JAD Speckle Park JADinsights Newsletter. Issue 01 - February 2020

ISSUE 1 / FEB 2020

JADinsights

WHAT A BEGINNING! OUR DEBUT 2019 SALE IN REVIEW TIPS

2020 SALE WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

FOR EARLY WEANING

patterned for profit.

2020 C ATA LOGUE AVA IL A BL E S OON

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WELCOME

SHARING OUR STORY AS IT UNFOLDS. Welcome to our first JAD Speckle Park print newsletter, JADinsights.

We have decided to develop this regular publication as a means to share our story as it unfolds – dayto-day happenings in our business, learnings along the way, and where we’re heading into the future.

We want to also share with you information and images of our upcoming sale cattle, to give you insight into what to expect. This first newsletter will highlight some of the drought management strategies we have implemented over the past year or three, especially noting what worked well and what could be better (WWW/WCBB). We learn from structured reflection, and no-one is smarter than all of us, so we’re more than happy to share our learnings and learn from others too. We’ve found that it is crucial to be adaptable to our ever-changing environment, with a focus on positive decision-making, ahead of time.

We hope you find this newsletter both interesting and informative and invite any feedback.

The ‘D’ Word Drought. There it is – we said it. Front and centre, this word and every decision made around it has consumed us all for too long now.

However, we’re sure we can all say we have learnt a lot along the way – we certainly have – and this knowledge will make us stronger for the next drought. As farmers in Australia – the driest continent in the world – we are in one of three states: 1) h eading into drought, 2) experiencing drought, 3) coming out of drought.

While drought and rainfall is completely out of our control, we can control how we react or prepare for it.

One thing we have had drilled into us through attending various courses, such as the Resource Consulting Services (RCS) Grazing for Profit School (we highly recommend this course!), is that grass is king.

Depreciation of pastures is hugely expensive and water use efficiency through maintaining groundcover is so

Cheers,

important to ensure we utilise as much of the rain that

Justin and Amy Dickens.

falls on our property as possible.

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JAD INSIGHTS

FEEDING

Containment Feeding Given we have a seedstock herd and complete destocking was not feasible, we have elected to containment feed our pregnant cows on three occasions in the past two years.

We even calved in containment in the Spring just gone. It has been amazing to observe the reduced feed requirements of the cows, simply by locking them into a small area to prevent them from burning energy while looking for a pick of grass.

Early Weaning Feeding a calf through a cow is a very inefficient

on milk and grain, will have a more developed rumen than

conversion of grass. The literature suggests a 35% reduced

calves fed on milk only, or milk and hay. The breakdown

overall DSE rating for a cow and weaner, separately, then

of the grain in the rumen produces two particular volatile

together as a cow/calf unit. Such is the increased pasture

fatty acids which assist in the growth and development of

requirement of lactation. Early weaning allows us to

papillae, though which nutrients are absorbed. The more

allocate the most valuable – and often limited - feed to

papillae there are, the greater the surface area available

the young growing stock (of much lower DSE rating),

to absorb nutrients. Calves with a more developed rumen

while the cows go back to a maintenance ration.

(more and larger papillae), have the ability to make better use of dry paddock feed when they are weaned off the

Right through the drought, our goal has been to keep

pellets.

our young stock moving forward, continuing to grow at a steady pace. We also needed to keep our cows in sufficient

We have weaned our stud and commercial calves at

condition to maintain high fertility levels – ultimately

anywhere from 3.5 to 5 months old in recent years.

this approach has been about positioning ourselves to

Forward planning and getting the little things right has

maintain cashflow beyond when this drought ends.

resulted in succesful early weaning, with no losses and no setbacks in their development.

The benefits of early weaning get better! Literature

Request our 2020 catalogue

suggests early weaning actually sets up a calf’s rumen for

visit jadspecklepark.com.au

life! Work done with dairy calves has shown that calves fed

5 TIPS FOR EARLY WEANING 1

Pre-weaning vaccination. Bovishield MH One vaccination, 7-in-1,

2

Creep feeding. We utilised creep feeding for the first time in 2019.

3

Green Cap. Cows and calves given Beachport Minerals Green Cap

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pestigard and vitamin ADE at least 3 weeks prior to weaning.

Weaner pellets and hay for 3-4 weeks prior to weaning.

in trough water for 48 hours prior to weaning plus at weaning.

Fence weaning. Cows and calves separated by a good fence.

Feed (same diet)/water nearby. Reduces stress considerably.

Nutrition. A high protein, high energy diet for calves at weaning with adequate fibre to keep everything in balance.

