IF?YOU?could get the same money for a Limousin heifer as you could a steer, why wouldn't you use that breed in your cattle enterprise?
That's why Melon Pastoral Company manager, Leanne Snow, Roslyn, has introduced Limousins to her 600-head mainly Angus breeder herd in the past two years.
Joining about one third to Limousin bulls, the remaining two thirds are joined with Santa Gertrudis and Angus bulls.
Described as "blue ribbon country", Mrs Snow manages 800 hectares across three properties for Maurice and Jeanette Newman, Roslyn, with occasional help from her husband, Andrew, an agent in Goulburn.
Mrs Snow said by using the Limousins and Santas she was targeting the vealer market in Camden and Moss Vale, selling through Jim Hindmarsh and Company, Moss Vale.
Her straight Angus calves were usually sold on to Alan Cardy and Co, Goulburn.
Mrs Snow bought her first lot of Limousin bulls last year at the Moss Vale Special Sale, including sires from Newton-Wood Limousin stud, Murr- umbateman, and Sarana Limousins, Pejar, which are both vendors at the upcoming Southern Limousin Production sale in October.
The first drop of Limousin-cross calves are on the ground and Mrs Snow is excited about how the progeny will perform.
"By targeting the Camden and Moss Vale markets, what I want to be able to do is swing them straight off mum onto a truck - that way we don't go to all of the problems of putting them in yards, feeding and drenching them," she said.
"I aim to sell on a weekly basis, guided by (agent) Jim Hindmarsh."
The property currently runs 550 head of breeders as Mrs Snow sold older cows earlier in the year when conditions turned dry.
She aims to turn off calves at weights averaging 380 kilograms.
"Last year they were cracking 400kg at eight months of age," she said.
"Those were the Santa cross and Angus calves so this year it's going to be interesting to see how the Limos compare weight wise and how the heifers and steers go at selling time.
"I'm confident, because that is what the butchers want - those lovely soft, sappy calves, with hybrid vigour; I think they will go well."
Mrs Snow said one of the Limousin traits which suited the market direction she was heading was the muscle to bone ratio.
"Limousins seem to have more muscle to bone than Angus - that's where your money is, in your meat," she said.
Mrs Snow said there wasn't much price difference per kilo for a heifer and a steer in the Limousin breed, whereas in the Angus breed there was.
"In the Angus breed you're usually looking at $100 less for a heifer than a steer, but with the Limousins the butchers don't mind if they are male or female so you still get basically the same price," she said.
"That's what you want.
"That keeps your averages and prices up because at the end of the day that's what your there to do - make money."
