WHY CHOOSE THE CARINYA GARGLEN SALE?
We wish to thank our loyal clients for their past support, and cordially invite you to join us at the new and exciting Carinya Garglen Sale concept. Your support has never gone unnoticed or unappreciated and it is our wish to continue a great working relationship with you. Having said that, we would now also like to invite anyone who breeds or uses Brahmans to any degree, whether in a seedstock production or a commercial production business targeting various market platforms in weaner sales, feedlot supply or grassfed fats, to also join us at the sale. You are of equal importance to us, and we are confident that we are producing a consistent quality article that will suit your requirements.
Over 60 years of history within the same business is an outstanding achievement on anyone’s terms. This alone is representative of our commitment to continually improve and move with the times. It shows tenacity and strength of character to be able to ride out the waves of good and bad times, of which there has been plenty. Passion and dedication to our great breed is all it takes really. We are dedicated Brahman Breeders and cattle producers that focus on the experience we have, the expectations we place on ourselves and the reputation we have built and wish to maintain.
Our “no second chances” policy has ensured a fertile and productive herd. If at preg testing, a maiden heifer is tested empty, and the majority of her joining group are PTIC, she is moved on. If a cow on her 3rd calf misses her fourth, unless there were circumstances beyond her control, when the rest of her contemporary group are PTIC, she is moved on. If her udder is in the least questionable, she is moved on. If she looks after herself more than her calf, she is moved on. If temperament is not as we expect it to be, she is moved on. It is only with these restrictive parameters on choice for placement, that we can maintain an efficient, fertile and productive herd of outstanding Brahman breeders. The same goes for choosing our bulls offered for sale. Structure, disposition, presentation and reproductive correctness are all deciding factors, among others. If he is not up to standard, he will go to the steer paddock.
Profitability is the driving force behind any business model. ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Our business models have been working for many years now and as long as we continue to keep an open mind, listen, learn, and move with the times, we will remain profitable in our existing business. As we all know, any agriculturally based business is at the mercy of many influences out of our control. Research those influences and prepare to deal with them. This is a very high input industry, but the returns can be exceptional if we manage expenses and prepare for the future.
Genetics are the basis of a good seedstock producing business. We have a long history of what could sometimes be considered ‘trial and error’ in the early days but have been on a rising plane of quality production for many years now. Experience tells us that investing in the very best genetics we can, will be the biggest profit driver for our businesses. And we have certainly done that. Sourcing the very best genetics from Australia and the best Brahman herds in the USA has taken us to another level. Researching genetics that continually perform within the breed and following that pattern has proven...
... its worth over and over again. Both Carinya and Garglen are continually sourcing new and exciting genetics and we think you will be as equally impressed as we are by the results. With the “polled” phenomenon infiltrating the Brahman world, we will endeavour to follow suit, but will never sacrifice a great sire for a polled sire. He must be a great polled sire to find his way into our herds. Having said that, we feel that Australia has some of the very best polled Brahmans in the world on offer, and many stud breeders are presenting exceptional polled bulls at auction.
We have a “nothing to hide” policy. Being extremely proud of our Brahman breeders, we invite anyone, at any time to visit our properties, by arrangement. We will be very happy to give you a tour of our breeding herds, a practice we recommend to anyone looking to purchase sires. That female breeding herd is the ‘factory floor’ for a seedstock producer and is due great consideration.
A seedstock producer is a commercial cattleman who breeds stud cattle. After all, sales to the commercial cattle breeder are our bread and butter. For a buyer to come year in and year out and purchase one, two or a line of our bulls out of the paddock means we are getting it right. A repeat buyer is the supreme compliment, and a new client lets us know we are making an impression. Of course, we also aim to produce that next top stud bull, but it all goes hand in hand. Those higher priced stud bulls are bought to go in to breeding operations that are trying to better their ideal animal for their clients. We try to buy the best we can possibly afford, to breed the best we can possibly breed, to fulfil our clients’ requirements to help them improve their product, no matter what market they are targeting.
