Six bulls, one mission: Charlevue doubles down on fresh Brangus power

Central Queensland cattlewoman Jane Saunders added fresh power to her breeding program at Tuesday's Rockhampton Brangus Sale, securing six sires to strengthen both stud and commercial operations.

The total bull order came to a gross of $66,000 and an average outlay of $11,000 on October 14.

For the Charlevue Brangus breeder, based near Dingo, the decision reflected a lifetime of balancing stud ambition with commercial grit.

"We've got probably 1200 breeders all told, mostly black, and a paddock full of reds, which are about 124 head," Ms Saunders said.

She said her operation also included 100 registered females.

"I've just been holding those registered cows over waiting for the seasons to change, which they now have," she said.

The family has been at Charlevue for around 25 years, with the stud established at the same time.

"I've been out here most of my working life, after leaving my parents' place at Duaringa," she said.

Ms Saunders said Brangus remained her breed of choice because of their ability to adapt.

"Brangus are just so functional," she said.

"You can have them whatever way you want - more Brahman, less Brahman - and suit them to your market or country type."

Her focus at the national sale was clear.

"I first look at a bull's head, then I look at structure, then how it's going to handle the country at home," she said.

"Then I think about my markets, because I have to sell steers and they've got to be heavy enough to surprise buyers."

She said the weight-for-age of Brangus steers remained a point of difference.

"I can't do that with a little light bull," she said.

"He's got to be a big, long bull that can produce those heavier steers."

That philosophy shaped her bulk purchase, with some bulls headed to stud duties and others joining her commercial herd.

Ms Saunders said her buying strategy also factored in country type.

"We've got a mix of creek country and lighter forest country, and I need bulls that can handle both," she said.

She said Brahman content was central to that resilience.

"I like around 50 to 60 per cent Brahman, because it gives longevity," she said.

"Anything lower just doesn't last in the dry."

She said females behind the bulls were just as important.

"You've got to look at what their females are like, because you don't want them falling away when the dry hits," she said.

Ticks also played into her thinking.

"We've had ticks at the wrong time of year, and it gets costly," she said.

"If you can breed them to handle ticks, flies, or buffalo fly, it makes a big difference."

Her stud paddocks are run with practical systems to protect sires.

"I'll run six to eight bulls with the bigger mobs of stud cows, but I do rotate the heifers with my better bulls," she said.

"That way the young sires don't get hammered by the older ones, because they will kill them if you put them all together."

She said function always outweighed paperwork.

"I love registrations, don't get me wrong, but for me it comes down to the bull and the job he can do," she said.

Ms Saunders said her red Brangus continued to perform strongly at Gracemere.

"My red Brangus always sell really well there, but they still get labelled Droughtmasters, which can be frustrating that they're not being recognised as Brangus," she said.

"The red Brangus are long, solid cattle, and a credit to the people breeding them."

Her six new sires will now play their role in keeping the herd moving forward.

"I look at the cows I've got at home and then the bull that best suits them, whether he's homebred or bought," she said.

"That's how I keep building the herd.

"Brangus are just so functional - and that's why I'll stick with them."