It's a win-win scenario for seller and buyer as these two cattle operations develop a continuing relationship.
In May this year Navarre livestock producers Brett and Babette Stewart, Wimmera Downs, secured the top two lines of heifers sold account Chas and Cass Kimpton, Toora West, Glenthompson at the Mortlake sale.
The Stewarts also bought the top lines of Toora West heifers at the corresponding sale the previous year, all part of a clear plan of growing them out and selling them as pregnancy-tested-in-calf at the annual Ballarat feature joined female sale.
In February this year the draft topped the joined heifer section at Ballarat and won best presented pen of heifers at the sale and were described as "beautifully presented".
Wimmera Downs sold 105 Angus, September/October 2016 drop, heifers with the tops selling for $2180 for 24 while the seconds of 21 sold for $2120.
The Stewarts were back at Mortlake in May this year and bought 109 Toora West blood heifers for between 331 and 338c/kg or $1287 to $1360 a head.
Chas Kimpton said as their cattle numbers had built up they had heifers they could sell, aiming to market them as a feature line.
"We want to sell them in May so breeders can join them from June," he said.
The Kimptons generally buy one or two bulls at the Banquet sale each year and paid $40,000 this year for a bull.
Mr Kimpton said the couple "make a habit" of speaking with the buyers of their cattle, whether they be steers going to feedlots or heifers going to breeders.
"We met the Stewarts for the first time last year. I was blown away by how they presented at Ballarat. Brett and his family did a fantastic job and we were thrilled for their success," Mr Kimpton said.
"We are a low input operation. We don't do things because they are fashionable, but we have fun doing what we do and improving our cattle.
"We aim to keep inputs down and produce a good article," Mr Kimpton said.
Brett Stewart said his aim was to buy quality bred stock and join them for sale.
"It helps to get to know the breeder and how the cattle have been raised," he said.
The PTIC heifers sold in February were about 650 kilograms and joined for an eight-week calving from March on.
He said the heifers were run as a separate mob and grazed on pasture with some hay when feed was short.
"We sow down a mix of pasture seed that includes lucerne, clovers, ryegrass, fescues and cocksfoot," he said.
"We make our own hay and buy in some vetch if needed from neighbors."
The Stewarts run their own cattle breeding enterprise as well as a significant Merino sheep operation.
