Private Sale List As at 1/1/2026 2 South Devon Bulls 1 Stabilizer Bulls David & Rochelle Leese 7137 RM Williams Way, Jamestown SA 5491 David Mobile 0417851831
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
2025 Review When we look back over the last 2 years, they have been the most challenging we have seen. To see our paddocks so bare, it was embarrassing. By the back end of 2025 we started to see a mini turn around, with enough rainfall to give ground cover and hay production, which we are thankful for. It has now turned dry again, but it is summer??!! We weaned early (4-6mth of age). quickly sold steers (only 3 bulls kept), surplus heifers and cows, we ended up filling a B-double truck ourselves. Mid-June we regrettably had to destocked further, breeding females were reduced to a total of 60 (usually 100), heifers to 28 (normal), 4 breeding bulls and 3 young bulls (usually 12 sale bulls). In the time of destocking, cattle prices remained fair to good, which was good to see. When we look at our implementation of plans, looking back is easy! To us the biggest mistake was keeping 1st calving heifers over cows. The heifers struggled, where cows battled on. We always believe in our heifers as superior genetics and want to keep as many as we can. Weaning calves early was also a challenge, they were 4-6mth when weaned, keeping appropriate nutrition up to them, especially the heifers tested us. The other challenge was securing hay, by May, hay was expensive if you could procure. In the end our heads and business acumen overrode our hearts. On the positive side, destocking early took pressure off our land and remaining cattle, we always want to be good stewards of our land. We received good advice late 2024 – “make an informed decision, implement quickly and have no regrets”. We used all natural matings for the “W” calves. South Devon sires were Davelle Elker River S1, Davelle QU3 Budget T56 and Davelle S53 Robbie U3. Stabilizer sires were Paringa Black Stabilizer S664, Davelle SDX B T17 and Davelle SDX B U8. All calves are progressing well and are healthy, just like their mums. We completed an AI program on all females in 2025. South Devon sires used EBS Elker 1142 642A and Kirndeen Gareth (KSDPG13) and backed up with Davelle QU3 Budget T56 (DVPT56) and Davelle S53 Robbie U3 (DVPU3). For our Stabilizers and selected South Devons we used Leachman Judicial (stabilizer), Leachman Kickoff (stabilizer), Hooks Headline (Simmental), GAR Drive (Angus), Rissington Black Magic (sim/angus) and West Winds Atlas (Blonde d’Aquitaine) backed up with Davelle SDX B U8 (50% SD, 50% stabilizer) and Davelle SDX B U26 (50% SD and 50% sim/angus). We look forward to these calves in 2026. We have limited bulls for private sale for 2026. We will keep a good line up of “W” bulls, there are some impressive bull calves on their mums. We will have no females for private sale in 2026. From our investigations we are eligible to export cattle to WA again, BJD requirements have been relaxed, however the liver fluke testing requirements remain. Our rebuild starts and yes we are still here! We wish all breeders a great 2026. Regards David and Rochelle Leese
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
2025 Royal Adelaide Show Led Steer Competition We prepared 3 steers and provided 5 to schools (4 South Devons and 1 composite). Some 280 pure and crossbred steers were entered; this competition is getting bigger and stronger each year. On hoof, our Stabilizer steers came 1st in the 451-490kg Heavy Domestic class and 5th in the 492-514kg Heavy Domestic class. Our South Devon steer didn’t place nor did any at schools, South Devon’s struggled on hoof this year, it was a Limousin dominance, again. On hook our South Devon steer came 8th out of 18 in the Heavy Domestic class 250.1-280 HSCW (5mm Rib Fat, 8mm Rump Fat, 83cm2 EMA and 320 MSA Marble) with 88.48 points. Our South Devon steers at schools - Jamestown came 2nd in their class with 92.23 points, Faith came 2nd in their class with 91.01 points, Gladstone came 4th in their class with 87.65 points and Balaklava 7th in their class 89.43 points– all of our South Devon Steers on hook scored well. Our crossbreds came 3rd in the Crossbred Heavy Domestic Class 250.1-280kg HSCW (7mm rib fat, 10mm rump fat, 88cm2 EMA and 440 MSA Marbling) with 90.83 points and our other came 7th with 88.08 points in the same class.
