Sixty years later and while there have been some changes according to stud principal Chris Lisle, that foundation has maintained its strength.

Based at "Lochaber", Walcha, Mr Lisle said over the years the focus on eating and carcase qualities has increased.

There have been remarkable improvements in calving ease and growth and muscle in the Tummel herd since his father started the stud.

“We have kept the same focus on breeding quality Herefords, but now select breeding lines using carcass weight data and BreedPlan figures,” Mr Lisle said.

“That’s put more emphasis on how the animals finish and this has lead to a quite a lot of improvement over the past few years.”

Mr Lisle also runs a commercial cattle operation, turning off both feeder steers and 20-month-old finished steers and the results speak for themselves.

“The steers topped at $2000 per head this year and averaged $1800 for both the feeders and the finished steers,” Mr Lisle said.

At last year’s bull sale, of the 20 horned bulls offered, 17 sold to a top of $14,000 twice and an average of $5647, while 13 of the 16 Poll Hereford sires topped at $9000 and averaged $5000. 

Tummel Vodka K207 was the first to hit the $14,000 mark and was bought by Robert and Jill Reid, “Chudleigh” Howlong, while the second went to return clients, Bruce and Pam Gunning, “Emu Holes”, Quirindi.

At this year’s 33^rd annual on-property sale on Tuesday, July 25, Tummel Herefords will offer a line-up of 30 horned and 15 polled bulls, along with 10 commercial heifers.

Included will be progeny of the New Zealand Bull Monymusk Eiffel Tower and another bull Mr Lisle has used GH Neon – a Canadian import.

Mr Lisle said the sons of the NZ bull showed excellent figures for calving ease and overall carcass attributes, while the GH Neon sons showed extra growth, thickness and high milking ability.

The sale will start at 1pm, with inspection from 11am.