On Monday 22^nd September at Gracemere saleyards, we are conducting the 5 STAR Senepol bull and female sale.  On offer will be 40 purebred Senepol bulls, 35 Senelais [SENEPOL/CHAROLAIS] as well as 20  purebred senepol females.

One of the feature lots will be Haz 5-21[lot 2], a sire that has the highest growth EBVs [+40] in the 5 STAR 2007 breed plan run, as well as 8 out of 8 genes for tenderness and 8 out of 8 genes for feed efficiency. This bull has been used for 2 seasons in the 5 Star herds and semen has been retained for future use.

Another feature lot is lot 3, 5 STAR Bailey. 5 STAR BAILEY was awarded the Grand Champion Senepol bull at the RNA 2007 and backed up to be senior champion at 2008. At 27 months, he measured 135 cm eye muscle area, eclipsing most other sires at that age.

The McCauley family from Valinor Grazing will again be presenting a quality line up of purebred Senepol bulls, mostly derived from imported USA embryos.

20 quality females are on offer, for the first time breed plan figures have been calculated for the female run, and all females are pregnant or running with Outcross performance sire 5 STAR TERRICK 1-001 [gene star rating 1 marbling, 7 tenderness, and 7 for feed effiency]

In the last 12 months the major meat works have offered a premium for cattle that grade M.SA.  One of the variables to achieve a higher grading percentage is to keep Bos Indicus levels down. The Senepol is an adapted Bos Taurus breed, that hasn’t any  Bos Indicus content, yet has a reasonable level of heat and parasite resistance. Meat Standards Australia has stated that the breeds like the Senepol offer an alternative for producers to maximise their returns, yet still have the tropical adaptation to handle the inconsistent Northern Australian environment. Many of the larger pastoral companies have infused the Senepol into their programs, to capitalise on this strategy.  

The 5 Star herds have embarked on an extensive Genestar evaluation program, in analysing over 400 animals for DNA markers for tenderness, feed efficiency and marbling. Generally the Senepol has performed very well, especially in the area of tenderness and feed efficiency. The 5 star herds average just under 7 out of 8 for feed efficiency and approx 5.5 out of 8 for tenderness.

With over 400 Senepol females in the herd, a good amount of selection pressure is applied.

FREE SEMEN

Again this year, as an incentive for buyers taking the day off to attend the 5 Star sales in September, the Maynard and McCauley families are offering all legitimate bid card holders on the day, 10 straws of semen from select sires, NAMELY:

5 Star King 1-514 and 5 Star Merlin 1-520. King is a Hercules son that offers great length and muscling, whilst Merlin is a renown ‘slick’ bull, consequently all his calves are very slick coated even when crossed with hairy type breeds.  Merlin also carries 6 genes for tenderness and 8 genes for feed efficiency and 1 for marbling. Just like last year, these packages are valued over $250 worth.  

Any enquiries, please contact:

Geoff Maynard, 07 4996 5240, mteugene1@bigpond.com , Mt Eugene Jambin 4702

Web site: www.maynardcattleco.com.au  Click here for the 2008 catalogue.

In August, Mt Eugene was the host property of the CRC RESEARCH UPDATE field day. With over 150 people in attendance, all thought it a successful day. A great line up of speakers with John Bertram giving an overview of the CRC 1, 2 AND 3 programs, then Kelly Anne Semple, who flew up from Victoria , to outline the outcomes of the CRC programs. Nathan Buckley from M.S.A gave an insight on how the different grading procedures work, and how value adding at the retail end underpins this technology. Jason Strong gave a good outline of what can be achieved and what’s on the horizon for DNA testing in the beef industry. Dr Ced Wise delivered a detailed and humorous look at the processes of conception, and highlighted the complex process of getting calves conceived, gestated, and born. Finally Nick Corbett wrapped up the day, with what we can expect from the latest CRC research being conducted, namely in the area of female fertility in the North environments.  

We are very grateful to the speakers who gave their time to come and share the latest information with us and also the grass roots cattle people who took time out from a busy schedule to attend the day. Many thanks .