Oberon brothers Dale and Andrew Humphries have plenty to celebrate. They have been recognised as the largest owners and breeders of Speckle Park cattle in the world with their Wattle Grove Speckle Park Cattle Stud.
The brothers began their Speckle Park cattle stud only a year ago, obtaining embryos and semen of the rare breed through 6 Star Speckle Park, and now have grown to have 15 head at 14 months old, 55 calves at seven months old, 40 new-born calves, and 200 embryos in recipient cattle due early in 2011.
The brothers, who both own local businesses, returned to raising stock after a lengthy break from the agricultural industry.
Dale and Andrew’s grandfather Dolph Humphries raised Poll Hereford cattle on the property, followed by their father Martin Humphries who bred Dorset fat lambs. After inheriting the property, the brothers leased it for the next 20 years, and only a year ago decided to return to farming.
The impressive new breed, which was originally bred in Canada in 1950 from a cross between Shorthorn and Angus genetics, was officially recognised as a pure breed in 2006.
Dale said Speckle Park cattle have a number of traits which attracted his interest, such as tender meat, a very placid and docile nature, and are very hardy animals.
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