A recurring statement at an ABBA conference this year, was to utilise and embrace technology. We are trying our best to do so. At our sale, we will supply every possible figure and piece of data and information you need to assist you in your selection process. Some of you may use it, some of you may stay with what you know and have always done. Either way, Carinya and Garglen will present all data available at Sale time. This plethora of information can be difficult to interpret at times, so please make sure you have a full understanding of the EBV system, in particular. Misinterpretation of information can lead to a disappointing result for you as a breeder. Remember to check accuracies and take into consideration that EBV’s will continually change on an individual animal, as more genetic linkage to that animal is collected.
There is so much pressure on Brahmans, above any other breed to continually evolve into an animal that covers all markets, whilst maintaining the traits that have made them so desirable in the Australian beef industry. Our brahman cow is the queen of crossbreeding, producing the highest percentage of heterosis when bred to any other pure breed. She deserves full recognition for being the common denominator for that purpose. On the other hands, Brahman steers require less feed intake to finish therefore making them as equally profitable as a long fed steer that has had a higher initial cost to start with. Brahmans are the only multi-tasking breed in this country and must be appreciated equally for their adaptability and survivability.
It is not difficult to see that we at Carinya and Garglen are “hard core” Brahman people, who are continually forward planning. If you take into consideration that it is a three to four-year project from conception to sale presentation of an animal, it is obvious that we must stay a step ahead. We will search this country and others for what we believe are Brahmans with the most desirable traits within this great breed. We already have some exciting new genetic lines in both herds that will be presented at future sales. There is much to be excited about in the Australian beef industry, but mostly the role our mighty Brahman will play in that future.
We so look forward to seeing old friends and new at The Carinya Garglen Sale, 25th October, Glenlands, Bouldercombe.
The Carinya Garglen Sale Team
tips for introducting your new bull
The Quality Assurance program we have instigated for The Carinya Garglen Sale, ensures that we have done everything possible to ensure that these young sires will be in optimum condition for their FIRST joining, in your herd, post-sale.
We have administered vaccinations and carried out a BBSE (bull breeding soundness evaluation) by a licensed practitioner. This includes a physical examination and crush side semen test. All bulls have also been morphology tested.
On the fall of the hammer, however, you own the bull. Once you get him home, you are responsible for the bull’s health and consequent breeding longevity within your herd. Injury, disease, accident, herd health, and sometimes just bad luck all play a role in the future of a successful joining program with your new purchase.
Keep an eye on the bull and his breeder herd during the joining season, to help avoid a negative outcome. We believe there are four ways to maximise a bull’s performance and pregnancy rates.
- Annual vaccination programs.
- Veterinary check pre-joining season – semen test and a physical examination by a vet, as he may find underlying issues not visible to the naked eye.
- Even though this is a cost for your operation, please consider it more an investment, than a cost. There will be a significant difference in your return, simply by ensuring your bulls are sound BEFORE joining him come breeding season.
- Try to observe your bulls ‘successfully’ serving cows. Some bulls can have a great semen test result, but a serving inability can be an issue.
- Focus on your breeder herd. A bull (particularly after his first season) should get a considerable number of cows pregnant in the first cycle of joining (3-4 weeks). If you are seeing a large number of cows cycling after that period, you may have a problem. Remember though, a young bull, just purchased and taken directly to a breeding herd, may take a little longer in his first season to ‘blow the pipes out’, so to speak. You may have to be a little forgiving in this first season.
There are also other personal management risk strategies to consider. Eg. – a multi-sire groups, rotational grazing or rotating bulls through breeder groups and introducing a fresh or back-up bull to his herd, must all be considered.
When you take your new young bull home from The Carinya Garglen Sale, please remember -
- He is young and this will be his first season.
- He has been on a supplementary feed and will need “letting down”.
- He has been in a communal group with other young bulls for some months, has travelled to and from the sale, has had the stress of being handled and put through the sale ring with unfamiliar people and sounds, so he has had a lot of stress.
