Producing cold-country cattle in a low-stress, conservative way has its rewards for the operators of the Looking Glass herd.
This year Brian Leahy and property owner, Cam Stewart, consigned the property's spring-drop steers and heifers to the Euroa Blue Ribbon weaner sale.
In all 136 mixed sex weaners, 9-10 months, averaged $1336 with the steer portion making a top of $1510, or 453 cent a kilogram.
However the highlight was the sale of 37 heifers that made $1290, or 476c/kg.
Looking Glass sits at the high point of an area bounded by Euroa to the north, Merton to the west, Yea in the south and Seymour in the west.
Mr Leahy said that at 700 metres elevation and cold winters at the Highlands district property was ideal for cattle breeding to produce weaners for sale in June.
He said the herd started off with Witherswood cows joined to Witherswood bulls.
Bulls were introduced from Welcome Swallow, Leven Vale, Banquet and recently from local Angus stud, Connamara.
"We don't want bulls that get too heavy because they have to walk around sides of hills around rocks," he said.
Because of the terrain, good feet are essential for cows and bulls.
They calve 240 females, including 67 heifers - which was "pretty conservative stocking".
The heifers were due to calve late July and the cows from mid August.
Mr Leahy said this year's weaners were around 100kg heavier than in 2019, which was an extremely tough year.
He said the calves were weaned at least three weeks before sale for ease of yarding, handling and transport at sale time.
The calves were weaned in two lots. Each lot was held in the yards for seven days before going into a small, secure paddock. The following week the second lot was brought in.
For ease of management and to reduce stress on cattle, the herd is set stocked.
"I find set stocking up there is much better for the cattle. We put cattle before grass and we get good results," Mr Leahy said.
Much of the property has been sown down to a base of phalaris and cocksfoot.
The property also has a strong fertiliser history carried on from previous owners.
They also run a flock of Merino wethers, purchased by the b-double load from Tasmania.
The sheep were run among the cattle as well as being used to clean-up laneways.
Mr Leahy said the partnership involving the livestock with Mr Stewart worked well.
"Communication is the important thing so we can work out what needs to be done," he said.
