Australian Speckle Park Society Bulletin

SPECKLE PARK BEEF SOCIETY

BULLETIN S U M M E R

2 0 2 0

- CHAMPION OF THE WORLD Notta 1B Hawkeye 444E

In this issue: • Cross Breeding • Featured Breeder - Battalion Speckle Park • A Chat With Dr Udo Mahne • Re-building herds after adversity • Has the Speckle Park Bubble Burst? • SPX Beef • Recipes from our inhouse chef

Table of contents From the Editor......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Cross Breeding......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Feature Breeder - Battalion Speckle Park..............................................................................................................................7 A chat with Dr Udo Mahne.................................................................................................................................................... 12 Re-building herds after adversity..........................................................................................................................................16 Has the Speckle Park Bubble Burst?...................................................................................................................................20 SPX Beef - A new Sales Platform for Speckle Park Breeders........................................................................................... 25 Inhouse Chef.......................................................................................................................................................................... 27

Photo Wendy Stevens

From the Editor It is my pleasure to present to the Speckle Park community the first quarterly Journal of the Australian Speckle Park Society. We aim to promote the breed with a strong focus on animal production in all its forms.

Ultimately cattle business is about food production and meat production. It is our view that for this breed to be recognised as one of the major breeds it has to demonstrate its viability and contribution to the commercial sector. Beef animals have increased value if they can demonstrate the production of increased retail yield and palatability, apart from all the other required traits and phenotypes such as low birth weights, fertility milk production et cetera.

In the last six months our membership has tripled, we feel largely because we are talking farmers language. The registration of the breed and the transfer of animals is a function of SPI and we support SPI in its difficult endeavours of regulating that part of the industry.

We on the other hand, we have a different focus as demonstrated by our Facebook page. We are a cooperative of like-minded group of people that want to promote the breed in all its dimensions, free of conflict. It is for that reason that we have a zero-tolerance policy in respect of negativity.

I must also thank Roz Alexander of the Feature Breed articles that she has put together promoting the breed, The articles have become very popular and her liaison with the broad base of the Speckle Park community and her uplifting and positive spirit has contributed to people working together.

Your contributions are important, we appreciate your views, data, information, photographs, and support.

Enjoy the read.

Martin Luitingh speckleparksociety@gmail.com

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 1

C BREEDING O S S

The following is an excerpt of an erudite article written by Scott P Greiner in the Extension of Animal Science, Virginia Tech, USA.

Part 1

The economic climate of today’s beef business is challenging. Commercial cow-calf producers are faced with optimizing a number of economically important traits, while simultaneously reducing costs of production in order to remain competitive. Traits such as reproduction, growth, maternal ability and end-product merit all influence productivity and profitability of the beef enterprise. Implementation of technologies and systems that both reduce costs and enhance productivity is essential and one of the oldest and most fundamental principles that has a positive influence on accomplishing these goals is crossbreeding.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 2

WHY CROSS CROSSBREED BREEDING

Why Crossbreed?

Crossbreeding beef cattle offers two primary advantages relative to the use of only one breed: 1) crossbred animals exhibit heterosis (hybrid vigor), and 2) crossbred animals combine the strengths of the various breeds used to form the cross.

The goal of a well-designed, systematic crossbreeding program is to simultaneously optimize these advantages of heterosis and breed complementarity.

Heterosis or hybrid vigor refers to the superiority in performance of the crossbred animal compared to the average of the straightbred parents. Heterosis may be calculated using the formula: % Heterosis = [(crossbred average - straightbred average) ÷ straightbred average] x 100 For example, if the average weaning weight of the straightbred calves is 470 pounds for Breed A and 530 pounds for Breed B, the average of the straightbred parents is 500 pounds.

If Breed A and Breed B were crossed and the resulting calves had an average weaning weight of 520 pounds, heterosis would be calculated as: [(520 - 500) ÷ 500] x 100 = 4% This 4% increase, or 20 pounds in this example, is defined as heterosis or hybrid vigor.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 3

The other important advantage to crossbreeding is the ability to take advantage of the strengths of two or more breeds to produce offspring that have optimum levels of performance in several traits.

WHY CROSSBREED

As an example, British breeds generally excel in marbling potential, whereas Continental breeds typically are superior for red meat yield (cutability). Combining the breed types results in offspring that have desirable levels of both quality grade (marbling) and retail yield (yield grade). Similarly, milk production and growth rate may be most effectively optimized by crossing two or more breeds.

It is important to realize that the crossbred offspring will not excel both of the parent breeds for all traits. In the example given previously, straightbred calves of Breed B would have had heavier weaning weights (530 pounds) than the Breed A x Breed B crossbreds (520 pounds). However, Breed B females may be larger in mature size and have higher milk production potential, resulting in increased nutritional requirements and higher production costs. Limited feed resources coupled with very high milk production may result in lower reproductive performance. Therefore, the cumulative effect of crossbreeding when several traits are considered is more important than the effect on any one particular trait. Effective crossbreeding programs must be designed to optimize performance, not necessarily maximize it.

Summary A well-designed, manageable crossbreeding system is an important aspect in making genetic progress in the various economically important traits that drive profitability in today’s beef industry. To accomplish this task, bull selection must consider both origin and across-breed differences to optimize genetic progress in those traits that influence reproductive efficiency, maternal performance, growth and feed efficiency and end product merit.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin July 2020 | 4

Contact: Lucille Macreadie • 5 Hall Road, Pipers Brook, Tas 7254 P. 0429 891 748 • F. 03 6382 7185 • lucille@birdsfarmtas.com.au

Baw Baw Speckle Park speckle your paddocks with quality Contact: CarlyMoyes, 0428 356 544 1 Sand Pit Rd Yarragon, VIC 3823 bawbawspecklepark@bigpond.com

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 5

Battalion Heartbreaker Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 6

FEATURED BREEDER

Battalion Speckle Park (BAT) Located in the high country of Dundee in the New England region of NSW, this small Speckle Park stud was born out of a long history of breeding horned Hereford. But by adding the Speckle Park breed to their herd, owners Grant and Kylie Kniepp are implanting up to 80 embryos a year to fast track their progress and their most recent results prove they are doing a great job at it.

From the first eight Speckle Park embryos, four calves were born; two bulls and two heifers. The two bulls were sold to average $22,000 at the record top of $26,000 at the Scone multi vendor sale in 2018. The heifers were kept and became foundation females; one of which delivered the top price bull this year and the other female (Heartbreaker M1) being the dam of their top price heifer this year (Heartbreaker P6) at $30,000.

