TWO high-profile Angus studs - Coorong Designer Angus and Stoney Point Angus - have established a joint company that will be the breed's largest seedstock operation in the state, selling about 200 bulls a year.
The Gommers family recently announced they would downsize their operation after placing the Keith stud base, Leonawood, on the market.
But subsequently, it was announced that an arrangement had been reached with Coorong Designer principal Perry Gunner.
He has acquired the majority of the spring calving herd, complete draft of autumn calving cows with bull calves and the 2013-drop of mated heifers.
Stoney Point stud principal John Gommers has become a shareholder and managing principal of the venture.
The stud females will be run at the Coorong Designer property at Meningie, and the Gommers family's Murray Bridge property will remain the bull-finishing unit.
Coorong Designer principal Perry Gunner said he had always been impressed by the quality of the Stoney Point genetics, rating them the best in SA.
"Our agreement will allow the best of the best of the Stoney Point herd to be kept," he said.
Mr Gunner said that securing Mr Gommers' industry knowledge was an integral part of the decision.
"John is highly respected within the beef industry and has built up a great client base for the Stoney Point stud," he said.
Mr Gunner said he had great faith in the future of the Angus breed, seeing first-hand the strong demand for Angus cattle through their Wanderribby feedlot.
"Both the US and Australian Angus breeders have done an exceptional job marketing the breed and all the tools are available to maintain its excellent genetic progress," he said.
Mr Gommers said he was delighted to be able to maintain the size and scale of the Stoney Point herd to continue to service their clients.
"It became apparent in discussions with Perry that the capability of this to work was great," he said.
"After spending some time looking through the Coorong cows at Meningie, I am very excited about meshing the two herds together and continuing to grow the customer base further.
"I was really impressed with the quality of the herd they have put together in a short space of time."
Both studs will conduct their separate 2015 bull sales as previously planned with Coorong Designer's sale on February 11, and Stoney Point on February 16.
Both sales will be held at Naracoorte at the Coorong Designer selling complex, 11 kilometres west of Naracoorte on the Lucindale Road.
The eventual aim is to have one SA sale.
They also have plans for a spring sale in western Vic.
"Over the past few years, we have held a Beef Week field day at Mortlake in Vic and picked up some new clients," Mr Gommers said.
"We feel we have a point of difference to the Angus bulls which are available in Vic."
* Full report in Stock Journal, November 6, 2014 issue.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
