Newsletter Jan 07.cdr

Issue No. 24
February 2007
THE
HAZELDEAN LETTER
Hazeldean Rams Winners At Story
Glenleith
courtesy Rural Press
When third generation producer, Rod
Cook, told his father he wanted to
improve the “Glenleith” bloodline, the
latter pointed to the gate and told him
where he could take his “fancy”
Hazeldean rams.
Fourteen years later, Mr. Cook has reduced
his micron level from 22 to 18, increased
average fleece weight by two kilograms and
speaks with relief about the peace of mind
that using consistently available high quality
rams brings.
Nestled against the foothills of the
Strathbogie Ranges at Baddaginnie,Victoria,
Mr. Cook today runs 3000 superfine Merinos
and a herd of Shorthorn/Limousin cattle on a
404-hectare property.
In 1991, with micron and style where he
wanted it, Mr. Cook started selling his clip
through Fibre Direct straight to Italian and
German mills.
“Hazeldean sheep produce wool of a high
comfort factor which was attractive for this
market,” he said.
“As 1400c/kg prices started to slide and
the spot market system in Australia
started to generate prices similar to
prices overseas, Mr. Cook switched to
Elders Premier Wool. In March this year,
a 20 micron line of “Glenleith” wool
recorded the highest Elders price at
In lamenting on the struggles wool production
has brought through the years, Mr. Cook said
it was often hard to remain inspired.
But after a devastating setback in February last
year, when he lost 500 freshly shorn sheep in a
severe cold snap, the support given by
Hazeldean owners, Jim and Libby Litchfield has
encouraged a once revolutionary thinker.
Now faced with the hardships of long-term
drought, Mr. Cook says about the only
certainty remaining in his operation is the
need to stick with Hazeldean rams.
By Rowena McNaughton
In years when the rain gauge is not just a dust
collector, Mr. Cook's flock size doubles, with
the Strathbogie region enjoying a potential 15
sheep per dry sheep equivalent capacity.
In the 1920's, when “Glenleith” was
purchased, the commercial Merino flock was
based on the Polsworth bloodline
However, after finishing Textile College in
1972, Mr. Cook saw an opportunity to
improve “Glenleith” wool production and
joined the Australian Merino Society in
Western Australia, and for six years used
artificial insemination from West Australian
rams. In a bid to lower his micron, Mr. Cook
switched to Hazeldean rams in 1992.
“A few of us in the district decided to
buy Hazeldean rams because of the
genetic benefits that had been proven in
wether trials,” he said.
“I wanted to move towards fine wool
production and the rams were compatible to
ours and were from an area with similar
rainfall.”
The dense-fleeced, large-bodied
characteristics of the Monaro rams have
improved fleece weights.
Today, weaners cut an average of four
kilograms, wethers nine kilograms and
ewes six kilograms.
Each year Mr. Cook buys four replacement
rams, and to allow lactating ewes to lamb on
the best quality feed, ewes are joined for
spring lambing.
Rod Cook with some of his Hazeldean rams
In this issue
The Future of Australian Agriculture
2006 In Review
Hazeldean Angus 2007 Sales
2
3
4&5
Merinos To Match Elmore 2006
6
Vale Richard Litchfield
7
Upcoming Hazeldean Sales
8
While this year his percentage was cut by the
season, an 80 per cent rate is typical.
Hazeldean Head Office Hazeldean, Cooma NSW Australia 2630 Tel 02 6453 5555
Fax 02 6453 5526 Email [email protected] www.hazeldean.com.au
The Future Of Australian Agriculture
Drought and Climate Change
The following article appeared in a recent edition
of the Marcus Oldham College Graduates
newsletter, MOCOSA.
Having been asked to say a little about Hazeldean and the
direction the company is taking and how we see the
future of agriculture I could not ignore the backdrop of
what we are experiencing right now. Drought and climate
change.Are the two connected? How will we deal with it?
Whether they are connected we do not know for sure.
There is ample evidence that Australia has suffered
extended dry periods before and the latest bout is not
outside the bounds of normal variation - yet. However, all
of us are concerned that this current drought and global
warming issue may not be the simple co-incidence some
say and the downside is so unimaginable and gloomy that
to ignore the implications of climate change is simply not a
tenable position.
The prospects for the world as we know it are concerning
and as farmers we are on the frontline when it comes to
the effects of these changes.We will wear them first.
Whatever our views on climate change might be the
simple fact is that if the worst case scenario happens to be
true we are in serious trouble and we therefore should
plan for this contingency.
