Terrific feedback for bulls produced in Fairview Black Simmental program

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR FAIRVIEW BLACK SIMMENTALS

It was in 2009 when Tony Horvath and Roslyn Ware first introduced the Simmental into their breeding herd, and impressed with the results, they formed the Fairview Black Simmental stud in 2016.

The pair operate their commercial and stud herds from Fairview, five kilometres north of Mungallala in the Maranoa region, and Cochranes, a further 10km north of Fairview. For the last 12 months, they've also run a commercial herd northeast of Augathella. Their son Ken Horvath regularly makes the trip west from Brisbane to assist around sale time.

Fairview was purchased in 2001, with Cochranes added in 2008. The properties are developed poplar box, brigalow and bottle tree scrubs, with the majority of the properties being cutter-barred, blade-ploughed and established with tropical grasses over the last 20 years.

When Black Simmentals were introduced on Fairview, they were running a certified organic breeding and finishing operation, turning off steers, cull cows and heifers into the domestic and export organic markets, in which their grass-fed bullocks would average about 320 kilograms dressed at 30-months-old.

"What we immediately saw with the Black Simmental infusion was the exceptional growth for age with heavier weaning weights, which gave us earlier turn-off as bullocks and improved carcase weights.

"We were very happy with the carcase feedback we were getting with consistent improvements in meat and fat colour, and a lot of consignments would go close to 100 per cent for Meat Standards Australia compliance.

"This was achieved in an organic grass-based production system without any outside inputs. We also saw good marbling scores in our steers straight off grass."

When the Fairview Black Simmental stud was established, they sought to build on the existing performance that they'd already had in their commercial herd.

"Our females possessed the adaptation and performance required to capture the market essentials important to the cattle industry.

"With this in mind, we registered our entire female herd with the Australian Simmental Breeders Association. This added the benefits of Breedplan and performance recording to our business. More recently, the Simmental Association has partnered with International Genetic Solutions, the world's largest multi-breed genetic evaluation."

Mr Horvath said that for close to a decade, they've maintained a disciplined, objective approach to collecting accurate phenotypical raw data.

"Birthweights, 200,400 and 600-day weights are recorded. Our bulls and PTIC heifers are scanned every year at 600 days for rib and rump fat as well as eye muscle area and intramuscular fat. This has enabled us to refine and select for performance along with fertility and match this with carcase excellence."

He said these genetic improvements had seen their 2024 calves record an average marbling EPD in the top 30pc of the Australian Black Simmental, Red Simmental and Simangus populations. Weaning weight and yearling weight EPDs are sitting in the top 30pc as well.

"We've achieved this while maintaining a moderate frame score and an overall birth weight EPD lighter than breed average."

Mr Horvath said client feedback had been positive, which supported Fairview's breeding objectives.

"This feedback has included weight gains and feedlot performance well above industry average."

One such client is the JJ7 Partnership run by Anthony (Bim) and Susan Struss, who crossbreed Black Simmental across their black cattle on Havelock, 50km north of Mitchell, while finishing steers from this joining on Yellowcap, 18km south of Havelock.

They continue to run a 50pc pure Poll Hereford herd, with the balance consisting of Angus and Brangus, which the Black Simmentals are joined to.

They purchased their first Black Simmental bull from Fairview four years ago.

"We were impressed with his calves, so we have purchased a couple of bulls at each of the last three Fairview sales. We have purchased seven Fairview bulls in total," Mr Struss said.

He said these were well-grown, robust bulls that were producing strong, well-balanced, good confirmation crossbred calves.

"I couldn't say if it's a common trait with the breed since we've only purchased Black Simmental bulls from Fairview, but Tony and Ros present bulls with absolute docility.

"Last year, we put Black Simmentals over our second calf heifers, and we're looking forward to following the progeny, but they're preparing well to date."

Historically, Havelock has marketed feeders into feedlots, with 15-month-old steers weighing about 450kg.

"We do lose carcase information at that point. We are looking to get some carcase follow-through using Black Box."

The couple was recently contacted by ACC to see if they'd like to look at a pen of steers that they'd purchased from JJ7 Partnership, which consisted of Herefords, Angus/Brangus and Black Simmental-cross.

"ACC was particularly pleased with the performance of these steers, so much so that they fed them for 150 days. Their weight gain was exceptional."

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR FAIRVIEW BLACK SIMMENTALS