breeders - Droughtmaster

Transcription

2 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST December 2014
December 2014
6
CONTENTS
34
INSIDE
4
4
6
8
10
11
12
14
16
18
19
20
26
29
30
33
34
38
President’s message
Looking Ahead
Consistency pays at
Melinda Downs
Roma works for breeders
Rambo Ekka’s top gun
Better marketing for your cattle
Versatility valued at Collinsville
Droughties excel in comps
Clermont applauds expo
$54,000 top at CQLX
Genetic gains impress
Central Reds sale
Droughties lift WA average
MAGS prices hold up
Gracemere social scene
Show passion starts young
The next generation
Morphology matters
FEBRUARY
2015 DIGEST
DEADLINES
Advertising
bookings:
January 9
14
Advertising copy:
January 16
32
10
December 2014 DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST 3
I’m ready to give it my all
DROUGHTMASTER STUD BREEDERS’
SOCIETY
ACN 010 129 683
40 Thorn Street,
Ipswich, QLD 4305
Phone: (07) 3281 0056
Fax: (07) 3281 7957
Email: [email protected]
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
Brett Warne (07) 4626 7179
Douglas Miles (07) 4934 7645
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Neil Donaldson 0428 796 330
OFFICE MANAGER Samantha Ryan
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
A quality
Droughtmaster
calf at Eversleigh
Station,
Hughenden.
– Pictures: JENNY
UNDERWOOD.
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.
I
AM pleased to be writing my
first column for the Digest in my
capacity as the newly appointed
president of the Droughtmaster
Society.
While I feel the weight of responsibility which comes with this role,
I look forward to the challenge of
helping the breed and society to
progress and develop.
I believe our focus should be on
better understanding the factors
which provide economic efficiencies
for the commercial beef industry.
The return on inputs determines
the bottom line for all beef producers. The formula for the best outcome is high production, low inputs
and low mortality. Other breeds of
cattle may get the most dollars per
head or the most cents per kilo, but
Droughtmasters are low maintenance and easy care, which makes
them a good balance of high production, low inputs and low mortality.
While these commercial profit
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
Michael Flynn
Widespread rain
... will change the
whole complexion
of our industry.
drivers are important, at the same
time cattle must retain their functionality if they are to remain relevant to commercial breeders.
Our past close association with
Australian Cattle Vets (ACV) is seen
as a vital partnership, which ensures
our decisions for the breed are
backed by science. However, the
direction of the breed will be determined by us listening to feedback
from buyers.
I look forward to working in collaboration with directors, members
and staff as we guide this breed
through the challenges which lay
ahead of us and the rest of the beef
industry as we all strive for profitability.
The auction results for 2014 have
been a mixed bag with some exceptional performances and others
which have been below par.
However, when the current unseasonal conditions affecting more
than 75 per cent of Queensland and
a big part of northern NSW are
taken into account, I am surprised
that sales have gone as well as they
have. Widespread rain and plenty
of it will change the whole complexion of our industry.
As 2014 comes to an end, I’d like
to wish everyone a wet and prosperous 2015. I offer a big thank you to
our staff for their efforts during the
year and I wish everyone a
happy and healthy Christmas.
Here’s to a wet season
T
HE title of my column describes exactly what many people
in the beef industry have been
doing for a long time now – looking
ahead rather than back. 2014 (and
for many people 2013 as well) have
produced horrific seasonal conditions and inevitably a depressed
cattle market.
While our breed was developed
to handle Australia’s harsh climate,
nothing can survive when there is
no grass and or no water. Mother
Nature always has the final say, even
for the best organised and most
experienced cattle producers.
The strong global demand for beef
has at least produced reasonable
prices to those producers who have
had to sell additional stock. Reports
that this strong demand will continue, augers well for producers
when the season finally breaks. I
hope it is soon for everyone’s sake.
Apart from rain, the other thing
we are all looking forward to in
2015 is undoubtedly the Beef 2015
expo at Rockhampton in early May.
The new management team at Beef
Australia have made many improvements, but the cattle will once again
be the main focus.
Droughtmaster will feature in
both the stud ring and commercial
championships. Droughtmasters
exhibited by the McKenzie family
from Yaralla are the title holders at
the Australian Commercial Champ-
LOOKING
AHEAD
Neil Donaldson CEO
Without
commercial ...
breeders we
cannot survive.
ionships and they will be keen to
defend their title. Once again the
society is providing substantial
prizemoney in the commercial
championships to reward loyal commercial Droughtmaster breeders
who are exhibiting.
The stud judging promises to be
a great competition with many
Droughtmaster cattle being prepared already. The Droughtmasters
will be defending the Interbreed Bull
Championships following the exciting win by the Childs family’s
Glenlands Prince at Beef 2012.
The society’s display area will be
in the regular position adjacent to
the entry to the main ring. Call in
for a cuppa or a cold drink and take
the opportunity to sit down in a
comfortable chair, rest your weary
legs and relax. The ‘hot pink’ cattle
crush being auctioned for the
McGrath Foundation will be on
display at our site. We look forward
to catching up with everyone during
Beef 2015, because it gives us a
chance to get important feedback
from commercial breeders who are
the focal point of our operations.
Without commercial Droughtmaster breeders we cannot survive,
so it is vital that we respond positively to their feedback regarding
the breed. Commercial breeders
determine the direction of our
breed. In recognition of the importance of commercial performance
we have introduced a new section
in the Digest which will highlight
notable commercial successes in the
last few months.
We also introduced a section
called ‘Next Generation’ featuring
young Droughtmaster breeders and
their achievements, because we
recognise the importance of encouraging and supporting the cattle
breeders of the future.
In closing I’d like to thank all
supporters of the breed, our generous sponsors who are too numerous
to mention, our members who have
volunteered for committees and
displayed and/or helped at field
days. You have been of enormous
assistance in ensuring that the breed
continues to grow and progress.
A special thank-you to our
efficient and friendly staff, who
make sure everything runs
smoothly and on time.
Consistency pays at
Melinda Downs
By INGA STÜNZNER
E
VERY year since he started on the job
almost eight years ago, the manager for
Melinda Downs, Cloncurry, makes the
pilgrimage to Roma to select a draught of
bulls.
Danny Locke meets the property’s Brisbanebased owner Peter Hickson at the Roma Tropical
Breeds Droughtmaster Sale and they never walk
away empty handed.
“Since I started buying there, we’ve bought
44 bulls from different studs, so there’s a good
variety,” Mr Locke said.
Although there were only 87 bulls on offer
this year, compared with up to 200 at previous
years, Mr Locke would like to see more people
support the sale.
“The sale has improved out of sight since I
have been going there and has the best line of
The dams haven’t
filled for three
years but we got a
bit of run-off. The
Droughties have
been hanging on
pretty well.
bulls I have seen. “We go there because it’s
a multivendor sale with lots of different
studs.”
Travelling from Cloncurry is not an issue,
either.
“It’s easy for us to go down there,” Mr Locke
said. “Peter lives in Brisbane so we meet there
and then get the bulls on a backload and run a
truck pretty cheap as there are always cattle going
down there.”
This year, the duo bought seven bulls at the
October sale and these are home for six weeks
before they go out to work.
“The sale is at a good time of year and it fits
in well for us,” he said.
The 13,000-hectare (32,000-acre) Melinda
Downs is mainly flat downs with gidyea hills and
has a creek running through its middle.
Buffel grass runs along the creek. The rest of
property has Mitchell and Flinders.
Water is sourced mainly from dams, with just
one bore and “we’ll get through as long as we
get a wet season”, Mr Locke said.
“The dams haven’t filled for three years but
we got a bit of run-off.”
Unlike many other parts of Queensland,
ABOVE: Danny Locke and Peter Hickson with the bulls at
Melinda Downs, Cloncurry.
Melinda Downs has not fared too badly this year
after some rain in the wet season.
“The Droughties have been hanging on pretty
well,” Mr Locke said. “Last year was pretty dry
and they held on, and this year is okay because
there was a bit more rain and grass.
“It is dry, but not too bad for feed, and we are
just waiting for it to rain.”
It has been hot – and temperatures reach 44C
– but the bulls seem to fare pretty well.
“The bulls that we buy from Roma do feel it
for the first bit and then they are okay.
“These fellas have been here now for only three
weeks, and when they came up it was 42-43
degrees and it was ‘welcome to the world’.
“They do struggle a bit after the wet, and they
have been working since December, and we feed
them up a bit and they are right. They just go
off their feed for a bit, and then the grass turns
green.”
The bulls, usually bought when they are
between two and two and a half, are selected for
good length and breadth, a tidy underline, and
not overly big. “We’ve had a mixture of both and
we don’t go for the really light ones, but we go
for the middle of the line.”
● More on Melinda Downs’ Roma mission, next page.
*******
Break out
Controlled mating
saves muster round
T
HE bulls that Peter Hickson and Danny
Locke buy at Roma join between 1000
and 1100 Droughtmaster breeders, which
have all been bred at Melinda Downs.
“We keep about 150 and once we join them,
the following year they cull themselves out –
like those without a calf – but we don’t get rid
of that many,” Mr Locke said.
The top 10 per cent are kept for Melinda
Downs.
The remaining animals that are still good are
sold as breeders.
The balance are spayed to gain extra weight
before they are dispatched to the meatworks.
Weaners are sold through AuctionsPlus to
mainly Alpha, Rolleston, Taroom and then
Charleville, and left-over steers are grown out
to bullocks and sold.
Melinda Downs is made up of two blocks.
The top block has controlled mating where
the bulls are put in for three months from
December, then taken out.
This system is being introduced into the
bottom block.
“The manager before me introduced it but
... we have it shortened up fairly well now,”
Mr Locke said.
“A couple of years ago we left them in an
extra month and only got an extra four or five
calves and they were a bit young so didn’t fit
the mould.”
Once controlled mating is brought in
throughout the property, it will mean doing
two rounds a year.
The current schedule includes three rounds
of mustering.
Meanwhile, things haven’t been too bad.
“We have plenty of little calves on the
ground now, so it must have been going all
right last year.” – Story: INGA STÜNZNER
Roma works for breeders
By PETER LOWE
F
OR eight consecutive years Peter Hickson,
the Brisbane-based owner of Melinda
Downs at Cloncurry, catches up with his
manager, Danny Locke, at the Roma Tropical
Breeds Droughtmaster sale to source bulls for
their large-scale commercial beef enterprise.
They select structurally correct bulls with tidy
underlines at 24 to 30 months of age with balanced EBV figures.
“The Roma sale is ideal for us in terms of timing – they go straight out to work – and the
opportunity to back-load our bulls to Cloncurry
is also very attractive,” said Mr Hickson.
He said they ran a mostly straight Droughtmaster
herd with a sprinkling of Charbray cows and
aimed to turn weaners directly off their
mothers mainly through AuctionsPlus.
