105 High Performance Bulls
Hazeldean, Cooma

More info early August or call:
Jim Litchfield: 0417 676 561 or 02 64535555
Ben Rolfe: 0429 645 355

Dear Angus Breeder,

Welcome to the 2017 Hazeldean Angus Spring Sale. A feature of this sale are the 33 sons of Rennylea Edmund E11. Edmund is by Booroomooka Undertaken Y145 out of a Lawsons Henry VIII cow. He has high marbling genetics on both sides of his pedigree but this is incidental to what this bull really brings to the table.

We first saw Edmund at Ardrossan around 5 years ago and were impressed straight away. With structural problems, especially feet, and other extremes becoming evident in many cattle we finally found a bull that was, to our mind, a circuit breaker and one that would reinforce in our breeding program the traits that are fundamental to the Hazeldean program.

I am not sure if the ABRI people thought about it much but there is a good reason that Calving Ease EBVs occur at the beginning of the EBV table as they are among the most important. Dead calves have an amazing impact on profit. Apart from not getting in calf to begin with, nothing diminishes herd profitability more than a dead calf. Forget everything you have heard about high marbling, high growth, high anything. If you sustain one more dead calf with these genetics then you will completely undo all benefit the ‘highs’ might bring you. You are far better off with a herd of no name cattle with 100% calf survival than a herd of whizz bang cattle with 95% calf survival.

So this, first of all, is where Hazeldean stands out. The average Calving Ease direct for the Spring sale bulls is +1.6 and for Calving Ease Maternal it is +1.3. 2015 total breed average for these traits is +0.3 for both traits. Hazeldean bulls are significantly ahead of the breed for this all important characteristic

Edmund reinforces all the traits we hold dear in the Hazeldean program and this complimentarity is evident right through. Skip a couple of traits and look at fat. Fat has a lot more cred than it did a few years ago. Not just in our own diet but also in cattle breeding. Fat is the insurance policy cows carry around on their body so when seasons get tight they draw on fat to help them provide more milk to their calf. When mating time arrives and still the season is tight they draw on fat to help them start cycling earlier.

Fat = more milk = heavier calf = more money.
Fat = earlier conception= older calf = heavier calf = more money.

Last but by no means least is docility. Quiet cattle are preferable, they will gain more weight and are much easier to handle. The odds are clearly against you if a 700 kg cow decides she really doesnt want to co-operate with a 70 kg human. Maybe you are 140 kgs but still the odds are clearly not your way. Quiet cattle are far more enjoyable and easier to handle.

And finally marbling. The reason the Angus breed is where it is. It is the icing on the cake and has driven demand for our product.

A long intro but it demonstrates where our principles lie and where it will take you. Edmund has worked very well over the magnificent females of the Hazeldean herd because he complements our cattle and our breeding program. The right breeding program is about mating like with like, not correctively mating with extremes.

Regards,

Jim Litchfield, August 2017

Hazeldean sire's exceptional performance in Angus Australia Sire Benchmarking Programme

The progeny of Hazeldean sires NHZF493 and NHZF1023 part of cohort 3 of the AA sire benchmarking programme have performed exceptionally well, in all traits including calving ease, growth, and particularly carcase– Out of progeny from 40 sires F1023 progeny ranked 1st for carcase IMF and 2nd for MSA index and F493 progeny were ranked 7th for IMF, and 3rd, 2nd and 4th for 200, 400 & 600 day weight.

	BWT	200	400	600	RIB FAT	RUMP FAT	Scan IMF	Carcase IMF	Scan EMA	MSA marble score	MSA Index
F1023*	25th	12th	17th	15th	2nd	10th	2nd	1st	5th	3rd	2nd
F493*	26th	3rd	2nd	4th	10th	2nd	4th	7th	4th	8th	5th

* Progeny rank our of 40 sires

There were 24 progeny from F1023 and 29 progeny from F493

Summary of results of cohort 3

For full results go to AA

As per Hazeldean's semen interests, Hazeldean retains the semen rights for these bulls.

Hazeldean's Outstanding Calving Ease

Hazeldean has been selecting for calving ease for more than 20 years - our heifers calve down easily with only a handful of the more than 400 calving heifers having any sort of difficulty. Any female who has problems calving for whatever reason is culled from the herd. Calving difficulties are not much fun to deal with and a live calf worth a hell of alot more than a dead one!

View Hazeldean Genetic Trends over the past 20 years

Reputation the Reward for Quality Breeding

View videos of past sales line-ups

View 2016 Sale results

Hazeldean Sales information

CHANGE OF SALE CONDITIONS

ELDERS CONDUCTING SALES AT HAZELDEAN FROM 2017

After many years conducting our own sales this year we have decided to use Elders to conduct all our on property sales at Cooma. This means the 5% discount for paying on the day is no longer available and clients will be billed by Elders directly for all purchases.

We believe this decision is in the best interests of Hazeldean and our clients and will result in a smoother sale process.

Hazeldean wishes to thank all clients for their support over many years and we look forward to seeing you on sale day.

Hazeldean Guarantee and Replacements, Refunds, Credits

Although we do our very best to ensure every bull we catalogue sees out many years of good service, occasionally premature breakdowns occur. In this event we guarantee unconditionally all bulls for 12 months from purchase and further if poor reproduction results from a genetic defect we were unaware of pre-sale. Our policy is to look after the people who look after us so if there is a problem please let us know.

To resolve the issue of a bull breakdown we will work with you to achieve the best outcome for your breeding enterprise. In the instance of a bull breaking down during the breeding season we will endeavour to find a replacement and get him to you ASAP. If you are able to cover the breakdown with a spare, then we will either offer a replacement at a later date or issue a credit equivalent to the purchase price of the original bull that you can use at a future sale.

Semen Terms & Conditions

Hazeldean retains semen rights on all bulls sold unless otherwise agreed upon, according to Hazeldean Semen Terms & Conditions.

Insurance

Any animal that either dies or has to be destroyed due to injury within 28 days of sale will be replaced or refunded by Hazeldean. Additional insurance to cover death or loss of use after 28 days can be arranged at the sale.

Health Check

All sale bulls are thoroughly assessed by a vet prior to sale. Animals displaying faults likely to interfere with a normal & productive life are culled

The Hazeldean herd has been assessed & tested under the National Johnes Disease Market Assurance Program & holds an MN3 (monitored negative 3) status, the highest level.

Bulls are vaccinated for Vibriosis, Pestivirus, and receive a 7 in 1 vaccination

Queensland sale bulls are vaccinated for 3 day sickness and tick fever

We recommend that you organise a pre-mating bull examination at least 6 weeks prior to joining to ensure that he is in the best of health & capable of producing pregnancies. This should include a serving ability test where the bull is observed serving a cow or heifer.

Please note:
Although Hazeldean employs best practice procedures in livestock husbandry and does it's best to ensure every animal catalogued for sale is free from disease, internal parasites and external parasites it does not guarantee that any sale animal is free of disease, internal parasites or external parasites.

Structure:
The sale bulls have been independently assessed by Liam Cardile from BeefXcel. Read more

Looking after your bulls when you get them home and how to get the most out of your bulls. Read more