ISSUE 1 / FEB 2020
JADinsights
WHAT A BEGINNING! OUR DEBUT 2019 SALE IN REVIEW TIPS
2020 SALE WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
FOR EARLY WEANING
patterned for profit.
2020 C ATA LOGUE AVA IL A BL E S OON
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WELCOME
SHARING OUR STORY AS IT UNFOLDS. Welcome to our first JAD Speckle Park print newsletter, JADinsights. We have decided to develop this regular publication as a means to share our story as it unfolds – dayto-day happenings in our business, learnings along the way, and where we’re heading into the future. We want to also share with you information and images of our upcoming sale cattle, to give you insight into what to expect. This first newsletter will highlight some of the drought management strategies we have implemented over the past year or three, especially noting what worked well and what could be better (WWW/WCBB). We learn from structured reflection, and no-one is smarter than all of us, so we’re more than happy to share our learnings and learn from others too. We’ve found that it is crucial to be adaptable to our ever-changing environment, with a focus on positive decision-making, ahead of time. We hope you find this newsletter both interesting and informative and invite any feedback.
The ‘D’ Word Drought. There it is – we said it. Front and centre, this word and every decision made around it has consumed us all for too long now. However, we’re sure we can all say we have learnt a lot along the way – we certainly have – and this knowledge will make us stronger for the next drought. As farmers in Australia – the driest continent in the world – we are in one of three states: 1) h eading into drought, 2) experiencing drought, 3) coming out of drought. While drought and rainfall is completely out of our control, we can control how we react or prepare for it. One thing we have had drilled into us through attending various courses, such as the Resource Consulting Services (RCS) Grazing for Profit School (we highly recommend this course!), is that grass is king. Depreciation of pastures is hugely expensive and water use efficiency through maintaining groundcover is so
Cheers,
important to ensure we utilise as much of the rain that
Justin and Amy Dickens.
falls on our property as possible. Page 2
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JAD SPECKLE PARK
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JAD INSIGHTS
FEEDING
Containment Feeding Given we have a seedstock herd and complete destocking was not feasible, we have elected to containment feed our pregnant cows on three occasions in the past two years. We even calved in containment in the Spring just gone. It has been amazing to observe the reduced feed requirements of the cows, simply by locking them into a small area to prevent them from burning energy while looking for a pick of grass.
Early Weaning Feeding a calf through a cow is a very inefficient
on milk and grain, will have a more developed rumen than
conversion of grass. The literature suggests a 35% reduced
calves fed on milk only, or milk and hay. The breakdown
overall DSE rating for a cow and weaner, separately, then
of the grain in the rumen produces two particular volatile
together as a cow/calf unit. Such is the increased pasture
fatty acids which assist in the growth and development of
requirement of lactation. Early weaning allows us to
papillae, though which nutrients are absorbed. The more
allocate the most valuable – and often limited - feed to
papillae there are, the greater the surface area available
the young growing stock (of much lower DSE rating),
to absorb nutrients. Calves with a more developed rumen
while the cows go back to a maintenance ration.
(more and larger papillae), have the ability to make better use of dry paddock feed when they are weaned off the
Right through the drought, our goal has been to keep
pellets.
our young stock moving forward, continuing to grow at a steady pace. We also needed to keep our cows in sufficient
We have weaned our stud and commercial calves at
condition to maintain high fertility levels – ultimately
anywhere from 3.5 to 5 months old in recent years.
this approach has been about positioning ourselves to
Forward planning and getting the little things right has
maintain cashflow beyond when this drought ends.
resulted in succesful early weaning, with no losses and no setbacks in their development.
The benefits of early weaning get better! Literature
Request our 2020 catalogue
suggests early weaning actually sets up a calf’s rumen for
visit jadspecklepark.com.au
life! Work done with dairy calves has shown that calves fed
5 TIPS FOR EARLY WEANING 1
Pre-weaning vaccination. Bovishield MH One vaccination, 7-in-1,
2
Creep feeding. We utilised creep feeding for the first time in 2019.
3
Green Cap. Cows and calves given Beachport Minerals Green Cap
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pestigard and vitamin ADE at least 3 weeks prior to weaning.
Weaner pellets and hay for 3-4 weeks prior to weaning.
in trough water for 48 hours prior to weaning plus at weaning. Fence weaning. Cows and calves separated by a good fence. Feed (same diet)/water nearby. Reduces stress considerably. Nutrition. A high protein, high energy diet for calves at weaning with adequate fibre to keep everything in balance.
