February 2015 Digest

DROUGHTMASTER FEBRUARY

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NATIONAL FEMALE SALE PREVIEW YOUNG PRODUCERS STEP UP BEEF 2015

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CONTENTS

FEBRUARY

DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

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13 National Female Sale Preview.

36 Lisgar has won awards in Queensland carcase competitions.

23

Geoff Kinsella won the 2014 Excellence in Agriculture trophy.

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Carl and Aimee Young have created the Young Farmers brand.

4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

4 CEO’S MESSAGE

6 DROUGHTMASTER FLAVOUR WINS YOUNG HEARTS

24 DROUGHT LESSONS LEARNT AT MURGON HIGH

13 DROUGHTMASTER NATIONAL FEMALE SALE PREVIEW

29 MOSTYNDALE FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH

Studs the key to supply chain.

At Wirraway, near Beaudesert, one week before Christmas, manager Carl Young shows younger sister Aimee the Droughtmaster cattle they are run.

Analysts predict demand for quality breeding females will outstrip supply for at least the next two or three years, auguring well for a positive result at the Droughtmaster National Female Sale, Gympie, on March 14.

20 RSVP WHIPS UP ‘CREAM OF THE CROP’ TOP

Threatening showers bolstered competition at the Cream of the Crop sale.

Get ready for beef’s big 2015.

A guru of agriculture isn’t quite ready to hang up her hat, even after 27 years bestowing her knowledge on the next generation of cattle producers.

Kevin Woolcock has added a feedlot and PCAS accreditation to the family’s commercial operation at Mostyndale, Springsure.

36 LISGAR QUALITY BY THE NUMBERS

Lisgar operates a highly productive breeding and finishing operation using some of the best Droughtmaster genetics in the industry.

AUGUST DIGEST DEADLINES

Advertising bookings: July 10 Advertising Copy: July 17 February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 3

Return to profitability DROUGHTMASTER STUD BREEDERS’ SOCIETY ACN 010 129 683 40 Thorn Street, Ipswich, QLD 4305 Phone: (07) 3281 0056 Fax: (07) 3281 7957 Email: office@droughtmaster.com.au Website: www.droughtmaster.com.au

PATRON Audrey Perry

BOARD PRESIDENT Michael Flynn (07) 4654 5223 VICE-PRESIDENT Steve Pickering (07) 4168 6249 DIRECTORS Far Northern Zone Jeff Williams 0418 755 279 Northern Zone Vacant Central Zone Vacant South East Zone Brian Heck (07) 5484 9183 Southern Zone Michael Flynn (07) 4654 5223 Far Southern Zone Timothy Lloyd (02) 6724 8362 Western Zone Vacant National Steve Pickering (07) 4168 6249 Douglas Miles (07) 4934 7645 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Neil Donaldson 0428 796 330 OFFICE MANAGER Samantha Maher REGISTRAR Carmel Bell ACCOUNTS Toni Franklin ADMINISTRATION Leigh Eleison TECHNICAL OFFICER Paul Williams 0427 018 982 DIGEST PRODUCTION Editor: Brad Cooper Editorial & Advertising Fairfax Agricultural Media Queensland PO Box 586, Cleveland 4163 Phone: (07) 3826 8200 Fax: (07) 3821 1236

OUR COVER

DROUGHTMASTER ARY FEBRU

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Females take centre stage this issue in honour of the National Female Sale at Gympie.

VIEW

SALE PRE L FEMALE UP NATIONA DUCERS STEP PRO YOUNG 5 BEEF 201

The opinions expressed in the Droughtmaster Digest are not necessarily the opinions of the Droughtmaster Stud Breeders Society Ltd, or of Fairfax Agricultural Media Queensland. This publication is protected by copyright and articles or photo graphs may not be used without authorisation.

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HERE have certainly been some significant changes in the landscape since my last column. The season has turned around for many producers, but unfortunately not all just yet.

As expected the improved season allowed producers to conduct their turnoff on their own terms, which naturally reduced supply and in turn has increased prices.

While those who have any cattle left to sell are enjoying the higher prices for slaughter cattle, as always it is a doubled-edged sword – with the cost of store cattle up as well.

Circumstances can create harsh financial outcomes for some people and you have to feel for those who were forced by drought to sell their core herd of breeders into an oversupplied market at severely reduced prices and are now faced with paddocks of grass but replacement breeders costing three times more.

The prices being paid for slaughter cattle are certainly welcomed;

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Michael Flynn

We need healthy abattoir operations and we need healthy beef-producing operations. however, a recent analysis by MLA of cow prices OTH and the price for 90CL Trimmings indicates that there is still plenty of profit in cows for processors at the current rates.

As well-regarded market analyst Augusto Semmelroth commented in a report on Farmonline, there is plenty of reason for Australian beef producers to be optimistic for 2015, with predictions of finished steers possibly reaching $6/kg carcase weight or $3.20/kg live. As with virtually every agricultural commod-

ity, the price paid for Australian beef has followed a similar trend to the US, and has done for at least 60 years, according to Mr Semmelroth.

Although the past few years have seen the trendlines diverge because of the drought and the related oversupply of cattle in Australia overriding the normal price drivers.

The current improved prices coupled with predicted further improvements points towards better returns and a return to profitability for commercial beef producers.

Breeders in particular can then justify investments in better genetics. The predicted good slaughter prices for used bulls provides commercial breeders with the opportunity to upgrade their bulls in 2015, which in turn will help stud bull breeders to also return to profitability.

I welcome the opportunity to meet our members and supporters at some of the forthcoming shows and sales.

Get set for beef’s big 2015

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014 and January have disappeared in the dust haze (or the mud, for those who have been lucky) and 2015 is rocketing along.

Beef 2015 in May will be happening before we know it. These triennial beef expos are now well recognised as a major international event.

There are a multitude of overseas delegations and individuals booked to attend this year’s ‘week of beef’.

The Droughtmaster breed will once again be well represented in both stud and commercial sections.

It is hard to believe that three years have passed since our recordsetting achievement of grand champion titles in both stud and commercial arenas at Beef 2012.

That unprecedented result came on top of a record six championship titles at the past eight Australian Commercial Beef Cattle Championships – a remarkable feat given the numbers competing and the quality on show.

Make sure you get out to Central Queensland Livestock Exchange (CQLX) at Gracemere and cast your eye over the multitude of outstanding commercial cattle.

In the stud section, Droughtmasters will be paraded before the judge on Wednesday, May 6, in the centre ring. This is a very exciting opportunity for the breed to showcase itself on the world stage.

The potential for Droughtmaster semen and embryo sales overseas is

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LOOKING AHEAD Neil Donaldson CEO

The potential for Droughtmaster semen and embryo sales overseas is enormous. enormous for our breed which, apart from some exports to Africa, South America and the Pacific Islands, is predominantly centred in Australia.

A fertile and hardy breed such as the Droughtmaster is always going to be popular with cattlemen throughout the world. Beef 2015 will also be a wonderful opportunity to catch up with many members of the Droughtmaster family.

A significant milestone in 2015 will be the staging of the 30th Annual Futurity Show at Gatton.

Congratulations to Val Evans who has run it for many years and also to Ray Philips who organised and ran the very first futurity in 1986.

Despite the tough times experienced by many beef producers in the past few years the stud side of the Droughtmaster world experienced only minor falls in participation. Some studmasters made the decision to disperse and retire or

reduce their herd numbers, both of which provided the opportunity for new people to get into the stud business or for existing operations to expand. We wish those who have moved on all the very best, and to the new studs a very warm welcome.

Although there are many properties still in the grip of drought and others that have had temporary relief, the long-term future of Australia’s beef industry is positive.

The Droughtmaster Society has plans in place to ensure the breed continues to be relevant to the commercial beef supply chain. The society has a contingent of young studmasters who will be cultivated as our next generation of leaders.

There have been a few changes to the sale calendar for 2015 but generally speaking the annual roster of sales remains unchanged. Not unexpectedly, numbers of bulls sold last year were below average, but values were not as severely affected.

The trade-in value of bulls had a significant part to play in that result.

Studmasters realise their fortunes will always ebb and flow with seasons and with commodity prices, but long term their future depends on their ability to provide a highquality product year-in, year-out at a reasonable price.

I look forward to catching up with members of the Droughtmaster family at various events over the next few months.

Drough Youn

By ANDREA CROTHERS

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RIVING across the lush green grass at Wirraway,near Beaudesert, one week before Christmas, manager Carl Young shows younger sister Aimee the Droughtmaster cattle they are running.

He is an ambitious, passionate, young man by nature.

But on this day, Carl had an extra spring in his step, thanks to 80 millimetres of rainfall at the property the previous week.

“It’s just been so dry around here until we got that rain,” he said, before pointing out a young bull he was rather pleased with. “It’s just great how quickly the grass all bounces back.”

Aimee is out from Brisbane for a few hours between clients in her personal training and health coaching business, Young Wellness.

She listens with ease, smiling as she watches the way her big brother interacts with the Droughtmaster mothers and their suckling calves.

Although city life is Aimee’s for now, since growing up on a family farm, where she was typically raised to understand cattle’s lifecycle, she is well aware these animals will ultimately end up on her dinner plate – if not hers, that of someone she knows.

Entrepreneurial duo

Aimee says the Young Farmers brand using high-quality Droughtmaster beef grew on the back of its popularity with friends.

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That’s because the entrepreneurial brothersister duo, along with Aimee’s partner Simon Harradence, have launched their own paddockto-plate experience.

Creating online beef retail business Young Farmers, whereby consumers order products available for pick-up once a month, enables Simon and Aimee to provide direct access for many like-minded Brisbane dwellers to locally raised grassfed beef.

And it’s Droughtmaster quality they are turning to.

Aimee said by “cutting out many middlemen we’re effectively introducing our farmers directly to the consumer”.

“This allows us to pay a premium for their high-quality produce,” she said.

They’re currently sourcing the beef from Carl at Wirraway, owned by PBR Properties.

It has made the family affair all the merrier.

She said the initial decision to revert to sourcing family-farmed beef for personal consumption came about while undertaking a health coaching course as part of her other business.

“I got really conscious about what meat I was eating and where it was coming from,” Aimee said.

“So about a year ago I made the choice to eat cattle produced by my family, because I knew how it was raised and where it was coming from.”

Aimee said the animal’s diet factored considerably into the nutritional value of the meat.

htmaster flavour wins ng hearts in Brisbane

Beaudesert siblings Carl and Aimee Young have created their own paddock-to-plate experience through branded beef company Young Farmers.

I got really conscious about what meat I was eating and where it was coming from.

The fact Carl could easily supply her with grassfed instead of grainfed beef made the choice easy.

“Like humans, cows thrive on the diet they were naturally meant to consume and that diet consists of grass and other foliage,” she said.

“I’ve been doing personal training for six years now and in the last year I’ve done a health coaching course so I just see this as an extension of my values and my life.”

One beast supplied too much meat for just herself, so Aimee would split it between her friends. “Then they loved it too,” she said.

“At one point I said [to Carl] can we get two beasts this month and he just found it incredible that we had that many friends in Brisbane.”

It was then that she and Simon decided to create the business to support the demand for Carl’s Droughtmaster beef, launching in early December last year.

Aimee acknowledges grassfed beef is not a new concept, but consumer access and atti-

tudes to the product are changing.

“It’s not hard to source – there’s always grassfed beef in your major supermarkets,” she said.

“But you don’t have any connection with that farmer at all or where it came from.”

Business projections While it’s still early days yet, Young Farmers are aligning well with their business projections.

“It’s a great feeling just knowing that everyone can eat some of our family-farmed beef and enjoy the great taste,” Aimee said.

“I think now people are happy to get behind young people having good quality grassfed beef.”

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 7

Donated bull Bowman Park Megabyte with Tracey Nuttridge of TLC Fitting Service, Jennifer Bowman and father Justin of Bowman Park Droughtmasters, Rosewood, and Margie Ingram (wife of the late Gavin Ingram) at the official launch on January 16.

By KATE STARK

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GENEROUS donation by 14-year-old Jennifer Bowman will potentially see thousands of dollars raised for cancer research.

After family friend Gavin Ingram was diagnosed with leukaemia, the young Droughtmaster breeder spoke to her father about setting up a special auction for one of her bulls, Bowman Park Megabyte.

“Our friend Gavin was really hoping to be at the launch and we spoke with him on Christmas Eve and he said he was hoping to be out of hospital but he wasn’t and, unfortunately, two weeks ago, he passed away and it’s been very sad for everyone,” Jennifer’s father Justin said.

“It really brings home the importance, to us, of raising funds to find a cure because it’s something that seems to affect everyone and it’s becoming more and more of an issue.”

The official media launch for the charity bull was held on January 16 with Droughtmaster Australia CEO Neil Donaldson speaking during proceedings at the national office in Ipswich.

“Word of the fundraising is just starting to build up and hopefully, doing the show circuit, we’ll see if we can bring some more attention to the fundraising,” Mr Donaldson said.

“At the end of the day, the more people that know about it, the more money that’s going to be raised and we’re only a small part of the process but we’re keen to help in any way we can.”

Mr Bowman said, come September, Megabyte

The more people that know about it, the more money that’s going to be raised.

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MEGABYTE’S MISSION FOR CANCER CURE would have attended about 15 shows including Beef 2015. “Originally, when I spoke to Gav about doing this I told him I wanted to do something to help him out directly but he said he and his family would be right and said he wanted any money raised to go towards research and finding a cure,” Mr Bowman said.

“That’s really just Gav all over. He was so worried about helping everyone else rather than himself, so I really hope that between now and the auction day, we can raise some funds.

“Megabyte is a nice young bull and by September he’ll be a hell of a lot bigger and although we might get less than we hoped for, we might also get more – but we know that whatever we get for him, it’s going to a good cause.”

The small stud at Rosewood currently runs 25 head of high quality Droughtmaster cattle and, like many producers, has struggled through recent drought conditions.

“We’re only a small stud but we’ve certainly felt the dry,” Mr Bowman said. “Feed bills have been the highest they’ve ever been but we’re just really lucky that one of our neighbours has allowed us to agist for a while and that got us through.”

The Bowman family are excited to see the progression of 13-month-old Bowman Park

Megabyte in the capable hands of professional fitters Troy and Tracey Nuttridge, TLC Fitting.

“I’ve really got to thank Troy and Tracey, they’ve put all the work into him to get him to where he is today. He’s sitting on about 400kg but we’re hoping he’ll get up around the 750kg mark by auction. TLC have put in a big effort and we really appreciated their help – they’ve donated all their time in preparing and showing him, which is a huge help,” Mr Bowman said.

Mr Nuttridge said he was excited to kick off Megabyte’s campaign at the Clifton show from February 13-15. “It’ll be our first show up on the Downs and he’ll have a pretty illustrious career this year, seeing about 15 shows through the West Moreton Valley. He’ll also be at Ipswich show for everybody to come and have a look at and up at Beef 2015 for the 10 days before finishing him at the Royal Queensland Show.”

With heritage tracing back to Swan Horsham and Glenlands Kineesha, who holds the record female price for the breed at $42,500, Megabyte is sure to create some interest when auctioned at the Droughtmaster National in Rockhampton on September 15-16. ● For more information contact Justin and Cheryl Bowman, (07) 5465 5332 or www.leukaemiaqld.org.au

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 9

Steph’s farming dream rolls on

LEFT: Stephanie Laycock, High Country Droughtmasters, Eskdale, leading one of their bulls.

This year I expect to go with the West MAC team to nearly every local show, the Ekka and Beef 2015.

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IVACIOUS 16-year-old Stephanie Laycock says she’s passionate about many aspects of the beef industry.

Whether it’s parading, junior judging, mustering or branding, she is happy to lend a hand.

Stephanie said that, although her family originally lived in Brisbane, they decided to move to Eskdale in the Brisbane Valley to pursue their love of agriculture.

Since 2010, Stephanie, her brother Michael and parents Paul and Lisa have operated High Country Droughtmasters and at present have 120 breeders, with 30 to 40 replacement heifers soon to join the herd.

“My grandparents have always lived at Esk and we had a property at Eskdale,” she said.

“We started buying some commercial cattle and really loved the Droughtmasters so we decided to go into a stud.”

Being able to help breed bulls that produce a strong line of commercial steers or heifers is one

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of the highlights of helping run the stud, she said.

Many young people don’t understand the importance of agriculture, she said, and schools needed to concentrate on running agriculture subjects at an earlier age to combat this.

Stephanie recently started year 12 at West Moreton Anglican College on the outskirts of Ipswich, and obtained an agricultural science scholarship.

“I’ve been on the cattle team since grade 9. That was my first year at West MAC,” she said.

“I’ve been in a fair few judging and parading competitions over the years and I’ve been able to win a few as well.

“This year I expect to go with the West MAC team to nearly every local show, the Ekka and Beef 2015.” – Story: MELODY LABINSKY. Picture:

RODNEY GREEN.

Central Qld rallies for injured boy

HEN budding Droughtmaster stud breeder Jarrad Thompson had a campfire accident mid-2014, that would leave him with burns to 30 per cent of his body, the cattle community banded together to show their support.

A semen charity auction was held in conjunction with the Central Queensland Spring Female Droughtmaster Classic sale, raising $8525 for Jarrad’s ongoing medical costs.

These include surgery, regular trips to Townsville, as well as expensive compression suits that must be replaced regularly due to stretching.

Organiser Kerri McKenzie from Hamadra Droughtmaster stud, Blackwater, said they were overwhelmed with the response from the cattle community.

“It was amazing to see the generous donations from so many people.”

Eleven Droughtmaster breeders donated to the cause.

This provided 22 lots for the auction which was conducted using the Helmsman bidding system. “It was a lot of fun and a bidding war happened at the end,” Kerri said.

Jarrad’s parents are committee members for the Central Queensland Spring Female Droughtmaster Classic sale.

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Back row: Drew McKenzie, Deb Wright, Mark Davey, Rosmarie Tompson, Robert Tompson and Taylor Tompson.

Front row: Kerri McKenzie Abby Thompson, Maddison Tompson, Jarrad Tompson, Leonie Davey and Chloe Davey.

Teen Regan’s future plans T

HE sense of unity and self-sufficiency of the cattle industry is what appeals to aspiring studmaster Regan Harms.

For the past eight years Regan and his older brother Liam have operated Oakmore Park Droughtmaster Stud at Greenmount on the Darling Downs.

Regan’s love of livestock came about after his parents’ Greg and Sharon Harms moved to their 142-hectare property and established Oakmore Park.

Running a stud is no small feat at the best of times, but the determined 16-year-old recently returned as a boarder to the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane to complete his year 12 studies.

Regan said he had always enjoyed showing Droughtmasters and working with cattle.

He also takes part in junior judging through Churchie and made it to the state finals at the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane in 2014.

“I’ve got eight cows in my base herd; they are all consistent breeders of the same type, which I like,” he said.

“On occasions I will buy to get the different genetics and bloodlines for a bit of diversity.”

Regan will offer two females at the Droughtmaster National Female Sale at Gympie in March.

When selecting cattle, Regan said there were a number of factors he took into consideration.

