THE growth of the rough stock industry in Australia has convinced one New South Wales breeder to begin expanding his herd with the use of embryos from America.
A hot-headed cow willing to put a worker high up a fence is enough to leave most producers looking for the cull paddock gate.
But on the Tamworth property of Scott Maynes, such behaviours put animals high on his list of valuable possessions.
Mr Maynes has been breeding rough stock for about 25 years and currently runs 40 cows and calves, 40 yearling heifers, 30 yearling bulls and 12 older sires on 242 hectares (600 acres).
Due to the dry conditions, Mr Maynes sold 380 head of cattle in August and September while some of his remaining herd was sent to Queensland on agistment.
Rain remains the key influencer of his future plans but Mr Maynes wants to use embryo technology to run a smaller herd of only the best genetics.
The former Australian bullriding champion owns bucking stock in America, including a daughter from the leading US cow, giving him easy access to imported semen and embryos for his Tamworth cattle.
"I brought about 300 US straws out from the best breeding operation in America and come the first of June I'm going to put as many straws in as I can," he said.
"The American bloodlines have more of that kick right through in them so there are certain characteristics that I want from the American bloodlines to incorporate in my herd."
Artificial insemination and embryo transfers are nothing new to the beef industry but temperament can play a major role in their success.
Some vets only record a 50 per cent take rate when inseminating rough stock while the use of Angus recips to raise bucking calves could lessen the development of their hot temper.
"I do it in America through Angus cattle and it doesn't really (impact their temper) but I'm not completely sold on that," Mr Maynes said.
"I would rather them be with a high-strung Mum but it's too hard to use the high strung Mums as recips."
Mr Maynes' genetics have already proven valuable having recently sold a bucking heifer for a considerable figure in America while the Gill Brothers Rodeo group paid $20,000 for his dual PBR Bull of the Event winner, Hillbilly Deluxe.
Unlike traditional beef breeders, Mr Maynes doesn't turn off steers to make a profit.
He said competing in rodeos wasn't about the buck out prize money but the chance to promote his genetics and future sales of young stock.
"To most people that little heifer in that paddock would be worth $300 but I wouldn't sell her for $10,000," he said.
"To be successful in your breeding you have got to get out and about to show what you have got and what you are breeding.
"That coloured bull in the yard if he performs well in Victoria, I've got a heap of heifers by him. I might put that big yellow bull across them and they'll see him buck too.
"I try to get on the back of what is working at the time."
His bucking bulls are trained using a small robotic box known as a mechanical dummy, which releases the girth at the push of a button.
Up until the age of four bulls compete in futurity level events and are judged purely on their bucking ability with the dummy before going on to human riders.
Mr Maynes maintains body conditioning through his feeding ration, opting for a high energy and protein feed over a fattening option.
With the rough stock cattle registry the second biggest in the world, the opportunity to breed with leading genetics has never been easier.
"It's become a big industry in America," Mr Maynes said.
"A yearling event could pay $1 million to win.
"I feel the industry is moving forward enough and you've got to stay ahead of the game.
"It's like an addiction. That's the thrill of the chase for me, what can I come up with?"
So what makes a champion rough stock animal?
Mr Maynes credited athleticism, character and bloodlines as major contributors.
"This bull, when he was a two-year-old was so hard to deal with it was insane," Mr Maynes said.
"His mother is probably the worst cow I've ever owned. She would literally pull you off the top of the fence, flicked you into the middle of the yard and pull your pants off. His father went for a long time without a ride.
"So bundled up in him is as good as what I can breed."
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
