RESILIENT cattle breeders have stared down one of their toughest years on record but Northern Territory couple Doug Struber and wife Joanne hope to bounce back thanks to the 2014 Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale.
Brahman genetics provide plenty of positives to the Struber couple who operate Rosewood Station on the Western Australia and Northern Territory border.
Attending this year’s sale for the first time Doug and Joanne purchased 10 registered grey Brahmans bulls for a $7000 average.
“I spent all day examining the studs at the saleyards, to make sure we purchased the most structurally sound bulls without faults,” Mr Struber said.
“These bulls will go home to breed for Rosewood so it was important to make sure they had plenty of beef on them, good heads, backlines, legs and feet.”
Rosewood Station, which Mr Struber has managed for the past 18 years, runs about 30,000 head of cattle on 3000 square kilometres.
“The Brahman’s we purchased will solely be used for breeding,” he said.
“They all vary in weight averaging around 800 kilograms.”
Mr Struber purchased his bulls from a variety of different studs in hope of furthering his blood lines.
Elders Katherine agent Ken Krienke the draft of bulls for Rosewood averaged around 23 months of age.
“The bulls are of high quality and will go well with his stud of cows to lift up his herd,” Mr Krienke said.
“There is plenty of bone in the cattle and they have plenty of length and real sire’s heads.”
The North Queensland Register will have more news in the October 16 issue with bull sales wrapping up later today.