THERE is a rare window that opens in May each year for Tarcombe Herefords.
In selling bulls at the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale at Wodonga, Victoria, the Ruffy-based stud gets the chance to display the inner workings of what it takes to produce high quality cattle.
"We use Wodonga to show our breeding program to people that may not see our cattle any other time," stud principal, Tim Hayes said.
Adding to the buzz of the sale event, Tarcombe Herefords will have two bulls in the Class One, Top of the Drop Division; Tarcombe Legend P127 and Tarcombe Justin P016.
Tarcombe Legend P127 is the first son of YavenVale Legend L329, the top priced bull at the 2017 YavenVale Sale.
The 13-month-old bull is out of Tarcombe Moth G009.
Tarcombe Justin P016 is the 14-month-old son of Wirruna Justin J13 out of a Wirruna Forts F382 dam with a substantial set of estimated breed values (EBVs).
Mr Hayes said his stud uses the Top of the Drop format to get new genetics in front of potential buyers.
Tarbcombe bulls featured in the section at the 2018 sale as well.
"It gives purchasers the opportunity to purchase new genetics earlier," he said.
"The Top of the Drop sold very well last year; better than expected and I'm surprised there are not more bulls this year."
The stud has 12 bulls in total for sale which Mr Hayes described as a very even group of bulls that are commercially focused with good EBVs.
Some of the particular traits of interest to buyers will be the moderate birth weight, large eye muscle area, high intramuscular fat per cent (IMF), extra fat cover and sound overall structures.
"I think our bulls this year have extra thickness (muscle)," Mr Hayes said.
Mr Hayes runs the stud with his wife Cindy, and parents Rob and Jan. The family has run Hereford cattle since the 1950s.
Tarcombe Herefords runs 1000 head of cattle on 1600 hectares.
In recent years, the operation has embraced Charolais cattle to increase carcase weight and yield while maintaining carcase quality.
Mr Hayes, who is on the management committee for the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale, said the line-up of bulls went beyond just visual appeal.
"I think they all have something to offer the commercial industry," he said.
One particularly worth noting in the catalogue was Lot 147, Tarcombe Jacob N030, according to Mr Hayes.
"He's got great doing ability, moderate frame, very thick, and great EBVs," he said.
But while it may be a preference for him, he said he preferred to be known for producing consistently good lines.
"I am more about breeding a group of bulls that are even in type than any individual bull," he said.
"We also sell bulls at our on property sale."
The 54th Herefords Australia National Show and Sale will take place at the Wodonga Exhibition Centre on May 8 and 9.
