Red Polls in demand as breeders look to restock Australian beef cattle herd

WITH Australia’s beef cattle herd at one of its lowest levels, breeding females is in the spotlight more than ever.

In demand: Red Poll cattle are big business as Australian breeders restock the cattle herd.

WITH Australia’s beef cattle herd at one of its lowest levels, breeding females is in the spotlight more than ever.

This, along with the outstanding start to spring across much of the country, could be behind the extra demand for Red Poll cattle at Stormley stud.

For the first time, Barham cattle breeder Shane Storm and his family will this year exhibit their cattle with the Australian Red Poll Breeders Inc at the field days.

Mr Storm said in the 15 years he has been breeding Red Polls, this year was the most demand he had ever had. Stormley will be taking their champion show female, Stormley Lara, to Elmore.

“It will be the first time we exhibit for the society at Elmore, and the cow is perfect to point out the maternal aspects of the breed, which they are renowned for,” Mr Storm said.

Stormley Lara was sashed supreme at the Whittlesea World Congress Red Poll Show in 2014, as a heifer with her first calf.

That heifer will also be on display at Elmore, along with Lara’s latest calf, an eight-month-old bull. The cow was also supreme Red Poll exhibit at last year’s Melbourne Show, and competed to back up the title at this year’s event.

Finding the right genetics to build Australia’s herd is front of mind for many breeders, with cattle prices at near record highs.

And with paddocks soon to be full of green feed, getting the most bang for your buck when buying in cattle will be crucial.

The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator finished last week at 714.75c/kg — more than    120c/kg above the same time last year.

Visitors to Elmore will be able to see first-hand the benefits of breeding with Red Polls, and talk to the society on-site.