Beefed up for open day

ROSSTULLA Poll Hereford in Beechworth famous for its ‘cold country cattle’ took part in an annual event showcasing bloodlines and genetics with close to 150 producers opening gates. Stock and Land sponsored ‘Beef Week’ in its 34th year hosted by Stud Beef Victoria was held over eight days from January 29 to February 5. The Stud Beef Victoria event stretched across Victoria, into NSW’s Riverina and South Australia’s south east. 'Beef Week' is the largest event of its kind in Australia for bull buyers, marketers and interested public to check out cattle in their home environment. Non-profit organisation Stud Beef Victoria represents Victoria's beef cattle seedstock producers. The Rosstulla stud run by Narelle Forrest with the baton handed over from parents Trish and Rex Forrest – who still give a helping hand – had on show their Poll Hereford bulls for private sale on day seven. Trish said they had taken part in the event virtually every year since it started. “The event showcases multi-breeds and started in the Western District of Victoria,” she said. Trish said the event is the main sales day on the Rosstulla calendar for the year. Rosstulla runs about 245 head of cattle comprised of around 100 breeding cows, plus heifers, replacements (young female stock) and bulls as well as running fine wool merino sheep. The stud was founded in 1963 by Rex and his parents. Trish said besides bulls some females were usually sold as well but because the winter was so tough, the females were not ready. “We did have some stud females on display for people to see,” she said. Narelle said they had been delighted with numbers of around 80 people visiting on the day – the highest for some time. “There’s positivity around the agricultural industry although it’s been a tough season,” she said. Trish said exporting is expensive and these days most export and import opportunities come through artificial insemination with semen or the embryos transported. Hailing from New Zealand, with family across the Tasman having stud cattle as well, Trish said there is a trans-Tasman genetic exchange. “The event is a good opportunity for us to showcase what we do particularly for breeders,” she said. “In years gone by local country shows had cattle to show which we did and we sold bulls in Sydney and in Dubbo. “We had a mix of commercial people through as well as stud breeders which is usual.” Trish said besides the beef cattle stud they also ran merino sheep – a breed for fine-wool. “Narelle a fully qualified wall classer too.” she said.

Beefed up for open day

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