Grant Kniepp is a born and bred cattle man, growing up in a commercial cattle operation. A self confessed, one man band,

Grant breeds, feeds, prepares and markets for Battalion. Kylie, a qualified veterinary nurse, shares Grant’s passion for cattle and, with her additional skills in graphic design, they make a formidable all-in-one team for stud and commercial production and sales of cattle.

Grant’s experience stems from childhood. His first taste of breeding success was afforded him at the age of eight, when his father offered him a pick of the commercial heifers. This decision was one he had to stand by to prove his selection and breeding skills over the years. He soon realised the importance of strategic joining and the speed of genetic gain. After finally convincing his father to use one of the better sires over his commercial female, Grant bred a number of good quality replacement females.

Money saved out of the steers from that female funded the purchase of his first stud Hereford female at the age of 14. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 7

FEATURED BREEDER

Australian Speckle Park Society’s

FEATURED BREEDER

Fast forward to 2020 and we find the Kniepp’s running 50 stud horned Hereford breeders and a successful program for Speckle Park. Grant was keen to explain why they switched to Speckle Park. “Once getting our Herefords to a standard we were happy with, we decided we wanted to diversify by adding another breed and we fell in love with Speckle Park cattle for their naturally thick body type. Those broad, flat tops and big round hind quarters demand attention at any stage in the beef industry.”

Although impressed by the aesthetic appeal and coat colour of the Speckle Park, Grant’s focus is on the commercial aspect of the breed. He believes the coat gives a “marketable advantage” in combination with a competitive carcass. He adds, “we should never lose sight that we are breeding beef, not marketing hides but it’s the eye-catching appearance that ultimately aids in drawing attention and demanding a closer look.”

Grant and Kylie are very positive about Speckle Park and its progress thus far. Although some may see it, as Grant terms, as a ‘boutique breed’, with many start-up studs and people not from a rural background, he feels this is a positive. “We believe it’s this very interest from highly qualified and successful business people that will ultimately assist in taking this breed to the top of industry and public acceptance. As more and more traditional cattlemen experiment with Speckle Park and the breed is exposed to larger scale commercial operations (which I am sure will have a positive impact), having those intelligent, successful, business-minded investors as advocates for the breed influencing their social circles will be a huge advantage.

“Our goal is to be a part of the breed that will be the next to dominate the beef industry.”

Battalion’s breeding goals stem from a desire to present the best animals at the point of sale. Grant explains, “although showcasing cattle is important, we do very little showing of our animals . Some of the best animals we have bred or sold never stepped inside a show ring, so show results rarely come into our decision making.”

With a focus on structurally sound animals, Grant lists the ability to develop extra muscle and shape, maintaining high fertility and good constitution among their key attributes. He details their selection process as follows; “we start at the ground and work our way up. Feet and legs being the starting point of

every decision, followed by milk and udder quality in females. If those boxes aren’t ticked, it’s an immediate fail. Once the structure is correct we then try to breed or select the deepest and widest body types possible, with adequate length for sheer volume and capacity.”

Once again, although a stud breeder, Grant prioritises the commercial production aspects and carcass qualities that Speckle Park can bring.

To date, focussing on Stands Alone 300X as their herd sire, Battalion are now seeking other sires with “power and performance”. Grant explains, “strategic joinings are carefully considered to maintain the forward direction of our herd and the breed in general.”

Based on a small amount of land and reliant on cattle sales for primary income, the importance of making decisions to attain the highest profit per acre and per head is paramount. Grant adds, “If our cattle don’t perform, they are replaced immediately. We will never allow our cattle to under perform”. It’s this keen eye on selection, joining and finally culling that makes for an impressive reputation for quality animals at Battalion.

The future looks bright for Battalion. “We intend to expand our Speckle Park breeding herd as big and as quick as we can whilst maintaining the same quality and standards. We are also planning to have our own Speckle Park sale in conjunction with our Hereford sale, which we started in 2019”, Grant explains. This may be a few years away but the Kniepps are keen to continue to progressively establish their reputation through multi-vendor sales and producing elite animals year after year.

In closing, I asked the Kniepps what they think makes Battalion unique? “We would like to think that when dealing with us, you get an open book and receive all the available knowledge and data we may have to make an informed decision on any potential business transaction. Our stud operation is our main business and we treat our animals accordingly. We wouldn’t pay an employee to sit down on the job nor will we allow our cattle to underperform . They have to earn their position in our business.”

With a solid reputation established for producing commercially viable, high performance stud animals, the Kniepps ethos shines through. Well done Grant and Kylie. We look forward to seeing Battalion’s Speckle Park progress in the coming years.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 8

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 9

IMPORTED EXCLUSIVE STRAWS FOR SALE OTHER SIX STAR ROYAL FLESH RECORD PRICED PROGENY

“Leander”

Royal Flesh Son

AUST RECORD $35,000 Minnamurra Leander Sold to Te Mooi Speckle Park

“Cadence”

Royal Flesh Daughter

WORLD RECORD $30,000 Notta-Kagar Cadence 221D Sold to Below Sea Level N.Z.

Notta 101Y Double Down 310 JMG

Sire : Notta Royal Flesh 101Y Dam : Notta Pho-Finish 54P

“Lawrin”

Royal Flesh Son

NEW ZEALAND RECORD Muangahina Lawrin Sold to Wendy Hume

Contact: Martin Muitingh at Bigwig Speckle Park Stud - Sole distributor in Australia 0404 077 097 • bigwigstud@gmail.com • www.bigwigstud.com.au Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 10

“THE SOURCE”

SIX STAR SPECKLE PARK ...where new innovation & bloodlines walk hand in hand with the experience of fifty plus years of breeding Stud cattle.

SIX STA R THE SOURCE

since the inception of Speckle Park in Australia!

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 11

The best feeder is the best breeder and other words of wisdom. A chat with Dr Udo Mahne 17 years ago Dr Udo Mahne began his journey into the world of embryo technologies and bovine reproduction. Initially with 8 years in Africa before relocating to Australia in 2011, his avid interest and now, proven expertise in this area was displayed early when he graduated as a qualified veterinarian with an award for best student in clinical reproduction.

In 2006, after completing the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) embryo export accreditation Udo worked with Dr Dries Cuyler, flushing and exporting over 300 Brahman embryos from South Africa to Australia. His achievements continued with a flush of over 2000 Boran embryos from Kenya and Zambia; exporting them from their respective quarantine centres to South Africa and Namibia. Prior to relocating to Australia, Udo was also lead researcher across a study in the growth of Bugfali, Sable and Roan antelope IVF embryos in Africa.

Now, Dr.Mahne owns and manages “Embryo Life”; specialising in bovine reproduction, embryo transfer, retrieval and freezing.

