RaynerAg

06/09/2026

This weeks RaynerAg Bull of the week comes from the New England region of NSW. This is BEN NEVIS WIZARDRY W047 from Ben Nevis Angus Stud in Walcha. I really like this bull. He has the structure and the muscle volume I am always drawn too, and his genetic merit suggests he will be an asset in any breeding herd.

He will be Lot 12 of the annual Ben Nevis Angus Stud sale on Wednesday 9th Spetember, (interfaced with AuctionsPlus and StockLive)

03/09/2026

Thought for the day!

Good data will not always confirm what we expect, or favour the cattle, people or systems traditionally considered superior.

Data should be questioned. Was it collected properly? Is it accurate? Is it relevant to the decision?

But once those tests are met, discomfort with the result is not evidence that the data are wrong. Objective measurement only has value if we are prepared to accept what it reveals.

02/09/2026

When your FTAI program doesn't work as well as you expect, do you look beyond the straws to other potential issues. Some things to considerin my second Beef Central column this week.

Disappointing fixed-time AI results should not automatically be blamed on semen quality, with variation in synchronisation response, luteolysis and ovulation also influencing pregnancy rates, recent research shows...Read More

01/09/2026

How do you select and preapre your bull team. Most producers have a larger group and then select a working team. I've looked at what we know about this approach in this weeks Beef Central

This week's genetic review considers how to build an effective bull team by matching the genetic merit, physical suitability and composition of each working draft to the females, joining conditions and breeding objectives...Read More

30/08/2026

This weeks RaynerAgBull of the week comes from Dunlop Santa Gertrudis at Proston in QLD. This is Dunlop Acxton W6 (PP). There is a lot to admiore about this bull, from his length to his muscle volume and structure. He will be Lot 4 of the Dunlop Santa Gertrudis sale on 5th September (Interfaced with StockLive)

30/08/2026

There has been plenty of discussion about EUDR and what Australian cattle producers will be required to do.

Before signing up to an additional assessment or monitoring service, it is worth establishing whether your cattle are likely to enter an EU supply chain and what is already available through LPA and NLIS.

Australia is classified as low risk, dairy products are outside the regulation, and third-party assessments are not automatically required. They may be useful where there is a specific vegetation question or a buyer requests further evidence.

I have brought together the current EU, Department of Agriculture, MLA, Integrity Systems and Cattle Australia positions in this article.

Position current at 30 August 2026 The European Union Deforestation Regulation is approaching, but there is an important distinction between a market-access requirement affecting particular supply chains and a new legal obligation applying directly to every Australian cattle producer. The EUDR wi

26/08/2026

Matching cows to country, using production status rather than using static mobs based on an age group can help achieve better outcomes for cows. Some ideas on this are part of my second Beef Central column this week.

This week's genetics review looks at how pregnancy testing, foetal ageing and lactation status can be used to group breeder cows and better match their nutritional demands to available country and supplementation...Read More

25/08/2026

Heifer selection is one of the most important series of decisions required in a breeding herd. But if we make decisions largely on phenotype and weight its easy to slow genetic progress in the herd. This weeks Beef Central genetics column touches on this subject, and looks at some research that adds to this subject.

This article examines how selecting replacements mainly on size and weight can overlook genetically valuable daughters of younger cows, drawing on Dr Alex Ball’s recent research project and its implications for maternal genetic progress...Read More

25/08/2026

Thank you to the NHIA (National Herd Improvement Association of Australia Inc) for the opportunity to be part of the program. I appreciated the chance to represent Vytelle Australasia and share some ideas to integrate IVF with well designed AI programs. Looking forward to this weeks session in Strathalbyn, SA!

24/08/2026

This weeks RaynerAg Bull of the week comes from southern NSW. This is WIRRUNA VANSTON V318 (AI) (PP) from Wirruna Poll Herefords. I have always respected the cattle from this program and you can see why with hthis bull. He is a well balanced bull that is sound, and offers a great combination of physical performance and genetic merit.

He will be Lot 25 of the Wirruna Poll Herefords Online Bull & Female Sale Wednesday 26 August, (interfaced with AuctionsPlus)