2018 has been a full year already and we are only just past the halfway mark. Our first big event was Anne's mother's 99th birthday in early February, and was a happy and festive family affair.
Late February we were lucky enough to go to Houston Stock Show and World Brangus Congress in Texas USA, where a good number of Aussies joined others from many countries. We were treated to some wonderful hospitality and great cattle.
In March we sold our last Mitchell country as our downsizing continues. This will eventually allow us to slow down, but so far the pace continues. THIS YEAR WE WON'T BE HAVING ON PROPERTY SALES, BUT WILL BE SELLING HEREFORD AND BRANGUS (RED ANd BLACK) BULLS AND FEMALES PRIVATELY FROM THE PADDOCK.
WE WELCOME YOU TO COME TO SEE THE CATTLE AND SELECT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE.
BEEF 18 was a big event on the calendar. We had our own site with Brangus and Herefords on display and in the Stud Cattle Judging. COOTHARABA XPLICIT won his class, Senior Champion and went on to be crowned Grand Champion Hereford. He is now for sale, and will be in Brisbane August 9th and 10th for the EKKA, along with Cootharaba Plowman and a team of 5 Red Brangus. All of these are for private sale.
July was the end of the RNA Paddock to Palate Feedlot weight gain trials held at Mort & Co feedlot Jondaryan. Our Pen of 6 Hereford/Brangus X steers in Class 37 100 day Export came 3rd with an average daily gain of 3.069kgs. An individual 3rd went to one of these steers for an ADG of 3.408kgs/day.
In Class 38 - 70 day Trade our pen of 6 came 5th, but one team member won a 3rd place for an ADG of 3.25kgs/day. This pen was also Hereford Brangus X.
Added to the cattle business this year, Ian had the inspiration to gather stories of SOME of the wonderful and amazing cattlemen out there who are women. This has led us on a challenging, rewarding, EDUCATIONAL and immensely enjoyable path that has culminated in the production of a truly beautiful coffee table book ' CATTLEMEN IN PEARLS '.
This book will be launched at the RNA High Tea on Thursday 9th August. The High Tea is sold out, but books will be on sale at the Ekka in centre ring on Wed/Thu/Fri - 8/9/10th August. You can also buy a copy online at http://cattlemeninpearls.com.
A word about our creative team - we have five wonderful authors, all bush girls themselves. Annabelle Brayley, Paula Heelan, Tracey Hartmann (who is also the most wondrous project manager), Amanda Salisbury and Claire Mactaggart. The graphic design has been done by Elspeth Barker from PLASH CREATIVE in Roma, the cover has been painted by Sandra Allen, an artist of note also from Roma, and our editor is Bev Ryan from Bev Ryan Publishing Services in Brisbane. Each and every one of these people has done a fabulous job - hence our delight with the printed article.
NOW - none of this would have happened if the 28 women approached hadn't been so generous with their time and stories - we so appreciate how you have opened your hearts and made these stories so real and personal. All we can say is THANK YOU to everyone involved. To this list must be added David and Jane Thomas from the RNA who have encouraged us and helped us so much with the launch. SO much appreciated.
Please take a moment to look at the Gallery of photos from 2018 so far...