CONSERVATIVE stocking on the rich Mudgee breeding and grazing country renowned for the production of top quality and conditioned cattle and sheep has enabled Donna White to produce readily sought after steers and heifers from her ‘Pipeclay’ Angus herd.
Lighter stocking rates of the 200 head breeding herd and 3500 Merino ewe flock enables Mrs White to “scrape through” tough seasons on the property originally part of the White family’s ‘Havilah’ aggregation some years ago.
With her late husband, Peter, the Whites started their Angus herd with Talooby bulls 12 years ago and Talooby sires are still doing the job of producing feedlot-type steers, and heifers that restockers are keen to purchase when available.
Fifteen August/September 2014 drop heifers pregnancy tested in calf to Talooby sires made $1620 a head at Mudgee district Angus breeders sale in May as replacements for Crudine district breeders Pat and Robyn Hundy.
After yard weaning calves are put onto an oats crop to grow out and fatten with steers finishing at 380 to 480 kilograms at 14 to 15 months for the feedlot market while heifers selected for herd replacements will be joined from 14 months when weighing 350 to 420kg.
Temperament is a must in the selection of bulls and the handling of stock as all of the day-to-day work is done by Mrs White.
“Normally at yard weaning the calves are in for four to five days and as there is not water in the yards I move them to a nearby dam to water,” Mrs White said.
“Each time during the day I walk them down to water they go through the cattle race and crush and on return they go through a similar process to their feed, which I have prepared while they water.” Through this handling technique and yard feeding of good quality “tucker” the young cattle soon quieten, according to Mrs White.
When it comes to sire selection she relies on Talooby studmaster Peter Grieve, Bylong, and Elders Mudgee area manager, Jason Pearce, to pick the most appropriate bulls, which Mrs White will purchase at the annual Talooby sale.
Mr Pearce said longer-bodied bulls are selected for their conformation and good temperament.
“They are free-moving, middle-of-the-road types which are producing quality steers and heifers for the feedlot market,” he said.
Mrs White’s Merinos were originally of Havilah blood and while keeping the superfine wool type, rams were introduced from Langdene stud four years ago and have increased the carcase size and wool cut of the Pipeclay flock.
Mrs White said micron has stayed relatively fine at 17 microns however, wool bales have been increasing.