Melinda Downs principal
Peter Hickson and
manager Danny Locke
inspect the Droughtmaster
sale bulls at the Roma Tropical
Breeds Droughtmaster bull
sale. – Picture: PETER LOWE.
Buy a bull, aid cancer research
West Mac’s big day
J
S
TUDENTS who belong to the West
Moreton Anglican College’s Droughtmaster stud program have finished the
year and look forward to 2015, a big year
for the industry with Beef Australia taking
centre stage in May.
The school has submitted this photo
from their break-up day, which attracted
150 parents and friends and Graham Brown
(pictured), of RSVP Droughtmaster stud,
Winderah, who assessed students in their
age groups. The Droughtmaster Society
donated prizes for the event.
USTIN and Cheryl Bowman, of Bowman Park Droughtmasters, Rosewood, plan to auction a stud bull at the
2015 DN.Sale, with proceeds going to the Queensland
Cancer Council. The decision was prompted by the diagnosis of a friend of Justin. Justin’s plan is to take the chosen
bull on the 2015 show circuit, with any prizemoney going
towards the cause. Troy Nuttridge, who owns TLC Fitting
Service, will prepare and show the bull. The bull’s journey
around the shows will be highlighted on the society website
and Facebook page. Justin is on 0417 760 402.
2015 SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
DROUGHTMASTER STORE SHOW AND SALE
THURSDAY 12th MARCH, BIGGENDEN SALEYARDS
Quality Cattle, High Demand, Great Promotion
See website for details: www.burnettlr.com.au or www.droughtmaster.com.au
Contact: Lance Whitaker – Burnett Livestock & Realty – 4127 1277 or 0407 139 901
Neil Donaldson – Droughtmaster Society - 0428 796 330
AW1552489
As always there will be a great range of prizes supplied by our
generous sponsors
Rambo
proves
to be
Ekka
top gun
Tania Hartwig, Tanic Fitting Service, holds grand champion Droughtmaster bull Glenlands D Rambo.
Charm Ryrie, Wirrigai Droughtmaster Stud, Pittsworth, was delighted to secure the award for
junior champion bull with Wirrigai Century, held by Lawrence Semish-Lahey, Quamera,
Goondiwindi.
J
UST a whisker. That was all that separated
the senior and junior champion bulls, according to the man presiding over the judging of
the Droughtmasters at the Royal Queensland
Show.
In the end, judge Steve Farmer, Comanche
Droughtmaster Stud, Rockhampton, selected the
32-month-old senior champion bull Glenlands
D Rambo as the 2014 grand champion Droughtmaster bull.
“It was very close and we actually had the
junior bull selected, but eventually went back to
the senior bull,” Mr Farmer said.
“The way the senior champion bull carried his
weight and moved was fantastic.”
Exhibited by the Childs family and prepared
and shown by Tania Hartwig of Tanic Fitting
Service, Rambo also impressed Mr Farmer and
his young associate judge Darcy McKenzie of
Yaralla Stud, Blackwater, with his ‘overall balance
and strength of spine’.
Weighing in at 1060kg, Rambo was one of the
heaviest bulls in the competition.
The bull boasted an EMA of 143sq cm and
Grand champion Droughtmaster cow Breffni Emma and owner David McCabe (with sash),
from Beffni Droughtmaster stud, Chinchilla. The calf is held by Faith White and cow by
Morgan Hooper, both from West Moreton Anglican College.
an average daily weight gain of 1.11kg. Glenlands
co-principal Jason Childs wasn’t at the Ekka but
said his family was delighted to hear that Rambo
had taken the grand champion ribbon.
“It’s very exciting,” he said. “He was the junior
champion bull at the Droughtmaster feature show
at Esk last year, and the supreme champion bull
at the Clermont and Springsure shows this year,
so we knew he was up there.
“We just like his overall correctness, his size
and muscling. He’s a bull with meat in all the
right places.”
Rambo claimed the grand ribbon ahead of the
junior champion bull Wirrigai Century, exhibited
by Charm Ryrie, Wirrigai Droughtmaster Stud,
Pittsworth.
The 21-month-old Century weighed 706kg
and had an EMA of 121sq cm.
While judging the junior bull classes, Mr
Farmer noted Century’s ‘sire presence’.
“He’s a balanced bull with a good sheath, good
bone and walks well. I just fell in love with his
topline.”
The Greenmount-based Oakmore Park claimed
the reserve junior champion bull ribbon for the
10-month-old Oakmore Noah, who weighed in
at 406kg, while the reserve senior champion bull
ribbon went to the Kroll family’s 23-month-old
918kg Condamine Ivanhoe.
In the female classes, David and Robyn
McCabe, Breffni Droughtmaster Stud, Chinchilla,
took award for grand champion Droughtmaster
cow. Sired by RSVP Boris and out of a homebred
dam, 37-month-old Breffni Emma had an eightmonth-old bull calf Garvey at foot.
Her Ekka win capped off a highly successful
2014 campaign, winning grand champion female
at the Toowoomba show and supreme exhibit at
Dalby.
Prepared by the West Moreton Anglican
College, Emma was senior champion female
ahead of Nindethana Daisibel, exhibited by
Bronwyn Betts and Michael Hawkins, Nindethana
stud, Camp Mountain.
In the junior female classes, Greg and Linda
Nugent, Carnudge Stud, Dayboro, won
the junior champion ribbon with Carnudge
Butterscotch.
Better marketing
for your cattle
H
ERE’S something to think about before
marketing your cattle for sale in 2015.
Early in 2014, about 20 Droughtmaster
studmasters gathered at Dave and Colleen Smith’s
Vale View stud at Manumbar to hear from
Queensland Country Life staff about how to create
engaging advertising campaigns and newsfriendly copy and photographs.
As QCL general manager John Warlters and
livestock sales manager Sharon Howard
explained, the purpose of the workshop was to
help stud breeders gain more control over their
marketing and give them an insight into what
news outlets look for.
One of Australia’s most experienced livestock
photographers, Rodney Green, was on hand to
run attendees through the best way to take standup pictures of led, stud animals and paddock
shots of cattle.
QCL hosts these workshops for producers of
any breed on request.
Why not get a group together next year and
set a date with QCL livestock sales manager
Sharon Howard?
ABOVE: Standing up cattle to practise those all-important
shots in the stud ring was a key component of the Manumbar
workshop.
TOP RIGHT: Cameras at the ready.
CENTRE RIGHT: All ears for Queensland Country Life’s
livestock marketing workshop.
RIGHT: QCL livestock sales manager Sharon Howard explains
the secrets of successful advertising.
● Contact Sharon on (07) 4927 9422.
AW1532515
Versatility valued at Colli
By HELEN WALKER
C
OLLINSVILLE district beef producers the
Muirhead family run 3000 Brahman-cross
breeders in a family partnership over two
properties Statford Station, Mt Coolon, and
Weetalaba in the Collinsville district.
In the partnership Reid Muirhead, his wife
Julie and their four children John, Grace Tom
and Angela, manage the day to day operation of
Weetalaba, while his sister Julie and husband
Warren Connelly oversee Statford Station.
In the past 20 years the Muirheads have dabbled in various other beef breeds, but Reid says
as a family partnership that also includes his
mother Sandra and other sisters, they still come
back to the Droughtmaster.
“We have bought both Santa Gertrudis and
Simmental bulls, but at the end of the day we
know it is the Droughtmaster that gives us the
market versatility to sell into the live cattle export
market, feedlot, or finish for the Japanese bullock
market.”
The family uses Stratford Station as their
breeder country, running 2000 head. Weetalaba
runs 1000 breeders and is also used as growing
out and finishing country.
Reid is a regular buyer at the Droughtmaster
National Sale in Rockhampton, selecting about
10 replacement sires annually.
“I really don’t worry about colour – it is good
I really don’t worry
about colour – it is
good bone, length,
and temperament,
plus a later-maturing
type of bull that I
select for.
bone, length and temperament, plus a latermaturing type of bull that I select for,” he
said.
“I usually try to buy some catalogued by the
Clermont-based Huntly Droughtmasters.”
The country on Weetalaba is mainly brigalow
and softwood scrub, running to ironbark and
bloodwood, and has been improved to buffel
grass.
The country is watered by dams and bores
with additional water drawn from a pipeline
running from Bowen River through to the
Newlands Mine, to the south of the property.
The Statford country is watered mainly by
dams and bores.
The Muirheads join their breeders from the
end of November, until the end of March, with
an October calving the following year.
All replacement heifers kept are joined as
yearlings, while cows are cast for age at 10 years.
The cattle are regularly dipped for ticks
through a plunge dip, while breeders are inoculated for botulism when they are pregnancy tested
and then vaccinated for leptospirosis.
And it is very much the overall seasonal outlook that dictates which way they market their
cattle.
“We really have three options with the
Droughtmaster infusion and that is to take our
steers through to three-year-old Japanese bullocks, dressing out to average 340kg, selling
either to Thomas Borthwicks, Mackay, or JBS
Lakes Creek,” Reid said.
“If there is a feeder market, or live cattle export
market opportunity, we will sell earlier.
“If we target the live export market we consign
them to Charters Towers for the Indonesian
market.
“We supply the live export market from a
weight range of 270kg at the lighter end, to the
heavier range of 450kg.”
Steers are weaned between six and eight
months of age and are grown out on Weetalaba,
while culled heifers are sold.
At 12 months of age all steers are implanted
with HGP.
As well, the Muirheads also trade about 4000
cattle annually, buying in PTIC cows to calve
down and resell, or value adding boughtin steers.
nsville
DROUGHTMASTERS
S
PERFORM
YEAR IN, YEAR OUT
T
Get your super resilient Western
Droughtmasters at the 2015
DIAMANTINA
DROUGHTMASTERS SALE
Merry
Christmas
QC1643191
Reid and Julie Muirhead, Weetalaba, Collinsville, in the yards with their four children John, Angela, Tom, and Grace.
from all the
Diamantina vendors and
best wishes for a good
wet season for
everyone.
Winton, May 22
Sale Chairman – Alex Power – 07 4746 8704
CA
CHA
Droughtmasters have
been excelling in carcase
competitions. Here
is a rundown on recent
results:
MACKAY SHOW
1st – Pasturefed local trade class, Lisgar
Droughtmasters. 1st – Pen of two grassfed steers,
judged on the hook. Carcase weight 285-420kg,
four teeth or less.
●
WIDE BAY INTERSCHOOLS
HOOF & HOOK COMPETITION
● Grand champion – ‘Uno’, Droughtmaster steer
exhibited by Murgon SHS.
● Light hoof ’n’ Hook – 1st ‘Uno’. 3rd ‘Monopoly’,
Charolais-cross Droughtmaster steer exhibited
by Murgon SHS.
Both steers bred by Roger Webber and family,
Tajana Stud, Murgon.
