THERE was no gamble in the breeding programs that have resulted in the current quality herd of Angus cattle at “Monte Carlo”, Store Creek, near Stuart Town, NSW.
Take a Poll Hereford herd and start crossing with Angus, then add a black Santa Gertrudis bull for three joinings and continue breeding up with Angus bulls.
That’s what cousins Jenny Quirk and Ben Lawson have done since they combined their resources 15 years ago to form Monte Carlo Store Creek Pty Ltd.
Now they are running 150 Angus breeders and 1400 Merinos on 1012 hectares of native pasture country in 675 to 750 millimetre rainfall light soil tablelands country.
Their August/September-drop steer weaner calves are marketed the following March each year through the Carcoar Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange saleyards at weights of 300 kilograms-plus and, according to Mr Lawson, they don’t have any trouble selling them.
The cross-breeding programs were overseen by nearby stock agent, Richard Maunder of Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon Cumnock, NSW, who continues to assist in replacement selections of both the beef herd and Merino flock.
“When I came over here 15 years ago Jenny was running a Poll Hereford herd and as markets had changed towards Angus we decided to join our females to Noonee bulls,” Mr Lawson said.
However, the cattle needed to be a little more robust on this lighter native pasture country, so after breeding a line of the Angus/Poll Hereford cross females the cousins introduced a black Santa Gertrudis bull.
“We found the Santa Gertrudis influence produced an improved mother that did better on this native grass country,” he said.
“There’s still a splash of Santa in our females but the Angus have put the beef onto a slightly bigger frame and the sleek coats are quite attractive in the saleyards.”
Some Gilmandyke and Choice bulls have also been used, but Noonee is still the main influence in herd sires purchased.
They bought two more Noonee bulls last September.
“We have been establishing a definitive type within our herd and use low, moderate and high birth weight bulls throughout,” Mr Lawson said.
Low birth weight estimated breeding values (EBV) bulls are joined to first calver heifers while second calvers will run with moderate rate bulls.
“The older cows after their second calf are put with high birth weight EBV bulls and we have had great success with this breeding system.”
The recently purchased Choice stud bull, a low birth weight, was also running with the heifers.
Supplementing their onfarm income both Ms Quirk and Mr Lawson also manage a herd of 110 Noonee blood Angus breeders at “Legin”, Cumnock, for Nigel and Suzie Coleman and have a contract fencing business.
The cousins also have a Merino flock of 19-micron average wool.
Pasture improvement began several years ago with 400ha sown down to a Stamina mix of phalaris, cocksfoot, rye and several clovers.
“We also have a superphosphate program each year and our aim is to have 800ha improved and the other 200ha will stay as native grass country,” Mr Lawson said.
As well, each year they crop close to 160ha mainly of oats, brassica and some winter wheat.
“It’s all for our stock and if we get it off either in hay or grain, that’s a bonus,” he said.
“Last year we didn’t strip anything, but last year we had a phenomenal harvest.”
The grain goes back to the ewes when they are lambing in the cold winters when it snows like last year.