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
Our Objectives – We feel it is important to share our Objectives. Our first and foremost objective is to grow grass. To utilise we need good efficient converters, we have found this within the South Devon and Stabilizers (composites), they are very efficient beef cattle. The beef cattle we breed for will be – an easy doing, good tempered, fertile animal that shows a lot of capacity – both in the meat it houses and throughout the body, length, medium frame and the willingness to perform under differing conditions. Females are the backbone of the herd – they need to have a live calf every year, grow that calf quickly so it yields well and is efficient, adding profitability. We believe if you breed for the perfect female, males follow. We submit data to be analyzed to find these curve bending animals with strong carcass traits. We believe in performance recoding as a tool available. We use all tools to help find animals that meet beef breeders’ objectives – subjective and objective. Fertility drives everything!! American beef economists claim fertility and maternal traits are 5 to 10 times more important than any other traits. Look to the new Leachman FERT ABE. Davelle Balanced Breeding targets for low birth weights, good growth and excellent carcass. Davelle has a package that is meeting the objectives of the beef industry backed by reliable data. We will always select animals on functional type and eye appeal first. Then we look to Indexes and individual EBV’s. The pattern we are striving for looks like this – Birth Weight 200 Day/Weaning Weight 400 Day/Yearling Weight 600 Day Weight Mature Cow Milk Carcass Traits
Below average – No bulls are kept over 45kgs actual BW. Average Average Average– flattening out growth so breeding females don’t get to big Average to slightly below average Average – we need to be careful if the season dries up. Above Average - all traits to be strongly positive
We want females to peak their growth at around 3 years old. We want animals to put on as much weight as possible with desired carcass traits and then without breeding cows getting too big – efficiency. Using figures can be fraught with danger. A good understanding is needed. The biggest number is not always the most desirable and sometimes average is best. The Indexes helps put all of this into context, the larger the number the more profit.
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
$PROFIT
TM
What is $Profit? The $Profit Index tells you which bull calves make you the most profit, from birth to slaughter if you retain ownership and keep replacements. It includes the cow traits, fertility, growth, carcase and feed intake. What does the single number, $Profit, do for me? $Profit helps you compare what different bulls are worth so you can easily find the best bull to improve your herd. Put simply, it does the selection work for you. Instead of working out which of the 20+ ABEs are most helpful to your herd, $Profit does the analysis for you, and sums it up in one figure. Profit Explained Are all small cows really efficient? There seems to be a big disconnect in today’s beef industry. On sale day we want heavy, high quality steers to pay the bills. The rest of the time we want efficient cows to keep our costs as low as possible. Simply selecting for smaller cows with no regard for feed efficiency is not the answer. Likewise, selecting for shear growth with disregard for cost is just as poor of a strategy. The best way to make your cowherd truly efficient, and your calf crop earn more, is to use $Profit ™ ABE (Across Breed EBVs) ™. This is the only index in the industry that works on both sides of the ledger (production and cost). Cows that work! Steers that pay! How $Profit works: $Profit assumes that the average commercial bull will have 100 progeny over its lifetime. The model assumes that you keep 30% of your heifers as replacements and that you retain ownership on the remainder of the calves through finishing and sell on a grid. We realize that many don’t retain ownership, but doesn’t it make the most sense to select from birth all the way to slaughter? Our simulation model then factors in all of the effects on both income and expense to come up with a net profit figure for each bull. $Profit allows you to compare any two bulls and calculate the difference in profit that they are expected to generate in your herd. Let’s compare a $10,000 $Profit bull to $6,000 $Profit bull (the average 2008 born Angus bull). The predicted difference between the bulls is $4,000 or about $40 per calf. $Profit works for us and it will work for you too. What traits are included in $Profit: $Profit includes nearly every trait that impacts profitability. The effect of most traits on profit is fairly simple to understand. Here is the list of what is included and its effect: Revenue Traits Calving Ease = more live calves Weaning and Yearling weights = more growth & weight for age Fertility (days to conception) = Earlier conceptions post calving and earlier puberty in heifers Carcass weight = Heavier carcase weights Marbling = better meat quality and value Ribeye Area = value as impacts yield grade % Retail Product = more yield is more saleable beef
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
Cost Traits Cow mature size = in general bigger eats more Cow intake = more intake costs more Feedlot feed efficiency = cost of gain Some traits are not so easily characterized for $Profit. Milk, for example, is a good thing until you get too much. When over +25, milk ABE has a more negative effect on fertility than it has a positive effect on weaning weight. There are a few traits not yet included in $Profit: longevity, structure, and disposition. These traits are important but difficult to express in dollars. $Profit is the largest breeder owned data base in the industry with over 1,400,000 records - “from herds in the USA, UK, New Zealand and Australia” $PROFIT Financial index allows you to HAVE IT ALL! We utilize 2 Indexes – $Ranch – Profit from birth through to weaning includes: Fertility, Milk, Growth Cow feed intake and mature size $Profit – puts it all together One number that predicts your bottom line The other index is $Feeder – Profit from weaning to harvest. We prefer overall value ($Profit) and maternal traits ($Ranch). Index Rankings: Rank % $Profit $Ranch
Good Top 50% $8,528 $40
Better Top 25% $14,475 $81
Best Top1% $28,123 $177
$Profit Across Breed EBVs Dare to compare: You cannot afford to make mistakes in your breeding program! Choosing to use sires with incomplete or low value data can unknowingly make your herd less profitable – same work, same cost, poor results - unacceptable. $Profit ABEs (Across Breed EBVs) are the most reliable and comprehensive EBVs in the industry. They are backed by a large (over a million), long-standing (over 30 years), multi-breed (over 15 breeds) database. Using this system assures you of making sound breeding decisions with minimal risk of failure. New ABE – Fertility, which is the single best predictor of a cows lifetime productivity. Fertility has always been very high in our objectives, we now have a predictor. The higher the number the more profit a cow produces over their lifetime.
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
SOUTH DEVON BREEDPLAN EBV’s are a tool that will help you make more educated decisions when you are choosing breeding stock. The best way to make use of this information is to first decide your breeding goals and secondly to select animals with EBV’s that match those criteria. Only South Devon Group BreedPlan EBV’s can be validly compared between herds. Gestation Length EBV (days) is an estimate of the time from conception to the birth of the calf and is based on AI and hand mating records. Lower (negative) GL EBVs indicate shorter gestation length and therefore easier calving and increased growth after birth. Birth Weight EBV (kg) is based on the measured birth weight of progeny, adjusted for dam age. The lower the value the lighter the calf at birth and the lower the likelihood of a difficult birth. This is particularly important when selecting sires for use over heifers. 200-Day Growth EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 80 and 300 days of age. Values are adjusted to 200 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal's genetic merit for growth to early ages. 400-Day Weight EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 301 and 500 days of age, adjusted to 400 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal's genetic merit for yearling weight. 600-Day Weight EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 501 and 900 days of age, adjusted to 600 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal's genetic merit for growth beyond yearling age. Mature Cow Weight EBV (kg) is based on the cow weight when the calf is weighed for weaning, adjusted to 5 years of age. This EBV is an estimate of the genetic difference in cow weight at 5 years of age and is an indicator of growth at later ages and potential feed maintenance requirements of the females in the breeding herd. Steer breeders wishing to grow animals out to a larger weight may also use the Mature Cow Weight EBV. Milk EBV (kg) is an estimate of an animal's milking ability. For sires, this EBV indicates the effect of the daughter's milking ability, inherited from the sire, on the 200-day weights of her calves. For dams, it indicates her milking ability. Scrotal Size EBV (cm) is calculated from the circumference of the scrotum taken between 300 and 700 days of age and adjusted to 400 days of age. This EBV is an estimate of an animal's genetic merit for scrotal size. There is also a small negative correlation with age of puberty in female progeny and therefore selection for increased scrotal size will result in reduced age at calving of female progeny. Carcase Weight EBV (kg) is based on abattoir carcase records and is an indicator of the genetic differences in carcase weight at the standard age of 650 days. Eye Muscle Area EBV (sq cm) is calculated from measurements from live animal ultrasound scans and from abattoir carcase data, adjusted to a standard 300 kg carcase. This EBV estimates genetic differences in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site of a 300 kg dressed carcase. More positive EBVs indicate better muscling on animals. Animals with relatively higher EMA EBVs are expected to produce better muscled and higher percentage yielding progeny at the same carcase weight than will animals with lower EMA EBVs. Rib Fat and Rump Fat EBVs (mm) are calculated from measurements of subcutaneous fat depth at the 12/13-rib site and the P8 rump site (from live animal ultrasound scans and from abattoir carcases) and are adjusted to a standard 300 kg carcase. These EBVs are indicators of the genetic differences in fat distribution on a standard 300 kg carcase. Animals with relatively lower fat EBVs are expected to produce leaner progeny at any particular carcase weight than will animals with higher EBVs. Retail Beef Yield EBV (%) indicates genetic differences between animals for retail yield percentage in a standard 300 kg carcase. Animals with larger EBVs are expected to produce progeny with higher yielding carcases.