So how has that affected what we do at Hazeldean?
Before I deal with that question lets look at the other
backdrop.With drought and climate change aside for one
minute we see the short to medium term in agriculture as
very positive.The worlds economy is awash with money,
disposable incomes of the wealthy are at an all time high,
the area available for extensive livestock production (i.e.
animals eating grass) is becoming less available, demand for
meat products is growing at an unprecedented rate and
the worlds big population centres continue to swing
towards Western culture and foodstuffs. In the depths
of the wool depression we used to do the sum on
every Chinaman buying a pair of wool socks and
came up with a very encouraging number. If we do
the same calculation for steak or a lamb chops I
am sure the answer will be equally cheerful.And
it’s happening..
declining terms of trade is a perennial that will not go
away and necessitates that farmers build scale and
efficiencies to remain viable long term.This is even more
pressing now as many of us face declining stocking rates
on the country we currently hold due to extended
drought.The old mantra of improving pasture as the more
cost effective way to lift carrying capacity as opposed to
buying more acres may be flawed in the new era where
rainfall becomes more erratic and extended dry periods
more the norm. Indeed those areas that have been
traditionally considered 'safe' may bear the brunt of
climate change where stocking levels and production
systems have been geared around a predictable rainfall
event each year mostly known as the Autumn or Winter
break. In contrast, areas that have not relied on a regular
and predictable rainfall pattern, and have geared their
stocking levels and enterprises to cope with this
uncertainty, may be better placed to deal with a more
erratic climate in the future.
Predictions of more frequent and extended
droughts has implications also for enterprise
selection and those livestock producers with the
greatest flexibility to adjust stocking rates quickly
and utilize measures to lock in costs and returns,
will be in a stronger position.The successful grazier of
the future will be quick on his feet, able to identify
opportunities and be in a position to move while not over
extending either his property or his finances.
At Hazeldean we are taking a conservative stance at
present.We feel in many respects we are in uncharted
waters with the implications of climate change not fully
understood by either us nor the country generally. Under
the old model we always new there was going to be
droughts, and part of our planning always had a
contingency for these events.We are just not sure what
the new model is going to be like.
Whatever it is, we are placing ourselves in a position to be
able to withstand prolonged adverse seasons and be
available to capitalize quickly on opportunities as they
appear.
th
Jim Litchfield, 8 November 2006
With that said costs continue to rise and the law of
HAZELDEAN
LITCHFIELD
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www.hazeldean.com.au
2006 In Review
International Ag Students at Hazeldean
We recently said goodbye to two
more agricultural students, both
working at Hazeldean for 3 months,
Coralie Selosse in her second year at
the Institut Superieur d'Agricole de
Beauvais in France and Magdalena
Platero, in her third year studying
Agriculture in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Magdalena and her family run Merinos and
Corriedales on a farm in the western part
of Uruguay. Coralie, from Lyon, doesn't
have a farming background but is an
experienced horse woman.
They both have found major differences in
the areas from which they come and the
farming methods and animal husbandry.
“In Uruguay nearly all of the stock work is
done with horses we hardly ever use
bikes.” says Magdalena.
She was here during lamb-marking and the
methods used were vastly different from in
Uruguay where they do not mules and leave the
tails of the ewes much shorter. It is very
rudimentary with the whole operation
performed on a table, as cradles are also not
used. Magdalena has also been amazed by the
terrain around Hazeldean.“Everywhere I look,
there are mountains.We don't have mountains
or snow at home”.
And for Coralie, the size of the properties
compared to those in France she says is “just so
big” with the average holding in France being
miniscule in comparison.“ 100 acres is
considered a large farm in France” she says.
Magdalena came to Hazeldean introduced by
Roberto Cardellino, a Uruguayan sheep expert
who works with the equivalent of the
Department of Agriculture and has close ties to
Hazeldean. She came to learn about how Merino
sheep are bred and handled at Hazeldean. She is
now with the Nivisson family at Walcha to see
the “New England way”.
Coralie Selosse from France and Magdalena
Platero from Uruguay who recently spent 3
months each at Hazeldean.
Elders Merino Field Day at Hazeldean
Late in August last year,
Hazeldean played host to Elders
Cooma Sheep and Wool day.
