Largest breeder of Belmont Reds in Australia

Introduction

Seifert Belmonts is a commercially focused beef cattle breeding and seedstock bull producer.  It is the largest breeder of pure bred registered breedplan recorded Belmont Red cattle in Australia. Encompassing 15 000 acres it is an aggregation of five properties positioned North of Crows Nest in the South Burnett, and North East of Jandowae on the Eastern Downs.

Stock is managed under strictly commercial operating conditions. Born and bred in ‘ticky’ nutritionally marginal spear grass forest country in the South Burnett, our philosophy of breeding genetically superior adapted cattle results from intense selection pressure being applied to traits of economic importance in this natural and tough environment.

Seifert Belmonts is family owned and operated by husband and wife team Ian Stark and Jeanne Seifert and also incorporates the Sylvia Vale Stock Horse Stud.

DEVELOPMENT

Seifert Belmonts has the advantage of being established on the breeding stock of Dr George Seifert’s ‘Montpelier’ herd which contributed 45 years of uncompromising genetic selection for traits of economic importance. Dr Seifert is the geneticist who was in charge of developing the Belmont Red at CSIRO Belmont Research station from 1964 to 1987. Dr Seifert contributed Belmont Reds to CRC1 and CRC2 Research project which has provided high accuracy historical and generational data for our herd. Seifert Belmonts contributed Belmont Reds to CRC3 and participated in the recently completed “CASHCOW” research project. “CASHCOW” is the largest project to date in Australia researching beef cattle female fertility. Our performance was benchmarked against approximately 72 commercial herds and 78000 cows in Qld, WA and the NT. “CASHCOW” confirmed we are leaders in female fertility with our results being significantly better than the average across all fertility measures. Our results for “wet maiden heifers inter calving interval under 12 months” was a staggering 45.5% better than the median.

Herd Management and Selection criteria

  • Breeders

  • Weights for 200 day, 400 day, 600 day and Mature Cow Weight are recorded.

  • All males and females are objectively measured using BREEDPLAN. They are selected with an emphasis on fertility traits and a preference for above average growth EBV’s. Cows are Pregnancy tested annually by a Veterinarian and are culled if empty. Dry cows are also culled. Seifert Belmont females consistantly average >90% PTIC rates from restricted 12 week or 9 week mating periods. Days to Calving EBVs are recorded on all breeders.

  • The ‘CASHCOW’ research project revealed that 80% of our first lactation heifers were again pregnant within 12 weeks of calving (inter calving interval under 12mths) compared to the research project median of 34.5%. The following year 90.6% of our wet maiden heifers were PTIC, a result 13.6% better than the ‘CASHCOW’ median.

  • Replacement heifers are live scanned for carcase traits including EMA, IMF, P8 and rib fat.

  • Structural soundness with particular attention paid to feet and udders ensures long breeding careers in Seifert Belmont cows.

  • Bull selection

  • Culling is stringent for poor temperament. Temperament – good or bad – is highly heritable. All of our Bulls are flight speed tested or pen score rated at weaning. This provides an objective measurement of temperament. As well as being extremely important for safe and easy handling, quiet temperament has a strong correlation with meat tenderness.

  • Bull calves undergo a BBSE (Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation) at 11-14 months of age which includes examination of % normal sperm morphology and % normal progressive motility. This identifies early puberty males which relates to highly desirable and heritable fertility traits. In keeping with our strong focus on fertility these 1 year old bull calves (weaned in April – working in November of the same year) are used in the breeding program every year with up to 50 females of any age.

  • Mature bulls are mated with up to 80 females. Bulls are joined in a strict 12 week mating period. Bulls are mated to cows naturally which ensures high libido plus fertility under often harsh natural conditions is passed onto their progeny. This has the added benefit of minimizing costs related to artificial breeding and the use of ‘Imported embryos’. This cost saving is passed onto the purchaser.

  • DNA sire identification is used to confirm the paternity of all sires. DNA testing to identify Polled and Horned genes is also applied to all males to be sold our used for breeding. All bulls sold are guaranteed fertile.

  • Subjectively, bulls are selected that are phenotypically well muscled. They are generally uniformly dark or light red. Preference is given to polled males if all other criteria are equal. The Seifert Belmont herd is currently approximately 90% naturally polled.

  • Natural Selection Pressure

  • Seifert Belmont Reds are never dipped for ticks (unless required to be cleared to clean country) and are never treated for buffalo fly. Exposure to high external parasite challenges without chemical intervention guarantees Seifert Belmonts high tick and fly resistance is ‘not compromised and that its heritability is passed on to following generations.

