BUSINESS 65
THEWEEKLYTIMES.COM.AU WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7 2024
BULL BUYING GUIDE
AUTUMN
Mandayen
Herefords benefiting from super sires
FIONA MYERS
Days Landlord T064 fits the super sire program, designed to drive improve - ments in the rate of genetic progress in the breed across a balanced set of traits.
They are regarded as the elite of the whiteface breed, and the 44 bulls that have made it to the list are changing things up. That’s the view of Herefords Australia chief executive Michael Crowley, who says the organisation’s super sire program has driven the rate of genetic progress within the breed. The latest four bulls to meet the criteria are from a group of 90 from 13 stud herds and all are polled. They are: ● Days Landlord T064; ● Elite Q194 T058; ● Wirruna Smokin Joe S010; and ● Yavenvale Taylor Made T874. The super sire program is an initiative designed to drive improve- ments in the rate of genetic progress in the breed across a balanced set of traits for the benefit of both the seedstock and commercial beef producer. Mr Crowley said that for seedstock producers, the program set aspirational targets to deliver the greatest level of genetic progress within the breed. This ultimately lead to higher demand for genetically superior sires. “There has been a trend in recent times where super sires within on-farm property sales have topped those sales,” Mr Crowley said. “Super sires are in demand from other seedstock producers as well as commercial cattlemen.” And it’s not only stud breeders who
should be interested in the super sire list. “The program is targeted at driving the rate of genetic gain for the benefit of the commercial beef producer,” Mr Crowley said. “The outcomes that are being targeted include improving MSA index outcomes, improving carcass marbling, reducing cost of production, driving productivity and improving fertility within the herd. “Commercial producers are using this information to establish a clear breeding objective that leads them to target sires that have the genetic potential to deliver against that objective.” The 44 Herefords Australia super sires now on the list cover 17 studs. To be eligible to become a super sire, breeders must list their bulls
against a set of strict objective criteria by Herefords Australia. The eligible sires are then provided to the breeder in order for them to nominate which sire they wish to put forward. “It is up to the breeder to determine the sires suitability to be listed as a super sire once the objective criteria are met,” Mr Crowley said. “The owner needs to be able to stand behind the sire in terms of structure and type in addition to the genetic merit of the sire.” The studs involved can only nominate one sire for each round of the program. “For the most recent round, out of 90 eligible sires, four were nominated by the owners which demonstrates the selection pressure placed on the eligible animals,” he said.
Mandayen Limousin and Angus stud principal Damian Gommers.
mers also grow cereal crops on their 2400ha property, produc- ing all their own hay and silage as well as 80 per cent of the grain required for their small on-farm feedlot. The feedlot, based on the family’s Murray Bridge prop- erty, is used for commercial
cattle, supplying 2200 head a year to Woolworths weighing 550-600kg liveweight. “Our progeny that don’t make the grade and cull heifers go back through the feedlot and we sometimes get clients cattle back here too,” Damian said.
LANGI KAL KAL BULL SALE WEDNESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2024 @ 10:00 AM UP TO 45 APR REGISTERED 2022 SPRING DROP T BULLS SALE LOCATED AT CVLX REGIONAL EXCHANGE BALLARAT FREE DELIVERY OF BULLS WITHIN 150 KM
CHOICE OVER CHANCE
By way of innovation, leadership, passion, experience and continual improvement, Landfall Angus seeks to add value in every step of the beef supply chain. From quality genetic production through to the beef consumer experience, every decision is made with the consideration of a profitable, sustainable and rewarding industry for all stakeholders. It’s not by chance that we breed good bulls!
2024 AUTUMN BULL SALE
O ering 250 bulls
18th March 2024
On property, Launceston, Tasmania.
LOT 4 2024 BULL SALE
please contact us for more information:
Frank 0417 506 163 / Ed 0417 337 144 / frank@landfall.com.au
Inspection welcome by appointment. Kahn Jantzen on 0418 847 637
Selling Agent Nutrien Ballarat (03) 5334 1030 Xavier Shanahan 0418 971 940
WWW.LANDFALL.COM.AU
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