Around 50 interested local wool
growers attended the day where
guest speakers Anne Ramsay
from Sheep Genetics Australia,
Craig Wilson sheepclasser and
breeding consultant, Colin Hunt,
Elders Wool Marketing, John
Roberts, BWK Elders Australia
and Gary Dick Auctions Plus
Computer Livestock Marketing
spoke about the most recent
developments in the wool
industry.Anne Ramsay explained
the new SGA sheep EBV's and
how they work and can be used
in your merino enterprise, Craig
presented the results of his
wether trial and the Elders
speakers had some up-beat
information about the state of
the industry and selling into
China. Overall a positive day
with the message “top
producers who are in it for the
long haul are reaping the
rewards.With the right sheep,
you can still make money!”
Anne Ramsay enlightens participants about ASBV’s (Australian Sheep Breeding
Values) at the Merino Field Day at Hazeldean.
Hazeldean On-property Ram Sale
November 2006
105 2 year old rams sold to a top of $3400 and averaged $1300.
Buyer of the top priced ram was Bill Dawes from WA who bought
lot 3 , an outstanding son of Hazeldean 2.9558, with an 18 micron
fleece and CV of 19.34 and SD of 3.5. Mr Dawes also bought the
top priced ram in the mini auction following the individuallypenned rams paying $2400. Regular volume buyers included the
Eccleston family who bought 10 rams, as did Rob Hyles from
Bungendore,Tony Hill from Cootamundra bought 12 and The
MacClure family from Tarcutta bought 9 as did the Larritts from
Cooma.
www.hazeldean.com.au
Hazeldean on-property sale November 2006, where 105 rams
averaged $1300.
HAZELDEAN
LITCHFIELD
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3
Hazeldean Angus 2007 Sales
This year Hazeldean will offer 370 bulls and 300 females at our 6 auction sales
around the country.
Sires include our own Hazeldean Futura W133 who in the latest January EBV summary is now placed in the Top 1%
for EMA, RBY, Milk, CWT, top 5% for Jap B3 and top 10% for 600DW. Futura is a son of the great Future Direction
and has all of his sires' growth and carcasse traits but also has excellent fertility figures.
Hazeldean Futura W133
First sale for the year is the Hazeldean Angus South Australia bull sale where we will offer 40 stud and APR bulls.The sale bulls will
th
be on display again at Gumbowie, Guy and Sarah Cunningham’s property at Willalooka, on Feb. 6 during the SA Beef Week Field
Days. Phone Guy Cunningham on (08) 8757 8222.
Lot 3 Hazeldean Bando A153
HAZELDEAN
LITCHFIELD
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Lot 37 Hazeldean Theo A194
Lot 27 Hazeldean New Level A697
Lot 21 Hazeldean Newsline A202
www.hazeldean.com.au
Hazeldean Angus 2007 Sales cont.
Hazeldean Angus 2007 sales include sons from these outstanding proven trait leading sires:
USA Lemmon Newsline C804
Top 1% IMF & Jap B3; Top 5% 600 DW & SS
sire B/R New Design 036, dam White Fence Pride H1
USA SAF 598 Bando 5175
Top 1% 600 DW, Milk, SS, CWT;Top 5% Jap B3
sire Bon View Bando 598, dam SAF Royal Lass 1002
USA B/R Destination 727-928
Top 1% GL, 600DW, Top 10% JapB3
sire B/R Destination 727, dam B/R Blackcap Empress 558
USA LT 598 Bando 9074
Top 5% 600DW, CWT; Top 10% Jap B3
SAF 598 Bando 5175, dam Mill Coulee Barbara K323
USA Summitcrest Scotchcap OB45
Top 1% IMF & Jap B3; Top 5% SS, DTCalv. & Calv. ease
sire Scotch Cap, dam Summitcrest Heiress OT09
USA Vermillion Yellowstone J244
Top 1% 600DW, IMF & Jap B3; Top 5% SS
sire Vermillion Dateline, dam Vermillion B Jestress
USA Ironwood New Level 13320150
Top 5% Calv ease, RBY
sire Ironwood New Design 022 701,
dam Wardens Blackcap 6148 6309
www.hazeldean.com.au
Hazeldean Perfect Storm V113
Top 10% IMF, EMA, DTCalv.
sire Butchs Maximum, dam Hazeldean R67
................. and other top Hazeldean sires
HAZELDEAN
LITCHFIELD
EST1865
5
Merinos To Match Elmore 2006
Each stud was represented by a team of 24 wethers, sourced from
three long-term client flocks, and randomly selected.
The table below summarises the results from this years shearing.
Studs generally performed similarly to last year, relative to each other.
