Sticking with Shorthorns pays with range of market opportunities

Simon and Mandy McCutcheon, Barooga Downs, Trangie, are fourth generation Shorthorn breeders, with their sons Jesse, 16 and Eli, 13.

Mr McCutcheon’s great grandfather first adopted the breed and his grandfather continued with Shorthorns, expanding the operation in what has become a area known for Shorthorn cattle.

“They’re well adapted to our area, and we like the temperament, and their milking ability,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“Access to markets is a big thing for us – we’re very centrally located for the JBS job because we’re not far from Caroona or Prime City.”

The McCutcheons took advantage of the new marketing opportunities with the Thousand Guineas branded product early, and it’s paid off.

“We’re now getting the value for our steers on par or better than Angus so it’s been excellent for us.

“Our cattle are mainly going through the Thousand Guineas program, but some, like our excess and cull heifers, will go into the JBS grass-fed scheme.

“That’s the beauty of Shorthorn cattle – we have options.”

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The McCutcheons buy most of their bulls from the national sale as it fits with their operation.

“We join on August 1, and with the Dubbo sale being in June, it suits that,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“A lot of commercial buyers in our area are buying out of Dubbo, because it suits our area as we normally have oats in by February or March, so by the time we’re weaning, they can go on crop.”

The herd is based on strong bloodlines from Bayview, Yamburgan and Sprys studs, as well as Marrington and Polldale bulls purchased through the Shorthorn national.

Mr McCutcheon said he was looking for paddock raised bulls, with good frame and fat coverage.

He also looks at estimated breeding values (EBVs) for low birthweight, rib eye, 200-day milk, and 400- and 600-day weight.

“I don’t buy a bull purely on EBVs, but it’s definitely a good guide.”

About a third of the heifers are kept each year, and the range of market opportunities means there’s plenty of options for the rest

“In a good season we finish the heifers on crop and they go straight to grass-fed Shorthorn program,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“Normally we try to get steers to 450 kilograms to 500kg, the pointy end of the feedlot weight, but this year, season pending, they’ll go a lot earlier if we don’t have the feed.

“We had an opportunity this year to sell as weaners straight off mum, and hitting that weaner market, which we have done in the past, means you take a weaner off a Shorthorn cow at 300kg, 350kg.

“There’s a premium for Thousand Guineas, and through the grass-fed program, but we’re not locked into a specific market, so I have sold cattle through Teys at Tamworth because sometimes they’ll rival the grass-fed price.”

The breed’s ability to survive in most environments is also a big benefit, especially considering the tough seasons over the past few years.

“We’re in a full feeding program at the moment, with Molafos lick, hay, and a bit of cotton seed to some cattle.

“We’ve decided not to offload any breeders. We think we’ve got enough feed on hand to come through the dry period.

“We cart cattle full time (with SA and AJ McCutcheon Transport) on top of our home operation, and we’re now carting for people who shouldn’t have to be selling cows but they are. 

“We’re seeing some good quality breeding stock being killed.”