“Definitely temperament, the tidiness of the

Regan Harms of Oakmore Park Droughtmaster Stud, Greenmount, rides his horse affectionately called Fat Boy, to check on cattle.

underline, a nice sirey head in a bull and a nice feminine head in a heifer,” he said.

“I also look for bigger ears and a higher Bos Indicus content in them.”

After completing Year 12, Regan hopes to work on a northern cattle station and study at the University of Queensland, Gatton campus.

I’ve got eight cows in my base herd: they are all consistent breeders of the same type, which I like.

– Story and picture: MELODY LABINSKY.

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 11

Australia, it’s time to beef up!

LEFT: Queensland Country Life’s Beef 2012 front cover. Could it be you on the front cover this year?

If Droughtmaster or Droughtmaster-cross cattle win any of the championships, their exhibitors will be paid $2000 cash by the society.

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USTRALIA’S biggest cattle exposition, Beef 2015, is a significant part of the Droughtmaster events calendar this year.

Droughtmasters have been a dominant force among the breeds on display at past expos, so organisers are expecting record nominations for the stud classes.

Traditionally, entries for the expo come from throughout Queensland and NSW for the wellattended event.

As reigning interbreed bull champions from Beef 2012, there will be plenty of focus on Droughtmaster again this year.

Droughtmaster stud judging will be held on Wednesday, May 6.

To reward commercial breeders, the society is offering substantial bonus prizemoney in the Australian Beef Cattle Championships, which are held in conjunction with Beef 2015.

If Droughtmaster or Droughtmaster-cross cattle win any of the championships, their exhibitors will be paid $2000 cash by the society.

Championships cover steers and females in both grassfed and grainfed divisions which, when combined with bonus prizemoney for placegetters in the various classes, means that there is about $10,000 on offer.

Droughtmasters have been grand champions

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at six of the past eight championships, so there is sure to be some pretty strong competition from other breeds.

The society display at Beef 2015 will feature a hospitality area where everyone is welcome to call in, rest their weary legs and enjoy a cuppa and a cake.

There will be a special ladies section featured where those unsung heroes who tirelessly support their menfolk can get a bit of pampering (hand and neck massages, plus other goodies) for a change.

There are also plans to stage a Droughtmaster semen and heifer auction late on the afternoon

of Thursday May 7 in the Droughtmaster hospitality marquee. To nominate contact Josh Heck at Savage Barker & Backhouse (SBB) on 0409 732 676.

Presentation of the trophies for the stud section will also be presented at this function on Thursday afternoon, following the completion of the interbreed.

A new initiative is the #kissadroughtie – if you want to know what that is all about make sure you come along to the Droughtmaster site.

Our site will also be housing the Bright Pink Clipex 600 Series cattle crush, to be auctioned for the benefit of the Jane McGrath Foundation.

We will once again be selling a range of promotional clothing and other bits and pieces, so make sure you call into the Droughtmaster marquee which is conveniently located at the main entry to the judging arena.

Beef 2015 will be held at the Rockhampton Showground from May 4 to 9.

Gatton Futurity 30 years young

ARK March 7 in the diary for the 30th annual Gatton Futurity Show.

First staged in 1986 at the Gatton Showgrounds, the inaugural event saw 68 head exhibited by 20 studs parade before judge Ray Phillips, Sunnyview Stud, Kingaroy, one of the people who initiated the Futurity concept.

The show was tailored for “junior cattle 18 months and under to promote interest in exhibiting by stud masters and to assist in promoting and fostering interest in the breed” according to the report on the show.

A forum was held at the conclusion of judging to discuss points of interest relating to the breed.

Over 200 spectators attended the first Futurity in 1986 and there were many wellknown studs from today exhibiting such as Clonlara, Wingfield, Balcara, Twin Waters and Truvalle.

Grand champion animal was Narooma Capricorn, exhibited by Neil and Val Evans.

Champion heifer was Truvalle Treasure exhib-

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LEFT: The first grand champion bull of the Gatton Futurity in 1986 was Narooma Capricorn, exhibited by Neil and Val Evans.

ited by Peter and Margaret Wilson.

The Evans were also involved with the other family members in the Balcara stud, which continues today.

Neil and Val went on to be the main organisers of the Futurity Show from that year forward

and even with the passing of Neil in 2007, Val has continued to organise and run the event. Her and Neil’s efforts were awarded with life membership in 2006.

In 2015, 26 studs are exhibiting 133 head. In recognition of the 30th anniversary, the judge will be the same as in 1986 – Ray Phillips.

WFI will be the Futurity’s major sponsor this year.

“We appreciate their support and encourage members to support them when next they are seeking an insurance quote,” Val said.

“Make sure you mark your diaries and calendars for the Futurity and bring a hat and a chair.

Refreshments and food will be available at the Gatton Showgrounds as usual.”

Gympie female showcase S

OME key market analysts are predicting demand for quality breeding females will outstrip supply for at least the next two or three years.

This augurs well for a positive result at the Droughtmaster National Female Sale at the Gympie saleyards on Saturday, March 14.

Other key indicators which should improve prospects for the 34th annual Droughtmaster National sale are the strong cattle market, improved seasonal conditions across many parts of Queensland and the Australian dollar hovering around US77 cents.

Sale committee chairman and long-term vendor Brian Heck, Bryvonlea Droughtmasters, Glastonbury Creek was also confident of a strong sale result given the improved market conditions.

“There is a positive buzz around this year’s sale, which has developed a long way in terms of quality and breed type,” said Mr Heck.

“The National is also a great opportunity for breeders to showcase their cattle and we have a number of high profile studs represented in our catalogue,” Mr Heck said.

“We also have the balance right on numbers and overall quality.

“The sale is also a good chance for commercial producers to upgrade their herds through buying quality females at reasonable prices.”

Droughtmaster Society chief executive officer Neil Donaldson said the sale represented a great opportunity to invest in new genetics at affordable prices from some of the leading studs.

This year’s catalogue has 26 vendors offering

Top-price vendors at the 2014 sale, Jason Piper and Airlie Johnston, Craiglea Droughtmasters, Obi Obi via Kenilworth – with some of their outstanding unjoined heifers (Lots 118 to 123) at the Droughtmaster National Female Sale, Gympie, on March 14.

123 registered head comprising seven cows and calves, 22 joined females and 94 unjoined heifers. Major sponsors are Isuzu Ute Gympie, Landmark and Beachport Liquid Minerals.

A ‘Meet and Greet’ function will take place on Friday evening, March 13 and the sale commences at 10am the next day. ● www.dmnfemalesale.com.au

Studs to watch out for at the sale PARAWANGA STUD PARAWANGA stud is proud to present four of their best yearling heifers near the end of the sale.

Studmaster Rob Scanlan has been breeding by strict selection for the standard of excellence for 24 years, producing heifers all strong in their bone and leg structure, with very good tropical coat and plenty of content for tolerating heat and ticks.

Lots 110 and 111 are by the large-framed, polled Billabong Vaughan and 112 and 113 are by the recently deceased super-sire Parawanga Down Under 2.

“We have all the conformation and all the breeding you could want,” Rob said.

“Parawanga’s point of difference is in bucking the trend to lot-feeding types, and sticking to the old original Droughtmaster type, as we believe that this leggy, sleek-coated, well-framed animal is the best at thriving on the grassy rangelands that most breeders inhabit, producing more live calves that survive and grow faster, bigger, and heavier.”

OAKMORE STUD GREG and Sharon Harms, Oakmore Stud, and Liam and Regan Harms, Oakmore Park Stud, will be offering five, quiet, fleshy heifers.

The sale team will be the final daughters of Sunny View Yeoman to be offered. Selling as

Lot 11, Oakmore Nina out of one of the stud’s favourite dams, Oakmore Krystal, is a grand daughter of Oakmore Fury.

Lots 28-29, Oakmore Park Honour, out of another favourite Oakmore Park Bardot, and Oakmore Park Honey is broken to halter.

The three heifers are joined to Oakmore Memphis, retained son of Minlacowie Karfy, a multiple broad ribbon winner.

Unjoined are Lots 32-33, Oakmore Nancy out of Oakmore Khloe, a retained daughter of Redwing Bilbo and Oakmore Nina, out of Billabong Shannae.

BRYVONLEA STUD LONG-TERM sale vendors, Brian and Yvonne Heck, Bryvonlea Stud, Glastonbury will offer seven quality unjoined heifers.

The unjoined heifers, catalogued as Lots 59 to 65, are aged from 15 to 21 months.

Astute studmasters recognise the proven sires Billabong Riley (Lots 60 and 61) and Vale View Ripper (Lots 59 and 62 to 65) whose progeny have topped and hold the record top price and average for this sale.

Bryvonlea places a strong emphasis on maternal strengths such as fertility, temperament, easy care, structure and performance when selecting replacement and sale heifers.

Opening the draft is Lot 59 out of an 11-yearold, highly fertile Jasanda Julian female with an average 348 days to calving between her

10 calves. Lot 60, Bryvonlea Fancy Delica, has a distinguished pedigree including Hamadra Cody, Billabong Jackson and Coolalinga Fancy 8. She will parade at the Gatton Futurity next month.

VALE VIEW STUD VALE View is offering six young females ready for ‘your’ sire selection, backed with proven bloodlines.

Vale View genetics have proved themselves affordable and reliable over the years with progeny sold proving themselves in the sale and show rings.

Testimony to this was Vale View Todd, where his first 11 sons sold in 2014 to average more than $6000 topping at $14,000.

Eight Vale View Magnum grandsons sold at the 2014 DN Sale to average more than $13,000 and a Vale View Ripper son also sold at the 2014 DN Sale for $17,000.

This year’s National Female Sale draft includes one of the AI heifers sired by $10,000 Vale View Roddick.

