Valley Vista Herefords on-property sale, Buchan, Vic.

The Yarram Park Herefords sale at Willaura, Vic, peaked at $36,000 twice with Yarram Lottery S166 secured by repeat

Image by studstocksales.com

buyer Barry Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, Vic, and Yarram Superior S098 purchased by return commercial clients Leon Wheeler and Donna Eichler, Wallacedale, Vic. The stud recorded the top sale average for the autumn sales run of $15,820 for 50 from 54 bulls.

Yarram Park Performance Genetics went on to purchase Allendale Jet S065 for $34,000 at the Allendale Poll Herefords sale at Bordertown, SA. Principals Alastair and Jayne Day and sold 28 bulls from 36 to average $8857.

Ian and Di Locke, Wirruna Poll Herefords, Holbrook, NSW, cleared 59 of 71 bulls to a top of $36,000 and average of $10,729. The top price bull was the 1010kg Wirruna R105, by Wirruna Kalimna K326.

Lachy and Lou Day, Days Whiteface, Bordertown, cleared 41 from 47 bulls to a top of $32,000 and average of $10,854. The top price bull, Days Limelight S084 was bought by Shilo Park Herefords, Compton, SA.

Paul and Judi Sykes, Karoonda Herefords, Gelantipy, Vic, topped at $30,000 for Karoonda Zeus S421 sold to Richard and Caroline McRae, Hawkesdale,

and they cleared 52 from 63 bulls for an average of $9980.

Barry and Topsy Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, paid the top price of $30,000 at the Valma/Nova Poll Herefords sale, Whitemore, Tasmania, for Valma Savage, a Yarawa South Paradise P112 son. The sale cleared 24 from 28 bulls to average $6520.

Away from the on-property sales, Yallaroo Superman S14 topped the WALSA and Farm Weekly Supreme Bull Sale at Brunswick, WA, on March 22, for vendor Rob and Heather Francis, Yallaroo Herefords, Busselton. Repeat buyer ED Wedge, Gingin, paid $30,000 for the 886kg bull sired by Battalion Bomber N31. Yallaroo sold all 13 bulls to average $13,308. John House, House Herefords, sold three bulls to average $6000 while Heidi Cowcher, Quaindering Poll Herefords, averaged $8000 for two bulls.

Andy and Serena Klippel, Sugarloaf Creek Herefords, Tooma, sold their top price bull, Sugarloaf Saintly S134, for $26,000 to repeat clients Robert, Marcus and Scott Reid. The family were also the volume buyers taking home four bulls to an average of $17,500.

Sugarloaf Creek cleared 26 bulls from 32 offered to average $9923.

Also topping at $26,000 was David and Olwyn Lyons, Melville Park Herefords and Poll Herefords, Vasey, Vic. The stud cleared 22 bulls from 39 offered for an average of $8363 and the top price bull, Melville Sam, sold to Bowen Poll Herefords, Barraba, NSW.

The Sykes family, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Vic, celebrated their 50th anniversary sale with 59 of 74 bulls selling to a top of $24,000 and average of $9627. The top price bull, Mawarra King of Beef S046, was bought by Paul and Brad Thomas, Kylandee Herefords, Inverell, NSW.

Morganvale Sharp S298, a son of Wirruna Perry P150, topped the Morganvale Beef sale at Keith, SA, at $23,000 for vendor Alan Morgan.

Purchased by R and S Morgan, Warrnambool, the bull ranked top 1 per cent for scrotal circumference and top five per cent for rib and rump EBVs. A total of 34 from 52 bulls sold for an average of $8437.

CONTINUED PAGE 76

We breed quality, efficient and profitable

cattle with the

traits

Commercial results are built on these qualities and bulls with them are true beef builders.

Scott and Pip Hann, Truro Hereford and Poll Herefords, Bellata, sold bulls to a top of $22,000 for Lot 17 Truro Stonishing S165 to Wandong Herefords, Yeoval, NSW, and the second top of $18,000 for Truro Shootout S155 went to Ownaview Herefords, Upper Freestone, Qld.

Oak Downs Poll Herefords, Bordertown, SA, sold their top price bull, Oak Downs Sturgeon S261, to a partnership of Wilkah Herefords, Vasey, Vic, and Glenellerslie Herefords, Adelong, NSW, for $22,000. The sale cleared 34 of 40 bulls to average $7500.

Philip Davie, Guilford Poll Herefords, Ouse, Tasmania, topped at $22,000 for Guilford Stockman S077 bought by Yavenvale Poll Herefords. The sale cleared 29 of 42 bulls for an average of $7517.

Newcomen Herefords outlaid $22,000 for the top price Quamby Plains Stanley S54 at the Quamby Plains Hereford sale, Hagley, Tasmania, where 46 bulls sold to average $8178.

Andrew and Ange Lyons, Wilkah Herefords, Vasey, sold 13 of 19 bulls to a top of $18,000 for Wilkah Paisley, to Anthony and Bindi Lees, Miga Lake. The sale averaged $8846.

Yavenvale Poll Herefords, Adelong, secured the top price bull, Newcomen Smoko S054, for $17,000 at the 20th annual on-property sale at Newcomen Herefords sale, Ensay.

Rob and Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Vic, sold 21 of 34 bulls under the hammer at their 49th annual sale with a top price of $15,000 and average of $7761. The top price bull, Tarcombe Molong S223, sold to the Hiscock family, Kilmore, Vic.

Ross and Mandy Smith, Glenellerslie Hereford and Poll Herefords, Adelong,

celebrated their 30th annual sale with a top price of $13,000 and the sale of their 1000th bull.

Weighing 804kg, the top price bull, Glenellerslie Valentine 2, was bought by Ian Shaw, Galong, NSW, while the 1000th bull, Glenellerslie Viking, sold for $9000.

Frank Hannigan, Casino, NSW dispersed his Franco and Parson Hill Herefords in April after more than 30 years of stud breeding. The S drop sires, 26 head, sold to $20,000 to average $7576 and the 19 yearling bulls sold to $8000 and averaged $4000. Franco Safari S510 sold for the top price to Ross Smith, Glenellerslie Herefords, Adelong, NSW.

In Western Australia, the 30th Invitational Production Sale resulted in Annaghdowns selling three from three bulls for a top of $11,500 and average of $7500 while Eskdale sold two from 10 bulls to $5000 twice and an average of $5000.

In the female lots, Wirruna cleared 100 per cent of the 12 PTIC heifers to a top of $9000 twice and averaged $6208. A total of 40 from 72 PTIC cows sold to $4000 and averaged $3050. Equal top price female Wirruna Victoria P365 was bought by Roscrea Farming, Brentwood, SA, while the other lot, Wirruna Victoria R039, was bought by P and S Eggleston, Kiewa.

