Powerful show of Braford support for Beef 2024

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BRAFORD SOCIETY

For Beef '24 the Australian Braford Society (ABS) will focus on highlighting the myriad of benefits that the breed can provide across a diverse range of climates and production systems by displaying a vast selection of Braford males and females.

The six studs: Morelands Brafords; MCN Brafords; Chadwick Downs; Balallan Brafords; Winvic Pastoral; and Triple S Brafords, who sponsored the ABS trade site, will be displaying cattle at the event, while a further 25 society members will be represented in an advertising capacity.

Winvic Pastorals' Darren and Alice Marks are keen to demonstrate the high performing Braford female at the heart of their breeding program. They'll display two heifers out of the same registered Braford donor dam, one by the Poll Red Brahman sire NCC Red Odyssey, the other by the US Poll Hereford sire NJW 79z Z311 Endure 173D.

Balallan Brafords' Ellrott family have utilised Brafords for four generations since the breed was started in the late 1950s. Their production emphasis was initially on bullocks and more recently feeder steers. Their profitability is achieved through market, acceptance, and adaptability of the breed in a wide variety of climate conditions.

Morelands Brafords' Scott and Robyn Morgan are focused on breeding cattle for Northern Australia on coastal country with high humidity and rainfall. Their cattle are selected for parasite resistance, fertility, weight gain and temperament. Fed only on grass, they perform well on properties over the Great Dividing Range where pastures are less leached and there is less humidity. They aim to breed more adaptable, sustainable and profitable cattle for all buyers.

Chadwick Downs Cattle Co stud principal Martin Lill will have exciting new genetics on display built on decades of selection for fertility, efficiency, and consistency. These yearling Braford heifers share genetics with eight countries and showcase the progress that Brafords have made in Australia and globally in consistency, performance, and productivity. Mr Lill will also exhibit his "best-ever" team of Brafords in the stud cattle section.

MCN Brafords' seedstock program was established more than 50 years ago, with the fourth generation of the McNamara Partnership now involved.

They strive to breed functional relevant Braford cattle for all beef producers. Their core selection parameters are temperament, longevity and ease of management of animals with strong performance to ultimately drive viability and sustainability for the future. The McNamaras acquire the best genetics in market, supported with data, to ensure they deliver for their existing customers and grow their market, by consistently being in touch and listening to their feedback to form long-term, inter-generational relationships.

Triple S Brafords' Clayton and Samantha Moger have been stud breeders for 12 years and are third generation Braford producers. The Mogers strive for genetic progression by focusing on the fertility and composition of replacement females. Pressure is applied to the female breeding program to ensure their clients can be confident in the longevity and productivity of their purchase.

Mrs Moger, the ABS site coordinator for Beef '24, said the animals to be displayed will consist of stud, commercial, and crossbred Brafords, including animals registered under the new B classification system. All of which shall showcase the adaptability of the breed across varying environments.

"The Braford will be represented at our trade site and in the show ring with more than 100 registered Braford animals to be judged on Wednesday, May 8 from 9am in ring 4.

Several pens of Brafords have also been nominated in the Commercial Competition to be held at CQLX, which will mark our return to this competition after a lengthy hiatus."

She said the vision of ABS this year was to create an interactive site with live Braford animals from diverse production systems combined with a social hub for members and visitors.

"Free information and education sessions with industry professionals will be run daily on-site at 8am and and 4pm. These sessions will cover a host of topics, such as sustainability; international and extensive production systems; data collection; research and development; and genomics."

She said youth-centric events will be held all week, and after the show judging on Wednesday afternoon, a social gathering will be held for all Braford enthusiasts.

"There will truly be something of interest regarding the Braford for people young, and old."

Braford breeders will be attending Beef '24 on the back of a strong result at the Elite Braford Heifer Sale held at Gayndah, on March 23, where all 39 registered heifers sold to average $3595, topping at $8000.

"It was a very successful sale. The sale showcased the quality of the Braford female genetics that are out there."

The Post-Beef '24 schedule for the ABS includes Primex at Casino, in May, FarmFest at Toowoomba, and AgGrow at Emerald, in June, AgQuip at Gunnedah, in August, the New Dimension Sale, Bell, on August 31, and the National Sale, Gracemere, on September 9.

The ABS exhibit will be on site O83 to O85.

Please visit braford.org.au for further information.

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BRAFORD SOCIETY