Three are sired by ‘sale topping sire’ Rondel Korageous, while another young heifer will be presented with full Crusader blood, representing the first offering of Vale View Uripper.

Uripper is the retained son of Vale View Ripper and as a calf was featured with his mother on an Australian postage stamp in 2012. ● To p14

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 13

Biggenden show and sale set for March 12 W

ITH cattle making record prices and giving cattlemen a much needed shot of market confidence, the 2015 Southern Queensland Droughtmaster Store Show and Sale is shaping up to be the best yet.

The event is now in its seventh year and this year will be hosted by Burnett Livestock and Realty at the Biggenden Saleyards on Thursday, March 12.

Each year as the demand for the Droughtmaster breed increases and sales like this one are well regarded as a great place to source quiet good natured store cattle.

Lance Whittaker, Burnett Livestock and Realty, says that every year the Droughtmaster breed increases in popularity and the market this year

W

Cody Whiteman, Fortrus Pastoral, Bells Bridge, was awarded champion pen of females at the sixth annual Southern Queensland Droughtmaster Store Show and Sale in Biggenden on April 10.

will very much be in the vendors’ favour.

“This sale is an ideal way for studs to present their commercial store cattle and gain widespread media coverage with the quality of their cattle,” Mr Whittaker said.

“The sale also showcases great lines of commercial cattle, with prices always exceeding the market average at the time.

“To be eligible for the pre-sale judging, cattle must be Droughtmaster or first-cross Droughtmaster, with all crossbred exhibits being at least 50 percent Droughtmaster and exhibiting pre-

dominantly Droughtmaster characteristics.”

The show has a minimum of 10 head for the judging criteria.

All cattle will be received at the Biggenden Saleyards, the day before on Wednesday, March 11, prior to 6pm. The Biggenden Saleyards is an EU-accredited selling centre.

Once again there will be a rich prize pool made possible with the support of many sponsors including Droughtmaster Australia and Queensland Country Life. –Story; HELEN WALKER. ● Contact 4127 1277 or 0407 139 901.

Proven, successful sire genetics

ARREN and Carolyn Kenny and family, Wajatryn Droughtmaster Stud, Gayndah, are privately offering semen for sale from their leading sire in 2015, Redskin X-Factor.

Carolyn says this is a great opportunity for stud breeders to secure genetics from a highly successful, proven sire.

“He has a phenomenal strike rate as a bull

producer and we have retained a lot of his daughters in the stud. We have sold 46 auction sale sons to average over $10,400.

We have also sold a lot of his progeny onproperty direct to clients. X-Factor is currently working his ninth season at Wajatryn.

He is the sire of Droughtmaster National Sale-topper Wajatryn Devil $55,000 in 2010 and Wajatryn’s two top-selling bulls in 2014,

Wajatryn Hellraiser, $23,000, and Wajatryn Gillespie, $20,000.

“He has the ‘runs on the board’ as a sire and is what we love about the Droughtie breed,” Carolyn said.

A bull with a great temperament, genuine do-ability, mobility and fertility. He has bred-on and his progeny are a pleasure to work with and have in the paddock.”

Studs to watch out for at the sale ● From p13

RSVP/SYLVAN SPRINGS STUDS THE Pickering family’s RSVP and Sylvan Springs Studs will be offering females right out of the “engine room”.

The operation has had enormous success at this event, selling the top-priced joined female in 2011, 2012 and 2013. RSVP Footloose sold in 2012 and still holds the record for a joined female at this sale, selling to an impressive $14,000.

2015’s offering should excite all astute buyers of quality Droughtmaster genetics as the operation has five joined heifers as Lots 12 to 16 and four unjoined heifers as Lots 76 to 79.

The joined draft will include two led prospects

14 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

including Hello Boyz, – class winner at the 2013 Gatton Futurity. Sires represented are homebred show champion Sylvan Springs Cowboy (1), the $15,000 Billabong Son-In-Law (1) and ET product RSVP Excalibur (3) who is a son of breed legend Swan 609. These heifers have been running with Condamine Carbine, a sire that has had a huge influence on the RSVP stud.

CRAIGLEA STUD AFTER topping the 2014 National Female Sale, Craiglea returns to offer six quality unjoined females, Lots 118-123, catalogued last into the ring on the day.

The heifers have been left open and ready to mate, ranging in age from 14-17 months.

Sourced from Craiglea’s trusted female lines with sires Rondel Monopoly and Fairhaven Casanova 385, regarded as consistent producers, with previous sale and show success’ to their credit.

Craiglea Swan 4 (P) (lot 119), sired by Fairhaven Casanova 385, is from one of the best cow families Craiglea can offer.

Being the first from the Swan female line to ever be offered by the stud, Swan 4 is a full sister to Craiglea Sideline, who sold at the 2014 National Bull Sale for $14 000.

Another impressive female to watch on the day is Craiglea Toffee (P) (Lot 123), sired by Rondel Monopoly and out of a female sired by a breed great, Greenacres Juilien, who adds length and is a source of proven genetics.

ABOVE: Diamantina Droughtmaster sale chairman Alex Power and his son Ned are looking forward to a return to selling at the 2015 Diamantina Droughtmaster sale after the drought forced the cancellation of the 2014 event.

By SHARON HOWARD

F

ORCING their way back onto the Droughtmaster calendar, the high-profile Diamantina Droughtmaster sale has been set for Friday, May 22, at the Winton Saleyards.

“We didn’t really want to cancel last year, but with the season the way it was, we really had no choice,” sale chairman Alex Power said.

“We still have regular vendors who just can’t present bulls even now because they haven’t had any rain.”

As this Digest went to print, the sale committee was scheduled to meet to finalise arrangements, but already had more than 50 bulls and nearly 850 females nominated for the sale.

Vendors for the 2015 sale include Alex and Maree Power, Lazy A stud, Julia Creek; Fiona, Colin, Coady and Clay Malone, Mt Grant stud, Julia Creek; Garth, Maureen and Ben Power, Powermac stud, Richmond; Anthony and Rachel Anderson, Eddington stud, Julia Creek; Roger and Jenny Underwood, Eversleigh and Wallace Vale studs, Hughenden; and Ninian, Ann and Jack Stewart-Moore, Telemon stud, Hughenden.

“We’re confident that we’ll get strong local support from buyers who have got under the rain, and we always get travelling buyers looking for the quality that they know we produce out here,” Mr Power said.

All of the bulls are aged from 20 to 30 months.

16 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

Resilient Droughties on way to Winton “Even though we’ve already got about 850 females listed from bull vendors, outside listings are welcome and I’d encourage people to give us a call to arrange it all as soon as possible.”

Regular sale buyer Ken Rutherford, Redbank, Morinish, said it was great news that the sale was on again.

“It’s tremendous that they’re having a go after such a run of tough seasons, and even though the cattle market has lifted, some of those western producers are still doing it tough,” he said.

“I’ve been to the sale on three different occasions and I’ve always found a bull out there that I like.”

Mr Rutherford said the quality of the cattle, the predominantly polled yarding and unique bloodlines were drawcards for buyers.

We’re confident that we’ll get strong local support from buyers who have got under the rain, and we always get travelling buyers looking for the quality that they know we produce out here.

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 17

Highland Droughties a feature at Clermont

Brenten Donaldson (right) and family, Medway Droughtmasters, Bogantungan topped the 2014 Highlands Droughtmaster sale when Richard Appleton (left), Islay Plains, Alpha paid $11,000 for a Medway herd bull. Mr Appleton is pictured with his daughter, Alexandria.

By SHARON HOWARD

C

ONSISTENTLY presenting a highly regarded draft of Droughtmaster bulls, the 2015 24th annual Highlands bull sale will be held at 10am on Friday, March 20 at the Clermont saleyards.

This year’s sale catalogue consists of 46 registered and 41 herd bulls as well as eight registered females.

The sale has a reputation for offering affordable bulls for commercial producers that are sold right across central Queensland.

“We’re aiming to produce quiet, cost-effective, productive Droughtmaster cattle that perform well in the field,” sale president Errol Appleton said.

“2015 is the 24th sale so we know we’re on the right track.”

Some of the leading studs from the Droughtmaster industry are selling at the sale including Huntly, Kenlogan, Medway, Mt Oscar, 18 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

We’re aiming to produce quiet, cost-effective, productive Droughtmaster cattle that perform well in the field.

Redskin, Strathfield, Toronellah, Warrina, Wolfang TJ and Wolfang.

“These studs offer a wealth of genetic strength in their cattle and have all been involved since the sale’s inception,” Mr Appleton said.

“We’re seeing the second generation of producers from some of those studs in some cases.”

Committee secretary Alex Donaldson said

buyers were invited to attend the Commercial hotel meet and greet at 6.30pm on the Thursday prior to the sale.

All sale animals will be presented as tested free of being persistently infected carriers of pestivirus.

Each year the sale vendors choose a charity to support by each donating 10 per cent of the proceeds of the sale of a specially selected bull.

In 2015 the committee has nominated the RACQ CQ rescue helicopters as their charity.

“It’s our way to giving back to the community who have been right behind us for the last 24 years,” Mr Appleton said.

Official sponsors of the sale include Bank of Queensland Agribusiness, Beef Breeding Services, O’Brien Trading, Westpac, Allflex, Colemans Stockfeeds, Blue Ribbon Stockfeeds, Clermont Concrete, Bullet Bikes, GR Motors, Shop 38, Clermont Butchery, Zoetis, Crokers Fuel and Oils, Broken River Mountain resort, K&A Canvases and CQ Saddlery.

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 19

Commercial Droughtie cows to $1400

By PETER LOWE MATURE registered Droughtmaster cows, catalogued as commercials, offered by Troy and Susan Grundy, Magnum, Taabinga via Kingaroy, sold to $1400 at Coolabunia saleyards, Kingaroy, on Saturday, November 29, 2014.

