Last weekend David Grugeon and his father Peter visited to purchase up a truck full of Salers to join their breeding operation in the Bega Valley. David and Peter were introduced to Salers during a recent visit to Scotland, and took particular notice of the calving ease and maternal traits. After further research back in Australia they made contact with us to organise purchase of as many females as they could fit on their cattle truck, along with a bull to start cross-breeding with. David and Peter join an increasing group of breeders that are interested in the maternal traits and calving ease of Salers.

Salers have a reputation for longevity in France, where I have come across 20 year old cows. However, these animals are often treated as pets, which raises the question how long Salers cows remain productive under Australian conditions with no special feeding or other treatment.

The answer is that we have cows that routinely get to 12-15 years of age having a calf every year. Our oldest cow at present is S12 (RLWPS012), who was born 20^th March 1997, making her 17 years and 7 months old. S12 has just had her 16^th calf, and has performed as both a stud animal and a commercial breeder in our herd over that time. She has remained competitive with every new generation since she was born. Her feet and udder remain sound and her calves do well. While she has been an exceptional animal, we have had several others over the years that have reached a similar age in the herd. Our next oldest animal currently is RLWPT040. She was born 23/09/1998 and is now 16 years and 1 month old. T40 has also had 16 calves, with 2 sets of twins included.

The older cows in the herd know all the ropes and lead the younger animals. They add a lot of character to the herd and make working with the cattle enjoyable and fun.

We still have a few excellent young bulls available for sale at competitive prices. These animals are quiet and proven as we have used them in our own herd. Please ring or email for more details, including breed plan information.

Spring calving is well underway with 44 cows from a total of 64 having already calved. This year the conditions have been good for us in West Gippsland with no winter floods, only average mud, and a good spring flush of grass. Our Salers cows have done their part so far with a 100% live calf rate, or technically, 102.2% live rate, counting the twins. This is how breeding is supposed to be: just turn up and put the ear tags in!

H55 – Low birth weight on Breedplan; good bull to use with heifers.

H50 – Balanced bull with strong Salers pedigree. Mid-range Breedplan data.

H71 – Quiet, well above average Breedplan figures; would make a good terminal sire.

We are offering 3 exceptional young bulls at the Warragul European Beef Breeds Bull Sale, commencing 12 noon at the Baw Baw Livestock Exchange.

These 3 bulls are exceptionally quiet and ready to work. Salers have proven performance in cross breeding programs bringing growth and ease of calving into the herd. We have had a number of successes over the past 10 years at the Lardner Park grassfed steer trial with Salers and Salers-cross animals.

The breedplan and registration details for the bulls pictured above is:

Salco Partners will have 3 outstanding young bulls offered at the Warragul European Bull sale on April 11th.

More details to follow.

Hi Peter here is a picture of our first lot of saler calves, thought you might like to see them. We were very lucky that the fires missed our farm by 50 metres the other day. Cheers, Glenn Riseley

Picture of first calves from a Salco bull purchased by Glenn Riseley

LARGE SELECTION OF SALERS CATTLE ON VIEW AT SALCO PARTNERS DURING STOCK & LAND BEEF WEEK

SATURDAY 1^ST FEBRUARY, NEAR LANG LANG, VICTORIA

Over the past 24 years Salco Partners have built one of the largest pedigree Salers herds in Australia, with over 100 registered breeding females. Our herd is based on top Australian and French bloodlines. This year we will have on display progeny, including bulls, from the French sires Sancy, Variegois, Nomade and Texas, as well as a pen of 10 heifers for the RASV Heifer Challenge.

We use Salers breedplan, with additional selection for temperament, polling, fertility, and maternal traits. Salers are renowned for exceptional ease of calving. Repeated success in the Gippsland grass fed steer trials demonstrates the exceptional weight gains of purebred and Salers X Angus calves. Information on bulls for sale is on our website here. We will also have heifers and cows & calves available for sale.

We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 1^st February.

Peter Rogers Mobile 0408 330 198

Email peter@salcopartners.com.au

Website www.salcopartners.com.au

Location: 4860 South Gippsland Hwy, 3k W-SW of Lang Lang PO.

ASA members inspect cattle at Reg & Anne Mickelburough’s property.

Pictures of new stockyards in action. The cattle approve! Much easier working with animals than before. Thanks to Norton Gates at Hastings.