Women on Farms

On one of the most unpleasant, wintry days several car loads of WOFWG members headed to Korumburra to learn about Speckle Park beef cattle and breeding techniques.

The mud, slush, sleety gusts and rain were more than offset by the good will, humour and fascination for what Carol Timothy had to share about her beef business. The Milky Way Speckle Park Stud is about 45 hectares of hilly terrain. It is lush with pasture but steeply challenging for both cattle and humans.

Care has been put into thoughtful planning of yards, races and a quality crush. The result is that when cows are brought in for reproductive procedures, Carol can do much of the handling herself. Her focus is not on the carcass market but on producing stud stock which are in high demand, especially from interstate. The appeal of this comparatively new beef breed starts with their distinctive, attractive looks and extends to the tender qualities of the meat and their ease of handling.

Viable production of these stud cattle relies on a high level of intervention in reproductive cycles with hormone injections, stimulation of multi-ovulation and embryo transfer. There is an essential reliance on a competent local cattle vet as well as on detailed record keeping and knowledge of genetics. The Timothys have taken on and are succeeding in a challenging but obviously satisfying field of animal husbandry.

To do so on sufficient land, they moved some years ago to the current Korumburra site, setting up on undeveloped acreage, sheds, tracks, the impressive yards and finally the purchase and remodelling of a complete house moved from the suburbs.

Any woman is welcome to join Women on Farms. The key criterion is an interest in farming and farming friendships. There is no need to be actively farming. For more details contact secretary, Jean Irvine, ph. 0429488156, or go to the website womenonfarms-wg.org.au