The top-selling cow and calf unit was bought

by Christopher and Hailey Heness, Ridgie Didge, Goomeri.

The Grundy family were winding up their Droughtmaster enterprise and catalogued 43 stud females, which were sold as commercials prior to the annual Cream of the Crop Droughtmaster stud female sale.

A total of 33 cows and calves averaged $880 and 10 heifers sold to $825 and averaged $634.

The bulk of the yarding was bought by Fred Rowe and his manager Kevin Hooker, Greenacres Droughtmasters, Cooper Downs, Banana, who accounted for 16 cows and calves

SUMMARY ● 43 commercial Droughtmaster females av $823, top $1400

LEFT: Vendor Troy Grundy, Magnum Droughtmasters, Kingaroy, with buyers Colin and Libbie Beasley and Robert Orphant, Seymour Droughtmasters, Sexton, and selling agent Midge Thompson, Aussie Land & Livestock, Kingaroy, at the Cream of the Crop commercial yarding, Coolabunia Saleyards, Kingaroy.

for a $870 average.

Mr Hooker said these females would go into their IVF program.

Others on the lookout for stock included Allan and Shiree Wenham, Croydon Park, Meandarra, with seven heifers at $620 each, and

six cows and calves for a $767 average.

Colin and Libbie Beasley and Robert Orphant, Seymour Droughtmasters, Sexton, bought two cow and calf units for a $1000 average and a pair of heifers for a $713 average. ● Agent: Aussie Land & Livestock and GDL.

RSVP whips up ‘cream’ top SUMMARY ● 32 females av $1617, top $3000

By PETER LOWE

T

HREATENING showers helped bolster competition on the better end of the stud Droughtmaster females at the annual Cream of the Crop sale, Coolabunia Sales Complex, Kingaroy, on Saturday, November 29.

As with most multi-vendor fixtures, some vendors flourished while others wilted as buyer demand dictated values, with Steve Pickering’s RSVP Droughtmaster heifers realising their full value, selling to $3000.

The Pickering family’s RSVP Heavenly (P), the 23-month-old unjoined daughter of Talgai Chico 2028 (P), attracted the top-money bid from Bronwyn Betts and Michael Hawkins, Nindethana Droughtmasters, Camp Mountain.

Ms Betts said Heavenly was a maternal sister to RSVP Gemima, which they purchased at the 2014 Gympie National and has had great success with other Talgai Chico progeny on the show circuit.

She said Heavenly will be immediately joined to former multi-show champion Bryvonlea Malachi (P).

Heavenly was a maternal sister to RSVP Gemima, which they purchased at the Gympie National.

20 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

Graham Brown, RSVP Droughtmasters, Windera; Harvey Weyman-Jones, GDL, Dalby; buyer Bronwyn Betts, Nindethana Droughtmasters, Camp Mountain, who bid the $3000 top money for RSVP Heavenly (P); and auctioneer Josh Heck, SBB, Rockhampton, at the Cream of the Crop Droughtmaster female sale, Coolabunia Sales Complex, Kingaroy.

The Betts and Hawkins partnership also paid $1750 for another quality polled Talgai Chico daughter in RSVP Jillaroo.

The Pickering family sold four unjoined RSVP females for a $1938 average and another pair of heifers under their Sylvan Springs prefix at $1500.

Dave, Colleen and Mac Smith, Vale View Droughtmasters, Goomeri, sold half-a-dozen young, unjoined heifers for a creditable $1833 average and up to $2750 for Vale View Xonyx (P).

All their heifers were by Hamadra sires.

Jason and Piper Johnston, Craiglea Drought-

masters, Obi Obi, sold four unjoined maidens for a $1813 average, and despite drawing last, Brian and Yvonne Heck, Bryvonlea Droughtmasters, Glastonbury, sold six quality unjoined heifers for a $1500 average.

Colin and Libbie Beasley and Robert Orphant, Seymour Droughtmasters, Sexton, were the biggest buyers, securing five females for a $1800 average, and paying up to $2000 on three occasions.

Wayne, Jan, Clinton, Brett and Glen Paulger, Parklands Droughtmaster stud, Kenilworth, bought four unjoined heifers for a $1438 average.

Droughties key at Craigie

By SHAN GOODWIN

B

ECAUSE weight for age and the type of carcase traits that lotfeeders are willing to pay top dollar for are high priority at big southern Queensland cattle operation Craigie Station, Simmental and Droughtmaster content has cemented its place.

However, the host of other production benefits the breed brings to the operation – from ease of calving to a quiet temperament – play a significant behind-the-scenes role in ensuring the sort of efficiencies critical to retaining viability through what have been some very tough times for the Queensland beef game.

Michael and Lisa Stevenson run the feeder steer operation at Glenlyon, just over the NSW border, on 10,000 hectares over three properties – the main one of which is Craigie Station – plus 600ha of leased country around the impressive Glenlyon Dam. It runs 850 breeders, 600 of which are pure Droughtmaster and the rest first-cross Simmentals.

All heifers are joined to Droughtmaster bulls and second-calvers go to Simmental bulls. The Simmental-cross breeders are put back to Droughtmaster bulls. It is for traits such as high fertility, milk, the long productive life span and adaptability that the Stevensons are interested in. “If we can access those things, plus the bigger bone, without losing the do-ability and hardiness

Michael and Lisa Stevenson run the feeder steer operation Craigie Station at Glenlyon, just over the NSW border, on 10,000ha over three properties.

of the Droughtmaster, it would be a big advantage to what we do here at Craigie,” Mr Stevenson said.

The key, he says, will be in using high-quality genetics and strict culling.

“Anything not putting the condition on after calving – or that is a bit stirry, or old or not up to scratch conformation-wise – doesn’t get a second look,” he said.

The Droughtmaster herd is based on Talgai

bloodlines, from the Vievers family’s central Queensland stud. Craigie Station aims for Meat Standards Australia compliance.

“But probably the big feedback from feedlots is that the temperament of our calves is what they like – they are easy to handle,” he said.

“Our aim is to get them to the weights we need quickly but also to produce an article with the ability to go on and perform for lotfeeders and temperament plays a big role in that.”

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Drought le M

Murgon State High School year 12 student Geoff Kinsella, Moffatdale, was awarded the 2014 Excellence in Agriculture trophy, which is supported by several local Droughtmaster studs.

Like everybody else in the drought we had to bite the bullet and sell some cattle and we’re now down to five registered Droughtmasters – it’s a bit sad.

24 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

URGON State High School’s guru of agriculture isn’t quite ready to hang up her hat, even after 27 years bestowing her knowledge to the next generation of young cattle producers.

Marie Newson, along with her deputy Roger Webber and the soon-to-be-announced 2015 show team, can’t wait to start preparations for the circuit after recent rain has left the once drought-stricken paddocks with “more grass than we know what to do with”.

“Like everybody else in the drought we had to bite the bullet and sell some cattle and we’re now down to five registered Droughtmasters – it’s a bit sad,” Marie said.

Along with the small Droughtmaster stud, the school also runs an intensive agricultural program for students, which includes a commercial herd, many of which are Droughtmastercross. “We were down to bare ground and we had to sell more than half of our animals. We were hand feeding hay and grain every day just to get them through for about half of the year and those are just the joys of farming, I suppose.”

Marie said restocking both the stud and commercial herds would take some time but the students and faculty were very keen to support the intake.

“Our students are seeing the reality of farming. It was hard but, like every farmer, we’ve kept the nucleus of our herd and what we thought was best.

“We had the kids here during the decisionmaking and we got the vet in to pregnancy test and we made commercial decisions based on what was due to calve and what we thought was important for us to keep.”

Marie said the students took a very practical approach to the decisions and were all involved in the process. “We do a lot of steer showing, it’s our major enterprise, and so we talked to the kids about which ones in the past had particularly good steers and, hopefully, we’ll have a bit of luck getting a good set of calves out of the cows again for showing.”

The school’s show team has it’s hopes set with plans to travel to as many as six shows beginning with their home town in March. “The show team varies from year to year but we’ll usually have around 15 kids in the team and they love heading out to the different areas and they’re all very enthusiastic,” Marie said. “It’s encouraging to see

esson learned at Murgon High RIGHT: 2014 Murgon State High show team members Ryan Somerfeld, Stephen Beddows, Rosey Ridder and Joshua Kinsella with show team captain Geoff Kinsella (single back) and Lauren Clark, Elle-May Clarke, Lachlan Wiley, Steph Johnstone and Katherine Rose.

the kids willing to give up their weekends and lunch breaks to come and work with the cattle.”

With about 20 children in each year level attending agricultural classes, Marie said about 50 per cent of the classes were made up of children from the town area who had never had experience with farm life.

“We start them in year 7 and they have an introduction to the program and some choose to go right through to senior, which are some of our biggest classes. That’s the first time they’ve ever had anything to do with big animals and some them really pursue it and end up with careers. It’s wonderful to hear about their progress and, as a teacher, you like to think you’ve opened new ideas up for students and they can see something new they’ve never thought of.”

Marie said the last year or so had been quite tough, feeding and preparing the stud cattle for show. She acknowledged local business Kewpie Stockfeeds at Kingaroy for their support.

“For the past 15 years, Kewpie has been so supportive of the school. They provide our feed for our competition steers and not only that but

they will actually come in and look at our animals and change the diet if they think it needs it.

“Without that, it really would limit us financially and it’s wonderful to have experts come in and look at your animals. We wouldn’t be as successful without them.”

With the new school year kicking off, Marie was keen to organise the show team and purchase the next lot of steers for competition.

“Many of the students find it tough with letting the steers go but they’re taught from the begin-

ning what’s going to happen and it’s part of the production and that’s what they’re here for.

