Welcome Swallow uses a combination of our own production results, objective evaluation and market feedback when making sire selections. The overall objective is to minimise production risk for our clients whilst trying to maximise the number of live calves and the kg grown per ha.

The breeding strategy at Welcome Swallow seeks to invest in the best available genetics to produce high performance breeding cattle with balanced Breedplan EBV’s for calving ease, fertility, growth and carcase quality.

Whilst a strong emphasis has been placed on carcase characteristics, calving ease and fertility we have also kept a close eye on growth. In recent years grain prices have soared due to drought and demand and then plummeted in response to the global financial crisis. Seasonal and financial stresses aside it seems likely that shorter feeding of cattle on grain plus a greater emphasis on grass feeding signify a structural shift in emphasis that will continue.

We will continue to place a strong emphasis on carcase EBV’s. However it seems adding growth without compromising fertility and all of the other gains will be the key challenge in future breeding decisions. Recognising that there is more than one way to achieve this is vital if the right model for each individual herd is to be found.

The $ Indexes are designed to reflect these changes and are an important selection tool to use to meet market specifi­cations. These Indexes — with the excep­tion of the Terminal Index, are balanced in their selection for maternal production traits as well as market specifications.

The selection process at Welcome Swallow places equal emphasis on the desired phenotype and insists on structural sound­ness. The current priority for phenotype is to select for more muscle, fleshing and capacity — even in low birthweight sires.

Once the selection parameters have been established we then seek to select a bull battery that has a balanced mix of both high accuracy as well as new up and coming sires. The overall aim being to see the herd progress steadily in terms of both phenotype and Angus Group Breedplan EBV’s.

‘To minimise the risks involved in using US Sires and to assist in making our sire selection decisions we have undertaken 4 trips to the US since 2004 to see for ourselves the sires available as well as their dams and lines of their progeny. This has been invaluable to us and has helped us to make better decisions and minimise the risk for all.’ Despite what anyone may claim the US genetic base is rarely far from the surface of Australian Angus genetics.

Independent input from David Plant (Southern Cross Genetics) and Dale Edwards (High Country Heifers) is of great value to us. Both David and Dale have built their reputations on providing both ourselves and many other seedstock herds with accurate information with regard to the semen sires available.

Our network of seedstock friends both in the USA as well as at home with whom we share information have also been an invaluable tool in helping to make the right choice. Another strategy often used with great success is to select the best possible Australian son of a US sire.