Santa Gertrudis bulls increase weaner weight gain at Springside

Bob and Val Meyenn run approximately 120 breeders on the 202-hectare property and some lease country, keeping their own replacement females.

In past years they’ve grown out progeny, but the improved cattle market, and close proximity to the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange at Carcoar, means they’re looking to sell more stock through the special weaner sales.

”We would usually keep them until October (at 12 to 14 months of age), but we’re moving towards selling in the weaner sales in April and May, before winter sets in,” Mr Meyenn said.

“I can carry more breeding stock that way rather than growing them out through winter.

“Most of them have gone to feedlots, but we’ve done well in the last couple of years and got well over $1000 a head for our weaners.

“Selling them in the autumn sales gives the breeders a month to six weeks before they calve again.”

The herd has been based on Rennylea and Millah Murrah Angus bloodlines for more than three decades, but in the past five years, Mr Meyenn has introduced genetics from Wantasanta stud, Tamworth.

”I’m always looking to improve the herd and returns and the weaning weights are definitely higher with the Santa-cross cattle,” Mr Meyenn said.

“What seems to be the best is the calves coming from the first-cross females that we've retained.  The Santa Gertrudis/Angus-cross cows are joined back to an Angus bull and they produce a really good calf. They have the square beefy look of an Angus with the softer muscle that the Santas bring.”

The fertile Mount Canobolas basalt country is all improved with a high country pasture mix of clovers, phalaris, ryegrass and fescues.

Mr Meyenn also grows oats and a few paddocks of lucerne which is grazed and baled for hay.

“We aim to keep a years’ worth of hay, because we can't rely on much winter growth from June,” he said.

“We’re feeding at the moment with the drought, but we have very few years where we’re not putting out some feed.”