With an extensive territory in Australia, from Northern NSW to Victoria, South Australia and up to Queensland, Dr.Mahne is a man in demand. As he so simply puts it, “I basically work on a different stud cattle farm every day”.

Servicing up to 100 clients, Dr Mahnes clients include both stud and contract recipient herds. I asked him to describe the demographic of his client base and the depth and breadth of his knowledge and experience was very clear across all sorts of operations. As he explained,“my biggest contract recipient client has 700 recipients. Stud herds vary a lot in size. An average big stud herd would have 150-250 stud cows. These farmers would make up less than 20% of my clients but are responsible for about 50% of my work. The medium stud herds usually average 40-80 breeders and make up 30% of clients and finally the small “start-up” breeders who have 5-40 head of cattle would make up the balance of my clients”.

With his own personal herd of 100 Angus stud cattle, commercial shorthorn and Angus cattle in addition to a number of Speckle

Park first cross over Angus, Dr Udo Mahnes experience extends right to his own back paddock. With a reputation for breeding exceptional stud Speckle Park also, I asked him what he considers the best attributes of the breed. “They are good, easy doing, moderate frame cattle that can cope with cold and wet weather.

They also slick off quickly in Summer and can cope with the other extreme of 40 degrees Celsius”.

Speckle Park offered him a new challenge and were an attractive new breed. He adds, “I like new challenges and have an entrepreneurial nature. I wanted to be part of this exciting new Canadian breed that looked like it was ticking several important boxes. It sure is a breed that provides the goods when it comes to carcass and yield”.

Speckle Park are starting to really stake a claim in the world of beef production and Dr Mahne was keen to detail his thoughts around genetic selection for breeding beef cattle. “It is very important to divide the beef industry into two parts. Firstly, seedstock production (Bulls and semen for stocker/backgrounding and feedlot production). Secondly, cow-calf production systems.

These two systems are very different in regards to genetic selection but yet, need to merge, as the one is needed to make the other”.

“The future of breeding, for me, would be to breed a consistent, reliable and predictable product that fits into a very specific product range and market. The beef consumer has become very specific on what he/she wants. Breeders are expected to meet these specifications with the bulls they breed for their clients, usually the commercial farmers that either grass rear or send the progeny into feedlots”.

Dr Mahne detailed the specific trend at the moment to identify new genetic markers relevant to eating quality, tenderness and the tendency to lay down intra-muscular fat. “The big chase at the moment is to identify and locate the specific genes responsible for many sought after carcass traits , no matter what the breed of cattle. The idea being, that the animal either has the genetics

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 12

to marble or it doesn’t, no matter how much you feed it. Even though breeders strive to breed an “all in one” genetic package, it is near impossible to find animals that tick all the boxes and carry all the genes we want in a homozygous (double copy) format”.

“The challenge for the Speckle Park breed after this enormous growth phase would be to try and identify genetics that compete with the rest of the beef breeds in the industry in regards to carcass traits where consistency, reliability & predictability is paramount”.

He went on to detail some first hand examples in the world of beef production. “Wagyu breeders are genetically testing animals before they get fed for an extensive time period to make sure they will marble enough. They want to make sure that feed is not wasted on animals that will not meet the basic specifications they are looking to breed. In addition, Angus breeders are extensively using carcass data to identify specific genetics that will meet the carcass specifications they need to maximise profit. They run several independent trials to compare genetic differences under controlled conditions to give more accuracy to genetic performance when all animals are in the same environment”.

Anyone who has had any sort of conversation around best breeding practices with Dr Mahne, would have heard his catch cry “nutrition, nutrition, nutrition”. Specifically I asked what his recommendation is at this critical post-drought recovery time for cattle breeding. “There is a lot of clover around that contains high amounts of phytoestrogens. Give drugs in your program that

help with the ovulation process and prevent cysts. Supplement minerals too, as the cows probably drew and depleted the minerals stored in their liver and bones during the drought.”

Specifically to increase success and pregnancy retention, Dr Mahne recommends a protocol before and after running a program. “There are multiple and often very complex nutritional variations that influence ruminant gut health and the overall health of a cow and her performance. At present, the extensive presence of clover should be noted. Dr Mahne recommends’ “taking recipients off clover and lush short green grass during ovulation time and feeding good quality hay for the ovulation period in the program or putting them on “mature” pasture”.

Dr Mahne shared his observations and reasoning with me.

“A lot more cystic ovaries are found when cows are on clover and lush high protein containing pasture. Persistent follicles or cysts make programmed females unusable for embryo transfer and significantly decrease AI conception rates. Clover contains phytoestrogens that can block LH release and the ovulation process”.

In closing, Dr Udo Mahne explained that each program is a team effort and he feels his greatest asset is educating clients to help improve their results. “Nutritional management is the most important key to better results. The best feeder is the best breeder, I always say”.

Author: Roz Alexander

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 13

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Re-building herds after adversity

In recent times there have been a number of natural disasters around Australia. For example, ongoing drought conditions across much of the eastern states, localised flooding in large areas of northern Australia and, more recently, widespread bushfires.

In addition, disease outbreak is an ever present risk which can also lead to a loss of breeding animals. SBTS and TBTS want to acknowledge the difficulties faced by those affected by all natural disasters and to offer advice on artificial breeding and genetic strategies that may assist in the recovery of valuable breeding herds.

Artificial Breeding Artificial breeding techniques can assist with rebuilding a herd after adversity. While artificial breeding has numerous advantages, it does require an investment of time and money, which may not be suitable after a period of adversity and its associated challenges. Additionally, if cows are in poor condition, the conception rates from an artificial breeding program may be negatively affected.

Fortunately, mature cows typically recover body condition quickly but there are a number of considerations when mating maiden heifers. The following considerations apply to both natural service and artificial breeding programs in heifers: • They should be at sufficient joining weight: it is weight,

not age that triggers puberty. This might be tough if young heifers have had their growth stunted due to adversity and/or have been weaned early • Ideally, heifers should be gaining weight at the time of joining • Mating heifers, particularly those that have had a growth check, requires an increased emphasis on calving ease in the bulls used.

Artificial Insemination (AI) – AI can be used in herd recovery in multiple ways. Firstly, AI can allow the use of sires that are no longer physically available, allowing breeders to reintroduce certain blood lines. This requires some preplanning as semen needs to be collected (if possible) before the bull is removed from the enterprise. This illustrates the value of maintaining a genetic bank of your top bulls as insurance against their loss.

Secondly, sexed semen can be used to influence the progeny sex ratio and is offered by a number of semen resellers.

