Performance Recording

All of our breeding stock are performance recorded. Our pedigree stock receive no preferential treatment. They are ran commercially, alongside our crossbred cows as we believe stud breeder’s systems should reflect those of their customers. We also believe in performance recording under pressure. We run a system where selective pressure is applied to the herd in terms of fertility, hardiness & maternal performance.

Calving & Fertility

  • Every calf is weighed at birth & scored on it’s vigour (1-5). Any assistance to suckle is recorded.

  • Every cow is scored on her mothering ability, docilty and ease of calving. As we calve outdoors, cows need to be able to calve and suckle the calf without our intervention.

  • Each cow is also judged on her teat and udder structure at calving. Good structure is a key attribute required for a calf to be able to suckle without any intervention.

  • Cows only run with the bull for 2 cycles.

Weaning & Maternal Efficiency

  • Cows are weighed & body condition scored at weaning

  • Calves are weighed at weaning and their weights adjusted to 200 days. We can then compare against the dam to see which cows are producing, relative to their own bodyweight.

  • We score the calves at weaning on their docility.

Backfat Scanning & Pelvic Measuring

  • After weaning, heifers destined for breeding are outwintered on forage crops & deferred grass. They are pelvic measured at around 12 months of age to remove any outliers that might cause problems.

  • At around 12 months, both yearling bulls & bulling heifers are ultrasound scanned to measure their backfat, eye muscle area & Intramuscular fat % which then feed into their EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values). Bulls also get their scrotal circumference measured, which is an indicator of fertility.