Tarcombe Herefords sold 29 of 32 heifers to a top of $5000 and average of $3421, with the top price lot Tarcombe Cora S094 bought by B and C Kelly, Kilmore.

Injemira Beef Genetics sold PTIC commercial heifers, rising two years and joined to calve over six weeks to specialist polled heifer sires. They were European Union accredited, PCAS eligible, and are purchased annually from Injemira clients. The heifers are drafted on constitution

and market suitability traits with the best 200 joined to be sold for breeding.

The top price pen at $3220 were bred on Mahkwallok East and joined to paternal brothers of the record-breaking sire Injemira Robert Redford Q287 to calve in March. They were snapped up by Ray White Rural, Casino. The draft of 146 heifers averaged $2843.

Geoff and Heather Bush, Kirraweena/ Glenholme, Cootamundra, recorded a total clearance of 28 unjoined heifers to a top of $3325 and average of $2067. The top price pen was bought by Dennis and Denice Griggs, Braidwood, NSW.

Guilford Poll Herefords, Ouse, Tasmania, sold four heifers to $5500 (twice) and average of $5187 at the annual sale in April. The top price heifers were May 2022 drop, both sired by Mawarra Star Attraction P033 and purchased by Yavenvale Poll Herefords and EDR Herefords, Wynyard, Tasmania.

The dispersal of the Franco and Parson Hill female herd at the Inverell Regional Livestock Exchange on April 24 resulted in Franco Daffodil R132 and her heifer calf, Franco Daffodil U103 selling for the top price of $18,000 to Jim Gibb, Cootamundra, NSW.

The dispersal resulted in 177 lots grossing $960,000 to average $5454. The 68 cows with calves sold to $16,000 and averaged $5455, 23 first calf heifers sold to $18,000 and averaged $6087, 20 heifers sold to $7000 and averaged $4975 and 32 yearling heifers sold to $6500 to average $3890.

Stanford Poll Herefords, Bathurst, NSW, sold station mated heifers, 18 to 19 months, for $1500-$1800, and unjoined cows and calves, two to five years, to a top of $2800.

RNA 2022

SIRES CURRENTLY IN USE: Warwick Court Renault R120 (H)

Yalgoo Pioneer Q047 (AI) (PP) Elite K124 S135 (AI) (PP)

Braelyn Unique Q013 (AI) (H)

Autumn bull sales for 2023

Hereford breeders enjoy showing cattle and social catch up during Autumn run

The northern NSW autumn show run was marked by good weather and strong entries culminating with 75 head at the Inverell Feature Hereford Show in February.

The beautiful showground at Glen Innes provided a picturesque setting for the 41 cattle exhibited by 11 studs in the Hereford classes in February.

In the bull classes, the junior champion was Reevesdale Supa Nova, exhibited by

Graham and Felicity Reeves, Reevesdale Poll Herefords, Gum Flat, with Truro Sherlock S188 in reserve shown by Scott and Pip Hann, Truro Hereford and Poll Herefords, Bellata.

Hylands Hero was shown by Phillip and Brad Thomas, Kylandee Herefords, Elsmore, to senior and grand champion bull and Hillview Roberto R049 was in reserve for Greg and Kayla Tyler, Hillview Herefords, Kyogle, NSW.

Kylandee Daffodil was sashed as junior and grand champion cow or heifer and in reserve was Lotus Victorine S185. Senior champion female was Te-Angie Duchess R155 exhibited by Richard Olgilvie, TeAngie Poll Herefords, Wongwibinda, and reserve champion Jindalee Choice shown by Angus and Eunice Vivers, Jindalee Poll Herefords, Kings Plain.

In the interbreed results, Truro Sherlock S188 won the sweepstakes junior bull and Truro Spartacus S35 was third. Kylandee Daffodil took out the sweepstakes junior heifer and went on to claim the supreme female of the show.

Truro stud won the pair of beef bulls and Lotus Hereford Stud placed third while Te-Angie Poll Hereford Stud placed second in the pair of beef females and Reevesdale was in third.

Te Angie Poll Herefords won the breeders group of three.

At Guyra on February 17-18, Chris Lisle, Tummel Herefords, Walcha, exhibited Tummel Payrise S145 to win the bull 16 months and under 20 months, junior and grand champion Hereford bull.

Stablemate Tummel Power Town S165 was shown to reserve champion junior

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bull while senior champion bull and the Foxforth Herefords trophy went to Bahreenah Sheamus, shown by Jane Leake, Bahreenah Poll Herefords, Tingah. In reserve was Hillview Roberto R049, shown by Hillview Herefords.

Reevesdale Petunia came from a win in the female 16 and under 20 months class to win junior champion female with Neridah Simplicity’s Endure S005 in reserve for Kerry and Margaret Lamph, Neridah Poll Herefords, Glen Innes.

Tummel Herefords received the Britannia Poll Hereford Trophy for the pair of bulls under 20 months and interbreed pair of bulls with Tummel Payrise S145 and Tummel Power Town S134.

A big line up of 75 head from 18 exhibitors greeted the judge at the Inverell Hereford Feature Show on February 25, and featuring pre-show social function sponsored by Te-Angie and Jindalee, a barbecue serving Bindaree beef sponsored by the Inverell Cattle Committee.

The Yalgoo Peacemaker son, Truro Sherlock S188, continued on his winning way to claim junior and grand champion bull, supreme exhibit, interbreed champion bull and supreme beef exhibit. His stablemate Truro Spartacus S135 won the reserve junior bull sash.

A son of Tycolah Queenscliff N029, Tycolah Universe S001 was sashed as senior champion bull for Steve and Therese Crowley, Tycolah Poll Herefords, Barraba, with Hylands Hero, exhibited by Kylandee Herefords, in reserve.

In the females, the Foxforth Ninja daughter Lotus Victorine S185 was junior and grand champion female for Lotus Herefords, Glen Innes, and Kylandee Daffodil T014 was reserve junior female. Senior champion female went to Reevesdale Carla N013 and in reserve was Te-Angie Duchess R155.

In the interbreed results, Kylandee Daffodil was best calf of the show under 12 months, Truro Whiteface supreme champion breeders’ group and supreme champion interbreed bull, while Truro Sherlock and Lotus Victorine were supreme pair.

1. The line-up for judging in the junior female class at Glen Innes show.

2. Junior champion Truro Sherlock and reserve junior champion Truro Spartacus. Image: Barbara Hollis

3. Mitch Taylor was the overall champion junior judge at Inverell.

In the school’s competition, Mitchell Taylor, Calrossy Anglican School, won the junior judging, Damon Murphy, Inverell, was champion parader with Ellie Emery in reserve. Shaun McKenna, Walcha Central School, won the herdsman and champion school student was Isla McIndoe, Glen Innes High School.