Overall, given the year, greasy fleece weights and clean fleece weights
were down about 0.4kg on average and this is reflected by slightly
shorter staple length and staple strength. Fibre diameter was
unchanged.
The second full production shearing of the Elmore Merinos
to Match teams took place at Elmore field days. Hazeldean
blood teams entered by 3 Hazeldean clients have again
performed exceptionally well. Hazeldean once again
demonstrated its ability to reduce fibre diameter and lift
fleeceweight thereby making it one of the most profitable
bloodlines available.
Merinos to Match is a joint project between DPI Victoria and the
Victorian Stud Merino Sheep Breeders Association designed to
evaluate merino studs across a range of Victorian environments. The
Elmore site is the last of the four original sites still running and is run
by DPI and the Elmore Field Days.
Stud
There were differences between studs for all traits measure. No
fleece rot was detected this year.
For further details please contact : Jane Court
Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 879, Seymour Vic 3660
Mobile : 042 720 0451 Ph : 0357 354 351
Fibre
Diameter
(?)
Yield
%
Greasy
Fleece
Weight
(kg/head)
Clean
Fleece
Weight
(kg/hd)
Staple
Length
(mm)
Staple
Strength
(N/ktex)
SDFD
(?)
a
CVFD
(%)
b
C’ture
o
( /mm)
SF
(?)
c
Live
Weight
April
(kg)
d
Charinga
East Loddon
GlenDonald
Gowandale
Hazeldean
Link
One Oak
Panorama
Salt Creek
Wanganella
Woodpark
20.5
20.3
21.1
21.2
20.0
20.9
19.9
21.4
19.5
21.2
19.9
74.8
72.9
69.6
75.3
72.3
70.7
73.6
75.0
73.3
74.0
72.3
8.1
7.6
8.3
8.0
8.1
7.9
7.5
7.6
6.3
7.3
6.7
6.0
5.6
5.8
6.0
5.9
5.5
5.5
5.7
4.6
5.4
4.9
102.7
94.6
98.1
99.6
103.6
95.1
98.2
102.2
91.3
96.6
96.9
40.8
40.4
36.5
42.1
38.4
36.5
35.7
41.2
37.8
36.7
41.7
3.5
3.6
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.8
3.6
3.8
3.5
3.9
3.3
17.3
17.8
18.5
18.0
18.2
18.3
18.2
17.9
18.0
18.6
16.5
58.7
64.7
61.1
59.4
58.8
64.0
60.5
60.4
70.2
64.3
62.9
19.4
19.2
20.2
20.2
19.1
19.9
18.9
20.4
18.5
20.2
18.7
70.2
67.2
67.0
66.2
64.3
65.5
64.0
66.9
61.4
67.4
Average
MSD*
20.5
1.1
72.8
3.2
7.6
0.7
5.5
0.6
97.8
7.7
38.5
6.8
3.7
0.4
18.0
1.4
62.7
9.1
19.4
1.1
67.0
66.1
MSD is the Minimum Significant Difference.Teams need to differ by this amount to consider that they are really different.
6.5
Clean Fleece Weight vs Fibre Diameter
Clean Fleece
Weight
Elmore 2006 vs Fibre Diameter
Elmore 2006
6.0
CFW (kg)
Hazeldean
Hazeldean
5.5
Charinga
East Loddon
One Oak
Gowandale
Glendonald
Panorama
Link
Wanganella
5.0
Woodpark
Salt Creek
4.5
4.0
19.0
19.5
20.0
20.5
21.0
21.5
22.0
Fibre Diameter (micron)
LiveweightApril2006
Liveweight
April 2006
72.0
72.0
70.0
70.0
Average
Average
Liveweight (kg)
68.0
68.0
66.0
66.0
64.0
64.0
62.0
62.0
60.0
60.0
58.0
58.0
56.0
56.0
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HAZELDEAN
LITCHFIELD
6
EST1865
Link
www.hazeldean.com.au
Vale Richard Litchfield
Richard Litchfield or Rit as he was
known by many, was one of
Hazeldean’s most loyal and
supportive clients over many years as
well as a good friend and strong
family member. In conjunction with
his brother Patrick he regularly
purchased the top priced bull at the
Hazeldean bull sale and always took
an interest in Hazeldean even when
poor health intervened in his last few
years.
Rit was a gentleman in the truest
sense of the word and many would
describe him as a member of the old
school where standards, values and
friendships were upheld come what
may.