These are all very intense factors that need your consideration. Therefore, when your new bull arrives home, it is strongly advised to have a handful of steers or pregnant cows either in a yard or a small paddock that the bull can be introduced to. The idea is to recreate the sense of herd protection while the new arrival adapts and settles in. This process could take several days or even weeks. It's important to provide adequate feed and water during this time. If you have purchased bulls from different properties, it is advised to avoid socialising them together at this early stage.
When purchasing, make enquiries on how the bulls have been handled on their property of origin. For example, are the new bulls familiar with dogs, motorbikes or horses? Having this information will help you handle them in their new environment.
Ask which health treatments the bull has received. If they have not been treated prior, all bulls should be vaccinated and/or drenched.
When you buy a new bull or bulls for your herd, you can reduce problems by getting them home and settling them in properly. Bulls of all breeds can become upset and excited during the sale and delivery process. They are subjected to strange yards, different noises, loss of their mates, different people, different handling methods, trucking, unloading, new paddocks and different water and feed. This combination is often enough to upset even the quietest animals. New bull buyers are often concerned about the apparent bad temperament of a bull that seemed quiet enough when bought. Understanding why bulls become upset, and organising to reduce stress, allows them to settle down quickly.
During the non-breeding season do not let your bulls get too fat! Bulls will last a lot longer, have fewer feet problems and will be more agile and virile generally if they are not overweight. The best mature bull paddock is often your worst paddock. Young bulls may need a better paddock as they are still growing. Having said that, have your sires on a rising plane of nutrition before starting the next season.
Below is an article of interest, re-iterating what we have just discussed.
Relocation-induced depressed fertility
“When bulls suffer a drop in their fertility levels post-sale this is described as relocation-induced depressed fertility (RDF). A Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) report titled Bull Power considers RDF to be a significant issue for many cattle producers. It suggests there can be several different causes of RDF that may occur during transport, or soon after arrival at the new property. The stress of transport has been suggested to be very similar in effect to elevated testicular temperatures. This can cause testicular changes and may influence the morphology of the bull's semen as a result. RDF was initially considered to affect bulls travelling longer distances and being relocated into more challenging environments. However, the research suggests RDF can equally be an issue with bulls being moved over shorter distances and into environments that were not necessarily harsh or challenging. The research found up to half of the bulls in the trial failed the Bull Breeding Soundness Examination (BBSE) in the three months after the sale. The principal causes of many of the failures of these bulls to pass their BBSE after arrival appeared to be directly related to nutritional stress. Bulls that lost significant body condition also had a reduction in scrotal circumference. The data found a high proportion of bulls with significant loss of body condition and scrotal size produced semen with less than 50 per cent normal sperm. However, it was also found when nutrition and body condition improved, they recovered their fertility. RDF was usually a problem within the first six months of arriving at a new location. Therefore, stresses of sale, transport and adjusting to a new location may take some time for bulls to recover. By planning to minimise the impacts of these factors you will potentially reduce the period of time where bulls may be less fertile. Looking after your bull during the initial stages of his working life should ensure longevity and success within your breeding herd.”
At Carinya and Garglen, we know that bulls are a large investment for breeding herds and that they have a major effect on herd fertility. A little time and attention to make sure they are fit, free from disease and actively working is well worthwhile. If you have any doubts or questions regarding your bull’s breeding soundness, we are just a phone call away and always more than happy to discuss your concerns with you.
what is a seedstock producer?
We are commercial cattle producers, who breed stud cattle.
We are record keepers, with an eye for detail.
We register cattle with an association because we have recorded their genetic history for at least six generations.
We are over-achievers who love a challenge.
We are obsessed with what we do, perfectionists that strive to achieve the next best thing.
If we are not all these things, we will not survive in the Seedstock industry, in any breed. Commercial cattlemen can be assured of the right product, backed by the correct information from a breeder with integrity and a good reputation within the industry.
As the ‘old ways’ have changed from the time when you bought a bull purely on phenotype, at present, a good producer will embrace the technology now available but maintain the old school standards. They will also present you with all the scientific and raw data they have at hand, enabling you to make an informed decision before purchasing an animal from them.
