Top Vealers at Manilla
Greg and Carolyn Wilkinson run "Kinkuna" at Manilla. They aim to turn off top quality vealers and yearlings off native and improved pastures.
The enterprising and hard working couple also run an intense calf rearing operation, so their cattle herd has to be low maintenance.
In 2006 the Wilkinson's purchased one Santa Gertrudis and a Red Angus/Santa Gertrudis cross bull.
"We are very happy with the quality of the calves of the Balgree bulls. They are very thick, easy doing cattle that fit right into our program. The bulls settled in well at "Kinkuna". The Smyth' s policy of not overfeeding sale bulls is something we look for," Greg said.
"The bulls went straight to work and have gone on to grow into big bulls. We run our property with the help of our young family so temperament is very important to us also.
"Cross breeding gives a big lift in our weights. The Red Angus/Santa cross bulls' progeny mature early for the vealer market. The Santa Gertrudis progeny mature later giving the choice to grow out to heavier weights. With higher costs of cropping and longer dry spells we need the flexibility to access different markets."
Greg and Carolyn Wilkinson, "Kinkuna", Manilla
Fine Tuning at Westmar
"After spending a lifetime crossbreeding with Santa bulls, we had come to expect Santas on a whole to be more flighty and bad tempered than other breeds of bulls we use. Balgree Santas, however, have turned this line of thinking around, as the five bulls we bought off Russell and Chris last year, are now the easiest and quietest of our bulls to handle.
I feel a lot must be contributed to Russell's diligence in culling any animal with bad attitude and most importantly spending time with his weaners and breaking them in with his dogs. They are certainly a pleasure to handle."
David and Wendy Anderson, "Tremere", Westmar
Sale Topping Results
The Fitzgerald family of "Bungulban", Kilkivan, have been regular buyers of Balgree bulls for many years with very pleasing results.
They have been continually topping store sales at Toogoolawah and Gympie for many years with their Hereford/Santa cross steers.
"We are happy with the way the Balgree bulls acclimatise to our country. They're always fit and active and good workers. Temperament is important to us and that's another reason we return to buy."
Mr and Mrs Ian Fitzgerald, "Bungulban", Kilkivan
