Most people with a baby imminently due, might think twice before opening their gates for the public to come in and peruse their cattle on the due date.
Not Jemma Reid.
Mrs Reid, Roslyn, who owns and operates JTR Cattle Company with her husband Tim Reid are Ausmectin Southern Beef Week first timers, and are determined to have their cattle seen prior to the Goulburn All-Breeds sale in September.
The only problem being, Mrs Reid is expected to give birth to their first child on the same day.
It could turn out to be a very memorable Beef Week for the family.
Undeterred, the couple will display their cattle in conjuction with Mrs Reids father, Ross Robertson, who operates Wynella Poll Herefords from the same 176ha property, Jenross, Roslyn.
Mr Robertson said the pair of studs had considered opting out of this year’s event due to the imminence of the baby’s arrival.
“It’s all a bit crazy, we weren’t going to go ahead but Jemma and Tim are keen, so hopefully all will be okay,” he said.
JTR has been operating for about three years, now running forty registered Poll Hereford and ten Angus breeders.
The herd began with Hereford cows from mostly Onslow and Wynella bloodlines and Angus cows, the majority from Nbar Angus, Goulburn, which Mr Reid previously managed.
The couple have since purchased genetics from a number of studs including Kidman Poll Herefords, Dubbo and stud dispersals, including cows from Bahloo Poll Herefords, Yass and Waratah Poll Herefords at Blayney.
Mr Reid said that JTR has also utilised embryo transfer (ET) from the beginning of the stud, which they hope will quickly help to increase their overall numbers going forward.
“On average we are putting in about 35 embryo’s a year.
“We should expect to be calving fifty to sixty Hereford cattle a year, with twenty or so more Angus,” he said.
Wynella Poll Hereford Stud, has been in operation since 1972, now running ninety breeding cows, the stud is now solely owned and operated by Ross Robertson.
Mr Robertson uses a mostly natural breeding program, and said he will look further to AI and ET as the stud continues to grow.
The stud has undergone a number of developments in the past year, as the yards receive an upgrade.
Mr Reid says the close knit relationship between the two studs has allowed the young couple to thrive.
“Its been fantastic. Having Ross around the place helps us out a lot. He keeps an eye on things. Jemma and I both work full time so its handy having someone helping out.”
“Combining two families with such strong histories in the breed brings about a lot of good idea’s with breedplans and things like that.”
The Reid’s and Mr Robertson hope that inclusion in Southern Beef Week will allow lots of people the chance to see the quality of their bulls prior to sales later in the year.
“Our sale is quite late in the year, so it gives buyers the chance to see our bulls before they go and purchase at the earlier sales.”
“On property bull sales locally start early August and are on nearly every week, so it is good for people to know ahead of time what we have on offer,” said Mr Reid.
Mr Roberston has shown cattle through Southern Beef Week in the past, previously operating from the Goulburn Showgrounds.
The Reid’s will offer two Angus, and six Hereford bulls at the Goulburn All-Breeds sale on September 16 at Bolong Charolais, Parkesbourne Road, Yarra.
Mr Robertson will also offer eleven of his Poll Hereford, Hereford & Angus bulls at the All-Breeds sale.
