New and returning studs on board for Stock Journal Beef Week

The 2025 Stock Journal Beef Week is set to be an exciting event with Coldwell Speckle Park and Maximus Limousins joining as first-time entrants, while several other studs are welcoming visitors back after a break.

Beef Week will showcase some outstanding breeding programs as 44 studs open their gates across four days, representing nine breeds.

In 2025, Stock Journal Beef Week will begin on Saturday, February 8, in the Mid North.

The Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Riverland will hold its open day on Sunday, February 9.

The Upper and Lower South East days have been flipped, with the Upper South East open day on Monday, February 10, and the Lower South East on Tuesday, February 11.

Keen to reap the rewards of the great exposure the event provides, Mt Compass-based Maximus Limousin stud principal Will Viney will have a selection of potential stud sires available for sale during Beef Week.

"I have been planning to participate in Beef Week for a while now, it will be a chance to get my name out there and give my stud some exposure," he said.

"Being my first year it will be interesting to see how it goes."

He established Maximus Limousins in 2017 with two registered females from Mandayen, Brinkley, and has used artificial insemination and embryo transfer to build herd numbers quickly.

Mr Viney currently runs about 40 stud cows, juggling his beef operation with full-time work as an electrician. He has embraced performance recording and also introduced genomic testing to better inform his selection decisions.

"I'm aiming to breed a moderate-framed, docile animal with plenty of muscle definition and width across the pins," he said.

"I've used a mix of genetics from Canada and the United States, as well as leading Australian bulls and some of my own home-bred sires.

"I've got a half-share in Goldstein Park Rockstar R5 which we bought in 2022 and he's done a really good job, I've got a couple of nice bulls out of him in this year's line-up."

Maximus stud cows with calves at foot, heifers, and mature bulls will be penned for viewing at Beef Week, along with a selection of black and apricot 18-month-old Limousin bulls.

Dr Jon Coldwell, along with his wife Emma and their sons are passionate about breeding quality Speckle Park cattle and look forward to showcasing their herd during Beef Week.

"During the last four years we've been building our numbers and classing the cattle rigorously, with a focus on calving ease, early growth, docility and structure," Dr Coldwell said.

"We're at a stage now where we've got a herd that we can be proud of and a selection of animals we believe are suitable for sale."

The pair, both urgent care doctors, established Coldwell Speckle Park stud in 2020 as they make the transition to full-time farming. Both growing up in the Adelaide Hills, they relocated back from NSW to develop their farming property, which also includes vineyards and other horticultural enterprises.

They chose the Speckle Park breed because of their moderate frame, docility, feed efficiency and excellent carcase traits.

"Emma and I are both from scientific backgrounds and have a keen interest in genetics," Dr Coldwell.

"As Speckle Park is a relatively new breed in Australia we are excited to combine our knowledge to produce superior beef cattle and help further the breed."

Starting with 16 heifers and one cow and calf unit, the family now runs about 40-50 registered Speckle Park females, and has used sires from across Australia, Canada and New Zealand through artificial insemination and embryo transfer to fast-track the progress of their herd.

At Beef Week, Coldwell will have 8 to 12 Speckle Park sale bulls on display as well as heifers and cows, some with calves at foot. These will be offered online through AuctionsPlus shortly after the field day.

"Beef Week will give people the opportunity to come and meet us and see what we have done so far," Dr Coldwell said.

"It is a great opportunity for us to show off some of our pairings and answer any questions from prospective buyers as well as anyone interested in the breed in general."

After a two-year absence, the Vivian family's Knockando Beef Cattle operation at Cowirra has returned to Beef Week.

Long-time exhibitors at the event, stud principals Stephen and Robyn Vivian, were forced to cancel their display at the last minute after their property was flooded in December 2022 and have spent the past two years re-building.

"The River Murray broke its banks and half of our farm was under water for six months," Mr Vivian said.

"We are now about two-thirds of the way back on track, but it is a slow process and expensive.

"The main focus has been on pasture re-sowing and cleaning out channels and infrastructure and down the track we will be re-lasering paddocks, once the ground settles back down."

Knockando will have about 20 head of specially-selected Limousin and Simmental cattle available for sale during Beef Week, including bulls, cow and calf packages and unjoined heifers.

"We normally support the national breed sales, but for ease of management this year we are focused on selling locally and look forward to showcasing these cattle to interested visitors," Mr Vivian said.

"Our main stud sire this season is Woonallee Samurai, an imported ET red Simmental bull that we were lucky enough to be able to purchase for $32,500 and he's already had a significant impact on our herd."

Strong supporters of the show ring, the Vivian family supply heifers for interstate competitors in the SA Junior Heifer Expo and hope to return to the Royal Adelaide Show next year with a small show team.

Meanwhile, Richard and Kathy Coral are returning after a break of more than five years to feature their Silver Angus stud. Based at the historic Glen Bold property, Jupiter Creek, they will have bulls available for sale on the day. All four studs will open their gates for Beef Week on Sunday, February 9.