Red Angus demand continues to boom, says the Heggen family

In 38 years the couple have added an additional four adjoining properties spanning 325 hectares, and have planted well over a quarter of a million trees in an attempt to sustainably manage the land.

"We've learnt a lot about environmental management and the processes involved and that's the way we farm particularly because we're in an environmentally-sensitive area," Mr Heggen, Binginwarri, said.

"The overuse of fertilisers in a high rainfall area like ours means a lot of that can end up in waterways so we remove stock from waterways and we plant out those areas so it filters any run off."

Trading as Hedley Range Red Angus, the Heggens will offer 120 Red Angus steers at the Leongatha weaner sale in late January, along with about 20 heifers.

Featuring Hicks and Te Mania bloodlines, their grass-fed calves, 9-11 months, are often a popular feature of the annual South Gippsland weaner sale.

One reason, according to the Heggens, is consistency with the draft of 100 steers each year for the last four years averaging between 380-385 kilograms.

In fact, their steers are that popular the same client has returned to purchase the top 50-60 steers in each sale for the last decade.

"We don't wean early because if cows have milking ability, that milk should go into the calves and that's natural," Mr Heggen said.

"We've never seen the point of early weaning and running a few more animals.

"It seems counter productive to me and it comes down to ease of management."

Their steers are weaned the day they head to the saleyard in January, while heifers are usually taken off their mothers three weeks prior to Christmas.

As president of the Red Angus Society of Australia, Mr Heggen said the popularity of Red Angus was the strongest it had been, with producers in northern Australia turning to the breed for some of its favourable traits.

"Stud breeders are adapting some animals to suit the northern markets which tend to be more walking cattle and bred for the conditions," Mr Heggen said.

"The red coat is certainly better-suited to the warmer climate as opposed to black cattle."

He said this year marked 50 years since the society was first formed after an application to join the black society was rejected.

Originally when the Heggens started breeding Red Angus, they would cross their bulls with Simmental heifers.

That was phased out some 14 years ago when the pair opted to breed purebred cattle.

"We live in a wet, cold, hilly area and we've found Red Angus are more suited to these conditions in South Gippsland," Mr Heggen said.

The Heggens pride their cattle for low birth weight and high weight grains with the 400-day growth rate one of the most important factors of the operation.

"Fertility is certainly a big factor for us but also a low birth weight and animals that are at peak production at 400 days," Mr Heggen said.

"It gives you a strong guide that these animals are reaching their top potential for the domestic market.

"They are especially suitable in southern Australia where they have the ability to finish on grass."

About a quarter of their property consists of dense bushland, of which stock are excluded from which the Heggens estimate has improved vegetation regrowth by about 30 per cent.

"It also means at calving time you don't need to go looking for cows in the bush," Mr Heggen said.

Their operation is made up of about 260 autumn calves annually which are born in late February and early March.

The Heggens, who have sold at the weaner sale since its inception, said his cattle were also noted for their temperament and docility, along with performance on grass and intramuscular fat.

High volumes of weaner cattle are set to be harder to source at Leongatha.

South Gippsland breeders have taken advantage of the buoyant seasonal conditions and hefty prices paid for weaner cattle, which could lead to a potential shortfall in 2021, according to local agents.

SEJ Leongatha livestock agent Owen Kindellan said many producers had sold their stock earlier than usual after a "cracking" spring.

"People are taking advantage of the money and it's been one of the dearest springs we have ever seen," Mr Kindellan said.

The shortage of available weaner cattle is likely to increase demand for calves that come online at the weaner sales across Victoria.

Leongatha agents are yet to confirm a date for a specific weaner sale but are planning to merge the weaner sale with a store market in late January to form part of a special feature sale.

The sale is also expected to include lines of grown steers and yearling-off cattle and will feature several lines of vendor-bred mixed-sex calves.

This includes Hedley Range Red Angus, Binginwarri, which will offer 120 steers and about 20 heifers.

The line of Red Angus calves, aged 9-11 months, is made up mainly of Hicks and Te Mania bloodlines.

Another feature line at the market will be 120 steers offered by Doonagatha, Sandy Point, 10-11 months, predominately featuring Harris Farms and Dunoon Angus bloodlines.

"Quality is going to be very good because of the good season we've had," Mr Kindellan said.

Greycroft Nominees, Welshpool, are set to offer up to 30 Angus mixed-sex calves, 10-11 months, at the same sale, based predominantly on Yancowinna bloodlines.

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