Wodonga is renowned for having a wide choice of top genetics and this year included some of the best Hereford bloodlines from Canada.
Young couple Ben and Katelin Davies, formerly from Naracoorte, South Australia, made their debut as vendors with two fully imported Canadian embryos.
The Hereford bulls from their Wild Bear stud turned plenty of heads with their carcase merit, selling for $6000 and $5000.
“We were very happy with how they stood up and picking up a fifth ribbon in judging,” Mr Davies said. “They were in the top 10 per cent for eye muscle on the grounds and the style we want to offer.”
Katelin’s father Jim Wildeman – a Hereford breeder from Alberta, Canada – bought the couple two heifers from Yarram Park stud, Willaura, Vic, as a wedding present in 2011.
This was the foundation for their stud. The Davies then decided to import a few embryos from Jim’s Wild Bear stud in 2014.
These were implanted in recipients at Holbrook, the following year.
“We were looking for a point of difference,” Mr Davies said.
“We had access to a very sound cow herd in North America and knew the genetics would cross well with Australian genetics.”
Wild Bear, now based at Wodonga, Vic, has quickly grown to 30 females with top females also bought from South Boorook, Courallie and Dunoon dispersals.
Their latest venture is using semen from Canadian sire, Wild Bear Moneymaker over their Australian blood females.
The first draft of Moneymaker sons are earmarked for the 2018 Wodonga sale.
Ben, who is the assistant livestock manager with Thomas Foods International, says their aim is to breed functional cattle with the flexibility to hit a range of markets.
“I am lucky in my role to see cattle perform in the feedlot and on grass so we are trying to find the best of these genetics while maintaining a solid cow herd.”