OVER 45 years of specially selected Angus genetics will be on the market when the Forres Angus stud stages its complete female dispersal in May.
As the home to some of the Angus breed’s most prepotent cow families, the sale will offer a unique opportunity to acquire highly sought after genetics.
“It’s sad in a sense because of what we’ve put into the herd, but it gives other people the opportunity to benefit from some top genetics,” principal, Jon Erby, Dungog, said.
“I’m 73 next month, and I now realise it’s time to slow down.
“Our sons take a keen interest in the stud, but have their own careers to pursue, and we want to see more of our seven grandchildren, who all live in Sydney.”
Founded in Karara, Queensland, under the Warahgai prefix in 1965 – by David Raff, Drillham, Qld – the stud’s name was changed to Forres in 1974.
Mr Erby and his wife, Chris, bought the entire Forres herd in 1990 – together with the stud prefix – and moved it to “Wycombe Park”, where it is run today.
Stud manager, Brett Thomson, has been with the stud since its relocation.
“When I first bought the stud, I didn’t know much about running a property, much less breeding cattle,” Mr Erby said.
“Brett was working for Raff’s, and I asked him if he’d come work for us and stay with the cattle.
“We couldn’t have done it without him – he is without doubt one of the most knowledgable people in the cattle business.”
With the Forres herd came some famous cow families, including the Burnette, Doris, Ninah and Quail families.
“The best known foundation cow would have been Forres Burnette A22,” Mr Erby said.
“She was one of two really great cows when we bought the herd, along with her daughter, Forres Burnette C60.”
Following the purchase of the herd, a policy to secure elite females from the breed’s best performing families was implemented, to diversify and bolster the genetic pool of the herd.
Te Mania Jedda J49 was purchased in 1994, and Merrigrange Ester M232, with Ester R287 at foot, in 1996.
Waitara Tootsie T1, with a heifer calf by JLB Exacto, Waitara Ex Tootsie W25, was purchased in 2001, and these females were the foundation of the Royal-Line family.
Mr Erby said one of the most significant events was the purchase of stud sire, Ranui All Black, in 1991.
“We went to New Zealand and bought this bull calf – still on his mother – for $15,000,” he said.
“That had a two-fold effect, it gave Ranui stud a boost and All Black’s dam (Ranui 865) went on to become the NZ Cow of the Year – she continued to breed until she was 15 years old.
“And the bull had a big influence on our herd, he produced some wonderful females.”
The other great influence on the Forres herd has been Banquet Abode A005, which was purchased for the $20,000 top price at the 2007 Banquet sale in Mortlake, Victoria.
Daughters include Royal-Line D138, the cow in The Land’s giveaway competition, which has a bull calf at foot by Forres Benaud B1, the $20,000 highest-priced Forres bull.
Every registered Forres female will be up for grabs on May 5 and 6, along with three stud sires, including Banquet Abode A005, Kenny’s Creek Xpo C234 and the young home-bred bull, Forres Highmark D76.
The sires of the females on offer read like a “who’s who” of the Angus breed, according to Mr Erby.
These include Baldridge Nebraska, BT Ultravox 297E, Vermilion Yellowstone, B/R New Design 036, CA Future Direction, TC Stockman 2164, PARB Design Plus 97, Ardrossan Admiral A2 and Papa Equator.
The spring calving females have been joined to sires including Te Mania Africa A217, Hoover Dam, Ardrossan Equator A241 and the Canadian National champion, HF Tiger 5T, while the autumn calving females will sell with calves at foot.
In addition to live lots, 240 embryos and 12 semen lots will also be on offer.
Inspections will be on Wednesday, May 4, from 1pm to 5pm, with private inspections welcome by appointment.
* Contact Jon and Chris Erby, (0407) 232 448, or Brett Thomson, (0408) 688 482, or view the catalogue and videos online at www.forresangus.com