● Heavy hoof ’n’ hook – 2nd ‘George’,
Droughtmaster steer exhibited by Hervey Bay
SHS. 3rd, ‘Reggie’, Droughtmaster steer exhibited
by Hervey Bay SHS.
Rob Rea, Lisgar Droughtmasters, with his champion carcase at the Mackay Show.
for export market.
1st – pen of three heifers, showing no more
than four permanent teeth.
● Reserve champion pasturefed pen.
● Most successful pasturefed exhibitor.
● 2nd – pen of three heifers, suitable for local
trade, showing no permanent teeth, under 440kg
(grainfed).
● 2nd – pen of three steers, suitable for local
trade, showing no permanent teeth, under 440kg
(grainfed).
● 4th – Trevor Kerr Memorial Carcase Competition, milk tooth weighing 180-250kg HSCW
(grainfed).
●
Steven Beddows, Murgon SHS, with the grand champion
steer, Uno.
ESK SHOW PRIME CATTLE
● Awards for champion pasturefed male, reserve
champion pasturefed pen and most successful
pasturefed exhibitor all won by the McConnel
family, Mt Brisbane Droughtmasters.
Mt Brisbane’s champion pasturefed male at
the Esk Show was a four-tooth steer weighing
714kg and selling for $1240.
Mt Brisbane’s full results (all purebred
Droughtmasters):
● 2nd – prime heifer showing no more than two
teeth.
● 1st – prime cow under 570kg liveweight.
● 1st – prime steer showing no permanent teeth.
● 2nd – prime steer showing no more than two
permanent teeth.
● 1st – prime bullock showing no more than
four permanent teeth.
● 1st – prime bullock showing six or more teeth.
● 2nd – prime bullock (over 580kg liveweight),
bred and owned by exhibitor and showing no
more than six permanent teeth.
● Champion pasturefed male.
● 2nd – pen of three bullocks, showing no more
than four permanent teeth, and bred and owned
by exhibitor.
● 1st – pen of three bullocks, showing no
more than six permanent teeth and suitable
KILCOY SHOW PRIME CATTLE
● Champion grassfed pen, won by Lisgar Pastoral
Co.
● Champion grainfed pen and James Lawrence
Memorial Cup, won by Ken and Kerry McKenzie.
● Reserve champion grainfed pen, won by (John)
Atkinson and Co.
● Largest eye muscle of 115sq cm, won by SR
and BR Chapman (tied with D and K Geddes –
Brangus steer).
● Most even pen – Duaringa Station 7.5kg.
● Highest lean meat yield, won by DP & JA
Connor 65.84pc.
Congratulations to all exhibitors, place-getters
and championship winners on these exceptional
results.
Supreme grassfed exhibit, exhibited by Mrs
Joan Stanton, Fallview, Kilcoy.
Congratulations to Mrs Stanton on the award
for supreme grassfed exhibit of the Kilcoy Show.
The 736kg six-tooth steer had come through
from winning the class ‘single steer six tooth or
less’ which was Mrs Stanton’s son’s memorial
class, the Ian Stanton Memorial Trophy.
The steer later sold at auction for $1280. To
cap off a successful day for this loyal supporter
of the show, during the trophy presentation, Mrs
Stanton was awarded a life membership of the
Kilcoy Show.
●
CQ CARCASE CLASSIC
Droughtmasters again proved they are an ideal
choice for the commercial breeder.
In the Central Queensland Carcase Classic
awards night in mid-July, Droughtmaster and
Droughtmaster-cross cattle placed in every class
except one. This included multiple placings in
both the four grassfed classes and the four
grainfed classes and a second placing in the led
steer hook class by Riley Connor’s No Balls.
Many of these entries then won championships
and reserve championships including:
● Reserve champion grainfed carcase, won by
(John) Atkinson & Co.
One of the pen of three steers to win champion grainfed pen
(average 357kg, milk tooth) exhibited by Ken and Kerry
McKenzie, Yaralla, Blackwater.
CLERMONT BEEF EXPO
It was a great day for the Droughtmaster breed
at the Clermont Beef Expo on Wednesday,
October 29.
Congratulations to Sam and Jane Barton
(Mackay and Co) from Huntly Droughtmasters
who took top honours, winning awards for the
Suncorp Agribusiness pen of grassfed Jap bullocks, ANZ champion pen of prime cattle and
the Hanrick Curran grand champion exhibit.
Ken and Kerry McKenzie from Yaralla
RCASE
MPIONS
Droughtmasters exhibited the supreme champion
beast. The pen of steers exhibited by Huntly
Droughtmasters took awards for Suncorp
Agribusiness pen of grassfed Jap bullocks, ANZ
champion pen of prime cattle and the Hanrick
Curran grand champion exhibit.
From the pen of Yaralla steers, one of the
exhibits won the award for the supreme champion beast.
The Sally Taylor Memorial Trophy for the
grand champion beast of the expo went to a
purebred milk-tooth Droughtmaster steer weighing 590kg, from Rob and Donna Rea, Lisgar
Droughtmasters.
CASINO BEEF WEEK
Congratulations to Kyogle High School for
their success at Casino Beef Week with
Droughtmaster steers. Thanks to agriculture
teacher Jarrod Kelly for this report:
Recently the students at Kyogle High School
worked to prepare cattle to show in the hoof and
hook competition for Casino Beef Week.
This year students were grateful to have excellent
support from two local Droughtmaster studs which
donated quality steers that suited the competition
criteria. Casino Beef Week is a large exhibition of
cattle in the northern rivers region each year and
includes a hoof and hook competition.
Producers and schools alike can enter steers.
Kyogle High School has a proud history in showing quality animals in this competition and
through vital support of Neil and Margaret Warne
of Cedardale Droughtmasters, Casino, along with
Paul and Wendy Carter of Cedar Springs
Droughtmasters, Kyogle, the school presented
three quality Droughtmaster steers.
The steers all placed highly in their respective
classes – including a second place in class 2
(361-430kg) of the hook competition.
The steers scored well over the range of market specifications used for judging including their
ability to produce a large eye muscle and distribute fat evenly throughout the carcase.
Due to the performance of these steers the
school was also able to achieve the champion
school steer award for the third year in a row,
scoring higher than 25 other school steers from
10 local and interstate schools.
One outstanding aspect of the steers donated was their excellent temperament and quiet
nature. Students were able to confidently prepare
and handle these animals to achieve a range of
new skills and knowledge throughout the journey to Beef Week.
All students and staff involved in preparing
these steers for Casino Beef Week 2014 thank
the two Droughtmaster studs that supported us
and allowed future cattle producers these opportunities.
CLERMONT SHOW
Mac and Gayle Shann, Cantaur Park, Clermont,
were on hand to see their 26-month-old grand
champion Droughtmaster pen of five steers win
the pasturefed section.
The steers went on to sell to Thomas
Borthwicks, Mackay, at the prime beef show and
auction, returning 166.2c/kg during the Clermont
Show.
The Shanns have exhibited for the past five
years at the show, and over time, have received
many accolades for their cattle.
Mac and Gayle Shann, Cantaur Park, Clermont, were on hand
to see their 26-month-old grand champion Droughtmaster
pen of five steers win the Clermont Show pasturefed section.
CAIRNS SHOW
Leon Ham, Tolga, and his Droughtmaster
heifers won the award for champion pen of
females at the Cairns Show. Leon Ham also
exhibited the campion prime female. First-time
exhibitor Peter Vit, Vitco, won the award
for champion pen of prime cattle.
Clermont
applauds expo
Droughtmasters took out the award for champion pen
of replacement females from an outstanding field of
22 pens of high quality cattle at Kyogle Beef Bonanza.
Kyogle beef
bonanza
W
Clermont locals Sam Barton, Huntley Droughtmasters, and Jake Passfield, Hoch and Wilkinson, with the grand champion pen
of prime cattle that also included the grand champion exhibit of the Clermont Beef Expo.
By HELEN WALKER
T
HE second annual Clermont Beef Expo at
the Clermont Showgrounds has been
hailed a success by the organisers and
producers.
The event incorporated a prime and store cattle show and sale, trade display, Simmental bull
sale, and agribusiness forum on how to improve
on-farm productivity.
The expo was staged by local livestock agents
Hoch and Wilkinson and rural merchandise CRT
outlet Clermont Agencies and partnered by
Queensland Country Life.
Hoch and Wilkinson yarded 1420 head of
quality prime and store cattle that sold above
market expectations.
Claiming the awards for champion pen of
prime cattle and grand champion exhibit were
Sam and Jane Barton of, Huntly Droughtmasters,
Clermont.
Their pen of 10 Droughtmaster steers
earlier won the pen of Japanese grass-fed bullock
class.
Mr Barton said the cattle were by home-bred
Huntly stud bulls that had endured an average
season.
“We did have 50mm of rain at the end of
September that allowed us to finish them on
buffel grass and green panic,” Mr Barton said.
The cattle were described by respected judge
and local JBS buyer John Ilott as in great condition, smooth coated, with good yield and weight
for age.
Mr Ilott then backed his own judgement and
bought them on behalf of JBS Townsville.
The best beast of the Expo was a Droughtmaster
steer presented by Ken and Kerry McKenzie,
Yaralla, Blackwater.
Local veterinarian Alan Guilfoyle and
family of Table Downs claimed the
champion pen of store steers.
Yaralla steers’ big win
C
ONGRATULATIONS to Ken and Kerry
McKenzie, Yaralla Stud, Blackwater, for
their Royal Queensland Show success,
exhibiting the reserve championship pen of six
grainfed steers.
The purebred pen of six milk-tooth entries
(pictured) topped the class for 481-600kg.
They weighed on average 593.7kg, selling at
auction for 250c/kg.
The Yaralla prefix also scored a third place
with their Droughtmaster-cross pen of six
grainfed entries in the 601-720kg liveweight
class.
These steers averaged 651kg liveweight selling
for 242c/kg.
HEN you have a beef industrydriven competition and you come
out on top, you can be assured you
must be doing something right.
It was Droughtmasters’ day with a confident win and second place in the pen of four
replacement females in the 14-20 months
class and another win in the 20-30 month
class at Norco’s Kyogle Beef Bonanza at
Kyogle Showgrounds, April 24.
Droughtmasters took out the champion
pen of replacement females from an outstanding field of 22 pens of high-quality
cattle representing 11 other breeds sourced
from throughout the northern rivers and as
far south as Guyra.
Congratulations to Cedardale Droughtmasters (Neil and Margaret Warne) on this
win. Droughtmaster females and crossbred
steers have been winning and placing since
they started competing in this event three
years ago. Judge Tim Bayliss from Landmark’s
Armidale AuctionsPlus took time to explain
to the engaged audience the value in producing lines of even females that meet industry
specifications.
Northern NSW is well known for its ability
to produce excellent fertile productive females
and this was highlighted with the overall
quality and breed types at the Kyogle Beef
Bonanza, which keeps on growing each year.
