Summer Angus: Strong demand for grass-fed weaners in the yards

Originally from Melbourne, the Earl family made a change to farming nearly 30 years ago, purchasing The Hummocks, a 1000-hectare grazing property in south-west Victoria.

They began their beef operation with Hereford cattle but after joining Angus bulls to the heifers they decided to switch breeds due to ease of management, animal health and market demand.

They have gradually built their numbers up and now run 340 Angus cows alongside a self-replacing Merino flock of 3000 Kilfeera Park-blood ewes.

In recent years the Earl family's breeding efforts have been rewarded, regularly topping the market at the nearby Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange.

Mr Earl puts their success down to a combination of factors including quality genetics, making animal health a top priority, and on-farm investment in pastures, infrastructure and water.

"When we first arrived at the property there were only about 10 paddocks," he said.

"With a farm plan in place, we have split paddocks up, erected laneways and installed a water system which reticulates water to troughs located in every paddock on the farm.

"It all helps with ease of management and improved animal health because there is no shock to the system with differing water quality.

"It's also very important to surround yourself with good people and use their advice and information."

The Earls are long-term clients of Alec and Jo Moore's Weeran Angus stud at Byaduk, Vic.

With assistance from LMB Livestock agent, Hugh Douglas, Mr Earl uses a combination of visual appraisal and estimated breeding values (EBVs) for his bull selection.

"When we first purchased Angus bulls to go over our Hereford heifers, it turned out by pure good fortune to be Weeran Angus bulls and we have remained with them," he said.

"Alec's advice and passion for cattle breeding is invaluable."

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Significant emphasis is placed on structure, particularly feet and legs, carcase shape and length and depth of body. Maternal traits and temperament are also very important.

"I like to keep it simple, focusing on easy calving combined with quick growth rates, particularly 400-day weight," Mr Earl said.

"I aim to select low birth weight bulls for the maidens because if you can't get a calf on the ground, it doesn't matter how good the bull is, it's a waste of time."

The cows are joined in October for six weeks to start calving from late July onwards.

The herd used to calve in the autumn but Mr Earl has moved the timing back to reduce the need for supplementary feeding and take advantage of the spring growth.

In the lead-up to joining, the bulls receive a complete veterinary assessment to minimise the risk of any serving issues.

Pregnancy testing is carried out in January and Mr Earl is pleased with the current conception rates which consistently average about 95 per cent.

Any cows or heifers not in calf will be sold immediately which has contributed to the in-built fertility of the herd.

Minimal supplementary feeding is carried out, but if required, the cows will be fed pasture hay, sourced from a local contractor, from February onwards.

Although Mr Earl has tried several different weaning programs, he has had the most success simply paddock weaning the calves just prior to Christmas.

"We get the cows and calves in, separate them, give the calves their vaccinations and then move them into better quality pasture paddocks which we've set aside for the weaners," he said.

"They spend less than a day in the yards, so we have minimal health issues such as pinkeye, and we find they settle down very quickly and don't have any setbacks."

The weaners are run together through the summer and brought back into the yards in March and drafted into their sexes. They are then run in mobs of steers and heifers and grown out through the winter until sale time.

The Earl family starts selling the calves from 10 to 12 months of age through October and November with a live weight of more than 350 kilograms targeted for the steer portion.

The weaners are marketed through the saleyards, achieving a top of $2250 a head in their most recent sale in 2021.

"We like to keep our marketing options flexible, but generally the calves go through the Hamilton saleyards and to repeat buyers," Mr Earl said.

"We have topped the market for the highest price paid over a number of years for young cattle which is very pleasing."

The operation has also gained accreditation through JBS Australia's Farm Assurance program which Mr Earl said had been a good tool to assess their on-farm management practices as well as providing an additional marketing opportunity.

"For us it's about making it as easy as possible, we don't drive the production system too hard and we try to be proactive about animal health and plan ahead," he said.

"The key is having a good livestock agent and facilities to work in, along with no dogs and no prods."

About 70 to 80 heifers are retained each year with heifers selected on frame size, structure, and width of pelvis for ease of calving.

"The quality and health of your females is critical for producing good calves each year," Mr Earl said.

"The bulls are one half and the cows are another half, and they really represent what has happened on the farm for the past 10 years."