“It’s one of the reasons we have two herds because the stud is a long-term thing and they can see it developing over time whereas you get to see the beginning to end with the steers.

“It’s great to see the kids progress through the years and apply their knowledge and to see them really enjoy the process and work with the animals.” – Story: KATE STARK, Pictures: SARAH COULTON.

DROUGHTMASTERS PERFORM YEAR IN, YEAR OUT Get your super resilient Western Droughtmasters at the 2015

DIAMANTINA DROUGHTMASTERS SALE Winton, May 22

Sale Chairman – Alex Power – 07 4746 8704

AW1592317

Marg Wilson: ‘Tru’ style and dedication A TRIBUTE BY BRONWYN BETTS

H

ER official title may be ‘shed captain’ but to us all, she is like a mother and keeps everything running smoothly while we all just go about tending to our cattle and enjoying the camaraderie of the shed.

This is how one stud cattle exhibitor described Margaret Wilson in her role as “shed captain” in the days leading up to and during the Ekka held in Brisbane at the beginning of August last year.

It was about 1979 that Truvalle stud first started showing cattle at the Ekka. After a few years of showing Margaret assumed the role of shed organiser and point of contact for the Droughtmaster exhibitors.

There was no formal process for appointing someone to this role – Marg just fell into it and now many years later she is still efficiently running the Droughtmaster shed.

The role is diverse. Marg has a direct line of communication with the beef steward and is the liaison in all matters relating to the shed and the Droughtmaster exhibitors, from where they will be placed in the shed to where they will all sleep.

She is contacted soon after exhibitor nominations close and is informed of the number of Droughtmaster nominations. Along with Society CEO Neil Donaldson, she negotiates where the Droughtmaster cattle will be housed in the shed, and while that has been in the same location for some years, there have been times when this has required some robust negotiation in order to secure the Droughties a desirable position.

2014 was one such year, brought about by the decision to close the top floor of the beef pavilion due to structural deficiencies in that building.

While the Droughtmasters were relocated, they were still in a prime position and no doubt Marg can be thanked in part for that decision.

On top of all this she also: 26 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST

● allocates the requisite number of bays

for each stud, and the placement of each stud in the row; ● organises the accommodation and the location of a feed locker for each exhibitor; ● prepares the shed and bays well in advance of the arrival of the first exhibitors and their cattle.

Tasks include the hanging of the Droughtmaster curtains, Droughtmaster signs, and all manner and form of

Marg Wilson (far right), in her much admired style, keeps a close eye on preparations in the Droughtmaster show ring during the Ekka.

Due to her selfless efforts during the Ekka, she has the complete respect and appreciation of every exhibitor.

Droughtmaster regalia, the placement of laminated name-cards about the bays indicating the start and finish of each stud’s allocation and the number of head to be accommodated; ● ensures she is at the shed when the first exhibitors arrive over the weekend; ● arranges for a suitably qualified person to conduct animal inspections and the placement of the cattle down at the ring on show day; ● collects the exhibit cards and delivers them to the exhibitors ensuring that the information on the card is accurate and that any scratchings are noted and those cards are returned. Pregnancy certificates are also collected with the pregnancy status of the animal noted on exhibit cards so that this information can be considered by the judge.

These are just some of the jobs that Marg attends to each Ekka. She is rarely seen sitting down or relaxing.

But no matter how big or small the task, Marg carries each duty out with her usual efficiency, energy and enthusiasm.

First-time exhibitors are always made to feel welcome and informed about every aspect of what is expected before, during and after the show ring judging.

Due to her selfless efforts during the Ekka, she has the complete respect and appreciation of every exhibitor and every member of the Droughtmaster Society.

AW1564863

By INGA STÜNZNER

L

ANDSDOWNE has been in the Salisbury family since 1876 and, although 81-yearold Jim says he’s had a fair innings, he is not ready to hang up his reins just yet.

After 380 millimetres of rain since the beginning of January, the veteran grazier is feeling optimistic about the year ahead.

For the past year, Mr Salisbury (pictured) carried several hundred weaners through the dry weather at Landsdowne at Kooralbyn near Beaudesert, thanks to the fact he could farm hay on one of his blocks.

Added to that is a recent report of demand for Australian grassfed beef in America.

“It’s really good news. We’ve been behind everything else going ahead.

“If you want to buy anything it’s a lot dearer now than it was even 10 years ago, but the price of cattle hadn’t lifted at all.

“Now that it has, it gives us a bit of a start to try and get ahead again.”

Mr Salisbury said the welcome rain had given him a reprieve from feeding his cattle, both Brafords and Droughtmasters, which he sold either as stores or directly to feedlots.

“I would say we are in for a good season and a good market – but after that it will all fall away again.”

Like many others, Mr Salisbury said he was more or less trying to break even to cover expenses and hadn’t yet sold any cattle this season, and it’s a move that could pay off with

I would say we are in for a good season and a good market – but after that it will all fall away again.

28 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

Droughties progress near Beaudesert the steady rise in cattle prices.

“I’m not getting any younger,” he said, so the focus is on keeping the enterprise less labour intensive.

Apart from an occasional tick treatment there is no more dipping, which they previously had to do every month through the summer season, and the only annoyance now is flies.

“We try to avoid mustering more than we can help.”

Although Ms Salisbury’s great-great-grandfather started out as a dairy farmer, the family moved into mixed breed cattle.

“I started off just running store cattle and then I started breeding cattle in the 1970s.

“I was using Braford bulls for quite a few years and I was having a bit of eye trouble, so I changed to using a couple of Red Brahman bulls.

“They got too dear so I switched to Droughtmasters.”

Mr Salisbury runs his Braford and Droughtmaster herds separately and this is helped by the fact a relatively busy road runs between the two locations.

“We keep the fences in pretty good order, but sometimes the cattle will get mixed,” he said.

Once the cattle are weaned, they are then run together.

“Droughtmasters are good cattle and they are a progressive breed, and I have been really pleased with them,” he said.

Mr Salisbury runs about 70 breeders at Landsdowne, and then runs the rest of his herd at two other blocks about 10 kilometres away.

Some cattle are fattened, but for the past couple of seasons he has leased country and targeted the stores and feedlot market.

Up until six months ago, Mr Salisbury also owned a livestock transport business that ran for 60 years.

“I had been buying bulls out of the Rockhampton bull sales and I used to take bulls up there for different people,” he said of the business’s beginning.

“The wife and I would go up nearly every year.”

Now that he has sold the business, he can concentrate on his cattle and wait until his grandson, who has a keen interest in the cattle operation, finishes school.

“It is something to look forward to – to have someone like him to carry on the business,” he said.

Mostyndale finishes with a flourish

Kevin Woolcock has added a feedlot and PCAS accreditation to the family’s commercial operation at Mostyndale, Springsure.

● To p30

Lot 110

Parawanga Tartrus

Phone 0404 725902

AW1568113

PARAWANGA sells 4 heifers lots 110-113 at 2015 National Female Sale

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 29

Mostyndale flourishes

Superb fattening country in the prized Golden Triangle, Mostyndale, Springsure. ● From p29

W

HEN the central Queensland property of Mostyndale experienced two years of well-below average rainfall during 2013-14, fourth-generation cattleman Kevin Woolcock and his wife Leesa knew something had to change.

The drought severely limited their potential to finish steers off crops, so they built a 149 standard cattle unit (SCU) feedlot and turned off their first 100-day steers in November 2014.

“We found that we were having to grain assist cattle and decided to become accredited and target the grainfed premium market,” Mr Woolcock said.

“The feedlot has effectively drought-proofed the property and allowed us to turn off finished cattle in dry conditions and free up paddocks for younger cattle.”

The 10,117ha property lies 16 kilometres north east of Springsure and is an ideal location, close to the ‘Golden Triangle’, so the couple have access to grain throughout the year.

“We have built strong relationships with local grain farmers to ensure supply and work closely with our nutritionist to formulate rations, which maximise weight gain and minimise cost.”

Land variation When not in drought, the diverse landscape at Mostyndale lends itself perfectly to a commercial operation, where cattle are bred, grown and fattened before being turned off direct to the meatworks. “The land is dissected by Springsure Creek and varies from sandstone, lancewood ridges to developed Brigalow and softwood scrub,” Mr Woolcock said.

His great grandparents bought the land in 1898 as a sheep property, but his grandparents then ran Shorthorns and Herefords.

With each generation comes change, and Mr Woolcock’s father decided to cross breed with Brahmans and finally ventured into Droughtmasters 35 years ago.

The family has not looked back.

30 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

There is enough diversity in the breed to allow you to fine tune your herd without having to cross breed.

In 2007, the current generation put their own stamp on the place and registered their stud, Mostyndale Droughtmasters.

“Our aim with the stud is to remain commercially focussed and produce bulls with the attributes that we look for to breed quality fattening cattle,” Mr Woolcock said.

“Obviously fertility, temperament and conformation are of utmost importance; however, carcase characteristics are also prominent.

“People shy off bulls that lay down fat, but if this fat is also distributed throughout the meat as marbling, then it is a desirable trait for a commercial producer in my opinion. It also enables progeny to be finished easier.”

The Woolcocks are looking to use IMF scanning as a tool in the future.

“In my opinion, Droughtmasters are the most cost-efficient, low-maintenance, profitable breed for this area.

“They have proven their ability to survive and maintain fertility during the last couple of dry years as well as being able to be fattened economically and grade MSA at the other end.

“There is enough diversity in the breed to allow you to fine tune your herd without having to cross breed. At the end of the day, we can continue down one path and present a good even line of straight red cattle.”

Approximately 700 commercial Droughtmaster breeders and progeny are run on the property as well as around 80 stud breeders.

