Stanford

POLL HEREFORD

THE HERD

The Rutherford and previously Gardiner families have bred registered Poll Herefords since 1957. Our herd of around 400 breeders, half stud half commercial, is run in conjunction with fine wool merinos.

THE BREEDING PROGRAM

We breed cattle entirely for their commercial attributes. We do not show them as we prefer to focus on productive traits. Heifers are joined as yearlings to calve at two years and any female not joining in nine weeks (drought or not) or requiring assistance is culled. Overall functionality and market suitability govern our selection criteria, and includes conformation, carcass yield, fertility, performance, temperament and many other traits.

All registered cattle have been Breedplan recorded since 1986 with calves weighed at birth, weaning, yearling and 18 months, when they are also scanned for fat depth, eye muscle area and intra-muscular fat percentage. Most calves are sired naturally with AI also used. New bloodlines are introduced regularly.

SUCCESSFUL STEERS

For the last two years we have entered teams in the National Steer Trial conducted by the Australian National Field days under mainstream industry conditions. Our teams gained first and third places for pen of carcasses, and first place for liveweight gain on grain against cattle of all breeds and crosses. Consistency counts. Almost all our steers are purchased direct by Cargills as either feeders or for heavyweight slaughter.

ABOUT OUR BULLS

All our bulls are sold privately on property. They are subjected to a full breeding soundness evaluation including a serving capacity test conducted by Blayney Vet Clinic, so you can be assured that the bull you buy is structurally sound and capable of doing his job.

Our bulls are entirely grass reared to keep our costs and yours to a minimum.

They will suffer less breakdowns and last longer than grain fed bulls; and it ensures that only the good doers get through the system and that more commercially relevant performance data is compiled. We do not trim feet and no sale bull has been assisted at birth.

Only the top 25 to 30% of bulls dropped are retained, from which the top one or two are selected for our own use. The remainder are for sale and carry a written guarantee covering fertility and structural soundness.

Our bulls are working from the foothills of the Snowy Mountains to the mulga of far western QLD.

BEEF WEEK

We will have a large number of cattle yarded (a cross section of the herd). We welcome your inspection and please have a cuppa.

 

AS USUAL OUR 2011 SALE BULLS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR BEEF WEEK THERE ARE 40 TO CHOOSE FROM