Mr Bayliss said the winning heifers from
the Warnes were the most complete in a
competitive field, which exceeded expectations given the tough season.
Local Droughtmaster breeders Cedardale
(Neil and Margaret Warne) and Cedar
Springs (Paul and Wendy Carter and sons)
also donated purebred Droughtmaster steers
to Kyogle High School to exhibit in led lasses
at Casino Beef Week and local shows.
Congratulations to Kaitlin Annecca from
Kyogle High School for winning second
place in the paraders competition with a
Droughtmaster steer. The steers are being
fed and prepared by year 9 and 10 agricultural students and to date are performing
extremely well.
The students cannot get over their wonderful temperaments and their do-ability.
We all look forward to the end results and
feedback sheets once the steers have hung
up. After all, our industry is all about the end
product – what we put on the plate.
Selling under way at the 2014 Droughtmaster
National at CQLX in September.
Oasis nabs
best average
Topping the Droughtmaster National was Hamadra Draper, selling for $54,000 on behalf of Andrew, Kerri and Riley
(pictured) McKenzie of Hamadra Droughtmasters to Ken (kneeling) and Kerry McKenzie, Yaralla, Blackwater, and pictured
with Landmark auctioneer Mark Scholes, Rockhampton.
$54,000
top at
National
Sale
By HELEN WALKER
D
ROUGHTMASTER bulls sold to a top of
$54,000 at the annual Droughtmaster
National sale at CQLX Gracemere in
September when 265 bulls sold to average $6020,
clearing 80 per cent of the catalogue.
Droughtmaster Australia chief executive Neil
Donaldson said it was a good, solid result given
the seasonal and financial situation that many
producers are experiencing.
“Overall it was solid and the vast majority of
the vendors would be happy, although there
would be some disappointed with the outcome,”
Neil said.
“And the 80pc clearance indicates that the
Droughtmaster breed is clearly performing and
meeting all market requirements.”
Very late on the second day of selling, Hamadra
Draper created a bidding duel to record the top
money.
Next at $50,000 was the polled sire prospect
Skye Wilfred, offered by Michael Ingram of Skye
Droughtmasters, Alpha.
At just 21 months old, Skye Wilfred is by Skye
Quebec and from the strong Aldinga female line.
He was secured by Brian and Yvonne Heck,
Bryvonlea Droughtmasters, Glastonbury, as a
stud sire prospect.
“We really liked his beef, bone and sire power,”
Yvonne said.
Selling for $36,000 was Oasis Convict (P), a
27-month-old son of Lamont Inmate from an
Oasis female family, offered by Noel,
Robyn and Adam Geddes, Oasis
Droughtmaster Stud, Emerald.
C
OMPETITIVE bidding from stud and
commercial cattlemen at the 2014
Droughtmaster National resulted in an
overall average of $6020, which was slightly
up on last year’s result of $5976.
Achieving the highest average for the sale
were Noel, Robyn and Adam Geddes, Oasis
Droughtmasters, Emerald, selling 10 bulls
to average $13,350. Also in the Geddes draft
the seven sons of Lamont Inmate sold for
$13,786, with a top price of $36,000.
Michael Ingram, Skye, Alpha, sold eight
to average $12,437, top price $50,000. Jason
and Piper Johnston, Craiglea, Obi Obi, sold
six to average $11,417, top price $16,500.
Andrew and Kerri McKenzie, Hamadra,
Bluff, sold 13 to average $11,192, top
price $54,000. Margaret Wilson, Truvalle,
Blackbutt, sold six to average $10,250, top
price $19,000.
Ken and Debbie Rutherford, Redskin,
Morinish, sold 12 to average $10,208, top
price $28,000. Brett and Leanne Warne,
Jembrae, Injune, sold 10 to average $8833,
top price $18,000.
Paul, Paula and Lorrae Russell, Locarno,
Dingo, sold 10 to average $8500, top price
$28,000. Greg and Linda Nugent, Carnudge,
Dayboro, sold one to average $8000, top
price $8000.
Trent and Jessica Edwards, Wolfang TJ
Droughtmasters, Clermont, sold their sole
entry, Wolfang TJ Captain, to Aleisha Finger,
Almafi Droughtmaster Stud, Meadowbrook,
Dysart, for $16,000.
Hamadra impresses
P
Ken McKenzie, Yaralla, Blackwater, with the top-priced bull of
this year’s DN.Sale, Hamadra Draper. He paid $54,000 to
Andrew, Kerri and Riley (pictured) McKenzie, Hamadra
Droughtmasters, Bluff. – Picture: SARAH COULTON.
LENTY of astute cattle producers gave the
tick of approval to the 22-month-old
Hamadra Draper, offered by Andrew and
Kerri McKenzie, when he entered the sale ring
to sell for the Droughtmaster National Sale’s top
price of $54,000.
But little did these good judges of bull flesh
know that they never stood a chance.
After the long bidding duel, eventual buyers
were Ken and Kerry McKenzie, Yaralla Droughtmasters, Blackwater, who had already given this
youngster the thumbs up.
“We have followed this bull since he was a
weaner, and tried to buy him a couple of times
privately,” Ken said. “However, my brother
Andrew just wouldn’t budge and said he was
earmarked for the Droughtmaster National.
“We’ve been chasing a good sire for a few
years, so I wasn’t going to lose him.
“He has terrific fleshing and bone, along with
a tidy underline.
“I really haven’t seen a bull as good as he is
for a long time, and he will fit into our stud
program.
“If he really performs, we will retain some of
his sons for our commercial herd as well.”
Hamadra Draper (S) is by Hamadra Kacoby
from a Hamadra female family, and is the grandson of Hamadra Cody, which holds the top-price
record for the Hamadra Stud, selling to $65,000
to Kylie Graham, Mungalla Stud, Taroom, in
2006.
Capricorn tops at $10,000
SUMMARY
● Top price $10,000, av $3398
● No. sold 69, 92pc clearance
R
EPEAT buyers carried the annual Capricorn
Droughtmaster sale to an 86 per cent
clearance at the Gracemere saleyards.
“We get the same people every year turn up
here,” sale spokesman John Atkinson said.
“It gives us faith in what we’re doing.”
One of those is astute Droughtmaster seedstock
producer and commercial cattleman Ken
Rutherford. He has been buying bulls at the sale
since its inception and this year selected the
top-priced bull.
Mr Rutherford, Redskin stud, Redbank,
Morinish, bought Glenavon Quartro (P) for
$10,000 early in the sale. The 20-month-old,
760kg registered stud sire claims predominantly
Glenavon genetics and runs back to Medway
02187 on his dam’s side.
The milk-tooth youngster scored 10mm and
6mm in rump and rib fat and measured 131sq
cm in eye muscle area.
Equalling the top price, CMC Ceasar (P) was
catalogued by Duncan and Karen Geddes, CMC
stud, Telemon, Springsure, and sold to co-vendor
Vendors John Atkinson, Glenavon Droughtmasters, Yaamba, and Karen Geddes, CMC, Springsure, both sold bulls for $10,000
to top the sale. The pair is pictured with one of the top-price buyers, Ken Rutherford, Redskin stud, Morinish, and Mrs Geddes’
top-priced bull, CMC Ceasar.
John Atkinson, Glenavon Droughtmasters,
Yaamba.
Boasting an EMA of 140sq cm and rump and
rib fat scores of 12 and 9, the 832kg, 24-monthold sire was 41cm in scrotal circumference.
The sale enjoyed solid support from commercial buyers including Stuart and Brenda Chapman,
Lowville, Marlborough, who purchased two Glen-
avon J bulls for an average of $7750, including
a $9000 Needmor 410 son and a 786kg, milktooth bull for $6500.
Glenavon J stud is owned and operated by Joe
and Jill Atkinson, Sanders, Dingo.
A total of 35 registered sires averaged $3942,
while 37 herd bulls settled on $2770.
● Agents: Landmark.
Central
Reds
sale
tops at
$12,000
SUMMARY
Hamadra Doyle sold for $12,000 to top the Central Reds Droughtmaster sale at the Emerald saleyards. The bull is pictured with the
vendor, Andrew McKenzie, Hamadra stud, Bluff, and the buyer, Shane Perry (right), Strathfield Droughtmasters, Clermont.
● Top $12,000, av $4000
● Sold 65, 78pc clearance
muscle area and scored 13 and 8mm in fat scans
and topped the sale at $12,000.
The bull was 170kg heavier than other bulls
of the same age in the catalogue.
Greg and Donna Edwards, Wolfang
Droughtmasters, Clermont, were delighted to
sell the 24-month-old, herd bull, Wolfang 109(P)
to their son Trent and his wife, Jessica, as the
young couple continue to build their stud,
Wolfang TJ.
Ross Parkinson, Sarina, paid $8500 for the
23-month-old Yaralla Kinsley son, Hamadra
Delwyn.
Astute commercial buyer Ted Murphy, Taylen,
Dysart, selected two Hamadra bulls for $7500
and $7000.
The Russell family, Locarno Droughtmasters,
Dingo, were paid $7000 for a 24-month-old,
By SHARON HOWARD
B
EEF producers who still have grass snapped
up the bottom of the run at the Central
Reds Droughtmaster sale while seedstock
buyers pushed the sale to a top of $12,000.
The sale was held at the Emerald saleyards
where Shane and Wendy Perry, Strathfield
Droughtmasters, Fletchers Awl, Clermont, won
the tussle for Hamadra Doyle, a Glenavon
Navahoe son listed by Andrew and Kerri
McKenzie, Hamadra stud, Bluff.
Tipping the scales at 900kg, the registered,
27-month-old sire measured 135sq cm in eye
polled, Yaralla Lew son in Locarno Impulse which
was purchased by Oasis Droughtmasters to be
used as a herd bull.
Garrett Kirk, Gogango, was another Locarno
buyer, paying $7000 for the 24-month-old, herd
bull, Locarno 03. Kevin and Leesa Woolcock
selected Wolfang 45, a polled, Wolfang Inspector
son and took him home for $7000.
Kieran and Annika Ward, Kupala Droughtmasters and Benson Pastoral, Glenroy Station,
Glenroy, purchased the Mt Oscar Halmark son,
Hamandra Demetrius for $7000.
Darryl Ahern, Rosedale Station, Baralaba, Clive
and Mary Albert, Mt Donald, Clermont, Lawrence
and Marion Danastas, Tyagarah, Middlemount
and the Daniels family, Ivyvale, Gindie,
purchased four bulls each at the sale.
● Agents: Landmark, Elders.
New buyers flock to Artesian sale
By KENT WARD
T
HE drought-enforced gap in Droughtmaster
bull supplies in western Queensland this
year brought new buyers flocking to the
Artesian Droughtmaster sale at Blackall, where they
helped lift the average price to $5018.
