Latest News from Manali.

Manali sells top price bull – Northern Limousin Breeders Sale
Friday 13th August, 2010.
Manali Limousin sold 5 bulls at the Northern Limousin Breeders sale on Friday 13th August and we are pleased to announce that Lot 9 (Manali D41 MANPD041) sold to a sale top of $7500 to King Creek Limousin Stud as their new stud sire. The polled Apricot bull is a DVFC Cookie Monster son from one of our best cows Turanville Sarah W30. He was a very balanced bull, soft with performance and docility that is typical of the type of bull Manali is striving to breed. We sold 5 bulls at the sale with an average of $5500. Manali would like to thank all purchasers of their bulls and we look forward to hearing how their progeny performs.

Above: Jim and Lynda MacCallum with sale topping bull Manali D41 and purchasers Phil and Barbara Bricknell from King Creek Limousins.

Australia - "The Smart Country"
Jim's Stocktalk, The Land Newspaper, Thursday 29th July, 2010
The Upper Hunter looks great considering its mid Winter, with recent rain creating goal runoff and filling dams and aquifers in most areas. The cattle market remains strong particularly for export cattle especially when you consider the high dollar.

The federal election steels much of the media spotlight and it’s interesting the lack of media attention rural Australia gets in the election prelude. Our agricultural minister also balances a couple of other portfolios which highlights hoe unimportant the bush appears to both sides of our political options.

Food supply in Australia is taken for granted, we as producers know it and with so much of it exported, our population has no real worries with food shortages.

It doesn’t seem to make sense to me that commodities that are non essential are prioritized above on of life’s essentials food.

On another tangent the recent rain highlights how much water we let flow out to sea. For the last few years many rural and urban communities have lived on water restrictions with dam levels at unprecedented lows and talks and construction of de-salivation plants by our governments.

We need to capture our water other countries do it, where dams are built on the same watercourses to ensure supply and water channeled or piped to where it is needed and best used. From an environmental perspective surely the best result for a; creatures is to ensure water, an essential of all life. The dams don’t need to be of gigantic proportions, a recent trip to North America highlighted how small creeks and rivers with several 5-1-15-20 acre dams provided an abundance of water for both irrigation and community supply all done in a 13 inch rainfall.

Australians say and we are the “lucky” country eventually both luck and water run out lets work at being a “SMARTER” COUNTRY.

Manali yearlings top the market at Camden,
Tuesday 20th July, 2010
Manali grain fed calves were sent to Camden to capitalise on its lucrative trade market. 36 steers averaging 400kgs (360kgs to 460kgs) at 10 months to 11 ½ months averaged $881.85 with an individual steer weighing 460kg selling at 225.2c/kg grossing $1035.92. The market top was a Manali bred steer at 230.2c.

Jim and Lynda visit Coleman Limousin Ranch
Montana 4th-11th July 2010
After making initial contact with the Coleman family at the start of 2010 at the Denver Stock Show, it was decided that we should view the Coleman female herd based on the quality of their Denver bulls. Lynda and Jim along with Lynda’s parents, Stan and Marj Watson, travelled to Charlo, MT to visit the Coleman’s picturesque ranch. The cattle were everything we had hoped for being moderate in their growth pattern but incredibly feminine and productive with excellent udders. The Coleman’s were incredibly hospitable with their time giving us 4 days of viewing their cattle and beautiful countryside.

NCHA Futurity – 26th-28th May, 2010
After months of preparation, the 2010 Snaffle bit Futurity rolled around for another year. Lynda rode two horses again- Glenbryde Instant Charm and Manali Important Play. The first round was not the start we were hoping for with scores on both horses in the 130’s. However Glenbryde Instant Charm came through with a 144 points, topping the 2nd go round. Charm ended up placing 9th overall.

Hunter Valley Cutting Horse Club Show – Sunday 23rd May, 2010-07-22
It was a lovely day in Wingen for the Hunter Valley Cutting horse club’s cutting show. The snaffle bit event was held on the Sunday afternoon with over 30 entries, the biggest event of the show. Lynda competed on two horses Glenbryde Instant Charm (a chestnut mare by Instant Dulce from Oaks Surprise) and Manali Important Play (a bay gelding by One Moore Playboy from Watsons Portello). We were happy with both horses performance, especially Charm who won the event with a score of 74 pts.

