HIS straight-talking, “no bull” attitude has caught many a breeder off guard, but it’s exactly that which has made John Horne a name – and face – respected by the stud cattle industry.
John, never one to mince his words, hung up his boots in October after 43 years with Elders – of which he says every day was a highlight.
Born and bred on a property on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, and one of six kids, John says his father was adamant they all got jobs after ?nishing school.
“When I ?nished school, mum said ‘what about being an agent’; I said what the ... do they do,” he said.
After his mother had explained the sale process and marketing of livestock, John made several job applications and was offered three positions.
He ended up taking a place with AML and F, a Riverina company based out of Melbourne, at Newmarket, Vic.
“Newmarket always was, and always should be, the mecca of livestock sales,” John said.
“In those days, there would be three auctioneers all selling at once.”
Starting on January 17, 1965, John says there has never been a day he has regretted becoming an agent.
“I’ve loved it, although my wife, Mary, mightn’t agree.”
Elders took over AML and F in 1972 and John managed two branches in Victoria before moving to Dubbo in 1985.
“I was transferred from Benalla in Victoria to Dubbo, where I had 12 months in the yards which was a great experience.
“I loved yard work and got to know the other agents – something I’ve learned through the years is that it doesn’t matter how good the cattle are, it’s all up to the people involved and how they accept you.”
Working in the yards also gave John an education on the area.
When he ?rst arrived, he thought Girilambone and Gulargambone were the same place, but he soon learnt they were nearly three hours apart.
One day (retired) Elders stud stock auctioneer Tony Dowe was visiting Dubbo and in the yards checking out the young blokes.
Tony put it to the-then stud stock co-ordinator Alan Clark to put John on stud stock – and the rest is history.
“Tony Dowe is a lawyer in an agency game,” John said.
“We started working together and after six months I was meant to be doing both Merinos and cattle.
“I said to Tony that I wasn’t interested in the sheep, but I thought I could build a business out of cattle.”
Tony suggested that John look into the European breeds.
“In those days there were bugger all on-property sales, just the nationals (Poll Hereford and Shorthorn).
“I built a business out of the Simmentals and went from nothing to being ‘the king’.”
Other breeds he worked with included Maine Anjous – “I watched them come and then dissipate when Shorthorns were golden; they took the marbling out” – as well as the Angus and Red Angus, “and we all know how far they’ve come”.
Within ?ve years John built a solid clientele among stud cattle breeders.
“I told them you get the cattle right, I’ll market them for you.
“The successful breeders, like Bowen (Poll Herefords) and Yamburgan (Shorthorns), they all understand marketing and how important it is.
“If you’re not a better marketer than a breeder, then you won’t be a success – but when the cattle come to the marketplace, they still have to stand up to their description.”
That’s where it gets back to the people, he said.
“It doesn’t matter how good the cattle are if you can’t get along with other people.”
Some of the most important people John has had in his world have been “the girls (stud stock administrations) beside me – I’ve had some rippers”.
“The girls sit beside you while you’re travelling from one place to another; they drive you home after a big night, and they look after you – and I’ve tried to look after them too.”
Agents from other companies have also played their part.
“They’re not the opposition – they’re our competition and we compete every day, but they’re some of my best mates.
“That doesn’t mean I give them an inch when it comes to business!”
John is hanging up his boots now as he feels he’s reached his “use-by” date.
“Technology has taken over, I wish I was 15 years younger because I think it’s going to be very bene?cial to the person who uses it – AuctionsPlus is just the beginning.”
John sees himself as an “old style” agent that knows about agency and people, the type that tends to get looked over these days as sons come through the family business and want to implement change and younger agents.
“I tell them the truth – what they don’t want to hear – in a language they understand.
“There are no better cattle, they all have a place – except the bad ones.”
He believes technology will take the industry a long way, but it will all still come down to the truthfulness of the agent and vendor.
“I can see it all being done on the computer in years to come, and cattle being available to view on open days prior to the sale.
“But you can’t be an agent
without honesty, and without telling people things they don’t want to hear.”
As he reflects on his career, John says there have been no particular highlights.
“Every day’s a highlight because it’s different, you meet new people.
“I’ve made friends right across the spectrum of the Australian cattle industry – it’s a wonderful life, it’s the people.”
“This is the best lowly paid job you can have in your life, because of the people you meet both in Australia and from across the world.”
When it comes down to it though, the thing he cherishes most is his personal wealth.
“One of my greatest highlights is that I’ve still got my wife and a couple of beautiful kids and grandkids – that’s where it’s at.”
Now a couple of months into retirement, John said he’s breeding chooks “as fast as they can lay eggs” and growing his own veggies – but don’t expect to see him showing these off at a local show anytime soon.
