High above the township of Jindabyne on the edge of the Snowy Mountains and at least 1000 metres above sea level, Rob Nicholl uses horses to muster the Poll Herefords on the 1050ha “Moonbah” property he has managed for the past two years.
“It is a lot easier on our country to handle the stock from horseback, and they respond to the better care,” Mr Nicholl said.
Poll Herefords have been bred on the property for the past 40 years by Lochy & Lennie Thompson, and when current owners, Michael and Kate Barry purchased the land, they took the opportunity to also buy the cattle.
Michael Barry’s ancestors were early settlers in the Jindabyne district, and he and his wife have an established cattle herd on their home property.
“This was a pretty good herd, and Michael and Kate didn’t see any advantage in changing the breed,” Mr Nicholl said.
“We will continue to breed Poll Herefords because it was already a renowned herd in the district, and we have a good base to continue producing quality weaners which the Monaro is famous for.”
Based on bulls purchased from Robyn, Phil and Heidi Reid, Yarradale Poll Herefords, Berridale for the past 30 years, Mr Nicholl said the herd has all the characteristics of rich red colour, softness, correct structure and temperament which stamp the breed.
Mr Nicholl has 220 mixed age cows along with 70 20 month-old heifers and 90 weaner heifers retained from last years drop on the property which is undergoing property redevelopment as time permits.
The cows are joined in September while the maiden heifers are put with the bull in May/June for a February calving.
“We like to have the heifers calve early so they have had sufficient time to recover before they are rejoined with the main herd in September,” Mr Nicholl explained.
“It gives them a better chance of getting back in calf.”
At heifer classing, Mr Nicholl culls any beast without a good temperament, correct structure and lacks maternal characteristics.
“Especially on our country which ranges from undulating to steep hills, the cattle have to be able to get around so I place emphasis on conformation in setting the standard for the herd,” he said.
When selecting replacement sires, Mr Nicholl said he is looking for bulls with great carcase attributes “because we already have a good frame and type suitable for our country,” and good eye pigment.
“We just have to improve carcase quality and focus on good skin and hair type,” he said.
“We find that is what the market is looking for, and the darker red and soft calves are better doing stock with greater conversion of available feed.”
The traditional weaner markets held in autumn at Cooma will continue to be the outlet for “Moonbah” Poll Hereford weaners.
“Because our country is not suitable for fattening but is great for breeding, we will focus on having top quality weaners available each year for the annual sale,” Mr Nicholl said.
“Monaro-bred weaners are renowned for their ability to grow out into big cattle when they are put onto softer country.
“Buyers know they have great constitutions and they do well wherever they go.”
Mr Nicholl said a lot of the property is still in an unimproved state, and he is gradually preparing paddocks for pasture improvement.
He is able to conserve lucerne hay each spring, and through the winter calving months, the cows are supplemented with hay and blocks to maintain their condition and convert available rough grass.
The steers are weaned onto the truck and taken straight to the annual weaner sales, while Mr Nicholl said he yard weans his heifers, feeding them and getting them used to being handled through the yards before they are let out into the paddocks where they are handled again using horseback and dogs to control and educate them.
At the recent autumn sale in Cooma, 90 “Moonbah”-bred steer weaners were sold for an average price of $1070, with the top pen weighing 370kgs sold for $1100.
“The prices were good and reflect the demand for quality Monaro-bred weaners,” Mr Nicoll said.