Ironbark’s pedigree for prestige

The stud was started by Edward Ted Spencer in 1933 as a bull breeding unit for the operation's commercial herd and continued by his son David Spencer.

Ironbark Herefords is now owned and managed by Ted's grandson, third-generation beef producer Adrian, along with his wife Wendy, children Isabella, Hugh and Ben, and his mother Margaret Spencer.

"It's obviously become much bigger since it began and we've been through some changes but we're still producing a superior product for the commercial breeding industry of Australia," Mr Spencer said.

"The world's seedstock industry is much closer these days.

"We have access to the best genetics in the world, so we're constantly improving our line."

Ironbark uses the bloodlines of Montana-based studs Cooper and Holden, both worldwide industry leaders.

"Being older programs, they've got a lot of depth to their breeding," Mr Spencer said.

"Both the Holden and Cooper programs have tremendous uniformity - their cattle all breed the same.

"A uniform line of steers in the feedlot will all perform well and hang up the same way."

Both studs concentrated on birthweight and maternal traits, Mr Spencer said.

"The major drawback in a lot of the whiteface programs in Australia is it's hard to find other programs concentrating on birthweight, milk, and udder quality in the females," he said.

"The North American studs are a lot more focused on the commercial attributes of the beef game than a lot of Australian stud producers.

"They've been measuring birthweight for every animal on each side of the pedigree for 40 years."

Mr Spencer got to know the overseas program while he was working in the US.

"They've got a lot more early growth in their cattle, better shape and more of what the industry needs in this country,"?he said.

"By using their genetics, we've got a faster growing beast with a better body shape and udder."

Between 60 per cent and 70pc of the stud's 1100 females are artificially inseminated each year.

"AI lets us use some of the best bulls on the planet as far as the Hereford breed is concerned," he said.

"There are of course labour costs in getting them all cycling and the associated costs, but we can use semen from a $100,000 bull without having to spend that on him.

"We don't chase one-off bulls. We're looking for a sire line that's consistent with a depth of breeding behind it.

"Therefore we can really trial a sire line because we've got the numbers to work out which sires are performing."

The Cooper and Holden bloodlines have given Ironbark's cow herd a boost, constantly improving maternal traits.

"If you buy out of a uniform program with a very strong cow base you'll win and improve your cattle," Mr Spencer

"If it's a shallow cow base, that's how a bull is going to produce, even if he looks unreal.

"You've got to have the cow in mind as much as the progeny. If you get your females right, the rest will follow."

The commercial performance focus is one reason Mr Spencer has stayed away from the show ring.

"We go to national events and everyone flocks to the heaviest bull with the largest eye muscle area.

"He's probably been on feed for the longest but I'd rather buy out of a program that has the commercial traits right.

"We're not after the show ribbon. We're producing lines of bulls that will reproduce themselves and are commercially right for the environment and the industry."

Being able to survive and thrive in all environments has led to Ironbark bulls being sold to NSW, Queensland, Victorian and Tasmanian producers.

"They're bulls that are able to handle different climates and adjust to environmental conditions," Mr Spencer said.

"It's very important to us that our bulls can handle the conditions wherever they go.

"The worst thing that could ever happen as a stud operator is if someone from the western country rings up and says the bull can't handle the climate and can't get the cows in calf."

The stud has also successfully sold to export markets, including Russia and Kazakhstan, for eight years.

"We're selling registered export stud heifers, as well as some bulls," Mr Spencer said.

"With those countries pedigree is very important.

"They want the best quality they can get."

RECEIVING feedback from feedlots and processors has helped the development of Ironbark Herefords.

While Breedplan's estimated breeding values (EBVs) can give a good estimate of performance, nothing beats the real results, according to stud principal Adrian Spencer.

"If you haven't got a lot of feedback about how the cattle are performing, you're flying blind," Mr Spencer said.

"You've got to get the real feedback to work out what areas are doing well and where you need to improve."

Mr Spencer said running a commercial herd of 300 breeders allowed him to see how Ironbark cattle performed.

"We do some backgrounding for a feedlot using cattle with our own bloodline," he said.

"We use the commercial herd as a trial, buying some of our clients steers back and putting them through the system.

"The feedback is fantastic, particularly with weight gain and uniformity.

"Our cattle seem to kill in a very uniform fashion and they're able to meet MSA grading."

MSA grading and eating quality has always been a priority.

"MSA grading is a wonderful product for the Australian beef industry," Mr Spencer said.

"To consistently meet the grade you've got to have at least 50 per cent British breed and the modern Hereford is consistently meeting the targets.

"We're producing an all-round product where the female can go on and produce good calves and the steer is what the industry wants in terms of carcase and meat quality.

"We want cattle that can live in the environment and perform to industry specifications, and they're doing that."