JAD SPECKLE PARK
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JAD INSIGHTS
2020 SALE P21
JAD Phantom P21 (AI) (ET) Power – Sire Appeal – Docility Animal ID
JAD P21
DOB
3/8/2018
Sire
Codiak Spencer GNK 52B
Dam
Jencrest Yavonna 6Y
Genetic Tests
P8
NC, PcPc, RGF
JAD Purple Rain P8 (AI) (ET) Growth – Scrotal – Structure Animal ID DOB
28/7/2018
Sire
A & W 15R
Dam
Rob ‘n Son’s Farm 6R
Genetic Tests
P35
JAD P8
NC, PcPc, RGF
JAD Pied Piper P35 (AI) (ET) Yield – Early Maturity – Doability Animal ID DOB
12/10/2018
Sire
Codiak Spencer GNK 52B
Dam
Jencrest Yavonna 6Y
Genetic Tests
P62
JAD P35
NC, PcPc, RGF
JAD Port Lincoln P62 (AI) (ET) Muscle – Growth – Pedigree Animal ID
JAD P62
DOB
19/10/2018
Sire
Upto Specs Ulysses 25U
Dam
Yasemin of Uneeda 260Y
Genetic Tests
C, PcPc, RGF
2020 SALE P1
JAD 54Z Unique P1 (AI) (ET) Pedigree – Doability – Power Sire
River Hill 60W Line Drive 54Z
Dam
Codiak Unique GNK 8R
DOB
20/7/2018
Genetic Tests Joining Sire
P3
NC, PcPc, RGF Ravenworth Invictus 103C
JAD 52B Flora P3 (AI) (ET) Length – Mobility – Structure Sire
Codiak Spencer GNK 52B
Dam
JSF Flora 43C
DOB
23/7/2018
Genetic Tests Joining Sire
P10
NC, PcPc, RGF Minnamurra Marlin M4
JAD 300X Miss Jennie P10 (AI) (ET) Outlook – PTIC to Dart – Pedigree Sire
Spots ‘n Sprouts Stands Alone
Dam
Styals Miss Jennie 5N
DOB
29/7/2018
Genetic Tests Joining Sire
P25
NC, PcPc, RGF Moovin Zpotz Dart 37D
JAD 52B Midnight Lady P25 (AI) (ET) New Dam – Length – Structure Sire
Codiak Spencer GNK 52B
Dam
JSF Midnight Lady 2C
DOB
15/9/2018
Genetic Tests Joining Sire Page 5
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NC, PcPc, RGF Gingin Manitoba M57
2020 SALE
COMING UP: 2020 Bull & Female Sale WE are excited to present our 2020 sale offering, comprising several new genetic lines to Australia, and twice as many pregnant purebred registered heifers for your selection. All purebreds are ET-bred from imported Canadian embryos, predominatly from the Johner Stock Farm (JSF) herd in Saskatchewan. We have been fortunate to build a strong working relationship with the Johner family and are very aligned in our breeding philosophies. We are looking forward to having David Johner at this year’s sale, and were grateful to have his son, Justin Johner, present at our inaugural sale in 2019.
New genetics to Australia We first saw emerging Speckle Park sire, Codiak Spencer GNK 52B, at JSF in 2016, and loved his length, structural soundness, movement, and carcase characteristics. We went on to register 42 2018-drop Spencer progeny. Spencer sons and daughters will dominate in our March 27 sale. They are bred from cows we handpicked from the JSF herd, including Jencrest Yavonna 6Y (SSU 6Y) - the dam of JSF’s champion black sire, JSF Unmarked 2D (JSF 2D). Other dams
include Redneck Ranch’s Ursula 7U (SDS 7U), JSF Flora 43C (JSF 43C), JSF Midnight Lady 2C (JSF 2C), Ponderosa Spots A Roarin 19Y (KTM 19Y), Yasemin of Uneeda 260Y (WES 260Y), and Miss Sage 5R (SAGE 5R).
SPECKLE PARK
Bull + Female Sale 2020 • 30 Bulls • 20 PTIC Purebred
Bulls that look like bulls
Registered Heifers • 20 PTIC F2 Commercial
You will find bulls that look like bulls at JAD - thick, soft, early-maturing, beef machines. Our female offering is sensational - plenty of females we’d love to keep ourselves if the seasons had allowed.
Heifers/Cows • Frozen Genetics
Importantly: we have taken a leap forward in structural assessment scores; there are several EBV trait leaders in the mix; and every sale animal scored either a 1 or 2 for temperament, with the 1s dominating by far.
First-time frozen offering For the first-time, we will be offering frozen genetics at auction, including JAD embryos, pregnant recipient females, and semen from our resident trait-leading Speckle Park sires, Minnamurra Marlin M4 and Minnamurra Montezuma M25.
