As Angus Genetics become more sought after by Queensland cattle producers in the Tick Zone area east of the Great Dividing range, particular attention should be given to sourcing Angus genetics from adapted cow herds. Cochrane Angus have been breeding Angus in this environment for over 36 years in this time our cow herd has been able to adapt to the pressures of the environmental restraints which come from the sub-tropical areas.
We believe that bulls from our herd, when working in these areas, have a distinct advantage from other Angus which have come from the more traditional tick-free areas of Queensland and other parts of Australia.
Angus from tick-free areas can and should be blooded for tick fever, and many are working in "ticky" country. However, they need to be watched closely and often take as long as twelve months to adapt. It is our view that there is more to just having the animals vaccinated for tick fever. They also benefit from being born and bred in high humidity, buffalo fly and lantana country and have also adapted to the challenges of internal parasites.
All our Angus are vaccinated against tick fever, three day, pestivirus, botulism as well as 7-1 and we also use fly tags. This ensures even greater protection for out cattle and clients.
Particular attention is given to breeding smooth slick coated Angus and when this is practised the Angus cattle become almost as slick coated as Bos Indicus derived cattle.
We continue to introduce fresh genetics into our herd either by the use of AI (Artificial Insemination) or from time to time via live animals from tick-free areas. We have small paddock sizes and the supervision to closely monitor the animals. This is often not practical for commercial producers.
We are confident our bulls and females have the adaption bred into them to make a great contribution to the cattle industry in the Tick Zone of Queensland.
The following article prepared by Breedlink Pty Ltd. for the Angus Society of Australia offers further tick zone information, we are located in 'Zone B'.
In the ticky zone, east of the Great Dividing Range, and towards the coast south of Townsville, Angus bulls can perform well where parasite control, nutrition and breeder herd management allows them preferential treatment. There is potential for growth of Angus sales in this zone associated with successful models of crossbreeding and market flexibility and MSA premiums...
[Click here to download complete article] Courtesy of Angus Australia