At Toowoomba Royal Show, Te-Angie Poll Herefords exhibited junior champion bull, Te-Angie Spitfire, reserve junior champion bull, Te-Angie Striker, junior champion heifer Te-Angie Staturesque, reserve junior champion heifer TeAngie Sunbeam, senior and grand champion female Te-Angie Staturesque N046.

Across to Western Australia, Denise Warner, Paragon Miniature Hereford stud, Waroona, exhibited the champion junior bull, Paragon Lord TJ, in the specialty breeds at the Commonwealth Beef Cattle Expo at the 2023 Wagin Woolorama.

Paraded by Tyson Edwards, Paragon Lady Tamara was sashed as the champion junior female in the specialty breeds.

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Llandillo Soldier on the march to claim Champion of Champions

Llandillo Soldier S42 stormed through the ranks at the 2023 Royal Canberra Show to take the coveted Champion of Champions title.

Exhibited by Llandillo Poll Herefords, The Lagoon, NSW, the 875kg Soldier S42 came from the 20 to 24 months class to win senior champion and grand champion bull, and supreme exhibit under judge Gerald Spry, Mangoplah, NSW, and associate judge Hamish Maclure, Tarcutta, NSW.

The March 2021 drop bull was sired by Grathlyn Pacemaker and is out of Llandillo Corrisande. He was given a unanimous nod from the three interbreed judges Gerald Spry, Amy Birch, Eidsvold, Qld, and Sam Hunter, Yass, NSW to win the Champion of Champions bull followed by the overall title from 14 other bulls.

It was a back-to-back victory for Soldier as he had won the interbreed jackpot championship as an 11-month-old calf at the 2022 Royal Canberra Show, followed by supreme exhibit at Bathurst Royal Show, and grand champion at the All Breeds Junior Heifer Show and Hereford National Youth Show.

In the females, Shotgun Elsa T001, a January 2022 drop daughter of Elm Vale Promotion P008, was exhibited by Skye Hubbard, Shotgun Livestock, Cobbitty, to junior champion female with the July 2021 drop Kanimbla May S067, sired by Boyd 31Z Blueprint 6153, shown by Brett and Emily Keeble, Legacy Herefords, Zeerust, Vic, in reserve.

Llandillo Poll Herefords won the pair of heifers under 20 months.

Ken and Liz Ikin, Cloverlee Poll Herefords, Bannister, exhibited Cloverlee Asteret R604 to win senior and grand champion female. The cow was by Tarlee Mustang and out of Cloverlee Asteret P003, and was shown with her spring drop heifer calf sired by Mawarra Terminator Q274, Cloverlee Asteret T001.

Helen De Costa, Double H Herefords, Currawarna, NSW, showed the 2020 drop JTR Cherry R020 to reserve senior champion female. The cow was by JTR Patrick M015 and was shown with her spring drop heifer calf, Double H Cherry T094.

Tim and Jemma Reid, JTR Cattle Co, Roslyn, exhibited JTR Santiago S029 to junior champion bull. The spring 2021

drop bull was sired by Maildaburra Jarrah J2 and out of JTR Showgirl M018. Shotgun Livestock showed the Kidman Monaro N063 son, Kidman Sniper S196, into reserve senior champion bull.

JTR went on to win the pair of bulls under 20 months and the breeders group.

In the paraders, Herefords Australia Youth member Hayden Tarlinton, Bannister, NSW, showed his Hereford heifer to win novice champion under judge Annika Wynberg.

Palisade Ivy, exhibited by Sue Parish, Camden South, was sashed as supreme miniature Hereford exhibit over stable mate and grand champion bull Palisade Jim B.

1. Tim Reid, JTR Cattle Co, on the halter of junior champion bull JTR Santiago S029.

2. Shotgun Livestock showed the Kidman Monaro N063 son, Kidman Sniper S196, into reserve senior champion bull.

3. Associate judge Hamish Maclure, Renae Keith, handler Lee White, judge Gerald Spry and sponsor Shannon Lawlor with supreme exhibit Llandillo Solder S42.

Images: Renae Keith

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Sherlock shines to take supreme exhibit for Truro at Sydney Royal

By Kim Woods

Truro Sherlock S188 continued his dominance of the northern show circuit to take the hat trick at the 2023 Royal Sydney Show of junior and grand champion bull and supreme Hereford exhibit.

The spring drop 2021 bull was sired by Yalgoo Peacemaker P034 and out of Truro Daffodil M066, the spring 2021 bull emerged from the class over 19 months and not over 20 months to win the junior champion for exhibitors Scott and Pip Hann, Truro Whiteface, Bellata, NSW.

Sherlock had been reserve junior champion and the sweepstakes junior bull at the Glen Innes show, followed by junior and grand champion, supreme exhibit and interbreed champion and supreme beef exhibit at Inverell show. He also went on to be junior bull challenge champion, grand champion Bos taurus bull, champion interbreed bull and won the Rabobank Super Bull Challenge at Taroom from 242 entries.

Weighing 896kg, Sherlock had a raw eye muscle area of 131sqcm and will be set for the 2023 Royal Queensland Show before being offered at the Truro spring sale.

Judge Alastair Day, Allendale Poll Herefords, Bordertown, SA, described Sherlock as having a “great muscle pattern, nice shoulder, terrific hindquarter, good testicles and sheath.”

“This bull is a terrific example of our breed with so much length, weight for age and he is so well balanced,” Mr Day said.

Tycolah Undercover S117 had placed second to the grand champion in his class and was sashed as reserve junior champion for exhibitors Steve and Therese Crowley, Tycolah Poll Herefords, Cobbadah, NSW.

CONTINUED PAGE 82

Truro principal Scott Hann on the halter of the supreme exhibit Truro Sherlock S188, with Michael Crowley, Herefords Australia, Pip, Sophie and Matilda Hann, and judge Alastair Day. Image: studstocksales.com

FROM PAGE 81

“We are lucky in our breed to have a couple of bulls like this we can use –they have all the commercial qualities plus the stud sire appeal and quality,” Mr Day said.

Lotus Say No More S172 came from a win in the over 20 and not over 24 months class to be sashed as senior champion bull for exhibitors Tony and Barb Holliss, Lotus Herefords, Glen Innes, NSW. The July 2021 drop bull was sired by Lotus Zeus and out of Lotus Maritana K44.

Mr Day said the senior champion was a long, correct carcase bull with good weight for age.

