Meet the top emerging Hereford and Angus stud principals across Victoria

The next generation of Hereford and Angus breeding in Victoria is set to be just as good, if not better, than the last.

If it's to be taken from the up-and-coming young men and women leading some of the state's newest studs, both breeds are in good hands for the coming decades.

While there have been stud dispersals in recent years, others have been recently established.

So, who are those leading the way?

Emily and Grace Elsom, Emigrace Poll Herefords, Macarthur

Sisters Emily, 20, and Grace, 22, Elsom, Macarthur, established Emigrace Poll Hereford stud in 2017.

The sisters were the third generation in their family to run Hereford cattle, but the first to commence stud breeding.

They continue to be supported by their parents David and Michelle, who recently did the bidding for the duo at the Yarram Park female dispersal sale.

The sisters bought eight cows and heifers from the Willaura stud, bringing their total number of pedigree breeders to 50.

In February, the sisters also bought 80 hectares of their own land at Gazette, as they worked to expand their operation.

They got their start in stud cattle at the Melbourne Royal Show.

"We started off showing steers at Melbourne, and we got the bug for showing after that," Grace said.

Their herd was autumn-calving, with bulls sold privately at Stock & Land Beef Week each year.

Grace said members of the Hereford breeding community had been very supportive since they started breeding and showing their cattle.

"We've had so much support through learning in the shows and when buying genetics," she said.

"Everyone has been so supportive and giving of their time."

She said at Stock & Land Beef Week, experienced Hereford breeders gave the sisters plenty of helpful feedback and advice on their stock.

Grace said the sisters would like to increase their breeder numbers a bit more in future, produce more bulls and eventually have an on-property sale.

Matt Heywood, Dernacourt Angus, Hallora

A young Hallora farmer who left school at 15 is set to be one of the future stars of the Angus breed in Australia.

Dernacourt Angus stud principal Matt Heywood, Hallora, took part in the World Angus Youth Competition at the World Angus Forum in Brisbane earlier this year.

The cattle-mad youngster set up his new stud in 2021 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and has since built up his numbers to 50 breeders.

Mr Heywood said the forum had "100 per cent" broadened his horizons for a future in Angus breeding.

"It was mind-blowing speaking to other producers from all over the world," he said.

While his family had been running Angus cattle for 100 years, Mr Hewyood's start at stud breeding was all of his own accord.

When he was 15, he saved up enough money to purchase his first breeders.

"I felt I could do something a bit different and focused on the phenotype," he said.

"I just jumped in head first."

"The data is all good and all, but if the animal can't express what the data says, that's no good."

Mr Heywood said he had been able to sell all his bulls so far without a cent spent on advertising.

"I think a lot of people do like supporting me as a young person," he said.

"It's about treating them as people and not just bull buyers."

Tom Baulch, Jaclinton Poll Herefords, Illowa

Twenty-three-year-old Tom Baulch, Illowa, became stud co-principal at Jaclinton Poll Herefords when his late father, Clinton, passed away suddenly in 2022.

The apprentice boilermaker exhibited and sold bulls from the stud for the first time at the Herefords Australia National Show & Sale in Wodonga last year.

He runs the stud alongside his mother Jacquie and sister Indianna, not far from Warrnambool.

Speaking to Stock & Land, Mr Baulch said Hereford breeding was a "family affair".

He said he had been "pretty lucky" that his late dad had involved him in the stud from a young age, where he grew his passion for cattle.

"I fell in love with it," he said.

"I always want to keep improving our program, trying to use the best semen.

"I'd love to keep doing this for the rest of my life."

Mr Baulch is running 100 stud breeding cows and each year and sells 25 bulls a year, the majority direct off farm.

In recent years, he's invested strongly to improve his stud's genetics.

In February 2024, he bought the top-priced bull at the Yavenvale Herefords, Adelong, NSW, stud sale.

Bidding over the phone, Mr Baulch bought Yavenvale Trump Card T350 for $96,000.

Since then, the sale-topping bull has been used in his breeding program.