There are a number of scenarios where producing single sex progeny can be extremely valuable when recovering from adversity. They include: • Where the reduction in herd size means there are insufficient cows to produce enough bulls (assuming a normal 50:50 sex ratio) to meet expected sales, using male-sexed semen will increase the proportion of males born in order to meet the sales targets. However, this

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 16

RE-BUILDING HERDS AFTER ADVERSITY will occur at the cost of available female replacements from which to choose • The opposite approach is to use female-sexed semen to produce more heifers. This will allow breeders to quickly build their breeding herds back to their normal size and/ or sell heifers to others. With the reduction in female numbers due to recent adversity, such heifers are likely to be more valuable in the short term than steers • In a commercial herd, a breeder may also choose to utilise sexed semen to maximise the number of steers they produce while the overall industry population is reduced and the steers are consequently in high demand.

If male calves are desired, it may be appropriate to use your older cows as male calves are typically bigger at birth and thus, more likely to cause calving issues. The likelihood of calving issues can also be influenced by bull choice • Alternatively, sexed semen could be used to produce commercial crossbred heifers without the need to buy and run bulls of different breeds.

The production of sexed semen involves a machine that sorts the semen into sperm cells, those being an X chromosome (female) and a Y chromosome (male). The semen sexing process has an accuracy of over 90% and identifies the Y chromosome through it being lighter and having a negative electrical charge. A fluorescent dye is also added that binds

to the DNA. Roughly 15 - 18% of the total semen sold within the Australian dairy industry is now sexed semen (DataGene, December 2019) and trials have shown that the conception rate using sexed semen is approximately 90% of that expected using normal semen. Additionally, sexed semen typically costs about twice as much per straw to acquire than normal semen.

Embryo Transfer (ET) – ET allows multiple progeny to be produced from an individual cow each year. This is advantageous in scenarios where the size of the seedstock cow herd has been reduced but commercial cows are available to implant embryos into. Like AI but on a greater scale, there are financial and time costs involved with an ET program and there can also be additional breed society regulations (some mandate DNA testing) and BREEDPLAN recording (of recipient dams) required.

Each ET cycle takes about 25 days. In herds where the only available animals of sufficient genetic merit are young heifers, Juvenile In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryo Transfer (JIVET) may be a suitable option, as embryos can be harvested from sexually immature females.

Sexed semen can also be utilised to create sexed embryos that combine the benefits of sexed semen and ET. However, Dominic Bayard from Global Reproduction Solutions (GRS) recommends that up to three straws of sexed semen are used per donor and that better results are achieved by

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 17

RE-BUILDING HERDS AFTER ADVERSITY

fertilising the embryos a little later in the heat window.

GRS also offers a service that tests the gender of each embryo via an embryo biopsy and subsequent DNA test.

This is useful for breeders who only have mixed-sex semen or embryos available to them but has the disadvantage in that half the embryos produced are not of the desired sex.

Breeding Objectives Following Herd Reduction While undesirable, a herd rebuild does present opportunities to improve key components of the breeding program. After all, there is little value in rebuilding seedstock herds with cows that are not suitable for producing profitable offspring.

Having the right selection objective for the herd’s future, pedigree (for genetic diversity and inbreeding avoidance), genetic condition status and accurate measures of genetic merit are all important to ensure a successful future and should be addressed at this time.

Selection Objectives – Long term forecasts suggest that extreme weather events (e.g. flood and drought) are likely to be more frequent and severe. So then, what should be the breeding objectives for the future beef animal? Should our objectives include more emphasis on reducing cow mature size and greenhouse gas emissions and improving fertility, adaption and health traits? We are also starting to see an increased push into value-based marketing, so should carcase traits be given more emphasis? There will be no one right answer for all herds and breeds and individual breeders are encouraged to think about both themselves and the future requirements of their clients when determining future selection direction(s).

Genetic Diversity and Inbreeding – Heavy culling typically reduces the amount of genetic diversity in a herd as most

of the animals that remain will come from the same highmerit families. This has a number of implications for the herd.

Firstly, genetic diversity is a key requirement for avoiding inbreeding and the expression of genetic conditions.

Secondly, genetic diversity drives genetic progress because the greater the difference between the top and bottom animals, the more genetic gain is achieved by culling the bottom animals and/or retaining those at the top.

While artificial breeding can be extremely useful, it can reduce the genetic diversity of a herd because individual sires and dams can become parents of more progeny than they would naturally. Thus, full and half siblings will form a greater proportion of the herd and result in less genetic diversity than would occur if only natural mating is utilised.

There are multiple strategies that can be employed to mitigate this. Ensuring that more than one AI sire is used, multiple donor dams for ET programs and/or multiple sires in a single donor ET flush. Some of these strategies will also increase the accuracy of the genetic evaluation by providing more linkage.

Another possible strategy is to utilise mate selection software like MateSel (see p15) which balances inbreeding and genetic diversity levels against genetic progress when determining mating lists.

Genetic Conditions – The culling within a herd in response to adversity is a good opportunity to remove those animals that are carriers for genetic conditions, though this requires knowledge of the genetic condition status of the animals under consideration. Knowledge of the genetic condition status can be achieved via genetic testing (costly,

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 18

Accurate measures of genetic merit – With artificial breeding, each mating decision can result in more progeny than is the case with natural mating. Thus it is important that selection decisions are made from the most accurate data possible.

Performance Recording During and After Adversity Understandably, performance recording is likely to be a low priority compared with other tasks in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster. During the recovery stage, where some time may be available for performance recording, producers may wish to focus on the recording of a subset of key traits and/or a subset of animals.

For example, a breeder could chose to concentrate their calving ease and birth weight recording in the maiden heifer mob where these traits are most relevant, or to concentrate their growth recording on the bulls as these are the future sale animals.

While not recommended for the long term, these strategies may help producers to record some information until they can return to their full performance recording schedule.

Of course, it is important to be aware of the dangers of selective recording; as long as the subset being recorded represents the whole management group (mob), this is unlikely to be an issue (for more information, please see the Understanding BREEDPLAN Management Groups tip sheet on the BREEDPLAN website or contact SBTS or TBTS staff).

As natural disasters and disease typically have a negative effect upon performance (e.g. lighter weights), it is important to note that this will not have an adverse influence on the resulting breeding values. Genetic evaluations use comparisons between animal performance in each group, rather than the absolute values. As long as every animal in each management group has had an equal opportunity to perform, the adverse conditions will not affect their EBVs as the animals will rank similarly to what they would in a normal year.