Llandillo Poll Herefords, The Lagoon, NSW, exhibited the reserve senior champion bull, Llandillo Soldier S42, a March 2021 drop son of Grathlyn Pacemaker and out of Llandillo Corrisande.

Mr Day described Soldier as a “carcase bull” ideal for maintaining carcase quality and yield.

In the female classes, the junior champion Cloverlee Secrecy S007 emerged from the heifer over 18 months and not over 19 months, to take the sash for exhibitors Ken and Liz Ikin, Cloverlee Poll Herefords, Bannister, NSW.

Secrecy is a spring drop 2021 daughter of Mawarra Showtime P277 and out of Cloverlee Secrecy Q016.

Judge Alastair Day described Cloverlee Secrecy as a complete heifer that was well structured and with a most impressive hindquarter.

“She is beautiful through the front end, has a lovely strong top with enough thickness and depth, a good skin and nice udder development,” he said.

The Kanimbla Redemption Q079 spring drop 2021 daughter, Kanimbla

Nicky S130 had stood second to the Champion in her class and was sashed as reserve junior champion for exhibitors Brett and Emily Keeble, Legacy Herefords, Zeerust, Victoria.

Mr Day said the heifer was “long bodied with a beautiful top and head, lovely wedge shape and brilliant hindquarter”.

The senior champion female, the Tarlee Mustang daughter Cloverlee Asteret R604 and her spring drop heifer calf, Cloverlee Asteret T001, by Mawarra Terminator Q274, had won the cow over 30 and not over 36 months, for exhibitor Cloverlee Poll Herefords. Asteret went on to claim grand champion female.

Mr Day said Asteret was a long bodied, structurally correct female with a magnificent calf replicating her mother.

The win followed the senior and grand champion female sashes at the 2023 Royal Canberra Show for Cloverlee stud and Asteret R604.

Cloverlee received the Viscount Hereford Perpetual Trophy donated by the Honourable The Viscount Hereford and the Allen Galloway Annual Trophy supported by the Galloway family, Cootharaba Herefords, Roma, Qld.

Graham and Felicity Reeves, Reevesdale Poll Herefords, Gum Flat, NSW, exhibited the reserve

champion senior female, Reevesdale Petunia S010, the winner of the heifer 20 months and not over 24 months and sired by Reevesdale Lancealot L60.

“This heifer is so strong through the top and so correct – one to keep an eye on,” Mr Day said.

In the pair of bulls over 24 months, Truro was placed first with Tycolah Poll Herefords in second while the sire’s progeny was won by Tycolah Queenscliff N029 progeny for Tycolah Poll Herefords, with Maildaburra Jarrah J2 progeny in second for JTR Cattle Co, Roslyn, NSW.

The breeder’s group was won by Tycolah Poll Herefords which went on to be declared the most successful Hereford exhibitor, receiving the H R “Bubbles” Field Perpetual Trophy.

The best maintained team two to five head was won by Emily Taylor, Eclipse Herefords, and by Llandillo Poll Herefords for the team over five head.

In the beef cattle paraders, Max White, The Lagoon, placed fourth in the eight years and under 13 years class, while Emily Taylor, Quipolly, placed third in the open paraders 19 and under 25 years and William Van Gend, The Lagoon, was fourth.

Away from the showring, the general public were able to indulge in Hearty Hereford pies sponsored by Herefords Australia, PILOT and Manildra Group, and prepared by the Baking Association of Australia. They were sold through the Royal Easter Show Pie shop in the AG Discovery Pavilion.

RAS representative Ellen Downes with judge Alastair Day, handlers Belinda and Charlie Tarlinton, presenting the sash is Anne Galloway, exhibitor Liz Ikin, Cloverlee stud, and Ian Galloway with the trophy for the grand champion female Cloverlee Asteret R604. Image: Branded Ag

Senior champion bull Lotus Say No More S172 led by Cameron Holliss with judge Alastair Day, Liz Ikin and Ellen Downes. Image: Branded Ag

Wandong celebrating a platinum anniversary of commercial Hereford production

By Kim Woods

The Bjorksten family has stayed true to their values across 70 years of commercial Hereford breeding – fertile, efficient females producing steers hitting the end user specifications off grass.

The family operates Wandong Herefords, a 34,000 DSE enterprise on 3.25 labour units, across two properties at Yeoval and Guyra in NSW, and has a sister herd, Beralga, at St George, in Queensland.

Ian and Jennifer Bjorksten operate Wandong Herefords breeding herd and finishing enterprise at “Wandoo”, Yeoval, while their son James and his wife Sarah run a grass finishing operation and breeding herd at “Green Valley”, Guyra.

Ian’s brother Daryl and his wife Antoinette run the Beralga herd at St George.

Wandong Herefords was founded in 1952 by Norman and Ruby Bjorksten, who sourced high quality Hereford cows at annual production sales at Benambra, in the Victorian high country.

An early influential sire, Illiston Ausborne, purchased in 1960 was joined to 40 cows twice a year for several years, and after entering progeny into carcase trials at Shepparton abattoir in the 1960s, it was discovered he was exceptional for IMF (intramuscular fat).

Ian recalls one of their yearling steers achieved a higher marble score than a competitor’s three-year-old bullock. He believes the sire still has an influence on the IMF potential of the Wandong cow herd today.

Originally running 350 cows at “Sungaron”, Seymour, Victoria, the Bjorksten family moved to “Wandoo Wandong”, Yeoval, in 1973.

The family operated a mixed farming business, running both Hereford cattle, Merino ewes and crossbred lambs. Cattle

James and Ian Bjorksten at Wandong Herefords, Yeoval. Image: The Land

FROM PAGE 83

numbers were increased to 1000 cows and sheep were gradually phased out by the early 1990s.

In 1982, the family acquired “Glenmuir”, St George, Qld, to help maintain cow numbers during the drought. In 1998 Norman and Daryl Bjorksten purchased “Beralga”, St George, where Daryl and Antoinette still operate.

During the 1990s many of the Wandong steers were finished through Myola feedlot, where they achieved industry leading feed conversion efficiency results in both short term and 150 day feeding programs.

James was awarded the Hereford Society EA Southee Scholarship in 2001, when he attended the annual Beef Congress in Houston Texas. Learning from this study tour was the inspiration for starting “Hereford Red” branded beef some 10 years later.

Ian purchased an additional 1000ha at Cumnock in 2012, with an adjoining 600ha lease block.

A testament to the resilience of the Hereford breed is the Wandong cow herd returned to full numbers by 2022, after three years of crippling drought from 2017-2020.

Ian’s focus today is to grow pastures that can provide feed for high performance of his herd year-round.

