11
What a glorious spring!
The females look magnificent with their calves at foot and a joining sire with them, while the young sale bulls for 2012 are hitting their straps and look fantastic. The Breedplan figures are matching their exceptional growth and it is very exciting to see them each day.
A highlight of 2010/11 year is the announcement that Woodbourn is continuing to be the major sponsor of the Murray Grey Youth, especially the Ambassador Awards, with a third year option. It is a very exciting time to be involved with the Youth as Woodbourn has always had a high regard for the retention and development of young people in the breed. You will certainly see the response of this sponsorship over the next few years as Woodbourn, apart from giving generously, has been grated naming rights to the Youth and Ambassador Awards.
For all those who follow Breedplan EBV’s, you will know how difficult it is to secure new genetics with a full list of EBV’s, including carcase data. Combined with visual apraisal the task is becoming more difficult. Woodbourn is constantly on the lookout for new genetics (however we have secured three new outside bloodlines this year already), so if anyone reading this has a suitable bull, please let us know.
Our criteria at Woodbourn is fairly simple. We require
- below breed average for birth
- a minimum of three times breed average for milk
- approximately double breed average for 400day and 600day EBV’s
- positive fats and
- well above breed average for EMA and IMF
It is extremely hard to find such animals, especially when combined with frame six minimum, good feet, large scrotal and tight sheaths. We certainly are not adverse in paying “top dollars” as we have in the past, up to $25000 for sires.