The Crossbreeding Advantage
Jim’s Stocktalk, The Land Newspaper, 6th May 2010
The annual draft of weaners have come thick and fast over the past couple of months and have once again highlighted the difference between attracting premiums or being at the bottom end of the market. The ultimate profitability is determined by being able to present an article that is highly desired by your target market. Crossbreeding presents an easy way to achieve additional weight gain and a quality product without any real additional costs. Whilst there will always remain a strong role for purebred herds crossbreeding is a real alternative to counteract the cost-price squeeze in rural Australia and allows hybrid vigour to be maximised. With so many herds in Australia having a high Angus influence, European breeds present a real opportunity for additional weight gain and extra yield, without the high in cost for purchasing sires. The real gain however, is in the extra money received for heifer calves where in some cases they make more cents per kilo than their steer counterparts. On a lighter note, the Upper Hunter is about to start its annual Horse Festival, highlighting the importance of the equine industry to our area and bringing together our community. It is a wonderful time of year for our area and I invite everyone to attend the beautiful Upper Hunter Valley.

Price of Production is Crippling
Jim's Stocktalk, The Land Newspaper, 18th February, 2010.
The season in the Upper Hunter continues to remain buoyant with country particularly West of Scone having as much feed as I can remember in my time. The cattle market seems to be fuelled by restocker activity and prices have risen accordingly. The dollar seems to be keeping a lid on the top end of the market and whilst it remains high it is difficult to see the market going through the roof.

In my travels it is consistently pointed out to me by producers of beef that we just simply don’t get enough for our product and that without external income it is nearly impossible to progress and prosper in the cattle industry.

On a recent trip with my father to Denver Stock Show in the USA it was highlighted to both of us what can be achieved when input prices are effectively half of what we pay in Australia. The event which is the largest cattle show in the world is a cross between Ag Quip and the Sydney Show with an emphasis on Beef Production.

Talking to American Beef producers they said they were receiving 90c/pound (198c/kilo) for an equivalent feeder steer. However the notable difference is the costs of production such as a Hydraulic Cattle Crush top of the range was $9000 US, a Toyota Tacoma equivalent to a Dual Cab Hilux was $21,000 US, a 2 Horse Float top of the range $4000, fuel half the price of ours.

Coming back to Australia you notice how our costs of production are just what continues to cripple us. Labour is effectively out of the question when people can sit in a truck at a coal mine and earn in excess of $100,000.00, what possible incentive is there other than lifestyle to continue to slog it out in the bush.

It’s high time all sides of politics realized the economic and social benefits to society of a strong rural Australia.

Playboy Diva sells at Landmark Classic 06.02.2010-07.02.2010
Manali Playboy Diva was offered for sale at the recent Landmark Classic Campdraft Sale in Tamworth. The sale was once again exceeded expectations with the average up on last year being $9,930. Diva sold to Peter Comsikey for $17,500. We have a lot of confidence in Diva's ability and look forward to reporting her achievements in the future.

Jim and Peter(Snr) go to Denver 09.01.10-16.01.10

Since the inception of Manali Limousins the MacCallum Family have accessed genetics from Northern America to progress their herd. After deliberating this year on what sires to use it was decided to travel to the USA to see these genetics first hand. The National Western Stock Show is considered the super-bowl of cattle shows with livestock shown in the usual show-ring format and a bull show that is broken into pens of 3 and carloads (pens of 10). Jim and Peter were impressed by the overall quality, softness and evenness of the livestock presented and are hoping to further improve our own genetics based on what they saw.

Above: WINNER Peoples Choice Carload of Bulls(10 Bulls) – Coleman  Limousin Ranch

Dungog Show 13.11.09
It was a hot day on Friday the 13th November, however Manali Playboy Diva had a very successful day having won the Novice Hack and Working ASH classes from around 20 entries. We were very happy with this performance considering it was her Maiden appearance in ASH events. Diva also won the Ladies Campdraft cut-out after having the run-off with a score or 22. She ran another 22 in the run-off to win this award.

Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza 03.11.09-08.11.09
The upper hunter Beef Bonanza was a wet and rainy weekend as it has been
for the past 4 yrs. The Hunt Family prepared our cattle for the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza and we were thrilled to see Hannah Hunt win the Paraders 16yrs (from around 60 entries) and go on to take out Reserve Champion Parader. Congratulations Hannah!
Our steers placed on the hoof and a Manali purebred Limousin Steer
went on to win the Reserve  Champion Heavy Middleweight Carcase

Pictured Right: Hannah and Lynda at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza 2009

Northern ASH Branch Show, Tamworth 31.10.09-01.11.09
The 4yo gelding Watsons MacDestiny by Acres Destiny out of Watsons Portello
had a successful weekend at the Northern Branch ASH Show.  Highlights included:

• 1st Novice Working (60 entries)

• 1st 4yo Maturity

• Final Novice Campdraft (scored 86)

NSW ASH State Breeders Championships, Dubbo 26.09.09-27.09.09
It was a very cold and windy September weekend for the ASH State Breeders Championships. Lynda, Peter and Olivia took the long journey to Dubbo picking up cousin Holly Duggan to nanny for the weekend. Luckily Anne and Phillipa Reynolds had  transported Macca to Dubbo and were ready to rug up for a cold windy weekend of action. Watson’s MacDesiny had a very successful weekend at the State ASH Breeders Championships. Highlights included;

• 1st Working Gelding 4yrs
  

• CHAMPION Working  4yrs and Under      
  

• CHAMPION HACK 4yrs and Under
  

• SUPREME CHAMPION HACK
  

• 1st Novice 2A Dressage rider over 18yrs
  

• 1st Novice 2A Dressage rider under 18yrs (ridden by Phillipa Reynolds)

Reynolds Family purchase Watsons MacDestiny (ASH 177892)
We are very pleased to announce to sale of Watsons MacDesiny to Anne and Phillipa Reynolds. We hope this horse brings you as much joy as he has bought to our family. GOOD LUCK!

Northern Breeders Limousin Sale 07.08.09
Manali Limousins entered two young herd sires in the Northern Limousin Breeders Sale conducted by MacCallum Inglis. The sale saw 60 bulls average $3700 with Manali’s two black polled sires selling for $6500 and $3250. Thankyou to the purchasers Allan Boon, Bingara NSW and Adam and Kerry Harris, Singleton NSW. Good Luck with your new sires.

• 
  Right Photo: MANALI KEEPER C19 (MANPC019) sold to Adam and Kerry Harris for $3250   
  Left Photo: MANALI GUARDIAN C26 (MANPC026) sold for $6500 to Allan Boon, Bingara NSW
  
  

  DDCC Futurity, Toowoomba
  07.07.09– 11.07.09
  Frosty mornings, beautiful days and friendly people made our very first Toowoomba Futurity an unforgettable experience. Jim rode Playboy Diva and MacDestiny in the snafflebit futurity making the final with MacDestiny with scores of up to 144 points. Thankyou to everyone to helped us at this event especially Jim’s help team; Heath Sinclare, Phil Dawson, Jamie Creek and Mark Heath. Thankyou also to Hannah Hunt for coming along and helping us with the children.

  Left Photo: Jim and MacDestiny in the DDCC Snafflebit Futurity Final.
  (Photo Courtesy of Ray Cooper)

   

  NCHA Futurity, Tamworth
  28.05.09-29.05.09
  After many months of training and lessons our first attempt at the NCHA Futurity arrived. Manali entered Playboy Diva and MacDestiny in the Snafflebit Futurity. Lynda rode MacDestiny and missed the final by 1 point with two round scores of 140 points. Playboy Diva however finalled with scores up to 144. In the final Diva ran a 142.5 points and was placed equal 6th and won the highest scoring Australian Stock Horse Award. A big thankyou to Tom Williamson and Jane Munro who gave us so much help and advice along the way. Also thankyou Phil Dawson for giving us lessons and being in our help team. Thankyou to the other help team members as well.

  Lynda and Playboy Diva in the NCHA Snafflebit Futurity Final.
  (Photo courtesy of Glenn Mandl)