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
Intramuscular Fat EBV (%) is an estimate of the genetic difference in the percentage of intramuscular fat at the 12/13th rib site in a 300 kg carcase. Depending on market targets, larger more positive values are generally more favourable. Selection Indexes South Devon selection indices are calculated for three market specifications, namely Local Trade and Export Maternal. These Indices relate to typical South Devon herds in temperate Australia targeting these specifications. Local Trade Index($) - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a typical self-replacing commercial herd targeting the local trade. Selected heifers are retained for breeding and so maternal traits are of importance. Steers target 450 kg live weight (240 kg carcase weight) at 12 months of age. In response to industry feedback, positive emphasis has been placed on carcase quality traits. Export Maternal Index($) - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a typical self-replacing commercial herd targeting the export market. Selected heifers are retained for breeding and so maternal traits are of importance. Steers target 600 kg live weight (325 kg carcase weight and 16 mm fat depth) at 24 months of age. In response to industry feedback, positive emphasis has been placed on carcase quality traits. This selection index is also suitable to select sires for a northern cross breeding production system.
Davelle Progress Buck V11
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
South Devon Bulls For Sale Davelle Progress Buck V11 DVPV11
DOB 21/7/2024
Polled
MJB Romeo 125R (P)(B)USA) Sire: BC Progress 315U(P)(B)(USA) MJB Sassy 6714S (P)(R)(USA)
Red
Sire and Dam Verified
Davelle Durango Nant M19(P)(R) Dam: Davelle M19 Blossom R60 (P)(R) Davelle Effone Blossom K45(P)(R)
Calv 200 400 600 Mat. Eye Retail Local Export Ease Gest. Birth Day Day Day Cow Scrotal Muscle Rib Rump Beef Trade Maternal DIR Len. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Milk Size Area Fat Fat Yield IMF Index Index (days (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (cm) (sq.cm) (mm) (mm) (%) % ($) ($) BreedPlan EBV +9.4 -1.9 -1.1 +23 +35 +49 +52 +5 +1.4 +3.8 +0.4 +0.5 +0.7 +1.2 +$74 +$125 Acc 45% 63% 66% 71% 69% 66% 61% 56% 50% 43% 54% 54% 52% 49% Rank Top 25% 10% 20% 5% 10% 5% 10% 30% 10% 20%% 40% 45% 15% 10% 15% 5%
Rib Birth Weaning Yearling Scrotal Back Eye Mature Weight Weight Weight Milk Cir Fat Area IMF FERT Weight $Profit $Ranch $Profit ABE +4.8 +67 +108 +28 +0.12 -0.05 +0.83 +0.24 +2.60 +41.4 15,787 135 Rank Top 72% 0% 0% 3.2% 88% 95% 43% 41% 0.7% 94% 5% 5%
Traits Observed – BW, WW, YY, Scans and Genomics Comments – a cracking BC Progress son, we only have a handful of straws left and we’ve been using them sparingly – we were desperate for a female from this mating, but it didn’t come. Buck is an impressive young sire, he oozes style and presence. The dam side is “Davelle Royalty” the “Blossom” line. He scanned a raw 114cm2 eye muscle at 16mth on pastures only (bulls were left to fend for themselves). His figures show he’s a growth bull that adds yield which equals profit. We’d love to keep him, but inbreeding is the issue. Price $5,500 inc gst.
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
Davelle S53 Robbie U3 DVPU3
DOB 10/7/2023
Polled
Davelle Durango Nant M19(P)(R) Sire: Davelle M19 Buster S53(P)(B) Davelle Progress Blossom H57 (P)(R) Calv Ease DIR
Red
Sire Verified
Davelle Barossa J5 (P)(B) Dam: Davelle Black Rose L43 (P)(B) Davelle Inquest Rose J49 (P)(R)
200 400 600 Mat. Eye Retail Local Export Gest. Birth Day Day Day Cow Scrotal Muscle Rib Rump Beef Trade Maternal Len. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Milk Size Area Fat Fat Yield IMF Index Index (days (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (cm) (sq.cm) (mm) (mm) (%) % ($) ($)
BreedPlan EBV +10.6 -2.7 -2.8 +10 +21 +26 +20 +7 +1.1 Acc 43% 53% 80% 74% 71% 69% 57% 47% 69% Rank Top 20% 1% 5% 45% 35% 35% 40% 20% 25%
+4.1 +0.3 +0.3 +1.1 +1.0 +$90 +$117 46% 55% 55% 53% 46% 15%% 45% 50% 5% 15% 5% 10%
Rib Birth Weaning Yearling Scrotal Back Eye Mature Weight Weight Weight Milk Cir Fat Area IMF FERT Weight $Profit $Ranch $Profit ABE +1.5 +42 +71 +22 -0.01 -0.08 +0.92 +0.08 +2.77 +0.99 16,563 161 Rank Top 17% 15% 7% 21% 97% 100% 21% 93% 0.3% 4% 4% 2%
Traits Observed – BW, WW, YY, Scans and Genomics Comments – We offered him last year but decided to use ourselves, very glad we did. We have 7 “W” calves on the ground and they are very good types. We’ve used again to back up our 2025 AI program. We love his moderate size which come from his sire and dam, we have learnt over the years that moderation adds to profit. He has great yield from average growth – will produce those thumping steers and those maternal females (Fertility in the top 0.3%). Price $5,500 inc gst.