  • Roslyn’ is ‘ticky’ spear grass forest country (plus lantana!) with decomposed granite soils over a clay base. It has no improved pastures. Breeders, replacement heifers and breeding bulls are not substitute fed. Despite persistent droughts, Seifert Belmont Reds remain fertile and productive in the paddock with only a 30% urea supplement during winter. Seasonal temperatures can be extreme, ranging from -6c in winter to +40c in summer. Buying Seifert Belmont genetics ensures hardiness and survivability wherever they go.

  • Bulls are vaccinated against vibriosis, BEF and are tested PI (persistently infected BVD) negative. Weaner calves are immunised twice with 5 or 7in1 and are vaccinated with tick fever vaccine. Bulls for sale grow out at ‘Wonga’ Jandowae on leuceana or forage crop if available. ‘Field day’ display animals may be supplementary fed if necessary.

  • 2009 saw a once off foray into the show scene. 2010 saw a shift to highly successful carcase competitions and field days. Out of five carcase competitions entered to date, our Belmont Red steers have won or placed in every competition. Seifert Belmonts can be found annually on site displays at ‘Farmfest’ (Toowoomba) ‘Primex’ (Casino) and ‘Ag-Grow’ (Emerald)

  • Why invest in Seifert Belmonts?

Maximum Benfits for Minimum Costs

Buying Seifert Belmont Reds is a low cost sound investment in genetics that will permanently boost the productivity and profitability of your herd.
The original tropically adapted Bos Taurus, our Belmont Reds are unpampered proven performers proudly ‘Australian Made’ for the proactive profit driven Australian cattle producer. They remain the best “Tropical Composite”.

    • Use Bull Calves as Yearlings : fertile and ‘working’ at 11-14 months.
    • Join Bulls at 2% : 1:50
    • Extended Sexual Career : bulls have short sheaths and won’t ‘break down’
    • Yearling Mate Heifers : fertile at 1 year old or 260kg
    • Low Incidence of Lactation Anoestrus : females remain fertile when wet
    • Longevity in Females : naturally mate and calve every year up to 16 yrs old (or over in ‘better’ country)
    • Rare Dystocia : no need to check calving cows as they naturally calve unassisted
    • Buffalo Fly Resistant : never treat for buffalo fly
    • 98% Cattle Tick Resistant : never treat for cattle tick
    • Leap in Hybrid Vigour : over Indicus, Euros & British breeds
    • Easy Organic Compliance : no need to use chemicals
    • Drought Tolerant : moderate frame and feed efficient
  • Heat Resistant : sleek coat, continue grazing and serving even in extreme heat
    MSA Compliant : flat backed steers
    Feedlot Preferred : calm, readily go onto feed and finish early
    Finish on Grass : grade to market specs from the paddock
    Extraordinarily Docile : kids, grandparents and strangers can safely work in the yards
    No guess work : Breedplan, pedigreed, registered, BBSE, vaccinated, guaranteed
    No Fiction : facts proven by over 50 years of Scientific Research
    Affordable : accessible African Bos Taurus genetics
    Australian Made : for real Australian conditions

  • Use Bull Calves as Yearlings : fertile and ‘working’ at 11-14 months.

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  • Join Bulls at 2% : 1:50

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Extended Sexual Career : bulls have short sheaths and won’t ‘break down’

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Yearling Mate Heifers : fertile at 1 year old or 260kg

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Low Incidence of Lactation Anoestrus : females remain fertile when wet

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Longevity in Females : naturally mate and calve every year up to 16 yrs old (or over in ‘better’ country)

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Rare Dystocia : no need to check calving cows as they naturally calve unassisted

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Buffalo Fly Resistant : never treat for buffalo fly

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • 98% Cattle Tick Resistant : never treat for cattle tick

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Leap in Hybrid Vigour : over Indicus, Euros & British breeds

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Easy Organic Compliance : no need to use chemicals

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Drought Tolerant : moderate frame and feed efficient

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Heat Resistant : sleek coat, continue grazing and serving even in extreme heat

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • MSA Compliant : flat backed steers

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Feedlot Preferred : calm, readily go onto feed and finish early

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Finish on Grass : grade to market specs from the paddock

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Extraordinarily Docile : kids, grandparents and strangers can safely work in the yards

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • No guess work : Breedplan, pedigreed, registered, BBSE, vaccinated, guaranteed

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • No Fiction : facts proven by over 50 years of Scientific Research

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Affordable : accessible African Bos Taurus genetics

    This is an Feature List Item that is part of an Feature List. Notice the connector between the three graphics to show that they are related.

  • Australian Made : for real Australian conditions

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