South Devon breeder says farmers missing out on cattle as quiet as pet dogs

A Gippsland South Devon breeder says beef farmers are missing out on the world's most docile cattle.

Emily Garrett, Brejayanne South Devons, Allambee, grew up around the breed and wouldn't have any other cattle.

The stud was set up by her late grandparents Heather and Gordon Garrett in 1987 and is run alongside her parents Gaylene and Brett, brothers Trent and Rowan, and younger sister Mia.

The family operation produces South Devon bulls for sale to other studs, commercial beef farmers and the dairy industry.

The herd's 60 breeders calve in spring and early autumn each year on approximately 80 hectares between the home farm at Allambee and another property at Seaview.

"I have grown up with them my whole life," Emily said.

"You just can't beat the temperament on them.

"I don't even know how to put it into words.

"It's like you've got a paddock full of happy-to-see-you dogs.

"You call them, they come running, and I just want more people to see that in them."

The old South Devon breed originated in the United Kingdom and has been used as a foundation breed in many of the better-known beef breeds of today.

"They were a dual-purpose breed so they are good milkers, their carcase quality is amazing and their growth rates are outstanding," she said.

She suggested the breed, and all that could be gained from their genetics, was being missed because of the Australian beef industry's obsession with Angus cattle.

"It is a shame," she said.

"At the end of the day, when you take the skin off, they're all the same colour underneath.

"I think people just need to get past the colour of the cows in their paddock and understand that there's some really good cows out there."

She said the South Devon cow would give the Angus cow a run for its money "any day of the week".

"I say that with confidence," she said.

Brejayanne has recently bred some black pedigree stock, aimed at Angus commercial beef herds, in a bid to show farmers that the breed would have a positive effect on their operations.

The South Devon breeders at the Garretts' farm have notably strong frames, with wide hips for easy calving, and full udders with good teat placement and size.

These traits made the cows excellent producers, according to Emily.

She said the herd calved unassisted each year, and this came about through a breeding strategy to reduce birth weights.

"We've worked really hard to reduce our birth weights," she said.

"We need live calves, and they need to have them, no worries."

Only the best bull and heifer calves are kept as replacements or for sale, with all other stock sold as commercial weaners.

"Normally, we keep a couple, a few of the best," Emily said.

"If there's none that we deem are fit enough to stay as bulls, we don't keep them."

She said the breed also had strong growth rates, which meant cattle could be turned off earlier and heavier than other breeds.

"If you've got the growth, you don't need to be able to feed them as long," she said.

Unfortunately, the Garretts are now one of a few families breeding South Devon cattle in Victoria.

"A lot of the studs, the people who are running them, are getting older and they're winding down," Emily said.

"But there are a couple of newer names that I've seen pop up, too."

That said, she was adamant that her family would still be working with the breed in 20 years' time.

"People just need to buy one and realise," she said.

"Just give them a try."