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