Prophet sets standard

For Shorthorn stalwart Gerald Spry, it was all about Prophet's carcase.

"Prophet was the first Shorthorn bull to be imported to Australia in 30 years and once we started using Prophet we began calling them New Generation Shorthorns - we had really turned the corner with the breed - they were cattle that carried less fat and more carcase," he said.

"Traditional Shorthorns prior to Prophet's impact were no doubt great mothers, but some breeders had lost sight of the importance of carcase in their breeding."

The Sprys have continued their focus on carcase performance and for more than 20 years have been committed to sire line testing from conception to consumption.

Not only do they progeny test their own cattle's offspring, but also progeny bred by their clients.

They sire line test a minimum of 200 progeny a year to monitor the performance of young bulls.

Data recorded from steers included calving ease, growth weights, weight per day of age, and carcase data, as well as weight at weaning, weight before slaughter and weight when slaughtered.

Data recorded from the female progeny included fertility and carcase.

"We analyse the data ourselves and there is no doubt it helps to breed better bulls," Mr Spry said.

The information gives us a clear indication of how bulls are performing and what sires we should pursue."

The Sprys had also conducted feed efficiency tests on sire lines to gauge feed conversion to body weight.

The Sprys were involved with the Meat Standards Australia steer trial that was attached to the Primex Field Day at Casino - during the 1990s the Sprys claimed the overall championship title in the 100-day heavy domestic grainfed steer trial.

More recently, in The Land 2013 Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial, Spry's Shorthorns clients Barrie and Yvonne Crotty, "Major Ridge", Mulwala, Victoria, placed first in the Shorthorn section with their draft of five steers from a field of 70 (14 teams).