Rodney and Coral Donat believe some unconventional farming practices have helped establish a premium for their Angus heifers.
The couple sold 95 spring-drop females at Leongatha last Thursday, topping the market and selling between 390-470 cents a kilogram.
Mr Donat, a builder by trade, said the couple had learned a great deal about farming since buying their first block at Tarwin Lower 20 years ago.
"Farming is like building a house. It doesn't matter how good a builder you are; you have to have good foundations," Mr Donat said.
"It's no different in farming because your foundation is your female herd."
Buyers at the fortnightly sale credited their cattle for their breeding - made up of Yancowinna and Landfall bloodlines - and their quiet and calm nature.
"We make an effort to tag our calves when they're born and we also run our hands over their nose because if we do that within two hours of their birth, they will remember our scent for the rest of their life," Mr Donat said.
"Sometimes the farming community looks down on us because we haven't been in the game very long but we've found if you're a fast learner, you do learn fast."
They have three properties across South Gippsland, consisting of 240 hectares, and run about 200 breeders.
"When you've got very quiet cows and then they have their calf, there's only just the odd cow which is a little bit on the toey side," Mr Donat said.
"Our cows have full trust in us and they get their calmness from their mothers."
Bryce Eishold
Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. Bryce is also the president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@stockandland.com.au.
Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. Bryce is also the president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@stockandland.com.au.
