Genetics focus pays at Wattlewood Angus, Lang Lang

Fiona and John Glover are using genotyping to provide commercial clients with the knowledge to make better bull buying decisions.

Fiona and John Glover, with their son Ben, 11, Lang Lang. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

When it comes to selecting genetics for her beef cattle stud, artificial insemination technician Fiona Glover admits she’s in the right game to do it.

“Through my job and career as an AI technician, we have been able to select genetics from all over the world,” Fiona said.

“Being off farm allows me to see how different sires are performing in different herds and it is a good reality check with what is working and what’s not.”

While operating across Victoria, NSW and South Australia as Australian Bovine Conceptions, Fiona and husband John have also been refining their Wattlewood Angus herd at Lang Lang in South Gippsland over the last 20 years after buying the top breeders from the dispersal of Worralla Park Angus.

From these foundation females and the use of AI and embryo transfer, the Glovers have built up numbers and maintained herd quality by selecting only the best females with structure, temperament and balanced EBVs.

The Glovers’ foundational work has paid off and in the past four years they have been able to switch from selling bulls privately to hosting a bull sale each year.

This autumn will be their fourth on-property sale and Fiona said, as in previous years, they expected to attract repeat buyers seeking value for money bulls, particularly given the tough economic climate.

“Last year we increased our average and had our highest price bull at auction ever…but the key thing that I appreciate most, is that we have had 100 per cent clearance each time,” Fiona said.

In 2024, 31 bulls sold to $16,000 and averaged $7444. Buyers came from across east and South Gippsland, the Western District and NSW.

“We were ready to take a hit last year because everything was on the down but because our bulls were very affordable, we were able to sell all of them and better our average,” she said.

“We have the same genetics as the big boys and buyers still get a quality article but for a more economical price,” she said.

“We are not as well known as some of the studs marketing their bull sales for years but we offer a genuine article and are realistic with our reserve prices in relation to what the market is doing.”

When seeking out new genetics, Fiona said she aimed for good structure, temperament, do-ability and longevity, particularly in breeders. They were also conscious of birth weight, growth, intramuscular fat, eye muscle area and the Australian dollar index.

“To have cattle that are able to be sold at any stage of their life, that are economical to run, easy to manage and easy to sell,” she said.

“I try not to jump on new fandangle bulls, I like to know they will work first and that there are no surprises.”

Besides Worralla Park, Wattlewood includes genetics from Te Mania, Lawsons, Rennylea and Ardrossan.

“We have always picked the best bulls to back up the AI program because we can’t afford to have empty cows,” Fiona said.

“Being a technician I can do two rounds so 85 to 90 per cent of the herd is AI and we currently have a bull from Alpine Angus and one from Texas Angus that we use to mop up and that have stood the test of time.

“I love longevity in my cattle. It takes them so long to get to breeding age, if you are throwing them out after only a few calves, it costs you time and money.”

Genotyping is also conducted for better EBV accuracy.

“You can say my sister and I have the same genes but we are nothing alike,” Fiona said.

“It’s interesting to see where gene markers form with each animal and the potential for that animal to pass those genetics on.

“We are trying to give purchasers as much information as we can – being Immune Ready Certified, semen tested and genotyped – we try to provide a real, sound package in each animal.”

The Glovers run 150 breeders on 200ha and up to 50 sale bulls and replacement heifers.

Calves are yard weaned and some are halter broken each year for kids to take to local shows and The Cattle Handler camp run by Stud Beef Victoria, where Fiona also teaches.

The Glovers will auction a charity heifer package at their bull sale on March 7 with proceeds going to the Australian Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser.