Advertiser content: Established in 1965, Queensland's Carinya Braford stud is celebrating 54 years of breeding in 2019.
Stud principals, John and Jacklyn Amor, sons Mark, Todd and their families, run the operation, a broadacre dryland farming business and an accredited feedlot on the family properties at Dulacca and Drillham on the Western Downs.
John and Jacklyn married in 1975 and made their home on Carinya which John's father Walter drew in 1930.
The tall Brigalow and Belah trees on Carinya provide a canopy for an understory of Wilga, Sandlewood and Tree Pear, and as the a 756ha property was developed, the rich red/brown clay soil was hand seeded with Buffel grass, while approximately 200ha went under cropping.
"In his wisdom, Walter left 100 meter wide corridors of stately virgin timber that neatly divide a large portion of the pasture paddocks, which provide great protection for the cattle in summer and winter," Jacklyn said.
John and Jacklyn have had a lifelong association with the breed, as Jacklyn's father, the late Jack Price, had a major influence in establishing Brafords in southern Qld.
John and Jacklyn combined their studs under the Carinya prefix and have continued to adopt many of Jack's selection standards and philosophies.
The Amors run a complete Braford herd, comprising of 250 registered females (85 per cent polled), in single sire mating programs.
John said temperament is of top priority, followed by structural soundness, fertility, bone, length, adequate muscle and softness.
"Ideally, the polled gene is preferred by the majority of our clients, however, we select a horned bull every few years, in order to maintain good sheath control and frame size," he said.
"We're always on the lookout for new genetics and when we introduce a new sire, we retain the best bull calf for in-herd use. This practice has always worked well for us."
The Amor's have enjoyed continued success at Braford sales over the years, topping the National Braford Sale 11 times in the past 13 years and the New Dimension Sale since it began in 2005. They currently hold the breed record of $45,000 for Carinya Murdock, which sold to Donrinda Brafords, Dubbo, NSW.
"Many of our bulls have gone into large commercial herds and it's very satisfying to have positive feedback from our repeat buyers," Jacklyn said.
Beef Australia 2018 was a highlight for the Carinya stud, with the family taking out Calf Champion Braford female with Carinya Tilda.
"It was with great pleasure that we were able to supply the Downlands College students with three heifers to prepare and exhibit for the show season including Beef 2018," Jacklyn said.
International interest has attributed to semen sales into South America, Africa and New Zealand.
"We also recently had Argentinians' Magdalena Paris and Justo Brave visit to inspect the Carinya cattle in search of new genetics."
Magdalena, who paid $34,000 for Carinya Penrith at the 2015 National Sale, said the breed adapts well from the hot tropics to Argentina's inland desert.
Prior to their boys completing high school, John and Jacklyn bought Gowriemor, a 745ha neighbouring property, which they've developed for cropping.
They have purchased four more properties in Drillham and Dulacca in the last 10 years - Dnalwon and Forest Vale at Drillham, which consist of 869ha of farming land, and Berts and Ningindah, which are grazing blocks at Dulacca totalling 835ha.
Jacklyn said Mark and Todd are proud fifth generation farmers and are actively involved in the management of the family business.
"Mark's heart is in farming, and he manages the grain growing side of the business, while Todd assists with the preparation and management of the stud and commercial cattle.
"Mark and Karlee and their children, Tom, Jake and Caitlin live on the Drillham properties, while Todd and Brooke and their children, Haddie, Mac and Henry live at Dulacca.
"We're blessed to have our six beautiful grandchildren close by and one day, hopefully they too will enjoy careers in agriculture."