Wandong and Beralga total 1900 breeders and is a vertically integrated enterprise across the three geographic regions.

Prior to the drought, Wandong Herefords had developed their own grass-fed beef brand, Hereford Red, with steers processed and graded with a tight MSA boning spec, averaging an MSA Index of 63.28 and marble score 2 over a decade of processing every six to 10 weeks.

The brand was embraced by local chefs from the Central West, Central Coast and Sydney, and at the peak was consuming over 60 per cent of the steer drop, or 350 head a year.

To meet the specs, James used an adaptive grazing management system based on animal health and performance. He monitored cattle on their rumen health signals and managed pasture to maximise quality.

Hereford Red was paused during the drought, with plans to recommence

when conducive trading conditions return.

“We are focusing on what we do best – producing high quality grass-fed Hereford beef and most of our product goes into Coles Graze assured grass-fed brand.”

James and Sarah moved to “Green Valley”, Guyra, in 2020 after spending some years off-farm and returned to the agricultural sector with a fresh passion.

In regard to the Wandong herd, there has always been a strong focus on selection for high fertility in the females and carcase traits in the bulls.

“We buy balanced bulls with length, frame, depth and volume, with a strong emphasis on 600-day growth, and the carcase attributes of EMA, IMF and yield.

James likes to exchange ideas with his brother Tom, an innovator in chemicalfree, zero-external input soils using biomass and ground cover to build organic matter.

“I’m focused on the vertical integration of the business – not just moving cattle from place to place but how we can integrate, work together to improve the production systems on all of our properties,” James said.

Under the vertically integrated system, Daryl calves cows down 650 breeders at St George, and sends the weaners to “Green Valley” Guyra for growing out.

The tops of the replacement heifers are sent back to St George for joining, and the steers and surplus heifers are then sent to Yeoval for finishing over winter on cereal crops.

Starting at an average of 300kg liveweight, the 450 weaner steers and heifers sent to “Green Valley” in September 2022 had an average daily gain of 1.3kg over 160 days on grass only.

James and Ian aim to achieve 1kg/day of lifetime gain in the steers at Wandoo Wandong and Green Valley. Pastures are predominantly multi-species winter active, summer dormant species at Yeoval and the opposite at Guyra being highly summer active species including fescue, red and white clover.

The steers are rotationally grazed through 10-40ha sized paddocks in mobs of 100-150 for seven days per paddock to keep the pastures at a vegetative, highly digestible growth stage.

In terms of compliance, Ian is careful in targeting the cattle to finish at Yeoval to

the right carcase weight, yield and fat specifications.

Heifers are joined via AI at Yeoval, using semen from curve bending sires leading in calving ease and low birthweight EBVs. Wandong yearling bulls are used as back-ups to the heifers across a six week joining.

“This gives us a tight calving pattern and results in a 65-70 per cent pregnancy rate to the AI, with the back-up bulls picking up the balance,” James said.

“The early born AI calves are identified separately. Heifers are culled if they are empty at pregnancy testing and are fattened and sold.”

With an average herd age of four to five years, females are joined in May and October for an autumn and spring calving.

Weaning protocol at each property involves yard weaning for five to seven days, positive socialisation, low stress stock handling and supplementary feeding.

James aims to champion the modern Hereford for its feed efficiency and high yielding carcase off grass.

“I don’t see any reason why Herefords can’t be an important part of the Australian beef industry in the future,” he said.

“They are unbeatable as grass converters and finishers. For us it makes a lot of sense as we finish on grass. We have backgrounded and finished other breeds as trade cattle but have never consistently had the performance off grass we have had with the Herefords.

“We are a family business and have always stayed consistent with our values – Norman would be pretty proud the three of us are working together as a family.”

Wandong value added to the steers with Hereford Red.

Vale - Geoffrey Robert King

Geoffrey Robert King was born on October 1, 1940, the eldest child of Rich and Nance, brother to Janice Russell (deceased) and Colin.

Geoff was educated at Maroona and later The Geelong College, before returning home to Bowmont to begin his agricultural career under the guidance of his father.

After Rich’s retirement, Geoff and Colin went their own ways with Geoff continuing with the Merino stud, selling 400 rams a year in the 1980s. Bowmont Herefords was founded in 1973.

“Growing up we saw Dad as a hard worker who was dedicated to the core on anything that he took on. Whether that was on the farm or in the many other facets of community service which he was involved in. Dad instilled in all of us the importance of hard work and humility,” son Sam King said.

“Other childhood memories include travelling around the nation with mum and dad either looking at, or for genetics, or tagging along to some of the many shows in which dad was one of the officiating judges.”

Bowmont Herefords gained momentum in the 1990s with major awards and many high prices received for bulls at the Wodonga National Show and Sale. Geoff served as sale committee chairman along with being a councillor for the Shire of Ararat and Rural City of Ararat, on the Ararat Regional

t u sHEREFORDS

Development Board, the Australian Sheep Breeders Association, Victorian Stud Merino Sheep Breeders Association and clocked up 60 years of service with the Country Fire Association.

Geoff was awarded an OAM in 2006 for his services to the sheep and wool industry and local government. He was the driving force to save the Australian Sheep and Wool Show and its relocation from Melbourne to Bendigo.

Geoff was also awarded a life membership of Herefords Australia. He died on April 7 and a public memorial service was held at Bowmont on April 18, 2023.

He is survived by his wife Leonie and children Craig, Scott, Kim, Libby, Sam and Richard, and 20 grandchildren.

Vale - Jeremy John Upton

Hundreds of mourners from the Hereford industry gathered at Dunkeld on January 30 for a memorial service to pay tribute to agricultural icon, cattleman, family man, avid cyclist and passionate rugby supporter Jeremy Upton.

Born on November 2, 1961, Jeremy served for 30 years as general manager of the famed Yarram Park Hereford stud, Willaura, Victoria, and its commercial arm, Western Districts Pastoral Company, before passing on January 16, 2023.

He grew up at Moree with older brother Simon before attending the Kings School in Sydney.

Jeremy graduated in 1984 with a Diploma of Farm Business Management with honours in agricultural and business management from Marcus Oldham College, winning the Marcus Oldham Graduate Excellence Award and Leadership Course Graduate.

Jeremy was a Churchill Fellowship recipient to study quality assurance and marketing of livestock and was a member of the Victorian Churchill Fellowship Board. He was appointed to the position at the Baillieu family’s Western District Pastoral in 1992.

Jeremy had received the Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer Award and the Beef Improvement Association Certificate of Excellence.

New Zealand Hereford breeder John McKerchar, Shrimpton’s Hill Herefords, South Canterbury, spoke at the memorial service of ringing Jeremy after reading about an impressive Yarram Park bull in the Herefords Australia magazine.