One hundred commercial replacement heifers

are kept each year, with the remainder of the heifers and steers finished and turned off as two year olds.

The drought, which in the past two years delivered well below the 610mm (24 inches) annual average rainfall, prompted the couple to look at new opportunities beyond the feedlot.

When the PCAS scheme was introduced by Cattle Council of Australia, they decided to take advantage and now target their cull heifers to this market. They are now accredited PCAS plus HGP and antibiotic free.

Cull heifers are speyed and grown out on improved buffel grass pastures, finished on legume crops, such as Dolicus, and marketed as MSA-certified pasture fed (PCAS) to Teys meatworks at 18 months to two years old.

Parallel production “The decision to implement parallel production on Mostyndale (NFAS and PCAS accreditation) was driven by the dry conditions experienced in 2013 and 2014,” Mr Woolcock said.

“The low prices at this time also encouraged us to aim for premium markets and achieve higher dollar per kilogram than grassfed markets.

“The work involved in becoming accredited for both PCAS and NFAS and the extra records that need to be to be kept to support both programs is easily outweighed by the premium prices that can be achieved.”

Mr Woolcock said the challenge was to have a comprehensive record-keeping procedure that could prove their on-farm systems and practices comply with the standards of both programs.

To date they have received 221mm of rain in January, which has relieved the pressure on feed and water they had experienced in the past two years. “However, we will continue to conduct parallel production and make the most of our PCAS and NFAS accreditation.” ● Editor’s Note: Mostyndale is one of only a handful of properties that have NFAS and PCAS accreditation.

A carcase with an even layer of fat coverage is a key production priority at Mostyndale.

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 31

New smart p

By EMILY PIPER, technical services manager – genetics, Zoetis Australia

A

DNA test to distinguish ‘true polled’ (PP) animals from those carrying horned genetics (PH) was first released in 2010.

The test has recently been improved and in late 2013 a revised version employing 10 DNA markers was released to the industry. This new version of the HornPoll test can be used more widely across the Bos indicus-influenced and composite genotypes common in northern Australia.

The new version of the test is much more accurate than the previous version, but it cannot produce a result for all animals tested. The new HornPoll test relies on producer-submitted information to constantly improve the proportion of animals for which the test returns a definitive result.

Major gene The horned/polled phenotype is controlled by one major gene which in turn is influenced by the presence of other, unknown genes or loci.

In tropically-adapted breeds, progress in breeding for polled can be slow due to the prevalence of horns in Bos indicus-influenced genotypes and a more complicated pattern of expression of the horned and scurred phenotype compared with Bos taurus breeds.

There is one major gene that influences the expression of the horned/polled phenotype, and whilst we have known the approximate location of this ‘poll gene’ for some 20 years (Georges, 1993), the mutation responsible for polled and robust DNA tests to detect it have eluded the scientific community until quite recently.

Because the polled variant of the poll gene (P) 32 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

Emily Piper.

is dominant to the horned variant of the poll gene (H), DNA tests are required to distinguish animals that carry two copies of the polled variant (PP) from those that are carrying the recessive horned variant (PH).

‘Homozygous polled’ PP animals will produce a higher proportion of polled offspring compared to PH animals because the PH animals have a 50 per cent chance of passing on the horned variant to their offspring.

Consequently, the use of PP bulls will dramatically reduce the requirement for dehorning in the subsequent generation.

In Bos indicus-influenced breeds and their crosses, the expression of horns and scurs is influenced by other genes, often referred to as the scur or African horn gene (Frisch, 1980; Georges, 1993).

These other genes interact with the poll gene and sometimes result in the expression of horns or scurs where they would not necessarily be expected.

The most common situation where this is observed is in scurred animals which commonly

have a genotype of PH. In Bos taurus breeds, we expect PH animals to be polled in the vast majority of cases, but in Bos indicus-influenced breeds PH animals are commonly scurred and can sometimes be horned.

The location of these other gene(s) is unknown and consequently there is no test available to indicate their presence in an individual, but population studies tell us they are more frequent in Bos indicus breeds.

Their presence has meant that collecting the accurate phenotypes required to develop a test for polled in Bos indicus influenced and composite breeds has been more difficult than for Bos taurus breeds.

There is no DNA test for polled which is 100pc accurate – all tests to date have relied on indirect markers.

All DNA tests for polled released in Australia and other countries to date have been based on indirect markers, that is, we don’t know the exact mutation responsible for causing the polled condition so we measure something nearby and rely on the association or “linkage” between the marker and mutation causing polled.

There are some limitations to using indirect tests, the most important being that we rely on the linkage between the marker and the mutation of interest remaining intact within and across populations (which is often not the case, so indirect tests are often breed or populationspecific).

There is always a possibility that the linkage can be broken and consequently, indirect tests are not 100pc accurate.

The advantage to using indirect tests is that they can be developed and released relatively quickly compared to the process involved in discovering and validating causal mutations.

oll DNA test A less accurate test brought to market more quickly can ultimately have a greater impact than a more accurate test that takes years longer to develop.

In the case of a DNA test for polled status for Droughtmaster – that gap has been five years and counting.

A new HornPoll test offers increased accuracy across the northern beef breeds. In November 2013 a new and improved version of the HornPoll test was released to the Australian breeding industry.

It replaced the original poll gene marker test developed by the Beef CRC and released in 2010 which was based on a single DNA marker.

The new HornPoll test is based on a string of 10 DNA markers which span a section of the chromosome known to contain the Poll Gene and its release has resulted in a much more accurate prediction of poll status across the major beef breeds.

Polled variants The new HornPoll test is different to the older test in several ways. Importantly, the use of 10 DNA markers means it is better able to detect the polled variant across populations. With the old test, we relied on one marker to maintain its association with the mutation causing polled, and we also assumed that there was only one mutation responsible for causing polled.

Some very recent work from a research group in Germany has reported that there are at least two distinct variants that cause the polled condition in cattle of European and British descent (Medugorac, 2012).

It is likely both variants are present in Australian cattle breeds and a single DNA marker would have difficulty identifying both of them with a high degree of accuracy. By employing

10 markers, the new test is able to profile and categorise a large piece of the chromosome and has a much better ability to pick up multiple polled variants.

Producer-submitted data can help improve the proportion of animals for which the test returns a definitive result. For the Droughtmaster breed, the current HornPoll test will produce an informative result for approximately 82pc of animals tested.

It should be stressed that this is not the accuracy of the test. The figure of 82pc means that if you submit 10 animals for HornPoll testing, you should expect that for two of them, the results will be ‘not determined’.

For the other eight animals you receive results for, the test will calculate an accuracy or “likelihood” score indicating the confidence in the correctness of the reported result. For the vast majority of animals tested, this likelihood score will be between 95pc and 99pc.

An important aspect of the new HornPoll test is that it is a ‘living test’, that is, the information you provide with your samples is used to help generate results for other samples in the database.

Every time a sample is submitted for testing, the information from that sample and every other sample in the database (several thousand samples) is used to generate the results that are reported.

When submitting samples for testing, you will be asked to provide the breed and the phenotype (polled, scurred and horned) for each sample in your submission.

It is important this information is correct because it ultimately influences the proportion of ‘not determined’ results for your herd and for your breed.

The current figure of 82pc for informative results for Droughtmasters will improve over

A research group ... has reported there are at least two distinct variants that cause the polled condition in cattle. time, and it will improve more quickly if correct information is provided by producers who submit animals for testing. ● For more information on this topic contact Emily Piper, Techni-

cal Services Manager - Genetics, Zoetis Australia - emily.piper@ zoetis.com - 0419 762 847

Further reading Frisch JE, Nishimura H, Cousins KJ, Turner HG (1980) The inheritance and effect on production of polledness in four crossbred lines of beef cattle. Animal Production 31, 119-126. ● Georges M, Drinkwater R, King T, Mishra A, Moore SS, Nielsen D, Sargeant LS, Sorensen A, Steele MR, Zhao X, Womack JE, Hetzel J (1993) Microsatellite mapping of a gene affecting horn development in Bos taurus. Nature Genetics 4, 206-210 ● Medugorac I, Seichter D, Graf A, Russ I, Blum, H, Gopel, KH, Rothammer S, Forster M, Krebs S (2013) Bovine polledness – An autosomal dominant trait with allelic heterogeneity. Plos One 7 (6) e39477. ● Prayaga, K. C. (2007) Genetic options to replace dehorning in beef cattle – a review.

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 1-8 February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 33 ●

Clint and Jodi-Lee Gartrell are a couple of new faces among the Droughtmaster breeders from Western Australia. The couple, who married in December, are ramping up their operation and striving for excellence, as Jodi-Lee explains.

Married to the Dro

I

T was a summer in January 2012, Clint and I were looking to start a small herd of Droughtmasters and we heard John Gardner was looking to retire from the stud industry.

Since then we have had a couple mobs of calves drop and moved the herd several times around the district before settling on the luscious grounds of a property out the back blocks of Cowaramup, a small region approximately three hours south of Perth.

We are thankful for the Mediterranean climate and consistent seasons that make for good pasture and subsequent good-quality hay seasons.

Since their arrival the cattle have grown beautiful fat bellies with a bountiful supply of milk lending to well rounded, healthy calves.

Clint and Jodi-Lee Gartrell on their wedding day with Alsha Baylee Daegan and Clinlee Plains Jester. Daegan is a young sire from Jodi-Lee’s family’s Saler stud at Capel, WA, where the couple were married on December 13, 2014.

Currently we are running about 32 head of breeding females with 17 calves on the ground, one sire, seven weaned bulls and 13 weaned heifers.

This year we have picked a small, select group to cross with a Red Angus bull for trial of selling

TOM GRADY

C.R.T. GYMPIE

to the commercial market.

