PRODUCING cattle with a commercial focus is top priority for Tarcombe Herefords, as the family operation based at Ruffy, begins preparation to market seven of their quality bulls at the 51st Wodonga Hereford National Show and Sale.
Running 150 commercial cows, Tim Hayes of Tarcombe Herefords will artificially inseminate (AI) 120 cows in June.
To meet buyer demand, they will then be commercially marketed to both grass-fed and and grain-fed markets.
Mr Hayes said in an industry that changes rapidly, he focuses on breeding cattle to suit most markets within the commercial industry, to maximise profit and success.
"We are looking for specific traits that are essential to our breeding program; we look for easy calving, fast early growth, fertility, carcass weight, high muscle and high intra-muscular fat," Mr Hayes said.
"Our bulls are selected on estimated breeding values and a sound structure," he said.
Tarcombe will market six Poll Hereford bulls and one horned bull at the 2016 sale, after finding the buyer demand for poll bulls has increased.
“Traditionally we have sent more horned bulls but their popularity has changed in recent years,” Mr Hayes said.
“We have sold bulls at Wodonga for a long time and we have always used the sale as chance to get our name out there,” he said.
The Tarcombe Herefords operation is somewhat unique in the cattle industry, as for the past six years, they have been involved in the Herefords Australia Progeny Test Project, which is a large scale sire progeny testing program.
It involves around 15 young Hereford bulls of high genetic merit being progeny tested each year in co-operator herds.
"I don’t specifically keep a bull for joining anymore because I know I have AI calves coming through; we may only get 20 calves from the bull, so this has made a big impact on the way I run the commercial side of our business," he said.
Saying his cattle genetics have improved since beginning the program, Mr Hayes said his overall herd quality has also increased dramatically.
“There are no doubt huge advantages having access to such high quality bulls and it’s definitely contributed to advancing my education; it’s also helping stabilise the breed’s future success.”
Once AI has taken place in the first week of June, a bull from the Tarcombe Herefords stud will then be introduced to combat any low conception rate.
“You don’t get a 100 percent (pc) conception rate; you might get 50-60 pc on the first cycle and then maybe the same on the second cycle, so I put the bull in to make up the extra, so you are looking at a 90-100 pc success rate instead,” Mr Hayes said.
The multi-operational property follows an autumn breeding program as it matches and enhances their overall management plan, which also involves a self replacing merino flock of 2500 ewes, plus 2000 young sheep.
“It's all about balancing time with other operations to allow the most success for all of them," he said.
The strong commercial herd at Ruffy receive optimal nutrition from a Perennial pastures, cocksford and phalaris.
Growing his own hay and capitalising on silage, Mr Hayes said the breed are great feed converters.
"Hereford cattle have a big advantage over most breeds that they do well in a range of environments; this could be hot or cold climates, dry or wet, they have great temperament and good weight for age which is increased with the nutrition plan we followed.”