John found Jeremy “so helpful and accommodating” while negotiating the New Zealand semen rights. It took another three years for the two men to meet at the Herefords Australia National Sale Wodonga where Jeremy was looking after a team of bulls and John was visiting

Vale - John Robert Higgins

Long-time Hereford breeder John Higgins passed away at the age of 94 years on March 17, 2023, and will be remembered as a great cattleman, horseman and family man with a optimistic attitude to life.

John Robert Higgins was born on January 28, 1929, the second child of Herbert (HT) and Arline Higgins of Curracabark, Gloucester, and brother to Margaret, James (known as Jim) and Elizabeth. John was to spend most of his life working and living at Curracabark, a property he loved.

In 1950, the Curracabark Hereford Stud was started by HT Higgins with the purchase of some Colly Creek Estate cows and a Hobartville bull from ES Roundtree with the first calf registered in 1951. In 1952 cows from White’s Timor Stud were added. In 1953 John and Jim started their own stud, Faulkland. The aim of the studs was to breed bulls for their commercial herd however showing and selling bulls soon became part of the operation.

Amongst the Faulkland stud triumphs over the years was the Junior Champion bull Faulkland Watchman at the Sydney RAS in 1983, selling for the top price of $34,000 to the Invernaion Stud, Queensland.

In 2005 Faulkland Hamilton was awarded grand champion Hereford bull at the Sydney RAS and went on to win grand champion and sell for the top price of $46,000 at the Wodonga National Hereford Show and Sale. The following year Faulkland Legion was awarded reserve junior champion bull and sold at the Wodonga sale for $23,000.

In 1958, the stud sold at the first Gloucester Bull Sale and continued to sell their commercial bulls there until 2011 (when

from New Zealand.

“I rang a number of Hereford breeders on both sides of the Tasman and the common theme was he was a highly regarded cattleman, just a great bloke and Yarram Park Hereford stud wouldn’t be what it is without him.

John said he often sought advice from Jeremy, respecting his honesty and positivity.

“Jeremy was very proud of his family and a passionate rugby supporter.

“Liz and I feel privileged to breed Hereford cattle as we have met some wonderful people, especially Australians, and at the top of the list was Jeremy.”

Jeremy is survived by his wife Jenny, children Tom and Georgie, and was father-in-law to Anna and John.

on-property sales began) regularly achieving amongst the top price and selling bulls across northern NSW.

The showring success and the reputation of their bulls in the commercial industry led to invitations to John and Jim to judge around the state, Royal Shows and Hereford feature shows.

In 1977, John judged the Herefords at the Royal Brisbane Show and in 1978 at Melbourne Royal, the National Hereford Show and Sale at Wodonga. In 1990 he and wife Patsy travelled to England where he judged the Herefords at the Three Counties Show. Following the UK visit, they then flew to Canada to visit Hereford studs in Alberta.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patsy, and children John, Andrew, Kathy Cary and Anna Moncrieff, and 18 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and his sisters Marg Boydell and Liz Harris.

Judge, John Higgins (left), judging at Melbourne Royal Show. Image: Andrew Higgins

Vale - William Kenneth “Cowboy” Godbolt

Described by mourners as “one of the breed’s true characters and the ultimate showman”, Cowboy died on January 7, 2023, aged 87 and his funeral was held on January 18 at St John’s Church, Taree – the church where he had married Gwen 66 years before.

Hereford breeders around the nation recalled how Cowboy was always ready with good advice on breeding cattle or his philosophy on life, with his cheeky grin and banter.

Ken was born on May 9, 1935, at Nabiac to parents Bill and Peg Godbolt, and grew up on a dairy farm at Karkatt. Ken left school at 13 to work at home on the farm until he was 16 and then went with his older brother Gordon to work on Andamooka Station in South Australia.

Cowboy’s first stud break came with the help from his brother Gordon working at Karoola Poll Shorthorn stud at Cumnock where he progressed to the job of stud groom. Cowboy and Gwen’s third child Shane was born at Wellington.

He fondly remembered his first grand champion at Sydney and Brisbane Royal Shows with Karoola and selling a bull for

5000 guineas in 1961 ($10,500). He was promoted to stud master in 1963 and the stud was dispersed in 1968.

Cowboy took over the management of the Hobartville Hereford Stud in 1969 with 500 breeders running on 2500 acres. During his decade managing Hobartville, Cowboy led the stud to success winning multiple grand champions at Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne Shows, and the renowned Glen Innes Bull Sale.

He described the highlight of his early years with two words, Hobartville Mason. A bull born into the stud in 1972 as a result of Cowboy’s breeding management, Mason went on to win grand champion bull at Melbourne and Sydney Royal Shows. It was at the 1975 Sydney Show that Mason made Hereford history selling for a record price of $44,000.

Hobartville dispersed in 1979 and Cowboy moved to the Red Hill Hereford Stud owned by David Templeton. In 1984 Cowboy and Gwen moved to Braidwood to manage Red Hill.

Vale - Louis Henry Pendergast

High country cattlemen and women gathered for the funeral of Louis Pendergast at Benambra on December 15, 2022, after he passed away on November 29, 2022 at age 75.

Louis was a fourth-generation commercial Hereford breeder, running 240 cows, and was always a familiar face at the annual Mountain Calf Sales with his Hereford and black baldy calves.

He was the third child and only son of Lou and Sylvia Pendergast born on February 11, 1947.

His sisters Barbara, Kay and Dianne, Jennifer and Lindy were all born in Omeo. Louis attended primary school in Benambra followed by the Catholic School in Omeo and Saint Patricks College in Sale.

After leaving school Louis worked on the family farm until he had a family of his own and began farming himself. He spent many long days in the saddle mustering Hereford cattle in the bush, contending with wild dogs and stray cattle.

Louis married Marilyn in 1969 and had two sons, Brett and Sean, with Brett tragically killed in a motorcycle accident at age 16. The marriage broke down and Louis married Sharon in 1989, having four children of their own Stuart, Blake, Jessica and Lloyd.

“Despite contending with droughts, bushfires and high interest rates, Dad and Mum worked hard while we were kids,” Stuart said.

The stud had 250 breeders and won four grand champions at Sydney over eight years. The passion for the stud industry allowed Cowboy to lead Red Hill to greatness selling Red Hill Time Bomb for $42,000 at Sydney in 1999.

Ken and Gwen purchased a small property “Kenaire” in Armidale where in 1985 they established Cowboy Hereford Stud with a purchase of three cows from David Templeton.

Over the years Cowboy produced champions and sale toppers – with great success Cowboy Thunderbolt was awarded junior and grand champion bull and sold for $16,000.