Sale committee representative Dean Allen
said early rain in central parts of the state had
helped the final result, with many buyers from
Alpha, Dysart and Blackwater regions, but
he said the result reflected the quality of the
yarding.
The Childs family, Glenlands Droughtmasters,
confirmed their interest in Medway genetics,
outlasting the competition for the superb young
bull in Medway Utopia and paying the sale’s top
price of $22,000 to secure him.
At just 21 months old, the bull sired by
Yaralla Hector weighed 765 kilograms and had
an eye muscle area measurement of 136sq cm
and a scrotal circumference of 42cm.
Speaking on behalf of the Bogantungan stud
vendors, Hamilton Donaldson said the good
SUMMARY
● Top $22,000, av 5018
weight-for-age and length had sold him.
Darren Childs agreed, adding that he was
genetically a very good bull. “We were very
pleased to see vendors bringing along bulls of
such good quality to the sale,” he said.
Medway also sold a bull for $10,000. Medway
Up to Date, sired by Medway Oakley, sold to
Clonlara stud, helping bring their sale average
to $5913, the highest of the six vendors on the
grounds.
The McCormack family, Clonlara, had a
$10,000 sale early in the proceedings when their
24-month-old bull weighing 865kg and sired
by Aldinga 07/80 sold to Peter Greenhalgh,
Sedgeford, Alpha. Andrew Donaldson and family, Surbiton South, Alpha, took home the most
bulls, selecting 10.
Bruce Childs, Glenland Droughtmasters, looks over his
top-priced purchase at the Artesian Droughtmaster sale,
Medway Utopia, along with Brenten Donaldson, Medway
Droughtmasters, Bogantungan.
Brother Ian Donaldson, based at Trebarney,
Alpha, was happy with nine bulls. Much of the
interest from the Blackall district came from
the Scholes family, whose Braemar Investments
purchased seven bulls.
Also taking seven bulls home were Alex and
Kristy Sparrow, Malden, Alpha.
Droughtie Emerald sparkle
SUMMARY
LEFT: A cow and
calf sold for $5500
to top the annual
CQ Spring Classic
Droughtmaster
Sale at Emerald.
Vendor David
Purnell (right),
Calioran stud,
Rockhampton, is
pictured with buyer
Riley McKenzie,
Ramardoo
Droughtmasters,
Bluff, and
Landmark agent
Trent McKinlay.
Registered females
● Top $5500, av $2133, sold 30
● 56pc clearance, 64pc final clearance
By SHARON HOWARD
F
EMALES ruled the roost at the Spring Classic
Sale at Emerald saleyards and, although demand was soft, buyers paid impressive prices
for registered Droughtmasters.
The top-priced female at the sale was a
33-month-old Calioran cow Lolita, with a bull
calf by Glenlands Millennium at foot.
The duo, listed by the Purnell family,
Rockhampton, sold to new stud operator Riley
McKenzie of Ramardoo Droughtmasters, Wild
Horse, Bluff, for $5500.
“I was looking for a top-quality cow and the
calf Lolita had at foot was exceptional.
“You couldn’t go wrong buying a cow that can
raise a calf like that,” Mr McKenzie said.
SUMMARY
Commercial females
● Top $900, av $593
S
PRINGSURE lotfeeder and commercial cattleman Fred Noffke of Inderi Station plans to
make some money with his haul of commercial females from the CQ Spring Classic Droughtmaster Sale.
Combining a feedlot and breeding operation
at Inderi and a farming program at Keronga,
Springsure, the affable buyer bought 95 females
at the sale including the entire offering of 75
No.4 heifers, two PTIC No.3 females, a pen of
11 PTIC cows and the top-priced and only pen
of seven cows and calves for $900/ head. “I’ll
pick the eye out of the mob to bolster my breeder
numbers and put the rest through the feedlot
and sell them as 100-day grainfeds,” he said.
“Droughties are a good compromise between
Brahmans and other breeds such as Santas.
“They’ve got brains, they walk out well and
they’re easy to work with.”
A total of 47 No.3 females averaged $760, 75
No.4 heifers averaged $434 and a single
pen of PTIC cows sold for $770 each.
Merry
Christmas
From
Rondel
Glenlands Sandstone
Gle
l nllaands Re
dken(P)
Introducing our new sires!
i !
Paddock bulls available now
Contact:
Peter and Deleece
07 4657 3923
Zach and Lakisha
07 4657 3007
Luke and Jayna
0427 573 922
AW1539645
Thanks to everyone who has supported us throughout 2014!
www.rondeldroughtmasters.com
Salters
meet
market
in tough
season
G
LENMORGAN’S Salter family proved they
were prepared to meet the market when
they set a reserve price of $2000 on their
offering of 67 bulls at the annual Glen Fosslyn
Droughtmaster Sale at Roma.
The lower starting price helped the Salters
clear 72 per cent of their bulls – a commendable
clearance in a year that has proved difficult for
many sellers.
Glen Fosslyn Stud principal Cameron Salter
said the family wanted to set a starting price that
reflected the tough seasonal and tight financial
conditions that all beef producers were operating
under.
“We knew this year was going to be tough but
we were pleased to clear the bulk of the bulls,”
he said. “It was also great to see that one of the
volume buyers, the Price family from Injune, was
a new customer.”
Fellow Glenmorgan seedstock producers Gus
and Jen McCormack of Clonlara Droughtmaster
New buyer Owen Price, Tarcoola, Injune, is congratulated on his purchases by Glen Fosslyn Stud co-principal Cameron
Salter.
Stud, paid the top money of the day, buying the
first bull on offer for $7500.
Sired by Glenlands D Newmarket and out of
the home-bred Glen Fosslyn Cecilia 2, 21-monthold Glen Fosslyn Houston weighed in at 685kg.
A polled bull, Houston boasted an eye muscle
area (EMA) of 121sq cm and a scrotal measurement of 39cm.
The polled bulls proved popular throughout
the sale with the 23-month old polled bull Glen
Fosslyn Hildebrand claiming the second top price
of $5000.
Weighing in at 741kg, Hildebrand had an EMA
of 122sq cm and was sired by Glen Fosslyn
Chester.
He was purchased by the Lethbridge family,
Aqua Park, Taroom, who also paid $4500 for
Glen Fosslyn Hawthorn, a polled bull sired by
Glenlands D Newmarket and $2000 for a polled
Glen Fosslyn herd bull.
The volume buyer was the Schoefield family
who travelled from Pollygammon Station, Boulia,
to purchase six bulls for an average of
$2400.
Clonara bull tops sale at $22,000
LEFT: Clonlara Droughtmasters co-principal Gus
McCormack and buyer of the $22,000 top-priced bull,
Clonlara 1331 (P), Ken Rutherford, Redskin
Droughtmasters, Morinish.
SUMMARY
● Top $22,000, av $7500, sold 62 bulls,
100pc clearance.
S
TRAIGHT-TALKING, no-nonsense beef
producer Ken Rutherford, Redskin
Droughtmasters, Morinish, summed up why
Gus and Jen McCormack’s Clonlara Droughtmaster bull sale at Dilga, Glenmorgan, was so
successful.
“Producers can have confidence in buying a
top bull from a good herd operated by genuine
cattlemen.”
The McCormacks offered and sold 62 fertile, functional and commercially relevant
Droughtmaster bulls for a $5750 average – one
of their best results.
Mr Rutherford backed up his judgment after
paying the $22,000 top money for Clonlara
1331 (P), a 22-month-old son of Clonlara
Ace (P), which had tremendous figures, perfect sheath and walked around very well, Mr
Rutherford said.
Regular supporters Bill and Delta Sparkes,
Niagara Grazing Company, Bell, operated on
the top end again.
They bought Clonlara 13352 (P), one of the
beautifully put together two-year-old sons of
Fairhaven Corona 166 for $15,000.
The bull had excellent growth and carcase
figures.
The first of the Vale View Todd calves
attracted plenty of interest, none more so
than the second bull into the ring, Clonlara
13290, bought by Miamba Pastoral Company
of Condamine for $14,000.
Large-scale commercial beef operation,
Stanbroke Pastoral Company, bought five quality bulls for a $6800 average.
The bulls were headed for Fort
Constantine north of Cloncurry.
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
and a
May Mother Nature bless you
with her kindness and let it rain
Thank you to all Buyers,
Under Bidders, Agents and
Everyone for your support
throughout the year.
Welcoming our two new Sires
Riby-Grove Tucker
DN Sale Bulls Av.
$8,833
Roma Tropical Sale Bulls Av.
$5,773
Brett, Leanne & Emma Warne
07 4626 7179 • www.jembrae.com
AW1539647
Jembrae Harlow
Droughties lift WA average
T
HE annuall Fi
Fitzroy C
Crossing
i
Invitation Bos Indicus Bull
Sale in Western Australia was
a resounding success with values
reaching $6500.
The sale indicators were up across
the board with a total clearance of the
expanded catalogue of 147 Bos Indicus
bulls to an average of $3844.
This was up by $744 compared to
last year’s overall sale average of
$3100 from the complete clearance
of 112 bulls.
The sale, conducted by Landmark,
saw the six breeds of cattle attract
strong demand from pastoralists and
markedly improve their respective
breed averages.
Droughtmasters averaged $4318
from 33 bulls sold, up $487.
The sale’s $6500 top price didn’t
transpire until lot 146 when Jubilee
Downs Pastoral Company, Fitzroy
Crossing, paid the top price for a
Droughtmaster bull from the Valera
Vale stud, Milbong, Queensland.
Jubilee Downs contributed at the
top-end of the sale across several
breeds paying $5500 for another
Droughtmaster bull from the Sevenell
and Lynsey Park studs, Bell.
RIGHT: Vendor Paul
Dingle of Waringle
Droughtmasters,
Maleny, GDL Dalby
auctioneer Mark
Duthie and buyers
Elizabeth and David
Spring, Kiverton stud,
Harlin, with the
$12,000 top-selling
bull, Waringle Station
Hand (P).
The $6500 top-priced bull at the recent
Fitzroy Crossing Invitation Bos Indicus Bull
Sale was sold by Michael Flynn, of Valera
Vale Droughtmaster Stud, Augathella,
Queensland, and was purchased by the
Jubilee Downs Pastoral Company, Fitzroy
Crossing, WA.
Fossil Downs station, Fitzroy Crossing, paid $5500 each for two
Droughtmaster bulls from the Mally
Plain stud, Eidsvold, and Barlyne.
Warrawagine Station, Marble
Bar, WA, was the sale’s standout
volume buyer, amassing a team of
36 bulls including 22 Red
Brahmans.
Bunya’S $12,000 top
By PETER LOWE
A
POWERFUL sire with performance written all over
him topped the new-look
Bunya Droughtmaster bull sale at
the Coolabunia Sales Complex,
Kingaroy.
The $12,000 top-priced bull,
Waringle Station Hand (P), a
heavy-boned son of Glenlands
Maranoa (P) with a tremendous
hindquarter, was ranked in the
top 1 percent for marbling.
