Weebollabolla's quality genetics stand the test of time

This is branded content for Weebollabolla Shorthorns.

COMMERCIALLY-relevant Shorthorn bulls bred with a balance of fertility, calving ease and carcase weight, are on offer in the 2021 Weebollabolla Shorthorns sale on Friday, September 17.

The focus at Weebollabolla is on self-replacing herds that return maximum profit per hectare with minimal management, thanks to a correct balance of the core traits, which is backed up by structure for breeding longevity.

Weebollabolla has supplied genetics for almost 150 years, and the Munro family is very aware of the challenging balance between targeting traits imperative to a self-replacing herd, pushing performance with high growth, and ensuring a delicious dining experience for the consumer.

The Moree-based stud's commitment to quality genetics means it's an operation that stands the test of time, with long-term clients from central Queensland, through to the New England and Central West NSW, and down to Tasmania.

The Munro family has continued to maintain the strong focus on commercially-relevant traits over the past few years, despite drought.

"This time last year we were sending cattle away on agistment to Coolah and Armidale due to ongoing drought conditions until January 2021," director Jen Jeffreys said.

"With cattle prices today, this was well worth the effort, and we hope clients have benefited from these historically high prices."

The tough conditions faced by the 2021 sale bulls hasn't impacted quality in this year's sale catalogue.

Mrs Jeffreys said the Q-drop bulls had experienced the most extreme seasonal conditions, from being early weaned during severe drought in late November 2019 to the exceptional season they're now experiencing in 2021.

"They are in excellent condition and ready to work.

"We have focused hard on improving intramuscular fat without compromising fertility and performance."

The 2021 sale bulls have been managed for commercial conditions in a large contemporary group, weighed from birth, DNA SireTraced, tested for the homozygous poll gene, and independently assessed for structure, stature, capacity, body length, muscle score, doability, sheath, hairy type and overall grade, semen tested and scrotal measured twice and scanned for fat and muscle.

All bulls were assessed by Dick Whale, Independent Breeding and Marketing Services, and based on structure and phenotype alone Mr Whale's top picks are Q86 (lot 5), a North Star N86 son; Q49 (lot 8), a Narrandera N78 son; Q61 (lot 7), a Gigabytes J0837 son; and Q38 (lot 10), a K0182 son whose sire goes back to Goodar G105.

The Weebollabolla herd maintains a 4.5 credit star rating with Breedplan, thanks to commitment to providing accurate estimated breeding values (EBVs).

"We continue to join our yearling bulls which gives our data extra accuracy earlier and faster long-term genetic gain - this demonstrates our confidence and belief in what we're breeding," Mrs Jeffreys said.

"EBVs should always be used in conjunction with visual assessment, and having an independent structural assessment gives our clients the confidence to buy online."

For the first time in the stud's history, six females will be available in the annual sale,

The heifers, selected on their structure and phenotype, have been joined to Weebollabolla Quanto Q9, a son of Lignum L4 who has been used extensively over heifers to lift intramuscular fat and improve maternal longevity.

Weebollabolla Quanto has been retained in the herd.

"These heifers were sent away on agistment with the intention of being joined but were not mated," Mrs Jeffreys said.

"We are excited to turn a positive out of a negative and offer these heifers for sale.

"People are always chasing Shorthorns and for once the breeder job is a lot stronger than the feeder market.

"So we are pleased to have the opportunity to offer such quality genetics that have proven longevity."

While COVID-19 may impact producers physically attending the September 17 sale, buyers can bid confidently through Elite Livestock Auctions, with photos and videos of each bull available.

Sale information will be updated closer to the date via email and on Facebook and the stud's website.

This is branded content for Weebollabolla Shorthorns.