WIDGEGONGA - MICHAEL CARROLL

WESTERN VICTORIA - DERRINALLUM

Michael Carroll established the Widgegonga herd at Derrinallum with Team Te Mania heifers from Scott McKay at Habbies Howe.

The focus is on finding the optimum combination of pasture production and cattle genetics to maximise the financial return. Various systems were initially modelled on the CSIRO program Grassgrow with the assistance of Lisa Warn at the Mackinnon Project.

The system currently in place is one where calving occurs in August / September with steers carried through a second spring and sold as feeder steers at as close to upper weight limit of 500kg as possible at around 15 months of age. The following photo is of the E drop steers in October, weighing just over 400kgs at 13 and 14 months of age.

Weights are closely monitored and processed through Breedplan and the herd uses the latest genetics from Te Mania as part of their progeny testing program. Te Mania was the obvious choice for genetics given the accuracy of their EBVs and their focus on tracking performance on feed and in the chiller. The following chart shows the growth patterns of the E drop steers which were sold to Rangers Valley at 15 months averaging around 475kg.

The stocking rate typically peaks at 20 DSE’s / Ha in Spring and a falls to around 10 DSE’s / Ha in Autumn. The following chart from MLA’s Feed Demand Calculator indicates this system results in around 65% pasture utilisation. In a normal year there is no pasture deficit and no supplementary feeding. When there is a deficiet it is most likely to occur in February and March and managed with an early weaning and the calves being maintained on silage.

Around 300 kg / ha of beef is sold each year and with an average rainfall of 570 mm this equates to just over 50 kg per Ha per 100 mm of rain.

To maximise the rate of genetic progress virtually all heifers are retained. They are put through a synchronised AI program to minimise the labour required to supervise calving. This results in a very young herd with surplus breeders sold on at around 5 years of age. Enquiries for these surplus breeders are always welcome.

Michael Carroll 0414 444 218