Waringle Station Hand was
bought by David and Elizabeth
Spring, Kiverton Droughtmasters,
Harlin, who liked his temperament and top line and wanted a
sire for stud duties.
“He scanned very well, good eye
muscle area (EMA) at 133 centimetres and was very appealing,
being by Maranoa, which traces
back to Cungelella Farmhand,” Mr
Spring said.
Darren & Jan-Maree Hall
07 46276 633 0427 744 814
[email protected]
Thankyou to all Buyers, Bidders for your support in a tough 2014.
♦ Shane & Wendy Perry - Strathfield Droughtmasters
♦ D & M Farquhar-Capella
♦ Kurmala Pastoral Company-Tara
♦ G Blowers- Gunalda
♦ Paul & Robyn O’Brien-Roma
♦ Broadmere Grazing– Taroom
Selling at Rockhampton All Breeds in February 2015
Glenuabyn Detroit Sold to Strathfield Droughtmasters
@ National Sale in Rockhampton.
We wish you a Merry Christmas ......
AW1501066
‘Ritual’ heads to Pilbara
By KENT WARD
A
TOP price of $40,000, a total clearance and
a healthy average of $7020 was achieved by
the Childs family at the annual Glenlands
Droughtmaster Sale at Bouldercombe.
Repeat buyers Ken, Shelley and Ben Mutton,
Fieldhouse Stud, Wickepin, WA, paid the top
money at $40,000, for the 26-month-old Glenlands D Ritual (P), a son of Glenlands Mambo,
which sold with an eye muscle area (EMA) of
134sq cm, and scans of 11/7 millimetres and an
intramuscular fat (IMF) reading of 3.7.
The Muttons also paid $34,000 for Glenlands
D Richmond (P), a son of Glenlands Maxamillion.
The Muttons selected their purchases based
on good bone, structure and tidy underlines, and
both bulls will be used in their 600-stud cow
herd, breeding bulls to supply the Pilbara region
of WA.
Claiming the second top price of $38,000 was
Glenlands Sandstone (P), a son of Glenlands Maranoa, weighing 908 kilograms, with a 137sq cm
EMA, and 12/8mm scans, and bought by Winton
district stud breeders Peter and Deleece
Carrington and family, Rondel Droughtmasters.
Jim Conroy, general manager, Semex Australia
and New Zealand, secured the global rights of
the 26-month-old $24,000 Glenlands D Sundowner (P) for $24,000.
Sundowner will enter the Victorian-based
RIGHT: Jason
Childs, Glenlands
Stud, Bouldercombe
with Ben Mutton,
Fieldhouse Stud,
Wickepin, WA,
the buyer of the
top-priced bull
Glenlands D Ritual (P),
which sold for
$40,000.
SUMMARY
● Top $40,000, av $7020
artificial insemination breeding centre for semen
collection as part of the growing interest in
Droughtmaster genetics from South Africa,
Argentina, US and south-east Asian countries.
Hastings and Sandra Donaldson, Medway Stud,
Bogantungan, paid $15,000 for the 24-month,
790kg Saddler (P).
Nebo bullock producer Allan Williams, Riverside, Nebo, finished with three bulls to average
$9333. His top selection was the 24-month-old
Glenlands Solitaire (P) at $12,000.
The Keitley family, Spring Sierra, Monto,
selected five for $7500 average with a top of
$9000. Volume buyers included Leigh Propsting,
No.27 Pastoral Company, Acton, Richmond, who
finished with 13 bulls to average $3900.
Jim Gorman, Seamark Pty Ltd, Cliffdale,
Theodore, signed off on 15 bulls for two destinations, Cliffdale and Vermont Park, Nebo,
for on average $3733.
Records for Roma
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
Bulls to $9000
● Top $16,000 av $4363
D
P
RICES were pushed to record levels at this
year’s Roma Tropical Breeds Droughtmaster
sale because of a cohesive approach by
vendors to improve their quality and marketing,
says sale chairman Brett Warne.
In addition, Roma is ideally located to facilitate transport, especially backloads to northern
and western destinations where there is a multitude of return buyers willing to embrace the
opportunity.
“Our vendors should be congratulated on the
presentation of their sale drafts and collectively
they offered a good line of commercially-focused
bulls which the industry wants – a bit more leg
and plenty of muscling,” Mr Warne said.
The fortunes of the sale were completely
turned around from last year’s lacklustre result
after they posted their second best average, only
falling marginally short of the 2012 record average of $4369.
Overall 73 bulls sold for a $4363 average,
which represented a clearance rate of 87
per cent.
● Top price $9000, av $4566
● 47 sold, 79pc clearance
The $16,000 top selling Roma Tropical Breeds
Droughtmaster bull, Wingfield Jedi 2707 (P), a son of
Minlacowie Maska 6005 (P), offered by the Spann family,
Minlacowie and Wingfield studs, Lynvale, Goovigen.
John Robbins and Jan Clark of Enniskillen Pastoral
Company, Mantuan Downs, Springsure, bought the
Wingfield Jedi 2707 (P), and caught up with Nicole Mills,
Minlacowie and Wingfield studs.
ROUGHTMASTER bulls sold to a top
price of $9000 at the 26th annual
Piggott family’s Aldinga Droughtmaster
bull sale at the Springsure Showgrounds.
Overall the sale resulted in 47 bulls selling
for an average of $4566, representing a 79 per
cent clearance. The sale topper was the cleancoated polled Aldinga Elvis, a 21-month-old
son of Redskin Colorado from an Aldingabred
cow, that sold to Ken Rutherford, Redskin
Droughtmasters, Redbank, Mornish.
Aldinga Elvis weighed 736kg and appealed
to Mr Rutherford as he was “a good Bos
Indicus type”. “He has style, and muscle content, and will be used over registered Redskin
Droughtmaster cows, Mr Rutherford said.
Andrew Rolfe,
Foyle Park,
Springsure,
with Terry and
Catherine Piggott.
Mr Rolfe finished
with nine bulls to
average $3833
to use over 1200
Charbray breeders
in his EU operation.
MAGS prices hold
By MATT
SHERRINGTON
SUMMARY
Dave and Colleen Smith of Vale View Droughtmasters
● Top
$7500
(three
av $4117
with
buyers
Clinton,
Bretttimes),
and Wayne
Paulger,
Parklands
Droughtmaster
stud, Kenilworth, who paid
● Sold 64,
91pc clearance
the $13,500 top money for Vale View Van Damme (P).
Upbeat at Eskdale
W
ITH almost twice as many registered
buyers as bulls offered, the inaugural Performance Plus Droughtmaster
bull and female sale at Eskdale was always
going to deliver a solid result.
Sale hosts Paul and Lisa Laycock of High
Country stud and Dave and Colleen Smith,
Vale View Droughtmasters, were delighted
with the overall result – bulls selling to
$13,500 and averaging $4500 while 16 heifers averaged $1613 and sold to $3000 on
three occasions.
Right from the kick off, the first bull
into the ring, Vale View Van Damme (P)
offered by Dave and Colleen Smith attracted
plenty of attention selling to a sale high of
$13,500 to Wayne, Jan, Clinton, Brett and
Glen Paulger, Parklands Droughtmasters,
Kenilworth. VV Van Damme (P) is a longbodied son of Vale View Oscar (P).
T
HE END result
of the 13th
annual Monty
Atkinson Genetics
Drought- master Sale
(MAGS) held at the
Dalry mple Saleyards,
Charters Towers, surpassed expectations,
considering many
predicted that selling
would be even tougher than in 2013
after another year
with little rain.
A total of 53 registered bulls sold to
a top of $7500 for a
$4123 per head average, while the 11
Sue and Harry Shann, Suttor Grazing, Myall Springs, Collinsville, purchased the equal top-priced
herd bulls sold also bull of the 2014 MAGS sale Lamont 554 (P) for $7500.
topped at $7500
with a $4091 aversale in comparison to the previous year, those
age.
that did attend were very active with several
Overall 64 bulls sold to average $4117 with a bidders taking home some sizeable drafts.
91 per cent clearance.
The sale peaked at $7500 three times with
Even though buyer numbers were down at the the same vendor and buyer combination.
BRYVONLEA DROUGHTMASTERS
By Heck They're Good!
Happy Christmas
Thank you Everyone
for your valued support in 2014
and we wish you the best of seasons for 2015
100% clearance at the 2014 sales
with a $7000 average at the DN. Sale
Special thanks to buyers and underbidders
Hamadra purchased Lot 153 for $17000
Huntly took home Option One for $15000
SKYE WILFRED
Powerful, young, sire carrying with ease at 21 mths
854kgs, EMA 138, Scans 8/6, Scrotal 43 cm Export
Semen available. POA
Brian, Yvonne & Joshua Heck, Glastonbury Creek
Ph: (07) 5484 9183 Mob: 0409 732 676 (Josh)
Web: www.bryvonleadroughtmasters.com
AW1545906
906
Stockfeeds, murgon (07) 4168 2555
Proud Supplier of
“Cost Effective Performance Feeds”
Beef
2015
gets ever
closer
D
ROUGHTMASTER is ready for Beef 2015.
The Droughtmaster breed will again
stage a major display at the triennial Beef
Expo in Rockhampton in May.
The internationally recognised cattle expo is
one of the best opportunities to showcase the
Droughtmaster product to cattlemen and women
throughout the world.
The last expo in 2012 was certainly one to
remember, with Droughtmasters dominating the
commercial and stud beef arenas.
Droughtmaster beef producers Ken and Kerry
McKenzie, Yaralla, Blackwater, won the double
of most successful exhibitor and grand champion
pen in the Beef Australia 2012 Ruralco CRT
Penelope Wensley (right), then Queensland governor, presented the Beef
2012 grand champion pen trophy to Ken and Kerry McKenzie, Yaralla
Droughtmasters, Blackwater.
Commercial Cattle Championships for the third
time.
The McKenzies won five of the 13 classes,
while Droughtmaster or Droughtmaster-cross
cattle won seven of the 13 classes.
Beef 2012 was also the year a Prince became
a king. Glenlands Prince, from the Childs family’s stud at Bouldercombe, was crowned grand
champion interbreed bull on the assessment of
an international panel of three judges.
The double-headed win for commercial and
stud was a first for any breed and in our 50th
year, a great way to cap off the significant milestone as a stand-alone breed society.
It’s hot work getting around Beef, which is
why the Droughtmaster Society will continue its
hospitality tradition in May with a large, cool
area with comfortable chairs and complimentary
refreshments for all visitors.
Glenlands Droughtmasters became the
new royalty of the tropical breed world
after star performer Glenlands Prince was
anointed grand champion interbreed bull at
Beef Australia 2012. Glenlands exhibitor
Jason Childs, Bouldercombe, couldn’t hide
his elation.
