Breeding Program

We target these six key breeding objectives as they lead to the most profitable cattle on a per hectare basis in the high rainfall zone of South West Victoria

  • Live calves born every year, and high percentage of herd females achieving pregnancy

  • Heifers calving unassisted at 2 years old, with minimal supplementary feeding

  • Quiet cattle for safety and ease of management

  • Moderate frame size and high growth leading to increased turnoff of beef per hectare

  • Selected for sound feet and phenotype to ensure stayability

  • Active selection for high EMA and IMF to ensure consumer satisfaction

Genetic position 2023 born calves

Breeding Philosophy

The herd has been spring calving over its 28-year history, with an Artificial Insemination (Al) program run every year facilitating the introduction of new genetics. Genomic testing on every live-born calf was implemented from 2017. Al pedigrees are run through the Angus Mating Predictor to minimise inbreeding and maximise genetic gain. We then selectively harvest embryos from our best performing females to be placed into the recipient herd. In order to qualify for the Embryo Transfer (ET) program, each cow must have calved unassisted as a two year old and rebred again as a three-year old.

We actively select for high indexing cattle on the $A Angus Breeding Index, and target the production of sale bulls in the highest percentiles of this breeding index.

Performance Recording

We complete entire performance recording for all animals, with the following data collected in the calves:

• Genomics via TSU in ear at birth

• Dam DI and calving data (assisted/unassisted)

• Birthweight, 200 day weight, 400 day weight

• EMA, IMF and fat scans

• Foot scores and docility

The cows are recorded (as a calf) and then the following data is

collected annually:

• Mature Cow Weight, Hip Height

• Mature Cow Body Condition Score

• Foot scores of mature cows every third year

Herd Health

Bulls are treated with the following prior to sale: Drench, Vibriovac, Pestivirus and 7 in 1.

All bulls have been checked for breeding soundness by Nationwide AB and certificates can be provided upon request.

Extensive testing for the known genetic recessive conditions has been completed over the last 4 years. The sale bulls are all free from genetic recessive conditions.

Scanning and foot scoring is completed by Liam Cardile from Beef Excel to ensure accurate, high quality, independent data

All collected data is entered into the TACE Angus Australia Analysis to aid in EBV accuracy