That technology can present a plethora of information for buyers. Some data is questionable. Raw data, however, is a “fact”, a physical measurement taken by a professional in that field. Totally reliable information. Scientific data on the other hand, needs to be researched and fully understood by both producer and buyer, or misinterpretation of information provided can lead to a very different outcome than what you expected.
Buyer take note, but buyer beware!
Let us talk EBV’s. It is important that buyers be made aware of the importance of accuracies when using EBV’s as an influence when deciding on what animal is best for their breeding program. EBV’s are a very useful guide and good management tool, but make sure you have a full understanding of the information provided. There is a range on either side of the figures you are seeing that will alter with lower or higher accuracies and that may drastically change the outcome you may expect from the figures presented. Keep in mind that those figures will also alter for each specific animal as more genetic linkage from relatives of the animal you have chosen is collected and recorded. The figures you are reading on a bull this year, may be totally different next year as more breeders submit information to Breedplan. Also keep in mind, that unfortunately there are some breeders who know how to “make it all work” to present better figures throughout their herd. Breeder integrity must be considered.
When you understand it, use it.
How we breed the “best to the best” has also become influenced by technology. AI, ET and IVF now play a major role in the breeding program for many seedstock producers. At a recent ABBA conference, the use of IVF technology was questioned by a commercial breeder. It was suggested that the industry is using unproven genetics for mass reproduction. That suggestion has some merit, but once again, do your research and ask questions. Honestly, if we are true to ourselves as seedstock producers, we would be fools only to ourselves if we were not utilising this technology to its full advantage. It is costly and time consuming, so it must be implemented into our breeding programs correctly and to its full advantage. We are using this technology to benefit our own herds and to produce a superior animal for our clients. Our commercial breeding clientele are seeking better bulls to produce their targeted product more efficiently and quickly, so we ask that your trust us to find the best way to breed the seedstock you require.
So, at a time for honesty, we will admit that we recently used 2 maiden heifers for an IVF program. This is totally out of character for us, as we have only ever used cows that have proven themselves within our breeding herd. However, we well and truly did our research before deciding we could make an informed decision.
We visited the breeder’s property, a breeder with a long history and strong reputation within the Brahman breed. He took us on tour of his entire breeding herd, as he had nothing to hide and was understandably very proud of his herd. It was a herd of fertile, moderate growth females with extensive breeding records as proof as to why each cow was still in that breeding program. This was an entire breeding herd with exceptional udders and impressive temperament.
Once we had enquired about the heifers we eventually purchased, we thoroughly researched the sire, dam, both maternal and paternal grand sire and dam and siblings of the 2 heifers. This was a breeder with a reputation and integrity that was unquestionable, and we were 100% certain that those heifers had the depth of breeding and correctness for many generations that we were seeking to use through our herd. Once we made the decision to pick these heifers up in an IVF program, research was carried out on the sire we chose to put over them. Same deal, researched the bull, the breeders breeding herd, maternal and paternal grand dam and sire and siblings, so we were once again 100% certain that this was the correct informed choice from a breeder with history, reputation and integrity.
NB. Those heifers will be joined naturally now before returning to the donor program.
Our Point
Do your research to make an informed decision or you will only be fooling yourself. Not all producers can be ‘thrown into the same basket’, and you cannot discount the use of this amazing breeding technology (ET and IVF) if you do not fully understand what is presented to you. In fact, this industry is demanding so much, so quickly from seedstock producers, as was also suggested by speakers at the ABBA conference, that we would be foolish not to use the technology at hand to breed our ‘best to the best’ to produce what you as buyers are demanding from the Brahman breed.
Do your Homework!
Commercial producers are demanding better and better all the time. We as seedstock producers are offering all the information and technology we have available to us, at quite a considerable cost, financially and physically, so be assured that we are not going to waste our hard-earned money and time on producing an inferior animal. Good bulls can be a big investment, but the right bull will be the best investment you will make. The quality and production within your herd will alter quickly and the increase in your returns will be considerably noticeable.
understanding genetics
Over many generations, beef producers have successfully improved the quality of cattle, and increased the profitability of their businesses, by concentrating on selection for genetic improvement. Understanding genetics is a complex matter, but correct understanding and implementation of the desired genetics can have a major impact on quality and productivity of the herd.
Having said that, as there are so many (thousands) of pairs of genes that exist in an animal, but with only one of the pair coming from each parent, the combination of genes passed down, is often by pure chance.
Qualitative traits are those we can possibly have input into via selection. For example, hair colour, and the horned or polled gene. However, breeding for the polled gene can become quite complicated, considering that the Brahman has the scurred trait which can interfere in, or change the outcome. A table explaining the outcome of specific matings for the polled gene is below.
Quantatitive traits (eg growth pattern and muscle development) involve many genes, but the environment can play a major role in phenotypic appearance. These traits are more difficult to predict than qualitative traits. The differences will appear for example, when two animals that are bred genetically the same, but when reared on different country type, can look significantly different – eg. Growth patterns.
There can be positive or negative results when selecting for one genetic trait in particular. For example, choosing for a lower birthweight will generally mean that weaning and yearling weights will also be reduced. Choosing for a phenotypic trait can also have the same effect. Eg. A larger frame score will mean later maturity.
Heritability estimates can be advantageous. In general, highly heritable traits indicate that an added gene plays a major role in the outcome, whereas a lower heritable trait would suggest that environment and management will influence outcome. Use of highly heritable traits will result in a rapid change. We must consider heritability, functionality and economics when making these choices.
Selection of the most desired traits for your business, will be most beneficial to your productivity and profitability. Continuing to work on the desired traits make take several generations of selection to reach the end goal. However, selection for a single trait may be at the expense of other economically relevant traits and may compromise productivity and profitability. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to select for every desirable trait at one time. It is best practice to continually work on the traits you feel most important and add to, or vary them in the following generations.
In summary, it is the implementation of provided scientific data, along with due consideration of raw data, and an understanding of genetic influence that should ideally lead to what you are trying to achieve within your herds breeding program.
Extracts from “Basic Genetics” by Alex Ashwood, Brahman News March 2009
The pot of gold is in your breeder paddocks
Is there any more glorious site than a healthy brahman female, whether she is heavy with her first calf, on her first spring or with a sappy calf at foot. These ladies are without doubt our most important asset. Beautiful and versatile, a brahman female will breed an outstanding calf when used in a purebred operation or crossed with a sire of any chosen breed. She is the main source of the most hybrid vigour input into any crossbreeding program.
In fact, did you know that from research data collected, it has been proven that the result of hybrid vigour, using a brahman female as the common denominator is:
- 10% greater fertility
- 5% greater calf survival
- 12.5% greater weaning rate
- Approximately 32 kg greater calf weight at weaning and
- 37% greater longevity
This thrifty and efficient Brahman female also has the added advantage of increased heat tolerance compared to most breeds. She will be out grazing, gaining weight, travelling vast areas of country and producing better milk for her calf while other breeds will often be lying under a tree or cooling off in a dam, during the long months of heat we experience in Australia. A brahman female is essential to any successful beef producing program, anywhere in this great country and she will do so with less inputs, and will do it for longer.
At Carinya and Garglen, we are both extremely proud of our breeding herds. Backed by over 60 years of history, we have been breeding females of uncompromising quality that are backed by generations of fertility and performance. That is at least 6 decades and 4 generations to date. It is comforting to know that we have a powerful and predictable genetic base in our beautiful breeders. Our selection criteria for replacement females is unwavering, and there are no second chances given.
Our females provide multi generation, breed changing genetics – the power is in the cows.
Both studs have embraced various breeding methods, with natural matings, artificial insemination, embryo transfer and IVF. Although natural matings make up the majority of our breeding regime, we consider the use of AI, ET and IVF only maximises the genetic potential of the very best females in the herd. Donors are considered “The Cream of the Crop” and are being utilised to create generations of superior Brahman cattle. We consider good genetics to be our best investment and the basis for our future in this industry – one that is moving forward in leaps and bounds.
We want what you want ... Fertility - Efficiency - Longevity - Consistency