Geekay/Magnus Blonde d’Aquitaine and Angus:
Grant and Tamara Phillips were busy showing off both their Geekay Blonde d’Aquitaine and Magnus Angus bulls. They were joined by commercial producers Anthony and Robyn McNamara from their nearby property at Poowong North. An 16-month-old Angus bull on display had courted interest recently, and the Phillips’ were looking forward to next month’s drop of Angus calves at their Neerim Junction property.
BJ’s Stud Cattle Red Angus:
Ben Fraser (right) is optimistic that Red Angus cattle will play an important role on the beef scene in Gippsland in the future, and was showing off a range of heifers, cows and calves and bulls at the field day. His 50-head breeding herd has been going since 2008, and he’s enjoying a steady increase in the quality of his cattle. Confirmation is his primary selection tool, and return clients Ken Cody and Deb Vickers, Binginwarri, were enjoying what was on show at the Lillico property.
Sharoy Park Limousins:
Sharoy Park had near-panoramic views of 130 of their Limousins on show for their visitors.
Their herd is 90 per cent apricot in colour, and they are breeding a range of pure French blood and polled Limousins, with the intersection of the two traits being highly valued by the stud.
Calm temperament is a must for bulls, and Troy, 10, was having no trouble getting near the pure French-blood Kenda.
Principals Liz and Alan said they have consistently sold out of bulls in recent years, and are thinking about expanding in the future.
Bootehill Red Angus:
Temperament is what drew Bob Boote to the Red Angus breed, and the calmer his cattle are the better.
He runs one of the largest Red Angus operations in Victoria’s East, with 130 breeders on the Drouin South property.
This year’s sale bulls had a better run on feed than what than those of last year, and bumper beef prices were doing good things for business, he said.
Bob is pictured with grand daughters Sharni and Amy Bridge.
Pakenham Poll Herefords:
In their first Beef Week appearance since 1995, Pakenham Poll Herefords owners Kathy and Paul Weston didn’t have a chance to sit down all day.
After moving the stud to a new property at Tynong three years ago, they decided it was time to open the gates for the field day and catch up with people in the industry.
Their reserve champion senior bull from the Melbourne Royal was on display, along with a group of cows and calves and additional sale bulls.
Mt Ararat Simmental:
Mt Ararat principal John Leek was delighted to show of the Nar Nar Goon stud’s latest acquisition, Woonnallee Jestream.
The South Australian-bred Simmental bull had generated much enquiry from clients about next year’s sale team, Mr Leek said.
Commercial producers were interested in their fast maturity patterns and low birth weight of the Simmental breed, he said.
