THINGS can get pretty wet at Tooma in the Riverina.
So for James Crain, having cattle that can handle the conditions is paramount.
The manager of 1214-hectare “Possum Point” said the purebred Angus herd can handle tough weather.
Mr Crain, who has run the property for more than four years, said it is important the cattle can manage the wet ground, as well as the extremes in temperatures in his area.
“Cattle have got to be able to handle the wet,” he said.
He said a purebred Angus herd is ideal, especially for their doing ability, and their ability to handle a more intensive operation.
“Angus cattle can handle stock density well,” he said.
Mr Crain joins around 800 purebred Angus cows, then sells around 100 as pregnancy-tested-in-calf (PTIC) cows.
The property also runs around 1000 first-cross ewes.
His heifers are joined for six weeks, while his cows are joined for eight weeks.
Mr Crain said he aims to buy bulls with mid-range birth weight to put over heifers and young cows.
Mr Crain said he also looks for animals with a calm temperament, and with this mind, he buys bulls from Luke Gleeson at Twynam Angus near Forbes.
He said he buys around four bulls a year.
“Twynam’s biggest advantage is temperament,” he said.
“They are very docile. I also like the size of their animals, their general structure and their doing ability.”
Mr Crain said he also likes the fact Twynam has its own large commercial Angus operation.
“I like the fact their bulls aren’t pampered, so you can get a good doing animal,” he said.
He said he never buys a bull that is picked on by other bulls.
“I need to buy genetics that can handle the social situation,” he said.
He said with the Twynam genetics, as well as managing his cattle carefully, he can produce a quiet herd.
Mr Crain sells the lighter end of his steers and heifers at eight months old to AuctionsPlus.
He said he keeps his heifers and joins in October, selling any that are empty. Steers are kept until they reach 450 kilograms. They are then sold to JBS Prime City Feedlot and Rockdale.
