The Stud Herd
We began selling our first Angus bulls in the late 1990s, and through to the mid 2000s we sold at the New England Show and Sale, Tamworth. We had good success here, including the best exhibit in 2001. During the same period, we also sold unled bulls at the Gloucester multivendor sale. We progressed to an on property bull sale in 2009. At this inaugural sale, we sold 43 bulls to top at $12,000 to average $4,883. Nowadays, some 16 years on from this sale, we offer 85 bulls, 6 PTIC stud heifers and 100 commercial females annually. For our clients, we understand that buying stock, bulls or heifers, is a well-considered process and will have an everlasting impact on their herd. Whilst we are selling livestock, we’re ultimately offering genetics, and we take pride in providing a transparent, well-described package for our clients.
To offer these well described animals, a great deal of time and care goes into collecting both phenotypic and genotypic data. Each animal at Knowla is genomically profiled, enabling us to parent verify, test for genetic conditions, and most importantly, increase the accuracy of our estimated breeding values (EBVs). We recognise that one of the Angus breed’s greatest strengths is its comprehensive genomic reference population, and maintaining a herd that is relevant to this population further enhances the accuracy of said predictions. By contributing sires to the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program, we ensure our genetics are connected to other industry sires. Progeny are compared and comprehensively performance tested, including hard to measure traits and emerging traits, such as individual methane output.
Recording traits!
Ted taking a hip height measurement
Ted and our first IVF calf
In addition, by recording a large volume of phenotypic data on farm, we directly contribute to the reference population, strengthening the linkages and relevance of our herd. Thus, the average animal at Knowla will have a recorded birthweight and date, calving ease score, gestation length, and 200, 400 and600 day weights. They will also have ultrasound scan data for eye muscle area, intramuscular fat, and rib and rump fat. They will be recorded for docility, as well as being independently structurally assed for scrotal, claw set, foot and leg angle, and overall hind leg structure.By the time a bull enters the sale ring, there will be on average15 individual data points recorded on him, plus genomics! Our females will additionally have udder conformation and mature body composition recorded, including weight, hip height and body condition score at weaning.
We embrace reproductive technologies to reduce ourgenerational interval and increase the genetic presenceof our best performing females. Our first embryo transferprogram occurred in 1992.Since then, we have had ~350 embryo calves born with theKnowla prefix. Additionally, last year marked the first yearof IVF calves being born within our program. An Autumn andSpring AI program is run, with ~100 and ~130 females ineach program respectively, utilising genetics predominantlyfrom Australia, New Zealand and America.
We were deeply involved in marketing the Devon breed and continued that commitment when we shifted to Angus. All our kids participated in the Angus Youth Roundup, withSandy earning Grand Champion Herdsman (2011), and Jack and Georgia receiving numerous junior judge titles and scholarships.Jack and Georgia remain active in YouthCommittees, while Ted and James are strong advocates for the breed, with James serving as an active director on the board.
Sandy, Doug, Rob, Jack, and Georgia with their show team in 2007