Fifth generation beef producer Ben Simpson knows all too well the influence the Simmental breed can have on a commercial operation.
Ben and wife Kim run a Simmental-cross commercial herd on Thistlebank, a 22,000-hectare property, 100km north of Aramac, in central west Queensland.
Since taking over management of the family-owned property in 2018, Ben has been transitioning from a Braford-Charolais herd to Simmental, impressed with the breed’s ability to gain weight and temperament in the bulls.
“Our cow herd is still a Braford-Charolais-Simmental cross but we are trending to straight Simmentals,” Ben said.
“We cross Angus over our maiden heifers but from the second calf onwards we intend to cross with Simmental bulls.”
Market Suitability
Ben said the Simmental breed was tough enough to sustain the tough central west Queensland environment but soft enough to meet the Woolworth’s feeder market.
“Markets are changing and times are changing,” Ben said.
“You have to change with what the consumer wants.
“We seem to be able to achieve a premium for the softer, flatback Woolworths feeder spec animal which is what we are transitioning to.
“Every time we line up a good run of weaners we go close to topping the market, not every time but 90 per cent of the time.”
A run of good seasons and plenty of grass prompted Ben to shift his focus from a predominant breeding operation to the feeder market, with the change certainly paying dividends to the bottom line.
Results
“The Simmental-cross seems to fatten well over the summer period,” Ben said.
“Depending on the rain, the cattle were gaining between 0.8 to 1.3 kg a day over that summer period.
“I sold some steers mid last year and they sold very well, making $7 a kilogram which was pretty well the best in the market at the time.”
While sales returns are what matters, the performance of Ben’s Simmental-cross steers in the Westech Field Days at Barcaldine set the benchmark for the value of the Simmental in a cross-breeding operation.
The trial is held every three years, and animals are judged across three sections, being grassfed, feedlot and carcase.
Ben has entered the steer trial three times (the 2023 event is currently underway) and Thistlebank Grazing is certainly making its mark.
In 2021, Thistlebank steers were named the overall champion, winning the grassfed and carcase sections, and finishing second in the feedlot component.
They also won best individual animal and best runner-up animal.
“It obviously indicates we are on the right path,” said Ben, who has another 10 head in this year’s trial. Ben is currently adopting a new rotational grazing method on Thistlebank, aimed at “growing more grass, running more cattle and improving weight gains”.
Why the Queensland Simmental Bull Sale?
When searching for new Simmental bulls for his operation, Ben is a regular buyer at the annual Queensland Simmental Bull Sale, where he looks for early maturing, soft easy doing bulls with good structure and a slicker coat.
He’s never left the sale empty handed, generally taking away four or five new bulls.
“I have found the Queensland Simmental Bull Sale to be the best sale for the wide choice and variety of Simmental bulls on offer,” Ben said.
“There is a high standard of bulls to suit just about every budget.”
125 Purebred Simmental Bulls, 12 vendors representing every mainland state in Australia
31st July 2023, CQLX Gracemere, online bidding via Stocklive
To receive a hardcopy catalogue use the contact form on our website or contact one of the selling agents below:
SALE AGENTS
RAY WHITE RURAL
Joe Grove, Ray White Blackall – 0428 958 639
Gary Wendt, Ray White Gracemere – 0427 184 875
Liam Kirkwood, Ray White Townsville – 0457 577 747
