All the News, How-tos & FAQs
C’mon Christmas
Any idea why it is that Christmas arrives at the busiest time of year? A time when we are desperately needing a few days break, perhaps some time off farm but still there is spraying, fencing, harvest etc, etc, etc.
October 2024-Newsletter
To say it is interesting times to be in the beef cattle industry would be an understatement. Every week seems to present another example of a particular breeds growing stranglehold on the market and offers up even more challenges for all other breeds including Speckle Park.
August 2024-Catalogue Launch
How is everyone? We had moments of spring weather over the weekend and 40mm of rain overnight. We know other areas have also received big rainfalls. How is it where you are?
A warm welcome to our new subscribers and those that have requested a Triple Treat Sale Catalogue. We have put together a sale line up and a catalogue that we are extremely proud of.
July 2024 Newsletter
A huge welcome to all our new subscribers, thank you for joining us to find out about our program, what we've been up to and the events we have coming up.
How has your calving been? It has been a very wet and cold winter in Oberon and calving has tested both the team and the cattle. It has highlighted the importance of nutrition and keeping a good supply of high quality dry feed available to keep both mum's and bubs full and warm.
May 2024 Newsletter
Is it just us or is this year moving especially fast! One more day in May and then the quick slide into the end of the financial year. As the one and only Ferris Bueller said
Rockin at Rocky Catalogue Launch
A sneaky little Sunday email to let you know our Rockin' at Rocky Sale Catalogue is live and online now. Sale videos will be up later this week.
February 2024 Newsletter
February has been a whirlwind month so far for the Wattle Grove team with a healthy balance of divide and conquer and teamwork makes the dream work.
Another round of embryo implants was completed on Saturday, with bulls now out to tidy up the few who didn't get an embryo. Whilst we are loving the tropical like summer we are having it does create challenges for embryo implant programs.
January 2024 Newsletter
Happy New Year!! Hard to believe we are already over half way through January and if you are like us then the calendar is pretty much full from now till Christmas. Over the festive period there were lengthy discussions on the benefit of making Christmas like Beef Australia and only having it every three years. Considering how quickly the years are now moving I think the idea has real merit ;-)
FAQ
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Yes. Speckle Park became a recognised Pure breed of cattle in 2006. The breed was developed in the Saskatchewan and Alberta provinces of Canada over 50 years. Speckle Park is only the second pure bred breed of cattle to be developed and recognised in Canada.
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The first embryos and semen were imported in 2007. The first registered calves were born in 2008.
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Exceptionally well. Despite the fact that they originate from Canada and thrive in -40°, we have found they are equally able to thrive in +40°. Their coats are quick to slick off in summer and their doability means they will hang on in the tough periods when other cattle will fall away.
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Hybrid Vigour, increased yield, improved doability, highly efficient feed-conversion, increased weight gains, improved meat quality all in a moderate framed, hardy animal. Maybe the question should be “Why wouldn’t you use a Speckle Park bull in your commercial herd?”
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Absolutely, we have been selling bulls into the northern states for 10 years and the results have been impressive. Speckle Park are a great option over Brahman, Santa Getrudis, Droughtmaster, Brangus, Charbray for greater weight gains, increased yield and improved meat-eating quality.
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Like all breeds temperament plays a huge role in management and handling. And as with all breeds temperament will vary somewhat according to genetic lines, previous handling and experiences during handling. Speckle Park cattle have a particularly strong herd instinct and separation from their mates can cause unusual behaviour. All Wattle Grove cattle are temperament scored prior to selling. We separate them from their mates, and we put pressure on them in the yards to get an accurate assessment of their temperament. You can read more about our temperament scoring in the Wattle Grove Accredited Guidebook
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Since 2018 all purebred registered Speckle Park have to be parent verified by DNA. Speckle Park International Ltd (SPI) is the breed society for Speckle Park in Australia and New Zealand that handles registration of Speckle Park cattle.
Head to Specklepark.org to find out more.
To access the SPI herdbook us this link http://abri.une.edu.au/online/cgi-bin/i4.dll?1=3F312F3D33&2=2431&3=56&5=2B3C2B3C3A
To find a particular animal type in any part of the animals name OR the animals identifier eg: WGS Q120.
Hint: Ensure you have a space between the herd prefix (WGS) and the ident (Q120) ie: WGS Q120
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The most important part to any stud is the cattle. By purchasing and breeding purebred Speckle Park cattle you are a stud. To become a registered stud you will need to be a member of your countries Speckle Park Society.
Australia & New Zealand-Speckle Park International Ltd www.specklepark.org
Canada-Canadian Speckle Park Association www.canadianspecklepark.ca
USA-American Speckle Park Association www.americanspecklepark.com
Brasil-Speckle Park Brasil www.speckleparkbrasil.com.br
Ireland-Irish Speckle Park Cattle Society www.irishspecklepark.com