Poll Hereford cattle has captured the dedication of a family for more than a century and this affiliation with the traditional breed is set to continue.
Sixth generation farmer, Alex Sparkes, Hornet Bank Pastoral Company, Taroom, Queensland, operates 9000 hectares with his parents, Peter and Susan.
Running 1400 commercial cows, Alex Sparkes said the breed hold a place within his family’s history, however this is not the only reason why they have continued to breed the versatile animal.
“Of course we have stayed true to the Hereford breed because our family has been breeding them since the early 1900’s, but it’s more than that for us now,” Mr Sparkes said.
“We have continued with the breed because of their temperament which makes them easy to work with – they also have the fertility and are overall performing animals which have continued to present for us,” he said.
Hornet Bank purchase their bulls from a collection of stud breeders, including Sevenbardot Poll Hereford stud, 'Wigelmar', Bylong.
Mr Sparkes said Sevenbardot bulls exhibit the traits important to their breeding standards.
“They present bulls with the traits we are looking for - they have good estimated breeding values and are always a well balanced animal, with depth and length of carcase which suits our market,” he said.
Aimed at the premium European market, Hornet Bank cattle are put through a local processor before heading overseas.