Some other points to consider when recording animals after adversity include: • Agistment – management groups should be recorded to differentiate animals on agistment from those remaining at home, or those in different mobs/locations on agistment • Early weaning – with feed in short supply, one option is to wean calves early to give the cows the best chance at rebreeding. For BREEDPLAN purposes, the 200 day weight of a group can be recorded as soon as the youngest calf reaches 80 days of age and does not have to be carried out at weaning • Sick/injured – if the health of individual animals is affected, then these animals should be recorded as being in separate management groups • Ultrasound scanning – requires animals to have a minimum average rump fat depth of 4 – 5 mm. This ensures that there will be sufficient variation between animals to allow genetic differences to show up.

Courtesy SBTS.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 19

RE-BUILDING HERDS AFTER ADVERSITY

particularly for animals that may be culled), GeneProb results (where available) or by knowledge of affected family lines (less accurate).

Has the Speckle Park Bubble Burst?

The rise and rise of the Speckle Park breed in Australia has been The rise and rise of the Speckle Park breed in Australia has been a controversial talking point for the last five years in the cattle industry. During that time, the numbers of Speckle Park cattle in Australia have outstripped the numbers of Speckle Park cattle in the Speckle Park mother country, Canada.

Speckle Park has, at times, been the fastest growing breed in Australia. It has fetched at times, higher average sale prices than the more established breeds such as Angus, Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. The question arises “Have prices created a Speckle Park bubble”.

Like anything else in the commercial world, from currency to commodities, there comes a time when the prices flatten out and investors (in this case, commercial breeders) ask, “What next?”.

This article examines the question.

Six Star Premier

In 2018, Smoke and Mirrors was the talk of the town and won many awards and achievements, including Sydney Grand Champion.

Bulls Across-the-board sales of bulls in 2018 averaged highs of $12,000 - $13,000 and showed a downward trend down to approximately $6,500. For instance, the recent JAD sales in 2020 for bulls was almost 50% lower than the bull sales for 2019 at $7,350. The same was true for Wattlegrove between 2018-2019, when bull averages went from $12,891 to $7,976 and at the recent Scone sale, bull prices averaged just under $6,000. That was also the case at the Waratah sale in August 2020 which averaged just under $8,000, showing that breeders are still looking for value for money at the lower end of the market Minnamurra had bull averages of $11,392 in 2017, with sires from Royal Flesh 101Y and Stands Alone 300X dropping the following year to an average sale of $5,704.

Wattlegrove Smoke and Mirrors

In 2019, JAD produced Night Rider N8, a magnificent black bull.

Rosehill, dominated at Sydney in 2019 with Rose Hill Montagu.

The Speckleme sale achieved an average $7,500. The most successful female sale of 2019 (in the middle of Australia’s worst drought) was the Mt Eccles Sale with an average of over $11,000.

The sale catalogue was a work of art.

The early 2020 JAD, Speckleme and Scone sales confirmed the bull trend was down.

Is there a Speckle Park Bubble and has the Bubble burst.

Is there a bubble? and if so, has the bull bubble burst? If it has, it is difficult to understand why. Looking back, the quality of the bulls appears to be as good, if not better, than in the past. There is no doubt that bulls ordinarily fetch the top prices, but top bull prices came down from $35,000 to about $20,000 - $24,000 between 2017-2019 Six Star Premier, the first interbreed champion was a magnificent bull, weighing in at a perfect 922kg and winning Supreme Grand Champion at Canberra and Melbourne in 2017.

Rose Hill Montagu

Performance in 2018-2019 Fast forward to 2020. A Spectacular Speckleme Sale took place in Queensland. The EBVs were exceptional over a wide range of genetics, with 16-18-month-old bulls achieving averages from mid 600kgs to mid 700kgs. This is a real credit to Anne Knoblanche and her partners, Bell and Ebbeck, for an exceptionally high range of performance and consistency across the board.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 20

BOWAN PARK CAPELLA P199

DOB: 16/07/2018

TATTOO: BPP P199

Promised Land produced Eldorado – a bull that might have fetched double his sale price of $17,000 in 2017.

TOP 5% FOR IMF

20

SPKNZ FALCON (AI) (ET) (P) RAW DATA FEB 2020 (Speckled) BOWAN PARK VANTAGE P220 WEIGHT 714 MAUNGAHINA KIDMANS COVE (P) SIRE: (Leopard) DOB: 22/07/2018 TATTOO: BPP SCROTAL 40 P220 MAINSTREAM E12 (ET) (P) (Speckled) RIB FAT 7 RIVER HILL 26T WALKER 60W (P) (Speckled) RUMP FAT 10

LOT 5

DAM:

SIX STAR UNIQUE (AI) (ET) (Speckled) CODIAK UNIQUE GNK 8R (P) (Speckled)

IMF

GL

BW

200

400

600

MCW

EMA

112

IMF

6.3

Milk

SS

+0.5

EBV

-0.3

+2.1

+22

+30

+45

+49

+1

+0.3

+28

+1.5

+1.1

+1.3

-0.6

+1.0

43%

ACC

50%

76%

72%

69%

70%

57%

33%

73%

CWT 59%

EMA 47%

56%

RIB

RUMP 55%

53%

RBY

45%

+0.0 +0.1

EBV

-0.2 -0.1

+1.5 +1.3

+14

+20

+0.8

+0.2 +0.1

+0.0 +0.2

+0.0 +0.1

+0.0 +0.1

Promised Land Eldorado LOT 6

BOWAN PARK PYTHEAS P160

TATTOO: BPP But DOB: most13/07/2018 importantly, it is the boutique breeders supporting theP160 industry coming through.

Scone had some really good bulls on sale, including lot 46, sired

by Underhill All Out 1D D and Lot 10, Hillview’s Flash.

IMF

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 2017 Born Calves

RE. st and himself MA.

............

+26 +27

+26

+3

+0.1

+16 +17

The first of our Maungahina Kidman’s Cove and what a cracking good one at that, have a good Description look at this meat machine.

Deep bodied and thick as they come. This guy is superbly bred being out of one the best daughters of the breed in the legendary 8R cow. A great set of EBV’s and a massive Top 5% for the very important IMF. Purchaser.

Purchaser........................................................................................................................ ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ ...................................

