Simmentals part of winning formula for Cartledge family's beef operation
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If recent success is anything to go by, the Cartledge family of Lancaster Black Simmentals is onto a winning formula in their South Australian beef program.
Trading as Menalpyn Pty Ltd, Henry Cartledge and his wife, Prue, along with his parents, Tim and Lise, have been breeding Black Simmental cattle on their ancient sand dune country for the last 20 years.
Specialising in the production of a Black Simmental/Angus-cross on their 3643 hectare property, Menalpyn, the family brought home plenty of awards from the 17th Annual Southern Grassfed Carcase Classic in May.
Henry Cartledge said they entered 32 Black Simmental/Angus-cross heifers in the carcase competition, which attracted 1700 cattle from across the southern states of Australia.
"We were thrilled to win the best team of 10 animals for the second year in a row, the best team of three animals, single steer or heifer 180-260 kilograms, and place second and third in the single steer or heifer 260-340kg," Mr Cartledge said.
"We also won reserve champion carcase with our second-placed heifer, which recorded figures of 10mm of P8 fat, 6mm of rib fat, EMA of 84, and MSA marble score of 310. Most of the animals were steers, but ours were replacement heifers that were preg-tested negative. Going back to back with the team of ten was pretty amazing."
Mr Cartledge said he felt the competition was very industry relevant, and believes what gave them the edge was their successful blend of Black Simmental and Angus breeds.
"I think it's probably the blending of both breeds, which is why we selected to go with the Black Simmental as we thought it had a huge role to play, especially in southern herds. On the Angus cow, we just reckon it's a fantastic cross where you can combine the best of both breeds, and produce a real maternal machine," he said.
"I refer to the Simm/Angus cow as the first cross ewe of the beef industry - a real functional and maternal animal. You also get the benefits from the carcase, which, as a stud, we have placed a lot of emphasis on. You naturally get weight for age with the Simmie, as well as extra yield, and a bit of extra EMA size, which helps in these competitions."
Mr Cartledge said he had worked pretty hard within the Simmental breed as well as with the Angus genetics they'd brought in to achieve the carcase qualities, as well as other functional traits for the maternal side, like calving ease, type, softness, and doing ability.
"It's rewarding to see the results of what we've been trying to breed for, for many years, based off the work we've been putting in."
Mr Cartledge agreed it was a winning cross for them, as it excelled for both the cow calf producer as well as the feeder, and then the processor.
"I think it can do it all if you cross those two breeds and take the best out of them. It can be very functional and profitable across all segments of the industry."
Mr Cartledge said he had always been in Simmentals.
"When I was a kid, Dad ran a three-way crossbreeding program which included the Simmental, and I've been home on the property for nearly 20 years now - that's roughly when we pushed into the Black Simmental, and started the stud operation.
"We've been selling Black Simmental and Black Simmental/Angus-cross bulls, and until a couple of years ago, we had an annual auction. We now run a commercial herd which is predominantly SimAngus cows being mated to SimAngus bulls, which is what we previously marketed to our clients.
"We grow out our steers to heavy feedlot entry weights, and sell to a number of feedlots, including locally to Thomas Foods, Southern Cross Feedlot, JBS Tabbita in NSW, and Teys Charlton."
The Cartledges have also had success with their Black Simmental/Angus cattle at the Adelaide Show over many years, last year taking out the champion export carcase in the led steer competition, with their children, Harry, Lizzy, and Duncan all involved in showing steers.
"The year before we won grand champion steer on the Hook, and in 2021 we won champion eating quality - these steers were all grainfed."
Running their cattle operation in the upper south east of SA, not far from the Coorong, the Cartledges are doing it tough, season-wise.
"It is pretty darn tough, really, as 2024 was the worst on record, and we've had just over two inches (50mm) of rain so far this year. I guess everyone has their turn, but it's gone from pretty bad to now hoping that we get some kind of a growing season, because if we don't through spring, it's going to be another long summer and autumn," Mr Cartledge said.
"We have really healthy livestock country, with great drainage, and being so close to the coast, it's quite moderate weather, so I think that's a huge advantage. We have about a third of the property down to dryland lucerne, and our other predominant pasture species here is veldt grass. We don't actually do much cropping, but we do a little bit of over-sowing to produce mainly silage."
Mr Cartledge said he loved the depth and thickness of the Simmental, as well as the yield, EMA, and weight for age, which were key traits.
"Obviously, they've got to meet the market specifications first and foremost, but I think that we get a big advantage having the two breeds in there. This is oversimplified, but we're getting eating quality from one side and meat yield from the other."
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