Perhaps the biggest news to date for us would be the recent purchase of "White Kangaroo Station:, west of Bowen, North Queensland.  The property fits perfectly into our business plan, as the breeder country will compliment our fattening country in the Burnett region.  It consists of 14,000 acres of good breeder country which will carry upwards of 1,000 head.  In the purchase was 650 head, including 400 grey brahman breeders which originated from Col and Doug Leather's Warden Bend stud.  All breeders are now located on White Kangaroo, where our son Joe now resides as Manager.  All male cattle will be sent south to the Monto properties, Narbethong and Coolamondah for fattening and marketing.

A scene from White Kangaroo Station.	Our carpenter, Tello Siciliano, an avid  birdwatcher, observed 43 bird species on  the Big Dam at White Kangaroo.
Tello and Joe doing renovations.

Following the purchase of "White Kangaroo" the decision was made to disperse our irrigation property "Parktree" at Thangool.  We congratulate Pat and Liz O'Halloran on the purchase and wish them all the best.  The biological farming practices used at Parktree for hay and fodder production will be continued on our improved pastures at Narbethong.

Young bulls grazing oats crop at Parktree.

As we are entering into bull sale season, the Monto All Breeds and Rockhampton Brahman Week sales are on the calendar.

The Monto All Breeds Sale is on the 16th of September.  We will be presenting 5 red bulls (Lots 50-54), including 3 polls.  The bulls are aged 2-3 years, and all have faultless temperaments.

Rockhampton Brahman Week is programmed for 2-4th of October.  We are selling 17 bulls (Lots 693-709) on Day 2 of the sale.  These bulls can be previewed on the Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale page.

A very strong demand for Fairy Springs bulls in the paddock has seen all '05 bulls already sold this year.  Therefore, the only bulls available this season will be those catalogued for the Monto All Breeds and Brahman Week sales.  Inspections prior to sales are always welcome.

Lot 50 for the Monto All Breeds Sale, 
Fairy Springs Banchee 2632 (P) D.O.B. 06.02.04

Due to a strong emphasis on polled genetics in our breeding herd, a group of Fairy Springs cattle have been selected for involvement in a cutting edge, international molecular genetics research project investigating the poll/horned genetic trait.  The project is a collaborative venture between CSIRO, QDPI&F and the University of New England and Animal Genetics Breeding Unit located at Armidale, and is a Beef CRC initiative.  We are delighted to be involved in research that could have important outcomes for the Australian beef cattle industry, as there will almost certainly be increasing pressure in the future from welfare groups regarding current husbandry practices.

Polled Fairy Springs heifers.

January and the Charters Towers Big Country Sale saw success again for Fairy Springs.  Fairy Springs Red Leader sold for $48,000 half share to Bevan Glasgow (Riuna Brahman Stud) and Bob DeGunst, setting a record for the highest priced red polled Brahman bull sold at auction.

The Gympie Female Sale in June also brought great results, with the sale of 5 young heifers.  Fairy Springs recorded the Top Red Average ($9,100) and Top Priced Red Heifer ($15,000), both for the third year in succession.  Our top priced heifer, Fairy Springs Miss Jody was purchased by Bernie Schneider, Firefly Stud, NSW.  Stephen Sivwright, Diddine Stud, NSW, purchased Dutchess ($10,000), Fern ($5,500) and Amelia ($5,000).  Sam Graham, Biloela, Qld, purchased Amanda ($10,000).

Nothing pleases us more than buyer confidence, and this was demonstrated with a 100% repeat buyer statistic for our cattle at this sale.

Eddie with Bevan Glasgow and Bob DeGunst, purchasers of  Fairy Springs Red Leader.	Debbie with two of the Gympie Sale heifers - Fairy  Springs Jody and Fairy Springs Dutchess.

As can be expected from such a fantastic event, we had a very enjoyable week at Beef 2006.  We would like to thank the many visitors to our site, and congratulate the Beef Week organising committee and volunteers for their wonderful work.

On display at the Fairy Springs site this year were three cow/calf pairs, young heifers Miss Jody and Dutchess (who were later sold at the Gympie Female Sale), and Fairy Springs Red Leader.  Additionally, posters were on display covering the topics:  "Importance of Scrotal Characteristics in Bulls" and "Selecting Replacement Females for Profitability".  We recognise that fertility is the number one trait in contributing to profitability, and the posters were effective in generating discussion in these areas.  A bit of fun was had with our "Daily Semen Draw".  Winners of the draw were given the opportunity to select a 10 straw semen package of their choice.  Congratulation to the winners:

Sarah graduated at the end of 2005 from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Animal Science), Honours Class 1.  In January, she took up a position with the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry, Fishery and Mines as a Pastoral Technical Officer, based in Tennant Creek.  The position involves assisting with research trials and extension programs promoting a sustainable pastoral industry in the Barkly Region.  Sarah is enjoying a first hand look at the extensive cattle production systems in the Territory, and meeting many new people.

Eddie and Debbie with Sarah at her University of  Queensland graduation.
Sarah with some Australian Agricultural  Company (AACo) trial heifers on Avon Downs  Station on the Barkly Tableland.	Sarah undergoing pasture monitoring on Rockhampton Downs  Station for a NT DPIFM alternate waters grazing trial.