Speckle Me Elite Bull Sale 2020 | 15

STAR BANK KING GEORGE 82U (P) RAW DATA FEB 2020 (Speckled) WEIGHT LOT 7 SIX STAR 82U ROYAL BOWAN PARK ALBERTA P141 682 FLESH 101Y (AI) (ET) SIRE: (P) (Speckled) DOB: 11/07/2018 SCROTAL TATTOO: BPP 39 P141 STAR BANK 53R (P) (White) RIB FAT 9 SPOTS ‘N SPROUTS STANDS ALONE (P) (White) RUMP FAT 11 SIX STAR 300X TORI J26 (AI) (ET) (P) DAM: EMA 103 (Speckled) UPTO SPECS TORI 10T (P) (Leopard)

IMF

6.5

GL

BW

200

400

600

MCW

Milk

SS

CWT

EMA

RIB

RUMP

RBY

IMF

EBV

+0.4

+3.1

+21

+23

+35

+35

+3

+0.7

+17

+0.7

+0.3

+0.4

-0.1

+0.1

ACC

51%

75%

71%

69%

70%

58%

39%

72%

59%

49%

58%

58%

55%

49%

+0.8

+0.2 +0.1

+0.0 +0.2

+0.0 +0.1

+0.0 +0.1

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 2017 Born Calves EBV

-0.2 -0.1

+1.5 +1.3

+14

+20

+26 +27

+26

+3

+0.1

+16 +17

A stud sire in the making here.

Description A WHITE maternal half brother to the top priced female at $22,000 in our female sale. Smooth and so well made with lots of “grunt“ and performance to him. Big set of testicles and @ 6.5 IMF. His sire Royal Flesh is a trait leader in 200, 400 & 600 day growth.

TOP 5%

Purchaser.

Purchaser. ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ ...................................

TOP.......................................................................................................................

10% for EMA

16 | Speckle Me Elite Bull Sale 2020

STAR BANK KING GEORGE 82U (P)

RAW DATA FEB 2020

(Speckled) JAD had an impressive animal in (ET) PolarWEIGHT Express with726some SIX STAR 82U ROYAL FLESH 101Y (AI) SIRE: (P) (Speckled) interesting genetics.

SCROTAL 40.5 STAR BANK 53R (P) (White)

RIB FAT

SPOTS ‘N SPROUTS STANDS ALONE (P) (White) SIX STAR 300X TORI J26 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) UPTO SPECS TORI 10T (P) (Leopard)

6

RUMP FAT

9

EMA

111

IMF

6.4

A & W 15R (P) (Leopard) DAM:

Hillview’s

SIX STAR THERESA J21 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) Flash CODIAK TERESSA GNK 12T (P) (Speckled)

GL BW 200 400 600 MCW Milk CWT EMA RIB RUMP RBY The Speckle Park community is no longerSStied to a few foundation IMF EBV +0.9 +2.4 +12 +35 +49 +56 +2 +0.9 +30 +2.0 +0.1 0.0 +0.2 +0.6 bulls.ACC There wealth and44% gold52%nuggets 43% are 72%now 68% a66% 67% of 53%good 26% bulls 71% 55% 52% 49%in 40% Breed Avg. EBVs might for 2018 2017 Born Calves see. Australians the paddock that the show ring never EBV -0.2 -0.1 +1.5 +1.3 +14 +20 +26 +27 +26 +3 +0.1 +16 +17 +0.8 +0.2 +0.1 +0.0 +0.2 +0.0 +0.1 +0.0 are breeding better bulls, importing genetics from overseas and +0.1 Description Have a good look at this classy thick topped PREMIER son.

He’s one ofpursuing the most complete easy on the eye in the catalogue. His Damto is out of the well vigorously theirandown genetic combinations provide credentialed 12T cow making her a FULL SISTER to the leading Sire and one of the best that has had in FALCON. Carcass and style hard to get in the one package but Pytheas top Mungahina quality bulls.

P160 gives it to you. These PREMIER some are going to give you lots of hassle free easy doing

GL

BW

200

400

600

MCW

Milk

SS

CWT

EMA

RIB

RUMP

RBY

IMF

+3.1

+25

+30

+42

+41

+3

+0.8

+25

+1.4

-0.3

-0.6

+0.8

0.0

ACC

51%

75%

71%

69%

70%

58%

39%

72%

59%

49%

58%

58%

55%

49%

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 2017 Born Calves +1.5 +1.3

+14

+20

+26 +27

+26

+3

+0.1

+16 +17

SIRE:

OUTBACK JOEY 25D (P) (White)

DAM:

MISTY VALLEY MIDNIGHT E86 (ET) (Speckled)

On average, it RIVER appeared inBELLA-JOY 2019 that HILL 54Z 25Bthe (P) average bull sales in (White) Speckle Park were on par with those of the Angus bulls.

Year EBV 2020 ACC

GL -1.0 45%

No. of200 Sales Bulls Sold TopCWT $ EMA RIB Average $ BW 400 600 MCW Milk SS RUMP RBY -0.5 +10 +8 -1 -13 +3 -0.5 +5 +0.7 +0.4 +0.5 -0.1 47 2,785 $52,000 $7,291 75% 71% 69% 68% 54% 25% 70% 57% 46% 56% 56% 53%

IMF -0.1 46%

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2018 2017 Born Calves

+0.8

+0.2 +0.1

+0.0 +0.2

+0.0 +0.1

+0.0 +0.1

Another slashing good, smooth skinned upstanding Six Star Royal Flesh son and out of the Six Description Star Tori J26 a beautiful 300X donor Dam. Alberta P141 is way up there with a great set of raw data. Weighs like lead, big EMA.and a large set of testicles. One of the favourites of our visitors this past year.

A bull who could well stand as a Stud Sire in any purebred program. He’s developing into a stout 2yr old.

Purchaser.

Purchaser........................................................................................................................ ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ ...................................

18 | Speckle Me Elite Bull Sale 2020

Even though the quality of bulls has improved, the market Purchaser.

Purchaser........................................................................................................................ ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ ................................... softened in 2019, that might have been because of the drought and it posed the question as to whether the Speckle Park bull sale CODIAK ACRES OH MY GOSH prices were sustainable.

(Leopard)

SummaryHWY. By4YEAR - Angus Bulls Sold at Auction SPECKLE PARK 7F (Speckled)

0.0

-0.2 -0.1

TATTOO: BPP P135

STAR BANK LACERTA 68L (Speckled)

EBV

EBV

BOWAN PARK NEILBURG P135

SIRE: SIX STAR PREMIER (P) (Speckled) DOB: 10/07/2018 SIX STAR PHO-FINISH G250 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled)

calves. Top 1% fro EMA, top 5% for 600 day growth and IMF.

for 200 Day Growth

DAM:

SIX STAR RARE COMMODITY (AI) (ET) (Speckled)

LOT 8

The Angus bulls+1.5 still+14command top+0.2 end, selling EBV -0.2 -0.1 +1.3 +20 +26 +27 higher +26 +3prices +0.1 at +16 +17the +0.8 +0.1 +0.0 +0.2 +0.0 +0.1 +0.0 +0.1 for almost twice as much as the Speckle Park bulls. may be Description Neilburg would make a perfect heifer bull.

He’s smooth with an added topThis and square hipped and a low BW. Meat with ease of calving built in. His dam is one of the nicest Lacerta 68L’s we have had thethe pleasure to workbulls with over the years.

Longevitymore of this family is second to none with his because Angus have so much history in the data dam E86 (a donor) still powering along at eleven years old which indicates they are tough and SOUND. production department, as well as statistics with high accuracy P135 is no exception. percentages.

Purchaser.

Purchaser........................................................................................................................ ..................................................................................................................... PRICE $ ...................................

Moderate bull prices facilitate a groundswell of support, particularly in the commercial sector.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 21

HAS THE SPECKLE PARK BUBBLE BURST?

LOT 4 P182

Has 2020 Bucked the Trend In 2020 The exceptional quality of Speckle Park bulls was recognised by the acclamation of two world champions: Hawkeye 444E and Plunderer 196.

Wattle Grove Paperboy

There are too many to single out but some of those that have contacted us to promote their animals include: Foxtailhill, Hidden Valley, Greenhaven, Oakey Creek, Promised Land, Pemberton, Pinnacle Park, Battalion, Rosehill, Ersyldene, Beth Vide, SND, Threeway, Southern Aurora and AAA. They are all demanding a place in the sun and demonstrate there are many gems in the paddock that are unlikely to see the show ring. Yet a view of the cattle show that these are cattle that any self-respecting cattle farmer would love to have in the paddock.

Notta Hawkeye 444E

What about the females?

The most impressive female sale was the Wattlegrove female sale of 2017 at $13,318. In 2020, the JAD female average of $13,050 was the second highest and was finally eclipsed by Wattlegrove with an average of over $14,000.

The female prices have firmed and remain uncharacteristically in high demand. At Scone in 2020, there were some exceptional females, with Heartbreaker P6 selling for $30,000 and a good average of over $9,000.

Minnamurra Plunderer 196

There has been an explosion of interest in 2020. In the space of two months top records have been smashed. Firstly Plunderer 196 was sold for 40,000. Then Battalion sold Utah for $45,000 in a private honest to goodness sale.

Battalion Heartbreaker

In the drought during 2019, Mt Eccles had a really good result in averaging in excess of $11,000 per head. At the Waratah in 2020, female sales came down to $7,500

Battalion Utah

Finally Wattlegrove pulverised those sale price with Paperboy fetching $68,000 in a bid by 42 bidders just pure commercial bidding on the open market.

Breeders are valuing the quality females’ lines being produced in Speckle Park breed and during some of the lowest rainfall years in Australian history, sale prices were maintained for females. Now that some rains have come, there is a huge demand for females and, with more stock being available, this has resulted in female prices being sustained at high levels, which do not appear to be subsiding anytime soon

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 22

Boutique studs are now producing excellent animals and are not wedded to stud-lines, instead, they are exploring the parameters and with success. For instance, Promised Land on the Mid North Coast, which has only been in the Speckle Park breeding arena for two years, sold Promised Land Eldorado for a commendable $17,000. Battalion showed its skill again with Heartbreaker P6 and, in September 2020, sold Battalion Utah for $45,000 We have held back the publication of the bulletin to consider the results of the big sales in spring and this bulletin would be incomplete without a mention of the Wattle Grove sale that took place on Sat 17 October. Dale and Belinda Humphreys again demonstrated that there is no replacement for hard work and good management producing a platinum performance in their sale.

Most importantly the statistics are relevant. The top bull price was 68,000 and the highest ever grossing sale with averages for Bull and Females of over $14,000. Sweat, dedication and smart management on top of a reputation of integrity and a family dedicated to uplifting the breed, all critical ingredients for cattlemen’s success.

If I were to select the criteria that set both Mount Eccles and Wattle Grove at the top of the ladder it would be these two aspects. (a) Both Dale and Udo demonstrated an ability and preparedness to experiment with widespread genetics.

In any one of those sales you may have a view about a particular sire but there was plenty to choose from and no one would go away from either of those sales being disappointed for variety. (b) In the catalogue division Mount Eccles would have taken the gold medal where the pages were clear with critical information and not plagued by overzealous bombardment of meaningless statistics. The same can be said of the Wattle Grove catalogue where the photographs that were taken were of high quality informative and distinctive in the Wattle Grove red and black colours Both these factors are evidence of a serious dedication to the task at hand and served those breeders well providing a real guide to the newcomers in the breed.

Conclusion To answer the question initially posed. There is no bubble. There is a slow groundswell of joining members. Welcome Templemount and Gotcha Speckle Parks! To coin a phrase from Mr Spock in Star Trek “Live long well and prosper” The model will work best if the base of the Speckle Park community is spread as widely as possible rather than facilitating the monopolisation of the breed by a few.

$41,000. Santa Gertrudis arguably topped the list with 92/92 animals with a top of $45,000. The most animals for the highest price. In a tight race with averages between $9k and $16k, Angus is still the breed to beat because of their depth and breadth, their groundswell and excellent management. To perhaps get a better idea of what the big-league looks like and what the Speckle community should be aiming at , it would be humbling to consider that in October a Brahman sale topped $210k with a 97% clearance and average of 12.5k and revenue of $9.6 m.

What can be said is that Speckle Park is taking its place with the major players. We can be enormously proud of that after just 12 years as a registered breed. Perhaps it can be argued there is no “bubble” but instead, Speckles are slowly taking their place in the top five breeds. This is due to their exceptional performances, particularly in the carcass division, which is where it counts. It is happening steadily with, the expected growing pains but the Speckle Park breed is working towards solid statistics, proven reliability, and the production of improved commercial herds.

It is encouraging that the average sales of Speckle Park cattle, favourably competes with both Angus and Brahman, the industry leaders in cattle prices. Speckle Park could be proud of that performance.

There are several factors that contribute to becoming a mainstream recognised breed. They include: • Regular provision of carcass data and breeding data • An adequate and expanding gene pool • An operative and suitable breeding assessment program • A competent breed association and management.

This breed needs to have an ongoing community spirit, encouragement and growth. Pursuit of the real goals and carcass data. The dispersal sales of some of the biggest and best breeders in our industry both here and in Canada is a cause for concern. If animals cannot be registered, tested, and transferred in a timely fashion it will serve to the detriment of the breed. Overall the numbers of breeders are increasing demands are being made on the breed association are being increased and they deserve all the support they can get from the breeders to support them in their core functions.

Finally the Southern Success promotion sale showed that breeders can collaborate to put together sales as they do in Canada. It was a great effort by Jack Nelson and his team, great catalogue, wide variety of genetics.

It’s Only One Man’s Opinion

Speckle Park is undoubtedly taking its place amongst the top breeds, but its upward path will be challenged. It is critical that its management shows vision and efficiency. Before we become too euphoric about the prices achieved in the spring let us take stock of the prices achieved in these times post drought. There were several studs that outsold Minnamurra but not by much. Millwillah Angus sold 81/81 with a top of $44,000.

Banquet Angus sold less animals for more money with a top of Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 23

HAS THE SPECKLE PARK BUBBLE BURST?

Big and Small

CODIAK OSCAR GNK 8S

X

CODIAK GNK 53W

MYOSTATIN: NON CARRIER | HOMO BLACK | HOMO POLLED BW: 88 LBS | 205D: 554 LBS

End to End’s First calf crop portrays length and soundness. We chose him from the Codiak herd for his carcass merit, as well as fertility and maternal strength. Offering AUS/NZ semen rights. Exportable embryos from JKH 3D x End To End available as well as exportable semen.

KFC 44H, DAUGHTER

RIVER HILL 26T WALKER 60W

KFC 16H, DAUGHTER

X

JKH 3D, DONOR

PRAIRIE HILL DREAMAKER 88K

MYOSTATIN: CARRIER | HOMO BLACK | HOMO POLLED BW: 89 LBS | 205D: 783 LBS | 365D: 1335 LBS

Excalibur has made his mark on our herd by adding performance and muscle shape to his calves. Excalibur sired the 2019 Bull Calf Champion at Canadian Western Agribition, KFC Gladiator 1G. Offering AUS/NZ semen rights. Exportable semen available.

KFC 12H, DAUGHTER

KFC 1G, SON

KFC 25G, SON

KFC FARMS LTD. OWNER KEN FRIESEN: 604.854.0361 | ken@fcltd.ca FARM MANAGER JOHN CARTWRIGHT: 403.507.3319 | john.kfcfarms@gmail.com SALE & SHOW CATTLE ASHLEY ANDERSON: 250.845.4084

www.kfcfarms.com

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 24

SPX Beef - A new Sales Platform for Speckle Park Breeders: What is it about ? www.speckleparksales.com.au This website hopes to facilitate principally three things.

1 A forum where smaller breeders have an opportunity to look for the genetics that they may be interested in and to sell their progeny. Not everyone is capable of being able to mount a sale but nevertheless have really good animals that other breeders may be interested in, this is an opportunity to contact the breeders privately and have a discussion with them about their animals.

2 In time to come we hope to be collecting from our members carcass data. We will be making place on the website for people to be able to fill out forms so that we can gather carcass data. Not only is it important to maintain pedigrees and collate information which may be relevant for estimated breeding values but to utilise the ability to connect breeding lines to the production of meat and to test that against superior meat quality.

3 We hold the view that because of its broad spectrum of adaptability Speckle Park cattle are the quintessential cross breed animal, we have seen their results with Angus, Hereford’s, Brahmans, Shorthorns and a host of other breeds such as the Nguni, bringing to the carcass high retail yields, increased EMA and marbling.

At SPX beef we consider it a principal focus to look at what speckle park contributes to the cattle industry in the broadest possible sense. The collation of data is key, we hope that you will collaborate with us to better understand the qualities of this breed.

How to use the Site 1. Go to speckleparksales.com.au 2. Scroll through the tabs to see animals for sale as well as embryos and straws 3. Advertise by • Joining the society at a cost of $5 • Advertising at a cost of $5 per ad • Follow the prompts after clicking on “submit ad” • Provide your contact details All you need to do is to join and navigate simple website prompts if you have problems email us at speckleparksociety@gmail.com Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 25

Alexandrea Teuma & Peter Munday from 8 Mile Speckles

m now - look at hi at Sydney lf ca d ol y as a days ember Lero We all rem

Shaun B lack of S ND S co owne ignature Speck le d with P innacle s with Zeppelin Park ch ys who wat atch the bo w s rl gi e hile th by!! the girls w the girls go Boys watch

Seen at the rece nt Hillview Open day

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 26

Inhouse chef

CAMPFIRE OXTAIL POT This recipe is best done in a cast iron pot over an open fire enjoying a beer with friends. ….But tastes just as good in a casserole on the stove top.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: (Serves 6) • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 Oxtails 40ml olive oil 2 onions (roughly chopped) 2 cloves of garlic ( chopped) 40ml paprika 1 tsp of chilli powder ( to your taste) 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 2 tomatoes ( chopped ) 40ml tomato paste 1 cup coke 1 cup red wine

For Serving: • Sour cream • Fresh chopped herbs ( basil/parsley/rocket anyone will do) • Fresh Bread

WHAT TO DO: 1. Make sure your fire is hot enough to last 4-5 hours.

Scrape coals aside and place the cast iron pot preferably with legs/or hang the pot over these coals – keep feeding the coals to maintain an even temperature.

2. Heat the oil in the pot and brown the oxtail in batches for a minute or two. Set the meat aside.

3. Fry the onions till soft and then add the garlic.

4. Return the meat to the pot with the onions – add the paprika, chilli powder, salt and pepper. Toss the meat for a few minutes to mix the spices evenly.

5. Now add the tomatoes, tomato paste, Coke and wine.

Mix to combine them all. Bring the pot to the boil, cover and simmer slowly over low heat.

6. Keep the low heat consistent and let the meat simmer gently for 3 – 4 hours or until the meat falls of the bone.

Uncover and as soon as you think the sauce is thick enough the meal will be ready.

7. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs and serve with chunks of bread toasted on the fire and dollops of sour cream.

Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 27

Photo: Lyn Lewis Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 28

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Birds Farm................................................................................................................................................................. 5 BawBaw Speckle Park.............................................................................................................................................. 5 Battalion Speckle Park.............................................................................................................................................6 Big Wig Speckle Park Stud.................................................................................................................................... 10 Six Star Speckle Park.............................................................................................................................................. 11 Embryo Life.............................................................................................................................................................13 Notta Ranch........................................................................................................................................................... 14 Hidden Valley Speckle Park...................................................................................................................................15 KFC FarmsLtd........................................................................................................................................................24 AAA Speckle Park................................................................................................................................... Back cover

ADVERTISING RATES

FULL PAGE $500

HALF PAGE $250

BACK COVER & CENTRE PAGES $1000

Autumn edition will be published in April. Advertising closes on 30 March 2021.

Contact: speckleparksociety@gmail.com Speckle Park Beef Society Bulletin October 2020 | 29