JAD SPECKLE PARK

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JAD INSIGHTS

2020 SALE P21

JAD Phantom P21 (AI) (ET) Power – Sire Appeal – Docility Animal ID

JAD P21

DOB

3/8/2018

Sire

Codiak Spencer GNK 52B

Dam

Jencrest Yavonna 6Y

Genetic Tests

P8

NC, PcPc, RGF

JAD Purple Rain P8 (AI) (ET) Growth – Scrotal – Structure Animal ID DOB

28/7/2018

Sire

A & W 15R

Dam

Rob ‘n Son’s Farm 6R

Genetic Tests

P35

JAD P8

NC, PcPc, RGF

JAD Pied Piper P35 (AI) (ET) Yield – Early Maturity – Doability Animal ID DOB

12/10/2018

Sire

Codiak Spencer GNK 52B

Dam

Jencrest Yavonna 6Y

Genetic Tests

P62

JAD P35

NC, PcPc, RGF

JAD Port Lincoln P62 (AI) (ET) Muscle – Growth – Pedigree Animal ID

JAD P62

DOB

19/10/2018

Sire

Upto Specs Ulysses 25U

Dam

Yasemin of Uneeda 260Y

Genetic Tests

C, PcPc, RGF

2020 SALE P1

JAD 54Z Unique P1 (AI) (ET) Pedigree – Doability – Power Sire

River Hill 60W Line Drive 54Z

Dam

Codiak Unique GNK 8R

DOB

20/7/2018

Genetic Tests Joining Sire

P3

NC, PcPc, RGF Ravenworth Invictus 103C

JAD 52B Flora P3 (AI) (ET) Length – Mobility – Structure Sire

Codiak Spencer GNK 52B

Dam

JSF Flora 43C

DOB

23/7/2018

Genetic Tests Joining Sire

P10

NC, PcPc, RGF Minnamurra Marlin M4

JAD 300X Miss Jennie P10 (AI) (ET) Outlook – PTIC to Dart – Pedigree Sire

Spots ‘n Sprouts Stands Alone

Dam

Styals Miss Jennie 5N

DOB

29/7/2018

Genetic Tests Joining Sire

P25

NC, PcPc, RGF Moovin Zpotz Dart 37D

JAD 52B Midnight Lady P25 (AI) (ET) New Dam – Length – Structure Sire

Codiak Spencer GNK 52B

Dam

JSF Midnight Lady 2C

DOB

15/9/2018

Genetic Tests Joining Sire Page 5

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JAD INSIGHTS

NC, PcPc, RGF Gingin Manitoba M57

2020 SALE

COMING UP: 2020 Bull & Female Sale WE are excited to present our 2020 sale offering, comprising several new genetic lines to Australia, and twice as many pregnant purebred registered heifers for your selection.

All purebreds are ET-bred from imported Canadian embryos, predominatly from the Johner Stock Farm (JSF) herd in Saskatchewan.

We have been fortunate to build a strong working relationship with the Johner family and are very aligned in our breeding philosophies. We are looking forward to having David Johner at this year’s sale, and were grateful to have his son, Justin Johner, present at our inaugural sale in 2019.

New genetics to Australia We first saw emerging Speckle Park sire, Codiak Spencer GNK 52B, at JSF in 2016, and loved his length, structural soundness, movement, and carcase characteristics. We went on to register 42 2018-drop Spencer progeny. Spencer sons and daughters will dominate in our March 27 sale.

They are bred from cows we handpicked from the JSF herd, including Jencrest Yavonna 6Y (SSU 6Y) - the dam of JSF’s champion black sire, JSF Unmarked 2D (JSF 2D). Other dams

include Redneck Ranch’s Ursula 7U (SDS 7U), JSF Flora 43C (JSF 43C), JSF Midnight Lady 2C (JSF 2C), Ponderosa Spots A Roarin 19Y (KTM 19Y), Yasemin of Uneeda 260Y (WES 260Y), and Miss Sage 5R (SAGE 5R).

SPECKLE PARK

Bull + Female Sale 2020 • 30 Bulls • 20 PTIC Purebred

Bulls that look like bulls

Registered Heifers • 20 PTIC F2 Commercial

You will find bulls that look like bulls at JAD - thick, soft, early-maturing, beef machines. Our female offering is sensational - plenty of females we’d love to keep ourselves if the seasons had allowed.

Heifers/Cows • Frozen Genetics

Importantly: we have taken a leap forward in structural assessment scores; there are several EBV trait leaders in the mix; and every sale animal scored either a 1 or 2 for temperament, with the 1s dominating by far.

First-time frozen offering For the first-time, we will be offering frozen genetics at auction, including JAD embryos, pregnant recipient females, and semen from our resident trait-leading Speckle Park sires, Minnamurra Marlin M4 and Minnamurra Montezuma M25.

Friday, 27 March, 2020 Sale: 1pm

Location: Dubbo, NSW

learn more jadspecklepark.com.au

CONTACT

Justin & Amy Dickens P: 0427 012 284

AGENT

Nick Fogarty, Bowyer & Livermore P: 0409 070 225

Request our 2020 catalogue visit jadspecklepark.com.au

CLIENT FEEDBACK ON 2019 SALE PURCHASES “FIRST CLASS” “We were fortunate to purchase a heifer at the Inaugural JAD Speckle Park Sale to complement the establishment of our Hunter Valleybased stud. The attraction for Rachel and I was, from the outset, the data that was available on all of the JAD animals, combined with the genetic firepower that was being presented

as part of the inaugural draft of sale cattle.

Justin and Amy have been extremely professional to deal with - pre-sale, on the day of the sale, and post-sale.

Their approach to their cattle and their clients has always remained the same - first class. We would have

no hesitation in recommending anyone who is considering Speckle Park cattle to contact JAD - their enthusiasm for the breed is infectious.”

Paul & Rachel Long Lagoon Speckle Park Stud, Maitland NSW

“WOW!” “We purchased two heifers at the first annual JAD sale last March.

After getting them home, all we can say is “wow”.

They are lovely heifers who have just fit in our herd. JAD N28 calved out easy with a ripping good heifer. JAD Page 6

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N72 gave us a lovely 33kg bull calf by Minnamurra Marlin M4.

After the auction site went down, we had no video and no sound - only the ability to bid. So, we virtually bought these heifers unseen. They have not disappointed us. Justin and Amy

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JAD INSIGHTS

have been very supportive - always willing to answer any questions along the way.”

Willy and Sandra Verdonschot Sandra Jane’s Speckle Park Stud Monto QLD

2019 SALE

JAD Speckle Park hit new world record DEBUT auction appearances don’t come much better than that of Justin and Amy Dickens, JAD Speckle Park, Yeoval, who broke a world record on their way to achieving what auctioneer Brian Leslie declared the country’s best stud bull average of the year.

Visitors from Canada, New Zealand and all Australian states filled the Dulcidene sale complex at Dubbo last Friday for JAD’s first offering, from 140 Canadian embryos purchased in 2016. All 28 bulls sold to average $11,214 and top at $24,000, while 11 registered females averaged $11,365.

Praised by onlookers for their evenness, 21 stud sires averaged $12,672 while seven commercial bulls averaged $6571. It was Victoria’s Fish Creek Farm Speckle Parks and Merom Speckle Parks who secured the $24,000 sale-topper, JAD Napoleon N31, with his New Zealand semen rights going to Maungahina stud and Premier Cattle Company Ltd. The rising 18-month-old white bull was sired by River Hill 60W Line Drive 54Z from Codiak Acres Belinda 66A. He weighed 728 kilograms with a scrotal circumference of 37.5 centimetres, an eye muscle area (EMA) of 110cm sq and P8 and rib fat depths of 15 and 12 millimetres.

Fish Creek Farm Speckle Park stud’s Jason Keays intended to look at Napoleon N31’s full sister, JAD 54Z Belinda N68, but he couldn’t go past the bull for his figures and out-cross genetics.

“I really had no intention to come home with a bull,” he said. “We have a got a fair bit of high power here but if you see something that you think is going to benefit your stud then you have got to do something about it.” The young sire stood strongly within the breed’s estimated breeding values and was in the top one percent for EMA at +2, the equal second highest of all 2017-drop calves in the SPI Animal Register (February 2019). He was in the top 10pc for 400-day weight at +30 and weighed 39kg at birth.

All JAD animals were structurally assessed by Dick Whale with Napoleon N31 recording a muscle score 39 of B

The $24,000 bull with agents, vendors and buyers. Bowyer and Livermore conducted the sale with Brian Leslie as auctioneer. Pictures: Ruby Canning of Emily H Photography.

grade equivalence. He was one of four progeny from the Line Drive/66A mating, which averaged $18,750.

a bit of interest from Canada (for semen) so hopefully we can sell a bit overseas as well.”

By Star Bank Lacerta 68L from River Hill 26T Whistler 38W, 10pc of the sale went to the Black Dog Institute. Top registered female, JAD 54Z Belinda N68, was purchased for $17,000 by Tasmania’s JJ. and VA. Argent. She was joined to Minnamurra Marlin M4. Another 49 PTIC commercial heifers sold online to a $1765 average.

The $23,000 world record bull with Ben Wesley, Big Star Speckle Park stud, Hillston, and Amy and Justin Dickens.

JAD Night Rider N8 was the second toppriced bull selling for $23,000 to Ben and Ellie Wesley, Big Star Speckle Park, Hillston, for a Speckle Park black bull world record previously held by Wattle Grove Speckle Park. At 20 months, he weighed 792 kilograms with a scrotal circumference of 42cm, EMA of 117cm sq and P8 and rib fats of 13 and 9mm. He was commended for his structure, data and performance.

Interest in the bull on the day prompted new owner Mr Wesley to send the record breaker to Holbrook Breeders for semen collection. “I got asked to go into a syndicate on the day to buy him but a bull like that, I don’t want to be sharing him,” Mr Wesley said. “Once I’ve done my joining (in September) I’ll give the all clear and Amy and Justin said there was Page 7

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JAD’s Mr Dickens said the result solidified their decision to pursue Speckle Park genetics, after crossing them over Angus females in 2012. “We are commerciallyfocused and put a lot of effort into everything from genetic testing to structural assessment to Breedplan, with up to 10 traits observed along the way and contributed to Breedplan,” he said.

Auctioneer Brian Leslie said JAD’s cattle were backed by EBV and genomic information that hadn’t been offered to the public so comprehensively in the Speckle Park world before.

– H.Powe and L.Kinbacher, The Land.

At our 2019 Sale, we donated 10% of the auction sale price of JAD N8 to the Black Dog Institute.