Simmentals impress

Ross Wicks manages the 1540-hectare grazing property at Sandy Hollow, directly west of Denman for John Aurisch, and said the benefit of using a Simmental bull was more weight at weaning, driving more dollars through the Singleton Saleyards.

Mr Wicks bought one Simmental bull five years ago.

He now has three and will use them to breed across the entire herd of 140 Hereford cows.

"Five years ago, I didn't think we would get enough money selling straight Herefords so I mentioned to John that I would like to buy a Simmental bull," Mr Wicks said.

"We bought one and started breeding with him and the boss was very impressed with what we were getting.

"The results have been consistent through the past five years, so this year we will switch to using Simmental bulls over the whole Hereford herd - because they produce bigger size, more weight.

"At the end of the day you do it all for the dollar."

All the "Kerrabee Park" weaners are sold through stock agent Roger Fuller at Singleton.

Mr Wicks keeps the pick of the female calves for breeding.

Simmental crosses had a good mothering ability and temperament, combined with good calving ease, he said.

"There have been no calving problems with them yet and I don't think there will be," Mr Wicks said.

"The Simmental/Hereford cross produces more milk than a Hereford and that will really help the calf when it hits the ground."

Mr Wicks reports a lift of about $200 a crossbred weaner, compared with the $400 price he typically received for straight Herefords.

"The crossbred calves are much bigger, weighing between 15 to 20 per cent more on average."

Mr Fuller said crossbred weaners were typically 20 kilograms to 30kg heavier, and their popularity had started to gain ground against Angus in the past few years.

"We get a fair proportion of crossbred calves every year now," he said.

"Several years ago, it was all Angus. Now we are finding if it is not Angus, it is one of the crossbreds."

In terms of pasture management, Mr Wicks said Simmentals responded to "whatever you like to give them", and they were an all-round performer.

"I have pastures which I lock up to put the calves in at weaning, trying to give them the edge and get them turned around quicker."

Peter Andrews, Barana Simmentals, Coolah supplies "Kerrabee Park" with its Simmentals.

Mr Wicks also manages the nearby property, "Canema", for Mr Aurisch, which runs a herd of 140 Santa Gertrudis cows, and he's used a Simmental bull for the first time in joining, with three Santa bulls.

Mr Wicks is now waiting for calving to judge the results, but he expects a repeat of the success at "Kerrabee Park".

"I'm looking for the same results as with the Herefords and I am confident after speaking to producers I know in Queensland, who have used Simmentals over their Santa females.

"I expect to see more size and weight at weaning time."