The “serious stuff” will be on at centre ring
and at CQLX Gracemere with the stud cattle
judging and commercial cattle championships.
Droughtmasters have always done well at these
competitions and 2015 promises to be no different with a multitude of animals being prepared.
While Droughtmasters have won five of the
last eight commercial cattle championships, there
is always very strong competition for the
title and 2015 will be no different.
NQ SALE RESCHEDULED
DROUGHT has forced the postponement of the
NQ Droughtmaster Sale to February 9. The
sale of 75 bulls (20 registered bulls and 55
herd bulls) will start at 10am at Dalrymple
Saleyards, Charters Towers.
RIGHT: Joshua Heck,
Bryvonlea JBH,
Glastonbury, at the
Droughtmaster
National Bull Sale in
September.
Josh Heck rising star
I
T’S been an exciting year for rising
Droughtmaster beef producer and auctioneer
Joshua Heck.
In August, Mr Heck won the ALPA Queensland
Young Auctioneers competition at the Royal
Queensland Show and went on to sell cattle at
the Droughtmaster National Bull Sale in
September.
He currently works as an auctioneer for Savage
Barker & Backhouse, Rockhampton, and sells
cattle each week at the Gracemere Saleyards for
clients stretching from Rockhampton to
Marlborough, west to Emerald and south down
to Gin Gin.
“I’ve just been settling in here in Rockhampton
in my new role with SBB,” he said.
“I started here just before the competition and
I’ve just been busy getting to know people and
to get around the place.”
Mr Heck said he saw himself staying in
Rockhampton with SBB for the long-term and
was enjoying the positive work environment and
learning from other experienced staff members.
He is also actively involved in Bryvonlea
Droughtmasters, Glastonbury, Gympie, the stud
his parent’s Brian and Yvonne established in 1998.
“It’s a family run operation; my two sisters and
I chip in and try to forge a way forward for the
stud.” –Story: MELODY LABINSKY. Picture: SARAH
COULTON.
Emma Warne: Champion stud beef parader
I
NJUNE’S Emma Warne has enjoyed huge
success on the stud parading circuit, winning
her local fixture at Emerald before taking out
the Queensland State Parading Championship
representing Central Highlands in 2013.
Her next step was this year’s national finals,
held during the Ekka, with all Australian states
and New Zealand represented.
This year the chosen cattle were Droughtmasters. All competitors had one hour before
being judged to prepare and bond with their
young bull.
“I am so proud to have represented
Queensland and succeeded in coming runner
up in the national finals,” Emma said.
Tasmania won the event with South Australia
third.
RIGHT: Emma Warne, centre, after being awarded the
2nd place in National Paraders Championship in August.
Show passion starts young
N
INE-YEAR-OLD Chloe Davey is a young
enthusiastic Droughtmaster breeder.
Chloe’s parents own and operate Lonemark Droughtmasters which is located near
Emerald in central Queensland.
Chloe’s passion for the Droughtmasters breed
comes from her dedicated parents Mark and
Leonie who have guided Chloe in the breeding
and care of their stud and commercial cattle.
Chloe started her own stud in 2013 –
Lonemark CD – and purchased her first female
at the 2013 CQ Spring Female Droughtmaster
Classic Sale. She would like to purchase more
in the future to further improve her herd.
Chloe’s showing career started in 2012 at the
Emerald show when she paraded her first animal
and helped Hamadra Droughtmasters prepare
their cattle on show day. Since then, Chloe has
come along in leaps and bounds and is coming
away with ribbons for her efforts.
After attending the Springsure Cattle Camp
earlier this year she started not just parading
cattle but also is excelling in junior judging.
Chloe impressed so much by learning a lot and
helping out that she won the ‘most improved’
trophy at the cattle camp.
Chloe should be commended for all the effort
and hard work that she has put in to further her
knowledge and skills.
–Story by Kerri McKenzie, Hamadra Droughtmasters.
Chloe’ show results for 2014:
● Capella Show: Under 13 Junior Judging 1st
● Under 13 Junior Parading 3rd
● Springsure Show: Under 13 Junior Judging 3rd
●
●
●
Under 13 Junior Parading 3rd
Emerald Show: Under 13 Junior Judging 2nd
Under 13 Junior Parading 2nd
Jarrad’s stud numbers on the up and up
Cliff Mylrea and Sasha Smith, Needmor
Droughtmasters, Gogango, with Needmor Axel,
which sold for $10,000 to Jarrod Thompson,
R and RJ Droughtmasters, Farleigh near Mackay.
A
T 11 years of age, Jarrad Thompson of R
& R J Droughtmasters, Mackay, is fulfilling his dreams by increasing his stud
numbers.
This year he purchased his first bull,
Needmor Axel, at the DN. Sale.
Jarrad started his stud in 2012 with females
purchased from Lonemark, Fernleigh and
Mungalla studs.
Jarrad enjoys showing cattle at the local
shows, Finch Hatton, Mackay, Proserpine and
Sarina.
He attended the Springsure Cattle Camp
earlier this year for more guidance in cattle
handling, junior judging and parading.
Jarrad received some sound advice from a
lot of experienced people in the cattle industry,
which he says he will use in the future.
He also won the Stockman’s trophy for all the
hard work he put into learning, taking part and
helping others out.
Naturally, Jarrad’s parents Robert and
Rosemarie Thompson, R & R Stud, are very
proud and know Jarrad is one of many enthusiastic good young members in the Droughtmaster
Society.
Jarrad is hoping that one day he will be selling his own bulls at the DN. Sale. He attends the
sale every year with his parents and is always
helping them and others.
Beenleigh High vet coordinator and feedlot QA manager Neville Moore, student Jasmin Dewey with heifer Beenleigh High Neyvette, Logan city councillor Jennie Green, Education Minister John
Paul Langbroek, State MP Michael Latter, Annette Moratti with bull Beenleigh High Noorlam Rock and Beenleigh High head of agriculture Robert Nowlan. – Picture: RODNEY GREEN.
Full marks to Beenleigh
cattle school
By KATE STARK
We run ‘Show Team’
alongside the other
agri-programs and
it’s especially for
kids who are lacking
in confidence.
S
TUDENTS at Beenleigh State High School
are becoming champions of agriculture
through a unique on-farm learning scheme.
One of the largest secondary agricultural
departments in Queensland has battled through
ongoing drought and is continuing to encourage
students to pursue a career in the industry.
Beenleigh’s Rob Nowlan began working with
students at the school in 2011 before becoming
head of the department and says he loves the
opportunity to teach children something they
may never have otherwise had the opportunity
to learn, even in the hard times.
“It’s tough at the moment, really tough, and
it makes it difficult when you’re trying to run an
educational program and you’re struggling to
break even with it,” Mr Nowlan said.
“We realise that many cattle breeders are in
dire straits through this drought and we too have
been affected. We had to sell half of our herd.
I just didn’t have any feed and the bulls were
starting to go backwards, so we ended up selling
five cows and five bulls.”
Mr Nowlan said the Beenleigh show team faced
the challenges head-on by maintaining the
remaining herd and cleaning up the competition
on the local circuit.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford to get the
‘Show Team’ to Ekka for the last couple of years
but we did exceptionally well at the local shows.
“The kids absolutely loved the experience and
we got champion with our bulls and cows at
Ispwich, Mudgeraba, Beenleigh shows.”
‘Show Team’ is an ongoing program which has
split farms across 5 hectares at the school and a
further 20ha up the road near Yatala, with Mr
Nowlan overseeing preparation and maintenance
of the show cattle.
“We run ‘Show Team’ alongside the other agriprograms and it’s especially for kids who are
lacking in confidence,” Mr Nowlan said.
“It’s great for building their confidence and
public speaking ability and our end goal is to get
them into the agricultural industry.
“We’re trying to get them confident enough
to pursue that and hopefully they’ll head out to
UQ Gatton when they finish here.”
He said the students were always excited to
be involved, with many choosing to take part in
‘Show Team’ instead of weekly sporting activities.
“The senior students are in charge of the
Droughtmaster cattle and they all have a beast
to look after throughout the year.
“They’ll spend time with it every day; leading
it and feeding and cleaning it down and making
sure it’s fine and ready for the show ring.”
Continuing to create a sustainable and viable
program for current and future students is at the
heart of Mr Nowlan’s efforts.
“It’s the most important thing. We have to
work out how we’re feeding the cattle and make
sure it’s done properly and can get them into
proper show condition.
“The cost of things is becoming greater and
greater and as we go more towards an urban
environment, we’re getting more and more city
people who don’t know a lot about it, so it’s
harder to get support.”
Mr Nowlan is now feeding the cattle on hay
and a TNT grain mix, while recently beginning
a new artificial breeding program.
“We selected two donor cows, which were
artificially inseminated on October 22 and 31
with our 10 recipients implanted with fertilised
embryos with the newborn calves due in
September 2015.
“”We’ve bred to make sure we’ve got all our
conformity issues out of the road, especially with
embryo transfer, and once they drop they’ll be
added into our BHQ Droughtmaster Beef Stud.”
Mr Nowlan said he had chosen high-quality
Cedar View donor bulls to produce the embryos,
half of which were inseminated, with the remainder placed in storage.
“Hopefully they’ll be born when the kids are
here and not on holidays so they can have that
experience.”
Mr Nowlan said the next step for the students
was to prepare the Beenleigh bulls for Beef
2015.
H
IV A N O E
BARWONGA
DROUGHTMASTERS
Droughtmasters No. 307
808 Oakey Creek Road
Piallaway, NSW 2342
Property Inspections Invited
Mob 0448 679 697
E: [email protected]
Ph/Fax (02) 6744 5289
GRANDVIEW
MANCHESTER
Lorandale
Droughtmasters
DROUGHTMASTERS
DROUGHTMASTERS
BOONAH
Registered Stud No. 1024
Performance Under
Pressure Without
Chemicals
Quality Droughtmasters exhibiting:
• Size • Muscling
• Temperament • Fertility
Dale & Lee Smith
Lot 2 Boyle Road
Belli Park Qld
Phone (07) 5447 9395
Mobile 0409 631 523
Fax (07) 5447 9265
[email protected]
No Dip Spray or Drench since 1985
Think how much money we’ve saved!