Cowboy and Gwen retired to Murwillimbah, NSW, in the Tweed Valley in 2006 where they bought a lovely home overlooking a dairy farm. They have raised three children, Wayne, Dianna and Shane, five grandchildren, Nikki, Reece, Katie, Max and Zachary, and four great grandchildren Quaid, Phoenix, Ruby and Elliott.

“Dad always put a lot of emphasis on farm work with hay still needing to be carted even it if was 40 degrees on Christmas day. A favourite trick of Dad’s was marking a bull calf and throwing a nut or two at an unsuspecting mate from town.”

Stuart and his wife Ashleigh moved to their own farm at Benambra, working with Louis every day, learning about him and from him.

Louis and Sharon had enjoyed travelling to the UK, Canada, Alaska and New Zealand in recent times.

“Dad loved Benambra. He loved his family, his wife, his kids, his cows and his sheep,” Stuart said.

Louis Pendergast, third from left, with his wife Sharon and family at the 2022 Mountain Calf Sales.

Vale - Rod Davies

Wrattenbullie Poll Hereford stud principal Rod Davis is being remembered as a deep thinker who set incredibly high standards for his sheep and cattle studs.

From a young age Rod had a passion and love for Poll Dorset sheep and Poll Hereford cattle. He spent his time striving for the best for both his own farm and the breeds, and his stock were his pride and joy.

Wrattenbullie stud was founded in 1976 by Rod and wife Gayle, and is run on 418ha of prime grazing land in the Wrattonbully district.

The stud started as a love for cattle and has developed into a passion to breed high performing Poll Hereford cattle. The breeding herd is selected on structure, fertility and mothering ability.

Foundation females were purchased from Nioka, Goonamurra, Neilpo and Allendale studs.

Rod was vice president of the Australian Poll Dorset Association and had started the Wrattenbullie Poll Dorset stud at 12 years of age in 1965 with a few ewes bought with his pocket money.

Wrattenbullie Poll Herefords was a long-time vendor at the Naracoorte Poll Hereford multi-vendor sale, followed by the Diamond bull sale in conjunction with Bendulla, Yoho and Roeston Park studs, and in recent times bulls were sold on farm.

Rod joined the Naracoorte Show Society in 1984 and was president in the early 2000s, steering the society through some financially difficult times. Awarded life membership in 2017,

Vale - Alison Mary Lowther

Alison Mary Lowther, Silverleaf Herefords, Burnbrae, Queensland, passed away on February 17, 2023, aged 91 years.

A life celebration service was held in her memory at Keatings Funeral Chapel, Chinchilla, on March 3, with grandsons, Gavin and James Leighton reading the eulogy.

A capable cattle and horsewoman, Alison was described as a “mother, grandmother and cherished friend to many, a woman of the land, a cattle producer and could mix it with anyone when it came to handling a beast”.

Born six weeks premature on May 4, 1931, in Brisbane, Alison had a childhood filled with many poddy calves, school by correspondence, snaring wallabies for skins to sell, shooting pigeons and scrub turkeys to eat.

She recalled many stories of mustering cattle out of the scrub as a teenager and riding 10 miles to collect the mail.

Alison and her sister Janice both liked Hereford cattle and remained close throughout their lives.

After World War II, a young, returned soldier Jim Lowther was employed building fences, catching Alison’s eye, and the young couple were married against her parent’s wishes.

She moved to a two roomed cottage built by Jim to start married life with their own cattle and a horse.

On July 9, 1957, son Louis was born followed by a daughter, Isabel.

In 1964 the couple bought a stud Hereford bull, Tellebang Hillary, at the Brisbane Exhibition with stud females added from Devon Court and Wallamumbi herds to form the Silverleaf Hereford stud.

Alison’s discerning eye for quality cattle combined with her extraordinary work ethic grew the stud from its humble

he also helped improve the facilities in the sheep pavilion, upgrading the grandstands and pens.

Rod had judged at the Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth Royal Shows.

A celebration of his life was held on April 20 at the Naracoorte showground where he was remembered for dedicating his life to his family and farm.

Rod is survived by his wife Gayle and children Brad, Ange and Sal, and their families.

beginnings to a stud name recognised widely.

Bulls were sent to sales at Eidsvold, Roma, Taroom, Armidale and Sydney Royal Show, bringing record prices and winning many prizes at the time.

A group of cattle was prepared and shown at local shows every year, with Alison paying close attention to detail with the cattle always wellpresented and no shortcuts were permitted.

After finishing school, Louis and Isabel returned to Silverleaf to work until 1983 when Isabel married Alan Leighton and moved away. Tragically Louis died that year, taking a toll on Alison and Jim’s 30-year marriage.

Alison was determined to carry on, moving to “Burnbrae”, Burra Burri, to continue the stud cattle and developed an independence, learning to drive and undertaking all the record keeping and management.

At Jim’s passaging in 1992, Alison took over the management of “Silverleaf “and “Burnbrae” despite not having a driver’s licence. Her cattle were always sought for their temperament and growth.

She did not accept her limitations and didn’t slow down until well into her 80s, still going out to check the cattle and ringbark a few trees before moving into the Taralga Retirement Village in 2020.

Alison is survived by daughter Isabel Leighton, grandchildren James, Gavin, Daniel and Owen Leighton, and siblings Jim Markwell and Nancy Gezler.

Regional Breed Development Groups - contact information

NEW SOUTH WALES

Central Tablelands Herefords Association

Paul Hancock, Secretary

“Whim Park’’

