The Belmont Red is a proven provider of hybrid vigour in crossbreeding

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR BELMONT RED ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

When it comes to choosing a breed which will maximise hybrid vigour in a commercial crossbreeding program, the Belmont Red has proven to be an ideal option.

Being the only stabilised composite in Australia, which doesn't include the Bos Indicus Brahman as a base, and instead used the Afrikander with British females, makes the Belmont Red unique, says Belmont Red Association of Australia president Robert Sherry.

Mr Sherry said the Belmont Red provides commercial producers with excellent hybrid vigour when using the breed over a Bos Indicus base without sacrificing environmental traits of high heat tolerance and parasite resistance.

"This is achieved while increasing production and, importantly, fertility, which is a key profit driver in a breeding business. The breed is also known for its high levels of meat yield and quality required for strong MSA grading results."

He said the Belmont Red females require minimal inputs while still maintaining high fertility rates and production.

"They have an inherent docility, which leads to less labour and stress to handle them. Reduced costs and high production make them an efficient, economical and sustainable option for any breeding operation."

"An increasing number of producers who're trying Belmont Red genetics are pleasantly surprised by the infusion in their herds. They stand out as calves and in the weaning yard. They're docile and grow out well. It's when the heifers are retained as breeders that the real benefits of the breed are realised, as they get in calf and reconceive while rearing a calf at foot."

CARCASE ACCLAIM

The Belmont Red and its crosses are well represented in carcase competition winning line-ups.

Seifert Belmont Reds have featured in the winners list at the Callide Dawson Carcase Competition over the last two years since they started competing.

Stud principals Ian Stark and Jeanne Seifert collected the champion grain-fed carcase section at this event, and have placed in the grain-fed live weight trade steer section, while achieving various other class placings.

Wahroonga Belmont Reds took out champion steer with an entry in the single grain-fed trade weight class, and won first and second place in the grain-fed pair of trade weights at the Mackay Show Carcase competition last year.

GENOMICS SWITCH FLIPPED

Mr Sherry said genomic testing has recently been "switched on" for the Belmont Red.

"This will lead to an increase in the accuracy of generated EBVs. The Belmont Red Association of Australia is yet to decide what we can offer commercial producers wanting to obtain some evaluation on their herd."

He said Belmont Reds were involved in the initial program conducted by QAFFI to generate GBVs focused on the commercial producer.

"Sale bulls will have GBVs available for comparison to the producers' data on their herds."

PTIC HEIFERS CATALOGUED FOR 2025 SALES

There will be two sales this year at which Belmont Red genetics can be purchased.

The first of these will be the annual Seifert Belmont Reds on-property sale to be held at Wonga, Jandowae on Monday, August 11, for which 90 polled bulls and 40 PTIC heifers have been catalogued.

The annual Belmont Red Association of Australia sale will then be held at CQLX Gracemere on Monday, September 1, where Paul and Julie Watson, Greenhill Stud, Toogoolawah, will offer six polled bulls, and Robert and Jane Sherry, Wahroonga Stud, Clarke Creek, will catalogue 34 rising two-year-old bulls and 10 PTIC heifers.

"The added feature this year is PTIC heifers to be offered at both sales. Enquiry for females has risen sharply over the last three to four years, and the inclusion in the sale is an excellent opportunity to secure high-quality females."

All animals in both sales have been recorded on Breedplan for growth, fertility and carcase traits, and all have flight time EBVs. All bulls catalogued for the sale have been semen morphology tested. This information and more will be available from the vendors by request and in the respective catalogues.

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR BELMONT RED ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA