Michael and Natel Bradfield run a small herd of 40 Hereford cows on their 770ha property, “Iowa”, Caroona on the Liverpool Plains as adjunct to their wheat, sorghum, mung bean, chickpea and cotton crops.
The couple have been on their current property for the past 25 years, after Mr Bradfield fulfilled his ambition to have a career on the land, completing his tertiary study in 1986 at the C.B. Alexander Campus, Tocal College, Paterson.
“We always at Hereford cows to graze crop stubble, pasture improved laneways and ridge country we can’t farm and we used to join a few to Angus for the hybrid vigour,” he said.
“The results were good, but I decided to try a Limousin bull over the cows because of the results we had seen in one of our purchased mobs.”
As part of his cattle enterprise, Mr Bradfield purchases Limousin cross weaners and grows them out to local trade specifications, weighing 400 to 450kg live as yearlings.
On his black soil property, Mr Bradfield is able to achieve those weights on available pasture, depending on season, and also from oats sown for that purpose.
“Compared to our calves at the same age, they looked better and had an increased growth rate,” he said.
“They were also very quite, and that is what I want for our small herd, especially as we can get very busy with our cropping program.”
Temperament is a critical trait Mr Bradfield is seeking because of the ease of handling which makes his operation more efficient.
“I also look for a well structured bull that moves easily and is soft because it indicates good muscling which is what the market wants,” he said.
The Limousin breed was also preferred for their ease of calving. and calves by the new purchase are currently being dropped.
Mr Bradfield said they as good as anything he has seen, so the cross continues to be successful.
“Our calves are only a week old but already they are going ahead and we haven’t had any problem with calving,” he said.
“We will be attending future Limousin sales at Scone as it is a great venue.”
Limo’s satisfy breeder appetite
Having seen the results of purchased Limousin cross weaners, Michael Bradfield, "Iowa", Caroona decided to buy a bull for use in his cross-breeding program.
He attended the annual sale held in Scone last year and came home with The Hird Grand Jock, a promising young sire bred at the Quirindi High School.
“He was all we were looking for,” Mr Bradfield said.
“Good growth rates and an excellent conformation.”
Mr Bradfield said his son Lachie, who is a student at the Quirindi High School, has his own Limousin stud, which was formed with the guidance and support of Peter Hird and Andrew Harries, at the high school.
Lachie sold his first bull, LJB Master Jock at last year’s Scone feature sale for $3,500.
“It was a great learning experience for Lachie and he was very happy with the result,” Mr Bradfield said.
“I am also very happy with the way other Limousin breeders are supporting and encouraging young people like Lachie to be involved with Limousins.
“They are the future for the breed.
“The Hird Grand Jock will be used by Lachie in his stud because he is the type of bull to lift the quality of his stock.”