Friday, 27 March, 2020 Sale: 1pm
Location: Dubbo, NSW
learn more jadspecklepark.com.au
CONTACT
Justin & Amy Dickens P: 0427 012 284
AGENT
Nick Fogarty, Bowyer & Livermore P: 0409 070 225
Request our 2020 catalogue visit jadspecklepark.com.au
CLIENT FEEDBACK ON 2019 SALE PURCHASES “FIRST CLASS” “We were fortunate to purchase a heifer at the Inaugural JAD Speckle Park Sale to complement the establishment of our Hunter Valleybased stud. The attraction for Rachel and I was, from the outset, the data that was available on all of the JAD animals, combined with the genetic firepower that was being presented
as part of the inaugural draft of sale cattle. Justin and Amy have been extremely professional to deal with - pre-sale, on the day of the sale, and post-sale. Their approach to their cattle and their clients has always remained the same - first class. We would have
no hesitation in recommending anyone who is considering Speckle Park cattle to contact JAD - their enthusiasm for the breed is infectious.” Paul & Rachel Long Lagoon Speckle Park Stud, Maitland NSW
“WOW!” “We purchased two heifers at the first annual JAD sale last March. After getting them home, all we can say is “wow”. They are lovely heifers who have just fit in our herd. JAD N28 calved out easy with a ripping good heifer. JAD Page 6
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N72 gave us a lovely 33kg bull calf by Minnamurra Marlin M4. After the auction site went down, we had no video and no sound - only the ability to bid. So, we virtually bought these heifers unseen. They have not disappointed us. Justin and Amy
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JAD INSIGHTS
have been very supportive - always willing to answer any questions along the way.” Willy and Sandra Verdonschot Sandra Jane’s Speckle Park Stud Monto QLD
2019 SALE
JAD Speckle Park hit new world record DEBUT auction appearances don’t come much better than that of Justin and Amy Dickens, JAD Speckle Park, Yeoval, who broke a world record on their way to achieving what auctioneer Brian Leslie declared the country’s best stud bull average of the year. Visitors from Canada, New Zealand and all Australian states filled the Dulcidene sale complex at Dubbo last Friday for JAD’s first offering, from 140 Canadian embryos purchased in 2016. All 28 bulls sold to average $11,214 and top at $24,000, while 11 registered females averaged $11,365. Praised by onlookers for their evenness, 21 stud sires averaged $12,672 while seven commercial bulls averaged $6571. It was Victoria’s Fish Creek Farm Speckle Parks and Merom Speckle Parks who secured the $24,000 sale-topper, JAD Napoleon N31, with his New Zealand semen rights going to Maungahina stud and Premier Cattle Company Ltd. The rising 18-month-old white bull was sired by River Hill 60W Line Drive 54Z from Codiak Acres Belinda 66A. He weighed 728 kilograms with a scrotal circumference of 37.5 centimetres, an eye muscle area (EMA) of 110cm sq and P8 and rib fat depths of 15 and 12 millimetres. Fish Creek Farm Speckle Park stud’s Jason Keays intended to look at Napoleon N31’s full sister, JAD 54Z Belinda N68, but he couldn’t go past the bull for his figures and out-cross genetics. “I really had no intention to come home with a bull,” he said. “We have a got a fair bit of high power here but if you see something that you think is going to benefit your stud then you have got to do something about it.” The young sire stood strongly within the breed’s estimated breeding values and was in the top one percent for EMA at +2, the equal second highest of all 2017-drop calves in the SPI Animal Register (February 2019). He was in the top 10pc for 400-day weight at +30 and weighed 39kg at birth. All JAD animals were structurally assessed by Dick Whale with Napoleon N31 recording a muscle score 39 of B
The $24,000 bull with agents, vendors and buyers. Bowyer and Livermore conducted the sale with Brian Leslie as auctioneer. Pictures: Ruby Canning of Emily H Photography.
grade equivalence. He was one of four progeny from the Line Drive/66A mating, which averaged $18,750.
a bit of interest from Canada (for semen) so hopefully we can sell a bit overseas as well.” By Star Bank Lacerta 68L from River Hill 26T Whistler 38W, 10pc of the sale went to the Black Dog Institute. Top registered female, JAD 54Z Belinda N68, was purchased for $17,000 by Tasmania’s JJ. and VA. Argent. She was joined to Minnamurra Marlin M4. Another 49 PTIC commercial heifers sold online to a $1765 average.
The $23,000 world record bull with Ben Wesley, Big Star Speckle Park stud, Hillston, and Amy and Justin Dickens.
JAD Night Rider N8 was the second toppriced bull selling for $23,000 to Ben and Ellie Wesley, Big Star Speckle Park, Hillston, for a Speckle Park black bull world record previously held by Wattle Grove Speckle Park. At 20 months, he weighed 792 kilograms with a scrotal circumference of 42cm, EMA of 117cm sq and P8 and rib fats of 13 and 9mm. He was commended for his structure, data and performance. Interest in the bull on the day prompted new owner Mr Wesley to send the record breaker to Holbrook Breeders for semen collection. “I got asked to go into a syndicate on the day to buy him but a bull like that, I don’t want to be sharing him,” Mr Wesley said. “Once I’ve done my joining (in September) I’ll give the all clear and Amy and Justin said there was Page 7
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JAD’s Mr Dickens said the result solidified their decision to pursue Speckle Park genetics, after crossing them over Angus females in 2012. “We are commerciallyfocused and put a lot of effort into everything from genetic testing to structural assessment to Breedplan, with up to 10 traits observed along the way and contributed to Breedplan,” he said. Auctioneer Brian Leslie said JAD’s cattle were backed by EBV and genomic information that hadn’t been offered to the public so comprehensively in the Speckle Park world before. – H.Powe and L.Kinbacher, The Land.
At our 2019 Sale, we donated 10% of the auction sale price of JAD N8 to the Black Dog Institute.