Black Diamond Speckle Park and Macorna Limousins are opening their gates for Beef Week.
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Principal Murray Van der Drift is looking forward to putting his cattle on show and hosting a private treaty sale.
The private treaty sale includes two-year-old bulls, joined females and some of Black Diamond’s up and coming genetics.
“We will have over 100 animals for display on our open day, predominately Speckle Parks but also some Limousins, which will include our elite donor cows, sale bulls and young stock coming through,” Mr Van der Drift said.
The 15 animals in the Sydney show team will be on display along with the team for the Scone Speckle Park sale and the Limousin National Show and Sale.
The stud has had some pretty serious success across both breeds, including Supreme Speckle Park Exhibit at the 2018 Royal Adelaide Show with Black Diamond Marcho Man and Grand Champion Female 2019 at the Limousin National Show at Wodonga with Macorna Nancy Racheal N158.
They also topped the Speckle Park sale at Scone last year with a female who sold for $17 500.
The stud has spent a significant amount of time and money establishing its genetic lines, especially the Speckles, which were first purchased in 2014.
“We started with four cows and two bulls which we purchased from the Riverina Speckle Park Beef Week open day,” Mr Van der Drift said.
“We have gone on to do a lot of embryo work since, sourcing genetics out of Canada which is the homeland of Speckle Park cattle.”
The Van der Drift family also runs several elite donor females in partnership with Canadian breeders, which provide out-cross genetics for the stud's breeding program.
“We are trying to maintain a good carcase, along with a strong female line with good udders and good feet and legs,” Mr Van der Drift said.
“In Australia, animals have to walk long distances and strong conformation is important."
On farm this year they will calve down 100 purebred Speckle Park cows plus embryos.
Mr Van der Drift said the Speckles were the fastest growing beef breed in the world and they complemented Limousins nicely.
Black Diamond Speckle Park and Macorna Limousins will be open for Beef Week on Wednesday February 5, from 8.30 am, at 184 Hayden Lane, Macorna (south of Kerang).
For more information, phone Murray on 0439 205 030 or email: murray.vanderdrift@outlook.com
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