Quality in heifer offer at Elders Supreme Springing Heifer Sale

The Roberts family of Elgin will offer a quality line-up of 221 crossbred pregnancy-tested-in-calf heifers at the Elders Supreme Springing Heifer Sale to be conducted on December 10 at the Boyanup saleyards. The annual sale has since 1990 been a source of baby beef producers to acquire replacement females that have the added dairy genetic influence desired for the production of vealers. The Roberts’ line-up includes 140 Angus cross Friesian, 33 Murray Grey cross Friesian and 48 Hereford cross Friesian heifers, all mated to Unison Limousin bull Nadire N93 with the majority synchronised AI mated for a 20-day calving period. “We have participated in the annual sale since its inception and enjoy sourcing suitable crossbred beef heifers from reputable dairy breeders and getting feedback from buyers of these heifers we put through our breeding program,” Michael Roberts said. “It’s all been very positive, our clients are producing good weighted vealer calves produced from the roomy heifers that we offer at the sale. The dairy content of these heifers makes them good milking mothers.” Mr Roberts said his family put a lot of work into the farm’s AI program, which had attracted repeat buyers for many years. “While input costs continue to rise, which is a real concern, we are determined to continue our program of buying suitable heifers,” he said. Mr Roberts said during his search for heifers at saleyards in the past year he had bidding competition from butchers for the first time. “They are prepared to pay more, which has increased values of these types,” he said. “We also run 120 breeders to produce vealers for Woolworths using Charolais and Simmental bulls.” Elders South West livestock manager Michael Carroll said the Elders Supreme Springing Heifer Sale would offer a total of 776 PTIC first cross heifers from 11 vendors, all bred from dairy dams. “It has offered South West baby beef producers a source of A-grade replacement first cross breeders for more than 30 years,” he said. “All the heifers have been mated AI or naturally to Angus or Limousin sires. The vendors in this sale do a professional job of selecting, joining and preparing the heifers especially for this fixture.” Mr Carroll said all heifers came with a pregnancy guarantee with a maximum calving period of 12 weeks, with many much shorter, including the synchronised mated heifers. “They have all passed a pestivirus ear notch test from November 1 and numerous heifers in the catalogue are marked as being vaccinated with Pestiguard for added insurance,” he said. “The sale will offer quiet, easy-going breeders that will rear weighty calves suitable for many markets.”