You must be happy with the progeny if you've been buying from a stud for three decades.
That is the case for Scott Walters of Sretlaw Park, Balmattum, who has been buying pregnancy-tested-in-calf Angus heifers from Connamara Angus at Ruffy for 30 years.
Mr Walters, together with his partner Katie Williams and sons Mitchell, 15, and Jack, 13, run 90 Angus breeders across 400 hectares, at three properties surrounding Euroa.
He is preparing to offer 70 mixed-sex weaned autumn-drop calves, pure Connamara blood, for sale at the Euroa weaner sale, on Wednesday, January 12.
"They are quiet and easy to handle and they do well," he said.
The herd was established more than 25 years ago with cows that were joined to Connemara bulls, and heifers retained to build numbers.
Since then, all weaners are sold and supplement PTIC Connamara heifers are purchased in to increase productivity.
"We are able to increase herd numbers faster and double the genetic gain as we had heifers calving each year, rather then holding our own heifers over for a year before calving," he said.
"We select genetics for carcase quality, maternal instincts and temperament is extremely important to us.
"Quiet, easy to handle, stress-free cattle who are good mothers are productive cattle."
He said the domino effect of buying elite breeding females was selling their sought-after progeny.
"We like to buy what we think is the best and we have repeat buyers chasing our heifers and steers," he said.
"We do pay good money [for our breeders] but it doesn't cost any more to feed the best of the breed and look after them, and then they look after you."
Usually a self-replacing enterprise, he said the current cattle prices had enticed him to offer his entire 2021-drop of calves.
"It's terrific if you're selling," he said.
"I won't keep any heifers this year because we can't fit them and the prices are too good."
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
