Page 85 - Shorthorn Magazine

Glenbrook cows grazing
After a relaxing morning on Thursday walking around the Adelaide Oval we collected our hire car and headed off to Swanport to stay with Marie. Neville and the cattle not being able to leave the show until Friday. I think he is part of the fittings as he hasn’t missed a show since 1948!
Marie had arranged herd visits over the next few days, so Friday morning saw us visit Blackwood Park. A well run unit breeding both Illawarras and Holsteins on a three times a day system. Here we saw powerful milky cows which have bred numerous bulls who have gone on to make a huge impact on the breed worldwide.
Leaving Blackwood Park, we drove four and a half hours down the Dukes Highway to the home of David and Michelle Kuhl and family near Mount Gambia. Arriving late in the afternoon meant we had time to enjoy a delicious meal of home reared roast lamb before viewing the Braelee herd on Saturday morning. Cold, wet and windy weather and ground conditions typical of a back end day in the UK meant we didn’t see this herd of real milky cows at its best. This was a shame as this is a herd where strong cow families were very evident.
Just to show this trip wasn’t all about cows we took Marie’s advice and visited the famous blue volcanic lake and gardens at Mount Gambier. Definitely worth a visit if you get the chance.
Leaving a very wet Mount Gambier we set off for Meningie via the coastal route. Travelling through the area known as Biscuit Flat, lambing was in full swing and it was evident to see the huge losses as the lambs had no shelter in this open flat land. This area is also home to several large Angus breeding stations with paddocks of stock bulls being prepared for the spring sales.
We arrived at Geoff and Rosemarie Williams at Treeton just on dark. After another evening of excellent hospitality we viewed the herd which has just moved into a new shed. Here we saw tremendous older cows by Pingerley alongside younger cattle by American sires as well as a lot of Viking Genetics. In contrast to the miserable weather we had left behind here both grass and corn silage making was about to start.
We then returned to Swanport via the Coorong to find Neville had made it home from the show. On Monday we went to Ian Mueller’s Glenbrook herd where we saw the show team in their
Doecke Springvale In calf heifers
working clothes. A real quality, well managed herd where a lot of thought has resulted in a herd of excellent cow families. We also heard of Ian’s future plans which involve a massive new shed and possibly robots. We also had time to tour the silage ground which is managed by Ian’s son Brett. Again, the attention to detail resulting in top quality forage.
On Tuesday we visited the Doecke family at Springvale. Since our last visit new feeding passages had been installed to feed cows better. This is another herd where a huge amount of thought has resulted in some excellent cows. Here we saw daughters of Springvale Theo calved in and looking well.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neville and Marie Mueller for their kind hospitality and for organising our herd visits, also for the invitation to judge at such a prestigious show. Thanks also to Ian for his support on both trips. Finally, to Ann, Jo, Vic and everyone for keeping things running smoothly at home, without their support this trip wouldn’t have been possible. If ever you get the chance to visit our fellow breeders in Australia it is well worth the long flight.
Paul Harrison
View from Neville and Marie’s overlooking the Murray River
Typical type at Braelee
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