Gleneagles Stud geneticist learning the art of breeding mini-Galloways
Mini-Galloways have plenty of appeal and represent a host of challenges for a NSW couple.
SELF-taught geneticist Ian Bull is applying the knowledge he gained in early experiments with coloured mice to breeding award-winning miniature Galloway cattle.
Seeking a tree change Ian and his wife Rhonda moved from Glenmore Park, Penrith, to Corbie Hill, near Leeton, in southern NSW in 2004 and established Gleneagles Mini Galloway Stud.
In preparation for the cattle, Ian re-fenced the 8ha farm, installed a $20,000 pipe and riser irrigation system, erected shelters and cleared a paddock of rocks.
So he could move stock easily on his own he configured the farm around a central hub linked to other paddocks or laneways leading to paddocks.
The farm has a 35-megalitre high-security water entitlement, a carry-over from the land’s one-time use as a stone fruit orchard.
The Bulls started their mini herd in 2010 with three pregnant cows, one with a calf at foot and a heifer sourced from the Glenayr stud at West Wyalong.
The subsequent purchase of a bull from the former Glen El stud at Dungog and several additional females formed the nucleus of their stud which is registered with the Australian Galloway Association.
IAN BULL
CORBIE HILL, NSW
RUN the Gleneagles Mini Galloway stud on 8ha
SELL progeny to breeders and hobby farmers
HAVE used oranges as cattle feed during the drought
ENTHUSIASTIC about helping other breeders
Today’s herd comprises two working bulls and eight breeding females. Their stud is Johne’s disease-free and pestivirus-free.
The couple sell their progeny to fellow breeders, established studs in the eastern states and hobby farmers, retaining some calves for breeding.
All animals meet the breed standards and are registered with the breed society.
Semen sales are part of the business.
YOUNG GUNS
THE Bulls wean the calves at six months of age and join the females at 15 months in stages so calves are born at different times through the year to cater for their market.
Ian said his early extensive experiments with mice had helped him get a handle on genetics.
“In my late teens through to my twenties I produced coloured mice with a mate, which we sold back to pet shops for 20 cents each,” he said.
“It was during these experiments that I discovered the double recessive nature of the red gene purely by accident.”
With this in mind, Ian looked for a solid red mini Galloway when selecting the stud’s first bull. A search through the breed society’s herd book turned up Glen El Rusty who has sired 20 Gleneagles calves.
Like Ian’s mice of yesteryear, Galloways come in a range of colours, including white with red points, white with black points, white with dun points, black, dun (brown) and red.
Ian said there were many different shades in the solid-coloured cattle from dark to light in the reds and a dark chocolate to a silver dun.
The Galloway family includes belted Galloways both standard size and miniature in black, red and dun with a characteristic white belt encircling the body.
Temporarily sidetracked in their goal to breed mini Galloways, the couple initially ran Murray Greys, who Ian said “unfortunately seemed to like being out of the paddock more often than in it”.
The escapees were sold and their breed of choice came on board.
He said the small breed was well suited to their small farm and his own abilities.
“I came from an office and I wanted something reasonably calm for me to manage,” Ian said.
The minis ticked the right boxes.
TRAIT & NARROW
IAN said he liked all the traits of mini Galloways.
“They have small calves; they grow quickly, mature quickly and are non-selective grazers. They will marble on grass,” he said.
“The bulls are easy to train and calm down,” Ian said.
The Bulls’ aim is to produce well-structured miniature Galloway stud animals that will improve the Galloway breed.
“I have a passion to add as many white with red points Galloway animals as I can to the herd book of the Australian Galloway Association.”
To promote the mini Galloways Ian sent two animals to an experienced cattle-handler at Young to be trained for the show ring in preparation for the stud’s competition debut at the Royal Canberra Show in February.
He said he had no expectation of winning, but wanted people to see how ” attractive and gorgeous” the little cattle are.
The first-time exhibitor won the reserve champion senior miniature bull at Canberra with Gleneagles Mondeo, who also bagged the grand champion senior bull at the Royal Bathurst Show in April, while Gleneagles Nymeria came second in the under 16 months heifer class at Bathurst.
Ian said he encouraged most of his customers to establish a Galloway stud, giving them an extra option to sell their calves on the registered stud market.
Three Victorian clients and four NSW breeders have followed his advice.
LEARNING CURVE
IAN and Rhonda partially sponsored the purchase of three of their calves by a community school at Wyong, north of Sydney, for the students to take to local shows and to invite residents of aged care facilities to visit the cattle.
Part of the minis’ charm is their small stature and bright shining eyes, framed by glamorously long eyelashes.
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The maximum height for registered males is 125cm and 120cm for the females — about 25cm and 20cm shorter than a male and female Hereford, respectively.
With a double coat to protect them against inclement weather in their Scottish homeland, Ian said the Galloways coped well with the Australian summer provided they had access to water, which they loved standing in.
The farm dam is a popular spot for the minis in the warmer months.
They also stand under the spray of sprinklers.
The cattle graze irrigated grass-based pastures, supplemented by hay, given sparingly as needed and oranges, reputed to be a nutritional supplement for cows who obtain roughage, vitamins and essential oils from the peel.
Ian collectsoranges not fit for human consumption from a nearby packing house.
He turned to oranges to help see the cattle through the drought because he could not afford to keep buying hay.
On the radar is the Bulls’ hoped-for establishment of their farm as a quarantine station for Galloways.
They also host several Yanco Agricultural High School students at weekends.
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