Cattle for a harsh climate
Lambert Stud breeding stock suited for the dry
AS THE dry tightens its grip on grazing districts, it’s never been more essential to have cattle genetics that can hack tough conditions.
That’s why Scott Bredhauer, who runs Lambert Herefords and Acton Charbrays with his father Pat between Charleville and Blackall, thinks his stud is located in a prime position.
“It’s in the middle of nowhere, we’re a long way from anywhere. Probably one of the most western studs there are,” Mr Bredhauer said.
“We find breeding them in this climate makes it a lot better for people running them out here.
“We try not to pamper them too much. And obviously living where we are they’re not on any crops or anything, they’re straight out of the paddock.
“We just feed them on a bit of grain before the sale to fatten them up a bit, which helps people out here as well.”
Pat Bredhauer and his
family started Lambert Herefords in 1960, mostly due to their versatility and popularity.
“We like them out here because they’re a very soft easy going animal but they can also handle living out here,” Mr Bredhauer said.
“They’re also very good to crossbreed to get the traits we want.
“Their temperament is a key trait a lot of people use them for. They’re very docile animals.”
The Bredhauers decided to bring in charbrays 10 years ago.
“We brought them in for diversification,” Mr Bredhauer said.
“We were also looking for an animal that could handle the dry conditions of western Queensland and also an animal that had good weight gain.
“They have very good carcass traits, good growth and muscle traits.
“Our clients are spread over the western area and they need to be able to survive the dry climate here.”
The Bredhauers’ property consists of 24,281 hectares and they also run a few sheep.
“We used to run a heap of sheep but our numbers are right back now due to wild dogs,” Mr Bredhauer said.
“We’d like to have a lot more.”
The Lambert Stud Bull Sale is coming up on August 28 at the Blackall Saleyards.
There will be 31 charbray and 29 hereford bulls on offer.
Mr Bredhauer said all the sale bulls had been vaccinated for tick fever, three-day fever, seven-in-one and Vibrio.
The bulls will be semen tested, morphology tested and scanned before the sale.
Mr Bredhauer said he hoped the seasonal conditions wouldn’t have too much of an effect on the sale.
“The season has been terrible. Unfortunately, people have been struggling out here,” he said.
“We’re hoping the sale goes well but we understand people are struggling.
“Numbers are down out here at the moment but we’re hoping everyone gets a good drink soon.”