Judy and Dennis Walker have achieved solid results since they introduced Limousin bulls into their breeding program in 2006.
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The Walkers have called Speewa Island home since 1998. Their property, situated 20km north of Swan Hill borders the Murray River.
They also own a smaller, low irrigation block on the Victorian side of the border 10km from Swan Hill where they top up their heifers and keep them separate from their bullocks.
The Walkers run a small herd of Hereford x Simmental cows, which they join with their Limousin bulls to create a terminal cross.
This fusion combines the muscling of the Limousin with the milk and meat quality of the Simmental and Hereford.
They join their Limousin bulls with their crossbred cows from January to April and calve out from October to November.
"We used to leave the bulls in year-round, but we've found that with a fixed joining period we know when we need to be home if the cows require assistance when calving," Mrs Walker said.
She said they aim to produce a polled animal with an excellent temperament.
"Anything with a temper doesn't stay here, whether that's bulls or cows. We don't want to walk around watching our backs."
The Walkers always like to go to Swan Hill to see the finished product they've produced get sold.
"While we'd like to see the price come up again, Swan Hill has remained a good selling centre. I hope it will keep going as many saleyards are finding it hard to keep up numbers at present.
"By consistently selling at Swan Hill buyers know our product when it comes through the ring. We operate at Swan Hill as Dante Pty Ltd. We've found there is a good range of buyers from the feedlot and meatworks sectors, and if the cattle are finished well they sell well."
The Walkers bought their first Limousin stud cow, Hagley Strawberry, and her bull calf, from the Donna Valley Stud at Holbrook, New South Wales, 18 years ago.
"That bull calf became my herd bull, then we bought Garren Park Hank, a grandson of Strawberry."
A Donna Valley Poll Dictator son, Garren Park Hank (out of Garren Park Abbey J12) was purchased at the 2014 Limousin National Sale as a two-year-old.
"We sold Hank in 2022. We had him for eight years. He was a magnificent bull, his calving ease was second-to-none."
The Walkers have attended the Limousin National Sale and Sale every year since 2006.
"The sale allows us to keep abreast of what's going on with the breed, and who is buying and selling at that time. It's always great to catch up with the vendors, many of whom we've created good friendships with over the years."
In 2020 they purchased a cow from Garry and Karen Hedger, Garren Park Limousins, Culcairn, NSW. This cow, out of Garren Park Razzmatazz by Flemington Longyard, was purchased with a bull calf at foot, Garren Park Quaker.
"We'll sell 18 yearlings by Quaker, from his 2022 drop, in May. These are mainly heifers, but we've found that if the weight is in the article there is strong demand from our buyers. We sold Quaker but we still have his full brother, Leonardo as our commercial bull. After one year of calving, he has produced 23 progeny."
While heavy rainfall flooded the Walkers' paddocks last year, forcing them to hand-feed their cattle, 2024 has been better to date.
"The river is low at present, but we have our own pump, grow lucerne to bale feed the cows and we purchase high-quality cereal hay for them as well.
"We predominantly try to turn off our yearlings with as much as weight as we can get on them.
"On their grain and hay ration, they've averaged 1.6kg in weight gain per day."
