Welcome Swallow was established in 1994 by Alec, Jim and Suzy Martin. Foundation bloodlines include Victoree, Glen Bold and Thologolong.

In 2003 the herd was expanded with the purchase of 70 heifers from the dispersal of Te Mania’s Autumn calving herd. In September 2006 the herd was expanded again with the purchase of 68 cows and calves at the ICM Dispersal Sale and another 10 cows and calves from St Paul’s Angus.

The Welcome Swallow herd now comprises 380 breeders run under commercial conditions on ‘Illalangi’ a 820 ha grazing property 20 km south east of Benalla Victoria. The Welcome Swallow herd has great depth in Scotch Cap, CA Future Direction and New Design 036 (via his high performance Australian sons Booroomooka Theo T30 and Merrics River T149). Since 2005 outcross genetics have been actively sought to complement the existing bloodlines and to achieve balanced genetic progress in growth and capacity without losing the gains that have been made.

In addition to AI, an ET program was implemented in 2003 to spread the best female genetics further and faster throughout the herd and to benchmark through the import of embryos from other highly respected seed­stock herds both here and in the US.

The herd is joined for a six week period with 2 rounds of AI with a backup bull or 3 rounds of ET for the recipient herd.

All females in the AI herd must qualify for each years joining by:

• Passing the independent Beef Class structural assessment conducted by Jim Green just before each joining.
• Rearing a satisfactory live calf (The only exceptions we make to this rule is those dams whose calf has died as a result of scours or a clostridial event).
• All females who fail to meet the above criteria are demoted to be a recipient only or culled.