1643170
Allen Walker
Kilcoy and Tansey
Ph/Fax: (07) 5498 1053
Mobile 0411 725 030
Contact: Ken Shaw
(07) 5447 7233
Mob: 0407 137 571
1642857
Inquiries:
1642898
Quiet Quality Stud and
Commercial Cattle for Sale
For Temperament,
Fertility & Growth
Wee Waa NSW 2388
Hugh Faris
Phone: (02) 6795 6149
Mob: 0428 956 149
[email protected]
Top
quality
& sound
genetics
Greg & Dianne Anderson
Inquiries welcome
Ph: (07) 5463 4328
0429 440 886
1642885
Inquiries welcome to
Neil and Margaret Warne
Ph: (02) 6663 7094
Mob: 0400 426 232
1643202
1642873
‘HEITIKI’ DELUNGRA
(02) 6724 8225
(02) 6724 8362
1642869
BREEDING FOR
PERFORMANCE
AND FERTILITY
Stud No. 1095
Brett and Gordon Weick
1642876
Cedardale
DROUGHTMASTERS
“THE PRIME REPRODUCER”
J.S., M.A. & T.S. LLOYD
AW1525770
BREEDERS BULLETIN BOARD
REDWING
Stud No. 1269
Contact:
Kylie Graham
“Farnham”
Taroom, Qld 4420
Ph: (07) 4627 8145
Mob: 0409 040 030
ADELE JONES
117 GREENMOUNT NOBBY RD,
GREENMOUNT, Q 4359 VIA TOOWOOMBA
Inquiries Welcome
Droughtmaster Stud
Contact: Dal & Greg Kroll, “Dalmane”,
MS 423, Chinchilla
Phone/Fax (07) 4665 4150
1442271
Charm Ryrie
Pittsworth Qld
Ph (07) 4693 3651
Mob 0409 729 355
www.wirrigai.droughtmasters.com.au
No. 1524
Y07
Inquiries Welcome
DAVID & ROBYN McCABE
Mobile 0427 658 153
A/h: (07) 4665 8153
1642891
1642877
1508822
1642845
QUALITY NOT
QUANTITY
www.redwing.net.au
EDDINGTON
DROUGHTMASTER
FERTILITY
TEMPERAMENT
BRED TO
BREED!
“THE BODY BUILDERS”
AW1525741
BRAND
STUD 1098
STUD 1198
$150 inc GST for 3 editions
February – August – December
DEVELOPED IN AUSTRALIA
FOR
AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS
Condamine
Droughtmasters
DROUGHTMASTERS
Get in early
Advertise your
droughtmaster stud for 2015
STUD No
408
RRIGAI
WI ZCZ
BULLETIN BOARD
Phone Margaret (07) 3826 8282
www.oakmorepark
droughtmasters.com.au
Inquiries
Ken & Kathy or Jim & Amelia Stower
Ph: (07) 4695 4145
Fax: (07) 4695 4180 Mobile 0427 154 323
MS 1231 Millmerran, Qld 4357
{
BREEDERS
Chinchilla
• Docility
• Fertility
• Adaptability
Greg & Sharon Harms
Greenmount, Qld
Ph: (07) 4697 1007
Mobile: 0413 583 084
1642832
www.wingstar.com.au
1642889
Scott & Tracy Sewell
Phone (07) 4654 5107
Ph: (07) 4697 1257
BREFFNI
Droughtmasters
Stud # 1107 S.M. Harms & Sons Brand 4DI
Our genetics fatten
off grass efficiently
1642863
Nick and Sarah Hughes
Farogan Road
Upper Kandanga 4570 QLD
Ph (07) 5488 4352
0400 709 124
www.farogan.net
JULIA CREEK
BULLS
AVAILABLE
& ACCREDITED
FEMALES
ALL ENQUIRIES WELCOME
ED.
Contact: Anthony Anderson
(07) 4746 7221
Mob: 0458 467 221
1642875
John, Carli or Don McConnel
Mt Brisbane
Phone (07) 5426 0169
ESK Qld 4312
Don (07) 5426 0285
Farogan Valley
Droughtmasters
Bred for Docility
with Quality
you can Trust
1642859
1642865
www.mtbrisbane.com.au
facebook.com/mtbrisbane
Brand with a history...
Cattle with a future
1642872
ANCHORED
ON QUALITY
sters
Droughtma
A SNAPSHOT OF
SPERM MORPHOLOGY
Morphology (anatomy)
of the sperm has been
shown to be one of the most
important indicators of
fertility in the bull
and a very useful selection
tool for improving herd
fertility. Australian
Cattle Veterinarians
bull sub-committee
chairwoman TRACY
SULLIVAN explains some of
the technicalities in a special
Digest feature.
▲
Healthy sperm. A close-up of the sort
of firepower your bulls will need to
have their best shot at success.
AW1442008
BREEDERS BULLETIN BOARD
A continuing tradition of
consistent quality
Estab. 1962
PO Box 7, “The Valley”, Blackbutt, Qld 4306
P/F (07) 4163 0103
Droughtmaster Stud
TRUVALLE
STUD No 22
2DP
>P.
PURNELL FAMILY
ROCKHAMPTON
We welcomed a new sire,
Glenlands D Roebuck in 2013
Visitors and inquiries welcome
Ph: (07) 4927 1104
Fax: (07) 4927 1166
Michael 0429 815 074
p 07 4983 5246
m 0407 835 246
1642867
THE HOME OF
DROUGHTMASTERS
Stud No. 963
Mac & Gayle Shann
‘Cantaur Park’
Clermont Qld 4721
www.truvalle.com.au
1642829
Roger Webber & Family
81 William Webber Road,
Cloyna, Qld 4605
P (07) 4168 6137
M 0477 274 432
E [email protected]
L AM O NT DRO UG HTM ASTE R STUD
www.cantaurpark.com.au
1642870
MARGARET C WILSON
[email protected]
1642823
VALLEY
Droughtmaster Stud No. 31
1642884
Contact Hugh & Sherri Philp
“Wyena” Clermont QLD
(07) 4983 5022
Hugh – 0428 494 177
Sherri – 0428 835 577
[email protected]
Ph/Fax: (07) 4956 5833
Mobile: 0402 009 337
151 Upper Alligator Creek Rd,
Sarina, Qld 4737
Email: shardaledroughties @
bigpond.com
“A mountain
of beef...”
1642883
STUD & COMMERCIAL CATTLE
“THEY WORK FOR YOU”
genetics suit requirements
for all markets
Stud 23
Try a KM DROUGHTMASTER
for extra GROWTH
Sam and Jane Barton Clermont
(07) 4985 6104 or 0428 856 104
Ken & Cindy Muller & Family
800 Valentine Plains Rd, Biloela
Ph: (07) 4992 2512
Mob: 0408 922 512
1642862
STUD 1136
Graeme & Cathy
Westhead
S
1642844
ZD1
Morphology
matters
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Tracy Sullivan
S
PERM morphology refers to the shape, size
and structure of the sperm. Sperm quantities and its ability to move forward and
reach the egg (motility) is assessed crush-side by
the vet at the time of a bull test.
A sample of the semen is placed into a small
vial of preservative which kills, preserves and
dilutes the sperm and other cells.
The sample is later examined for morphology
using a much higher power specialised microscope in a laboratory.
The sperm are counted and 100 sperm are
classed as either normal or abnormal, with the
abnormal sperm being categorised into differing
abnormalities.
Sperm morphology is important
Morphology results can predict the sperm’s
ability to get a calf from the egg, and importantly,
can pick up defects which may initially start to
fertilise the egg but then fail to result in an ongoing pregnancy.
Normal morphology has been demonstrated
to be heritable, relatively repeatable (doesn’t
change much year to year), can be used to predict
the number of calves the bull can produce and
can even predict the fertility of his male and
female offspring.
The heifer’s age at puberty and her time
between calving and cycling again can also be
influenced by the morphology of her sire.
The selection of bulls with high normal sperm
morphology counts results in increased calving
rates, tighter calving periods, fewer empty cows,
increased weaning weights and faster rates of
genetic gain. The stocking rate of bulls to females
may also be lowered.
Bulls which do not qualify by morphology
standards may still result in a large number of
calves on the ground, but these calves may have
come at a high cost.
There may be an unacceptably high rate of
empty or dry cows, and the cows may have lost
one or two embryos during the mating season
prior to maintaining pregnancy.
The delays in achieving pregnancy result in
smaller calves at weaning, and increased pressure
on the cow to achieve pregnancy the following
year as she has a shorter recovery time post calving.
Variations in morphology results
Semen is sensitive to extreme temperatures,
stress and diet, so morphology results can also
reflect recent illnesses, transport stress, lameness
Abnormal sperm through the lens of a microscope.
Morphology results
can predict the
sperm’s ability to get
a calf from the egg,
and importantly, can
pick up defects.
and high-grain diets, all of which may have
temporary or permanent effects on fertility.
As a result, repeat tests may be required on
bulls with defects on the initial exam.
Some bulls are more sensitive to these stressors
than others and their morphology and fertility
can be affected more easily than others in the
same mob exposed to the same stressors.
Overall, morphology in mature bulls is largely
repeatable, so most bulls will have similar results
on repeat examinations.
Variations in results due to poor semen collection and handling are extremely rare and
identifiable.
VBBSE accredited veterinarians are trained to
avoid these complications.
Young bulls
Young bulls may occasionally have defective
sperm, which reflect their sexual immaturity.
In this case, the defective sperm count often
progress to become normal as the bull matures
sexually.
Part of the testicle responsible for making
important changes to the sperm necessary for
fertilisation, may not mature to function effectively until some bulls are 15 months old.
When it is not yet functioning normally,
proximal droplets and other defects are seen on
the sperm.
Sperm with these droplets fail to bind to the
egg and when numbers of droplets are high,
the normal sperm (without droplets) also fail to
bind to the egg.
These defects should be diminished by 18
months of age or may reflect a slower maturing
bull or another reason that their testicles aren’t
functioning properly.
Bulls which are sexually mature at a younger
age are more profitable. They are useable earlier
and their male and female offspring mature
younger, increasing production rates.
Benefits from morphology testing
Only purchase bulls that have passed a morphology test.
Ask to see the actual morphology test results
and select bulls with higher percentage normal.
Bulls which fail to be saleable at the morphology stage are an expense to the breeder.
However, the benefits of this step to the purchaser are considerable for their production and
herd fertility.
Breeders selling morphology-tested bulls
should be proud of their high standards which
will be reflected in the long-term quality of their
product and in their reputation.
● Tracy Sullivan, BSc (Vet) BVMS MVS PhD CMAVA, Australian
Veterinary Semen Morphology (AVetSM), chairs the
Australian Cattle Veterinarians bull sub-committee.
To view full catalogue visit
rsvpdroughtmaster.com.au
Billabong Armstrong
OUT NOW!
$
55
Talgai Chico
Sylvan Springs Escapade
incl. GST
$
$
55
incl. GST
1
straw
+
1
rego
44
incl. GST
Minimum orders $330 including GST. Mixed orders welcome. Minimum order of 10 straws.
However, lots may me mixed. Each straw comes with one registration unless otherwise stated.
Free delivery on orders over $1000. Valid until 30 June 2015. $30 handling fee per invoice below
$1650 including GST. Credit card and direct deposit accepted: Visa, MasterCard and direct deposit
no fee. American Express 2%.
Enquiries
Steven Pickering
0419 730 836
Graham Brown
07 4168 6249

breeders - Droughtmaster

Transcription

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