Irrigation has helped leading east Gippsland stud, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, get through several dry seasons – so too have their Hereford and Poll Hereford genetics.
Three failed springs prompted the Sykes family to put 80 hectares of the property, near Sale, under pivots.
They have also used agistment and leased blocks in nearby pockets of higher rainfall, which stud principals, Peter and Deanne Sykes, said has been a decision that has paid dividends.
Mr Sykes said the irrigation program had allowed the property to grow annual ryegrass, clover, lucerne and, more recently, sorghum.
“At least we can cut some silage and hay, and with the cost of fodder this year, it all helps,” Mr Sykes said.
She said it was also important to have good pasture management in order to make the most of the rain the property received.
“while the bulls are the priority, the breeding herd has to be maintained,” Ms Sykes said.
As part of this year’s draft, Mawarra would be offering bulls from New Zealand sire Koanui Techno, while the first draft of Mawarra Daybreak sons were also on the ground.
“His calves are really, really exciting,” Ms Sykes said.
Daybreak was sired by another new Zealand bull, Pourakino Downs Jasper – regarded as one of the best horned Herefords in that country.
In 2016, three Jasper sons were part of Mawarra’s Hereford National Show and Sale team, at Wodonga, with Daybreak selling for $20,000 to the Ironbark stud, Barraba, NSW.
“The thing that’s fundamental in our herd is having a very consistent line of breeding cows,” Ms Sykes said.
Other bloodlines, represented in this year’s sale catalogue, including Mustang and Aftershock, whose genetics had been sold internationally.
Ms Sykes said each year, Mawarra aimed to present a draft of up to 80 even bulls.
“We might have 20 sires represented, but the evenness comes from the female herd and the ability to have a consistent, performing line of cows,” she said.
“A lot of our clients sell cattle at the weaner sales, so they are looking for good muscling, easy doing and the ability to have the carcase they need.
“The same goes for backgrounders, who then purchase those calves.”
Clients looking for replacement females were seeking fertility, milking ability and easy calving.
“We are working all the time to make sure we produce a line of bulls, which come up with those things, whether it is for replacement females, steers, or to grow stock out as bullocks.”
Ms Sykes said 95 per cent of bulls went into commercial herds.
“That’s our main focus so that feedback and engagement are important and it's very easy in a digital space,” she said.
Son Brandon ran a photography and video business, BJS Livestock Photography, which had added another dimension to Mawarra’s marketing strategy.
“It’s a great way for people to be able to assess the livestock,” she said.
“A lot of clients would prefer to come still and look at the animals, but the videos allow them to do a much more detailed assessment in their own home,” she said.
“We analyse the bloodlines and make sure we are hitting the specifications the clients need.
“Intramuscular fat is one thing a lot of people talk a lot about, and we focus very heavily on trying to achieve that, to make sure we have that ‘doing’ ability in our cattle.”
Husband Peter is also across market demands, focusing heavily on making sure Mawarra remained relevant and progressive, focusing on emerging genetic needs in the coming years.
“We are already thinking about the genetics we are going to be offering in two years, for joining the cows,” he said.
“It’s a continual search, and we put a lot of research into identifying sires, from all over the globe, which can achieve what we are looking for.”
While Mawarra attracts a very loyal client base from Gippsland, it is growing with new interest and includes clients in all states across Australia.
“We focus on offering a broad range of genetics to our clients,” Ms Sykes said.
“We know there are different markets and are very keen to have something at our farm gate, which can match whatever they are seeking.”
Ms Sykes said she was not an advocate of breed against breed.
“I think there are good cattle across all breeds. Each breed has traits that are important for the industry and it’s a case of focusing on that, rather than the color of the coat,” she said.