After many decades breeding Shorthorn cattle, there is not much the Thompson family from Yorketown hasn't achieved in the stud industry.
But on March 16, the respected breeders will realise another long-held dream with their Bayview stud holding its first on-property bull and female auction.
The move comes after the purchase last year of the Stoney Point sale complex, near Naracoorte, and surrounding 120 hectares from Angus breeder Perry Gunner.
Stud principal Chis Thompson said they had been searching for land in the South East when they heard Mr Gunner was looking to retire and jumped at the opportunity.
The plan is for the breeding herd, which was founded by Chris's parents Kevin and Pam in 1960, to continue to be run on Yorke Peninsula.
But Mr Thompson says the purchase gives them a selling outlet in the "heart of cattle country" along with somewhere to run a few heifers and steers.
"Years ago there were a lot more cattle on the Peninsula and we used to sell genetics locally but now it is mainly a cropping area with not many cattle at all," he said.
Last year the stud celebrated 50 years as a vendor at the long-running Naracoorte Shorthorn bull sale and have been guest vendors at the Belmore Invitation Sale for a decade, but Mr Thompson says having their own sale was the logical next step for their family business.
Mr Thompson's three children Alexandra, James and Luke, with his wife Anissa, are the third generation all involved at Bayview.
"We got to the stage where we were building our numbers at the sales we were represented at and there were still breeders who wanted to buy our genetics, who were being outpriced," he said.
"This way if we put up a greater selection of Shorthorn bulls, everyone should be able to get something within their budget."
Buying the Stoney Point complex has also led to another venture for Bayview - breeding Angus cattle.
"Shorthorns are still close to my heart and always have been with their tremendous temperament and milking ability but there was something about the romance of keeping the Stoney Point bloodlines going and buying foundation females from the complex we now own," he said.
"Perry has been fantastic to deal with, giving advice and support."
In March last year Bayview was a major buyer at Stoney Point's first stage dispersal sale, investing in 28 top females to a $41,000 high.
"We have done a lot of embryo work with these top end females and mating them with top United States sires and Australian bulls, the recipients are due to calve this year," he said.
Mr Thompson insists their plan is not to "take over the Angus world".
From 2023 Bayview hopes to offer about 20 Angus bulls each year to complement their Shorthorn offering.
Mr Thompson says they will approach breeding Angus with the same philosophy that has been successful in their Shorthorns - easy doing, deep-sided cattle with an early to mid-maturity pattern.
He admits it has been a daunting task preparing for their inaugural sale but says the "timing is right" with exceptional cattle prices.
The sale catalogue will feature 40 Shorthorn bulls along with 50 pregnancy-tested in-calf heifers. Thirty two of these females will be partnered with another of similar genetics - with the buyer able to select the heifer of their choice, while the other heifer remains in the Bayview herd.
"I have always believed that good stock sell. We are very proud of what we have up for sale especially the R-drop heifers," he said.
Bayview will also make a return to Beef Week for the first time in more than 20 years with their field day at the Bayview Stoney Point complex on Monday, February 7.
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