The show circuit started with Clint and his enthusiasm showcasing not only our stud but also the Droughtmaster breed, which hasn’t been shown in WA for many years..

We initially intended on starting with some

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34 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

ughtmaster mob 24-month-old heifers from John’s lines that we obtained in January, but later found them to be in calf and had to subsequently hold back showing for that year.

It wasn’t until this year when we weaned our first pool of calves that we found two ‘diamonds’ among the mob. It was then that we folded these two young bulls in with my parents’ Salers show team to be put through their paces and eventually halter broken.

My parents have been involved with the show circuit for six years, halter breaking and showing their Salers for five of those years.

Clint and I have been involved in this process and have seen the benefits.

The exposure and interest it has generated for their breed, which is not widely known, has helped them establish more of a name and aided in the sale and hire of some of their bulls.

For a young couple starting out in a reasonably unestablished region where Bos indicusderived cattle don’t normally run, we thought showing cattle could work in our favour.

With this in mind we believed attending the Perth Royal Show and some regional shows might help put the Droughtmaster breed out in the public eye yet again.

Our first show was Harvey. Both young bulls were quite fresh and the exposure helped prepare them for the Perth Royal Show. While at Harvey

Clinlee Plains Jester took out the champion Bos indicus bull sash.

Later last year we attended the Perth Royal Show and were presented with the award of the best display in the grand parade for our two bulls.

This time around we were only invited to display, not able to compete in the show ring but able to go in the grand parade, which is held every day.

The Perth Royal Show goes for a week and exhibitors often can spend Clinlee Jack, Jodi-Lee Gartrell, Clinlee Jester and Clint Gartrell – 2nd Progeny 10 days at the grounds with their Pair at the 2014 Perth Show animals. It is a condition that they to meet the high standards that are being set over stay for the whole week and are to there. bring a minimum of four animals to show.

With exceptional bloodlines from various Later in Margaret River we entered our two young bulls and came second in the intermedi- producers we decided to AI some of our heifers ate bull with Clinlee Plains Jester and second in and first calvers this year and are keen to see the outcome of the venture. the Progeny Pair.

Although we intended to do more show cirThere have been various enquires and interest in our two bulls with statements praising their cuits, various events scheduled have restricted us and so with our small successes of this year temperament and overall structure.

It was great to see Graham Brown from RSVP we hope to break in a new and perhaps previDroughtmasters in Queensland drop in and see ously existing show team for next year.

We’re thankful to John Gardner for the opporus at the Perth Royal Show while he was over tunity he has handed us and only hope we can for judging.

Its no secret that Queensland is the home and help generate some more exposure for the pinnacle of the Droughtmaster and we were keen Droughtmaster breed in WA.

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 35

T

HE coastal property of Lisgar sits proudly between Bowen and the Burdekin in north Queensland with the Pacific Ocean being the eastern boundary. Purchased in 1961, the property now operates a highly productive breeding and finishing operation using some of the best Droughtmaster genetics in the industry.

Since its acquisition, owners Robert and Donna Rea have improved the carrying capacity by planting legumes, grasses and large areas of ponded pasture.

“With the knowledge beef producers now have on feeding urea-based supplements, including dry licks and molasses-based supplements, the only way for us to keep ahead of rising costs is genetic improvement,” Mr Rea said.

“Genetic-linked selection based on performance data will enable faster growth to target market weights, shorter calving intervals and better carcase traits.”

The couple measure the performance of their Droughtmaster herd using the Droughtmaster Group Breedplan.

“I didn’t believe in Breedplan when we started recording performance data in 2004,” Mr Rea said. “I started to believe in the science behind it in 2009 and 2010.

“I had a lot of trouble with the terms ‘high and low growth’. When looking at some of the sires that were ‘low growth’, I thought it was the wrong way to describe things. I refer to it as ‘fast’ and ‘slow growth’.”

The slow-growth cattle take up to 12 months longer to grow to their mature size, which is money down the drain. “Now, I fully believe in Breedplan. It took quite a few years to really see the increase in the performance of our cattle.

Lisgar: Quality

The genetic improvement program at Lisgar has been a means to “keep ahead of rising production costs”.

IMAGES OF BREEDING TECHNOLOGY

Semen tests are done frequently to ensure sires with high quality semen are used.

36 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

Alan Laing (Qld DAFF) and Robert Rea (r) double check some of the data collection equipment.

y by the numbers

INSET: Lisgar has received a number of awards in carcase competitions at Mackay and Rockhampton.

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 37

Lisgar: Quality by numbers ● From p36

“The next 10 years should be a lot easier.”

Data collection has been made a lot easier at Lisgar by using a Gallagher Smart TSI and a hand-held Bluetooth reader.

All data is collected this way and then downloaded into Herdmaster. From Herdmaster, the data is sent to Breedplan.

“We feel this is one of the best ways of collecting and storing our performance data.”

The data measurement consists of: ● All calves have their sire and dam identified

by DNA. This gives us accurate parentage and the number of calves per sire each year in a multi-sire mating. Any sire that produces only a few calves is culled. ● All cows are weighed at weaning for their mature cow weight EBV. ● Weights are taken at 200, 400, 600 days of age. ● At the 400-day weights, all bulls have their scrotal measurements (SS) taken. ● At the 600-day weights all calves have their carcass traits scanned (EMA, rump and rib fat and IMF). ● All measurements are number crunched by Breedplan into estimated breeding values or EBVs. ● At the 600-day weights, all bulls have a full ACV Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BBSE) including semen motility and semen morphology.

This is an early-in-life test to find the most fertile bulls. Lisgar works on more than 70 per cent normal sperm for a pass. Those bulls under 70pc are retested in 60 to 70 days.

“Any still under 70pc are culled. The Beef CRC Project demonstrated very clearly that bulls with more than 70pc normal sperm sire more fertile daughters,” Mr Rea said.

At Lisgar, all females are seasonally mated from mid-January, with maiden heifers mated for 70 days and mature cows for 90-100 days.

Mr Rea said if any female preg-tested empty or had not produced a calf by branding time, Lisgar’s policy was ‘it’s a calf or it’s your carcase’.

By using bulls with high morphology and positive Scrotal Size (SS) EBVs the calving is getting tighter and tighter.

“With the late starts to the wet seasons in the past few years, we are finding now, that more and more cows are falling pregnant before the season breaks,” Mr Rea said.

A big percentage of cows were falling pregnant in the first two cycles exposed to the bulls, and more than 60pc of calves were now born in the first 45 days of calving – about two cycles.

“This percentage should continue to increase,” Mr Rea said. “The research projects demonstrated that by using bulls with high morphology and positive SS this would happen and it does work.” ● To p40

Data collection has been made a lot easier at Lisgar by using a Gallagher Smart TSI and a hand held Bluetooth Reader.

38 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

IMAGES OF BREEDING TECHNOLOGY

ABOVE: David Reid performs the ultrasound with Alan Laing recording results.

LEFT: Collecting DNA during branding allows easier genetic tracing and testing.

RIGHT: Crush-side semen testing is a vital part of improving performance.

February 2015 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 39

Lisgar: Quality by numbers ● From p38

Scrotal size measured at 12 months is what drives puberty and lifetime reproduction in the sires’ daughters.

High morphology sires with more than 70pc normal sperm produce daughters that have a shorter rebreed time in their first lactation.

Mr Rea said the lead bullocks were originally killed in May-June at about 31/2 years with Lisgar holding on to the tail of the bullocks until the following year selling at 41/2 years – more money down the drain.

Since selecting bulls with balanced traits which includes fast growth and carcase traits, they are now killing all the bullocks each year in October and November at 36 months of age.

“This is a good six to eight months earlier at the same weight as before, for the lead of the bullocks. The tail bullocks are now being killed 18 months ahead of where the herd was seven years ago.”

At the same time, as age at turn-off is getting younger, weights are increasing and carcase finish is getting closer to ideal for the premium markets. “We are playing the supply and demand

We are playing the supply and demand game where the price is usually up when supply falls away.

40 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST February 2015

Next Gen Beef Breeding Strategies

“

THE Lisgar sires and their daughters are being intensively evaluated for male and female reproductive traits in the Next Gen Beef Breeding Strategies Project,” says property owner Robert Rea. The project is led by the University of Queensland and Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation .

The stock is also being evaluated by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) under the MLA-funded Enabling Genetic Improvement of Reproduction in Tropical Beef Cattle project.

“This last project is specifically focused on recording and genotyping key industry sires to rapidly increase the number of bulls in northern Australia with accurate reproduction trait EBVs,” Mr Rea said.

The new trait/EBV information generated in the Next Gen Beef Breeding Strategies Project in the MateSel Breeding Optimisation Program

game where the price is usually up when supply falls away.”

Mr Rea said heifer mating weights had increased from the genetic selection with cull heifers also being killed six to eight months earlier, keeping at the same carcase weights as

had also optimised Lisgar breeding decisions.

“We have an increasing demand for our measured bulls. Other producers are now also looking for what weare: “Fertile, fast growing cattle, with balanced carcase traits.

“Measuring cattle performance and processing and interpretation of that data was a key to the success and we have expert professional advisors working with us.

“Clients who buy Lisgar bulls are offered the full set of performance data on each bull.

“Are there any drawbacks? Yes. “There aren’t enough seedstock producers accepting the science and technology to measure their cattle in the traits that make our money and select for the traits which determine profitability.

“Other producers will have some very good bulls but they aren’t measured. We need more bull breeders that are prepared to measure and benchmark their cattle on group Breedplan.”

before. “Being able to kill younger means our stocking pressure is less during the wet season.”

Lisgar regularly enters carcase competitions at Mackay and Rockhampton and its cattle tend to perform extremely well on a regular basis.

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