THE GRANGE BREEDING PHILOSOPHY

GENETICS.

The core breeding stock for the Grange operation stem from the Glen Bold bloodlines and world class imported embryos.

Embryos feature from elite cows such as Davis YR Blackbird 558H a record price dam (US $520,000).
Also featured are progeny of GAR Precision 4539, a full sister to the $US beef index breed-leading dam, GAR Precision 2536.
2536 has been the foundation female at the Wehrmann Angus Ranch in Virginia. Also featured at The Grange are daughters of Riverbend Rita 2811, Riverbend Blackcap 2321 and Kahn Blackcap M171.

Genetic management of the Grange herd is heavily based on elite embryo transfer. The Grange have continued to implant embryos by leading and elite Australian and imported sires and dams. In addition, females from the Grange herd are flushed to highly proven, elite Australian and overseas sires.

TECHNOLOGY.

The Grange cattle are bred for superior structure. All bulls are individually and independently structurally assessed, twice, before sale.

If any female is not up to standard she is culled. Only the best cattle are retained for breeding.

Bull calves are assessed at weaning by Liam Cardile. The bulls are reassessed shortly before sale by Dick Whale. All bulls are ultrasound scanned and scrotal measurements taken, at 12 months of age. All bulls are fertility checked by a qualified veterinarian.

AI & ET.

There is a high focus on embryo transfer work in the Grange herd. All ET work was done by Dr Richard Hall in WA before 2006. All ET work has been done by Dr Tim Heath in Albury, since 2006.

All herd females are AI’ed. Only bulls of a stud sire standard are used for back up purposes. For example, the Grange has used WFOA44, which was sold for $20,000 to Noel Dickson of Albury, as a back up bull. A44 is one of the highest EMA bulls in the breed in Australia. He was used for AI and as a back up bull. This sire is a son of the 4539 cow (a powerful full sister to GAR Precision 2536). Also used for backup has been the top priced bull at St.Paul’s sale in 2005. Also used for AI and backup, was Alpine Bradman B31, the top priced bull at the Alpine Angus sale in 2008.

The Grange Angus team are committed to visiting the most high profile Angus beef cattle studs in the world on an ongoing basis, to source the best genetics available for our Australian clients.

MANAGEMENT

Supplementary feeding is kept to a minimum. When we have to feed, we have a heavy reliance on silage. Bulls for sale are not “pumped up” with grain before sale, nor are they groomed. They are well nourished, inoculated, structurally and temperament, as well as vet checked, ready for work on sale day.
They are guaranteed fertile and sound for 2 years from sale.

The Grange philosophy is to spend on sourcing the best genetics in the world, rather than on elaborate and highly expensive marketing techniques.