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
Davelle Composites - SDX 23% More!! Who can ignore to benefits of cross breeding to add profit. We’ll use the South Devon female as the base and add other breeds, Stabilizers and crosses to compliment. Stabilizer The Stabilizer breed is a multi-breed composite developed by Leachman Cattle Company. The breed is based on research done by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at their Animal Research Service (ARS) at the Meat Animal Research Centre (MARC), at Clay Centre, Nebraska. The Stabilizer breed is a blend of British and Continental inputs including: Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh and South Devon. The Breed combines the fleshing ability, marbling, and moderate size of the British breeds with the muscle, milk, and growth of the Continental breeds. As a four breed composite, the Stabilizer retains 75% of the F1 hybrid vigour and thus allows producers to crossbreed with simplicity. The MARC (Meat Animal Research Centre) started a project in 1973 called the Germ Plasm Utilization (GPU) project. Their research showed several advantages that come from crossbreeding. Most importantly they showed that hybrid vigour has a large impact on beef cattle productivity. The research demonstrated an 8% improvement in weaning weight when a purebred cow is mated to a bull of a different breed. The research also showed that crossbred cows are far more productive than purebred cows. The benefits came in multiple areas including more milk production, better body condition, faster re-breeding, and a longer productive lifetime. In total, the crossbred cows weaned 23% more weight than did purebred cows. Historically, crossbreeding requires the use of complicated mating systems to keep the hybrid vigour effect. Scientists designed rotational systems using three breeds. However, such systems were too complicated. Furthermore, they resulted in wide swings in breed composition, and prevented breeders from having a uniform, well adapted herd. As an alternative, the researchers at MARC developed multi-breed composites. Their study confirmed that such composite breeds retain hybrid vigour in proportion to the number of breeds used - using more breeds generates more retention of hybrid vigour. The Stabilizer (Marc II composite), with four breeds, retains 75% of the F1 hybrid vigour. Thus, breeders can breed composite bulls to composite females and keep most of the available hybrid vigour without the complexity and loss of uniformity associated with crossbreeding. Breed Codes
South Devon Simmental Angus Red Angus Gelbvieh Shorthorn Hereford Other
DS SM AN AR GV SS HH OO
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
Stabilizer Bulls Davelle SDX R 69 DOB 19/7/2024
Polled
Red
Sire and Dam Verified Leachman 18 Karat X235C (P)(R) Dam: Davelle SDX R T15 (P)(R) Davelle Cool Blossom Q35 (P)(R)
Sire: GW Copperhead 919G (P)(R) Breeding – SM 33%, DS 25%, AR 24%, AN 16%, OO 2%
Rib Birth Weaning Yearling Scrotal Back Eye Mature Weight Weight Weight Milk Cir Fat Area IMF FERT Weight $Profit $Ranch $Profit ABE -0.5 +49 +88 +21 -0.08 0.0 +0.86 +0.57 +1.86 +44.06 18,716 90 Rank Top 16% 27% 20% 45% 95% 7% 32% 18% 19% 83% 10% 16%
Traits Observed – BW, WW, YY, Scans and Genomics Comments – A unique red stabilizer, we liked the data and shape of his sire GW Copperhead, he has added early growth and moderation together with profitable traits. A safe bull that will get calves on the ground and enough growth and carcass to be very profitable. Top 10% for $Profit. Price $5,500 inc gst.
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au
2025
Feeding cows
Dry sowing with a rising moon
August 23rd – cows and calves finally on some feed barley
Fertility - Low Birth Weights – Good Growth – Excellent Carcass www.davelle.com.au