He was a much respected member
of the Monaro community and the
broader Litchfield clan. He was
always there for those in need as
testified by one of his old Shore
school mates, John Carter of
Crookwell, who recalls him defending
younger boys at school from being
bullied at a time when bullying was
very much standard practice. During
a particularly rough patch of my own,
dinner at Coroo was made a regular
event and I well remember the
welcoming smile and superb glass of
red awaiting my arrival with good
company thereafter.
Rit was a gifted breeder of cattle and
not only helped develop the
outstanding Springwell herd but also
further afield established and
developed the well known Waverley
herd in the Hunter Valley and the
Wallaroy stud herd at Crookwell.
Both herds achieving national
prominence in a relatively short time
frame was due in no small part to
Rits guiding hand.
Rits other great passions were
thoroughbreds and wine. His
knowledge of wine was legendary
and equal to many of the better
known commentators of today. In
fact even as far back as 1975 he won
a prestigious national wine
competition conducted by The
Australian newspaper defeating all
comers to win 1,000 bottles of the
best wine available at the time. In
many ways Rits talents and
personality were perhaps wasted as
had he pursued a career as a wine
connoisseur or stud breeder he
would have had few peers and made
great contributions to either
industries.
All of us at Hazeldean will remember
his invitations to morning and
afternoon tea or lunch at Coroo and
with his passing can only regret the
occasions we declined when work
was too pressing to delay an hour or
so to spend time with this
exceptional person.
Richard Litchfield was born in
January of 1934 on the kitchen table
at Cherry Tree, (because it was too
wet to get to town!) and died in
nd
Cooma on the 2 July 2006.
We miss him.
Rit was very much a Monaro man
but not to the exclusion of taking a
broad interest in all things and his
company was always inspiring and
interesting.
Richard Litchfield
January 1934 - 2 July 2006
Corey and Mel Parker
Return To Home Base
Corey and Melanie Parker, returned to Hazeldean in December after the sale of
Myall Plains, Hazeldean's Queensland base, in October 2006. Corey has taken up the
position of General Manager at Hazeldean for a twelve month stint while Jim takes
some time off.The Benchmark Senepol herd was also sold recently, but the Senegus
herd will remain, being re-located to Hazeldean's Riverina property Rosevale at Hay.
The Queensland 2007 sale will be held at Pinora Sales Complex at Jackson, 80 kms
th
east of Roma as usual on Thursday, 16 August.We look forward to catching up with
our regular clients then.
www.hazeldean.com.au
Corey and Melanie Parker
HAZELDEAN
LITCHFIELD
EST1865
7
Upcoming Hazeldean Sales…………
Hazeldean
angus
2007 Sale Dates
South Australia
40 APR & Stud bulls
Hazeldean Angus SA Bull Sale
Lucindale, SA
Thursday 15th February, 2pm
New South Wales
Hazeldean Angus Autumn Bull Sale
Hazeldean, Cooma, NSW
Wednesday 14th March, 12pm
50 APR & Stud bulls
Hazeldean Angus Riverina Bull Sale
Rosevale, Hay, NSW
Wednesday 18th April, 2pm
40 APR & Stud bulls
Hazeldean Angus
Commercial & Stud Female Sale
Hazeldean, Cooma, NSW
Thursday 3rd May 2007, 12pm
300 females
Hazeldean Angus Spring Bull Sale
Hazeldean, Cooma, NSW
Tuesday 4 th September, 12pm
80 APR & Stud bulls
Queensland
Hazeldean Northern Performance Bull 100 APR, stud and commercial bulls
Sale
Angus & Senegus
New Sale Venue!
Pinora Sales Complex Jackson, QLD
(80kms east of Roma)
Thursday16th August, 11am
You are invited to inspect the Hazeldean SA sale bulls at
South Australian S.E. Beef Week
Tuesday, 6th February, 2007
At "Gumbowie", Guy and Sarah Cunningham's property
Located 3km south of Willalooka
Enquiries: Guy Cunningham- 08 87578222
Tony Brooks - 0408 859261
Catalogues on-line ONLY at
www.hazeldean.com.au
Hazeldean Cooma NSW Australia 2630 Tel 02 6453 5555 Fax 02 6453 5526
Email [email protected] www.hazeldean.com.au
Jim Litchfield 0417 676 561, Corey Parker 0427 259 681
Hazeldean Riverina Richard Cannon 0427 931 777
HAZELDEAN
LITCHFIELD
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EST1865
www.hazeldean.com.au