Stock Journal

Premium genetics on offer in Ben Nevis female sale

RARE OPPORTUNITY: The Ben Nevis Angus cow sale on October 13 includes some of the stud's leading genetics, with all females from the F,G,H,J,K and L years on offer.
RARE OPPORTUNITY: The Ben Nevis Angus cow sale on October 13 includes some of the stud's leading genetics, with all females from the F,G,H,J,K and L years on offer.

This is advertiser content for Ben Nevis Angus.

IT'S one of the most recognised prefixes in the Angus breed, and now stud producers have a chance to purchase some of Ben Nevis Angus stud's highly regarded females in a mature cow sale on October 13.

The Walcha stud, owned by Stu and Erica Halliday, is one of the country's oldest Angus studs, with 73 years of breeding.

Ben Nevis females are known for their temperament, constitution, and ability to breed thumping, herd improving bulls.

"We still value things like good heads, strong toplines and fine skins and while we fold in extra IMF and performance under the hide, we never compromise on those traits that the Angus breed is known for," Mrs Halliday said.

LOT 14: Jean H215, dam to Newsflash, who sold to Bannaby Angus for $24,000 in 2018, is the pillar of Ben Nevis stud's modern herd.
LOT 14: Jean H215, dam to Newsflash, who sold to Bannaby Angus for $24,000 in 2018, is the pillar of Ben Nevis stud's modern herd.

The mature female dispersal includes every female retained in the herd from the F,G,H,J,K and L years, including some of the stud's unique cows.

"To prepare we pinned our ears back and heavily flushed over the last three years so that we could offer our top cows and allow people to tap into the very heart of our breeding program where it stands now," Mrs Halliday said.

"Genetically our donors carry some very unique genetics with pure Ben Nevis bloodlines whose progeny have some serious runs on the board including the $32,000 Metamorphic whose progeny at Banquet and KO studs have averaged over $15,000 this sale season."

It's the first time that Ben Nevis females have been offered publicly since the stud was established in 1947.

Ben Nevis has been a closed herd since then, with the exception of two Wilcoola and Burnette cows.

"With a big step up in our flush program it is our intention to have a mature female dispersal every three years," Mrs Halliday said.

"From here on in we will continue to invest heavily in embryo transfer which we outsource as well as rebuilding our commercial female herd after the drought."

LOT 15: Ben Nevis Jean K80 was the dam of the $32,000 Metamorphic who sold to an Australian and NZ syndicate.
LOT 15: Ben Nevis Jean K80 was the dam of the $32,000 Metamorphic who sold to an Australian and NZ syndicate.

The cows will sell in two sections starting with spring calving cows with calves at foot followed by PTIC cows due to calve in autumn.

Among the highlights in the catalogue are females from the Jean family.

"Jean H215 (lot 14) is the pillar of our modern herd," Mrs Halliday said.

"Her son Ben Newsflash sold to Bannaby Angus in 2018 for $24,000 and her daughter (lot 15, Ben Nevis Jean K80) was the dam of the $32,000 Metamorphic who sold to an Australian and NZ syndicate.

"There is also the Dormist line including Dormist H26 (lot 102) whose son Quantum sold to Bowmont Angus for $41,000 at our recent sale."

"The cows in the sale are the ones that have risen to the top over time as we cull for fertility, temperament and feet.

"We are very excited and proud to share what my family have created over the last 73 years."

LOT 102: Dormist H26's son Quantum sold to Bowmont Angus for $41,000 at Ben Nevis stud's 2020 sale.
LOT 102: Dormist H26's son Quantum sold to Bowmont Angus for $41,000 at Ben Nevis stud's 2020 sale.

The cattle can be inspected, by appointment, prior to the sale day, and the stud will also hold an open day to view the cows on October 12.

To view the cow photos and videos, or request a catalogue, visit the stud's website.

This is advertiser content for Ben Nevis Angus.