66 Kings Plain Road, Blayney NSW 2799

T: 02 6368 2140 - M: 0418 639 597

E: whimpark@bigpond.com.au

Hunter Valley Herefords Association

Carolyn McDonald, Secretary

893 Hinton Rd, Nelsons Plains NSW 2324

T: 02 4987 3405 - M: 0427 293 015

E: mondeo.p.h@bigpond.com.au

Herefords Australia

Northern NSW Association

Amy Rawson, Secretary

3/25-27 Chisholm Street, Inverell NSW 2360

M: 0437 385 681

E: amy.louise.rawson91@gmail.com

Herefords Australia Northern NSW Youth

Sophie Cooper, Secretary

M: 0407 805 682

E: sophiej.cooper98@gmail.com

Sydney Regional Herefords Breeders Group

Ellen Hussein, Secretary

2 Eskdale Close, Narellan Vale NSW 2567

M: 0411 089 578

E: ellenhussein@gmail.com

Western Regional Herefords Association

Brooke Rayner, Secretary

“Grathlyn’’, Hill End Road, Via Mudgee NSW 2850

T: 02 6373 8677

E: grathlyn@gmail.com

Southern NSW Hereford Breeders Group

Brittany Sykes, Secretary

PO Box 435, Cootamundra NSW 2590

M: 0408 734 696

E: brittanysykes@outlook.com.au

Southern NSW Hereford Youth Group

Helen De Costa, President

28 Taber Street, Uranquinty NSW 2652

T: 0448 353 764

E: hdecosta@bigpond.com

QUEENSLAND

Herefords Queensland Association Inc

Julie Nixon, Secretary Colville Park

1091 Dulacca South Road, Dulacca QLD 4425

M: 0414 253 936

E: julienixon19@gmail.com

Herefords Queensland Youth Association

Mitchell Portbury, Secretary

184 Bunya Mountains Road, Moola, QLD, 4406

M: 0437 087 449

E: Mitchell.portbury@gmail.com

VICTORIA

Victorian Herefords Youth Group

Elle Woodgate, Secretary

1 Armstrong Street, Buchan Vic 3885

M: 0428 192 229

E: victorianherefordyouthgroup@outlook.com

North East Victorian Herefords Group

Ferruccio Tonini, Secretary

RMB 1045, Glenrowan Vic 3675

T: 03 5766 2417

E: glenpoll@internode.on.net

Herefords Gippsland

Lauren Hill, Secretary

M: 0427 750 250

E: lauren@karoondapark.com

Corrangamite Hereford Breeders Group Inc

Margaret Allen, Secretary PO Box 105, Mortlake Vic 3272

Vale - Margaret Mary Sambell

Hereford breeder Margaret Sambell was farewelled by her family and friends at St Pauls Anglican Church, Nabiac, on March 8, 2023, following her death at age 99 on February 27.

Born on March 21, 1923, Margaret (Margie) had lived a full life before her passing at Storm Village, Taree. Margie and her late husband Les Sambell had founded Homeleigh Herefords over 70 years ago at Firefly, on the mid north coast.

Les and Margie Sambell

Margie is survived by her daughter Carolyn and son-in-law Phillip Richardson, and her grandchildren and their spouses Peter, Narelle, Amanda and Phil, and by her great grandchildren Alec, Maya, Flynn and Jolanda.

Northern Herefords Group Inc

Debbie Young, secretary PO Box 109, Rochester, VIC 3561

M: 0417 370 385

E: strathvalley@bigpond.com

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Herefords SA

Cameron Hills, secretary PO Box 108, Goodwood SA 5034

T: 08 8210 5299

E: chills@adelaideshowground.com.au

Herefords SA Southern

Tyson Smith, secretary

PO Box 85, Rendelsham SA 5280

M: 0400 654 259

E: tysonsmith_21@hotmail.com

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia Herefords Association

Sandra Woods, secretary

1791 Westdale Rd, Beverley WA 6304

T: 08 9647 2029

M: 0439 964 720

E: terraneil@wn.com.au

TASMANIA

Tasmanian Performance Herefords

Judy Fry, Secretary 206 Plummers Rd South Forest TAS 7330

T: 03 6458 3364

M: 0418 319 689

E: jamena1@bigpond.com

Herefords Australia

16 Uralla Road

Locked Bag 7, Armidale NSW 2350

T: +61 2 6772 1399 - Fax: +61 2 6772 1615

Office hours: 8am to 4pm

E: info@herefordsaustralia.com.au

Vale - David Guilford

Dedicated Hereford breeder David Guilford, Mooloolah stud, “Richmond”, Allora, passed away on September 9, 2022, at Tenterfield aged 89 years.

David was a life member of Herefords Australia and was a familiar face at the EKKA with his cattle and show teams from early times following the Sydney and Melbourne Royal shows where he had many successful exhibits.

He was a great believer in Moorlands and Devon Court genetics, and he held sales at “Richmond”, Allora. An emotional sale was his 1979 drop bull Mooloolah Gosford, by Devon Court Ernest, to Yellow Rock and Llanglothan Herefords where he bred on so wonderfully.

David loved the temperament and doing ability of the Herefords and his highlight was a long show career.

He lost his sight in 2019 and is sadly missed by his wife Patti, children and grandchildren.

Meet our team for 2023. For the benefit of the membership, included are details for the Herefords Australia Limited Board of Directors

CHAIRMAN

Mobile: 0427 299 012

Email: idurkin@herefordsaustralia.com.au

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Mobile: 0411 043 039

Email: marc@injemira.com.au

COMPANY SECRETARY

Mobile: 0424 152 950

Email: mbaker@herefordsaustralia.com.au

DIRECTOR and MEMBER LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE

Mobile: 0448 016 950

Email: mduthie@herefordsaustralia.com.au

DIRECTOR and YOUTH LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE

Mobile: 0429 476 221

Email: sbroinowski@herefordsaustralia.com.au

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0417 576 667

Email: sbecker@herefordsaustralia.com.au

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0458 227 277

Email: apumpa@herefordsaustralia.com.au

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0447 949 650

Email: lsharp@herefordsaustralia.com.au

DIRECTOR

Mobile: 0428 270 381

Email: asparkes@herefordsaustralia.com.au

Ian Durkin

Marc Greening

Mark Baker

Mark Duthie

Sam Becker

Sam Broinowski

Annie Pumpa

Alex Sparkes Lisa Sharp

Wodonga 2023 910kg 137cm EMA 3rd in Class 13 selling to Selling to Glen Dhu Farming Pty Ltd Ouse TAS for $14000.

GUNYAH JUNEE S188 (PP) 1st in Class 11

bulls sold to avg $12,000

Gunyah Journeyman S130 (PP) 952kg. 134cm EMA 4th in Class 13 selling to Jones and Wallace Family Partnership Dalgety NSW for $16,000

Gunyah Juggernaut S109 (PP)

Vista Shaquille sold in our recent Bull Sale in March for $37,000 to Hill View Hereford Stud

Visit www.herefordsaustralia.com.au for an updated listing of events

4 Tobruk Beef yearling bull sale Wagga Wagga, NSW

7-9 Led steer judging at the Ekka, Brisbane, Qld

6

AUGUST 2023

3 August monthly BREEDPLAN run cut off

12 Hereford judging at the Ekka, Brisbane, Qld

18 VPC annual bull sale Mudgee, NSW

22 Yavenvale inaugural online spring bull sale and inspections Borambola, NSW

23 Te-Angie annual bull sale Wongwibinda, NSW

23 Wirruna bull and female spring sale Holbrook, NSW

24 Talbalba annual bull sale Millmerran, Qld

SEPTEMBER 2023

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OCTOBER

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NOVEMBER 2023

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DECEMBER 2023

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FEBRUARY