In the late 1980’s Dugald Cameron, recognised in the beef industry as one of the “Founding Fathers” of the Lot Feeding industry, initiated the formation of Pacific Pride. Pacific Pride was a supply chain Beef Alliance focused on Eating Quality / Price Competitiveness factors to comply with the expectations of the Beef Consumer. Genetic improvement of the existing herd base was a focus of the Pacific Pride steering committee, to assist drive improvement of the moderately to highly heritable traits of Eating Quality, Saleable Retail Yield and Feed Efficiency.
Ed McCormack – Clonlara Droughmasters was a driving force behind the Crossbred development program for Pacific Pride recognising that the Trait List required to optimise, on farm, finishing and carcase/retail performance was too expansive to be adequately fulfilled by any one purebred. As members of Pacific Pride, Sal and I were of the same opinion, fundamental philosophy and along with Ed commenced our Crossbred bull breeding programs.
Sal and I decided to follow the Taurus Adaptor pathway, see notes on website re development of the Currawee Crossbred.
Six years ago Gus and Jen, who have succeeded Ed and Carol at Dilga with the Clonlara Droughtmasters and Composites, visited Shannon Vale and purchased a couple of Currawee Crossbreds for infusion into their composite. The bulls were Currawee GB48 and FB170. We used FB170 for two seasons in the Currawee Crossbred herd.
This year Gus and Jen offered 11 Composite bulls at their Clonlara Droughtmaster sale, nine of these were sired by the Currawee bulls.
Sal and I would like to congratulate Gus and Jen for the success of their Composite draft at their sale. The composites averaged an amazing $8,045. The top selling bull was by Currawee GB48 and sold for $18,000 to GA Greenup & Co Rosevale, Jandowae QLd.
Above is the photo of Clonlara 16466 at 23 months weighing 928kg and an EMA of 135cm.
Great to see you guys rewarded for the vision of thirty years ago provided by Ed and the endeavour that has ensued till now. Keep up the good work.
Beef’s dilemma hasn’t changed, it is being gobbled up in the consumption steaks by the Hog now and to even hold this declining trend it is so essential the industry addresses the consumer issues of Eating Quality and Price Competitiveness. Price Competitiveness still driven by number of calves born by cow exposed (fertility), kilos of beef produced per unit area of land (growth rate and feed efficiency). Crossbreeding can help solve the issue raised above.
Should you wish to contemplate a crossbred then give us a call.
Greg Chappell – 0427 298 527
Sam Redden – 0458 128 216
We do have a consignment of black and red crossbred bulls as per article on the website for sale.
LB334
LB346
LB347
LB351
LB370
LB376
