The Boundary Rider’s Report April 2025

Welcome to the April Boundary Rider’s Report.  It is hard to believe the first quarter of the year is done and dusted. 

A lot has happened globally in the last 48 hrs, Trump has applied a 10% Tariff to the Australian beef industry, not to mention all other exports to the US from Australia; what about Norfolk Island getting a bad boy Tariff when it doesn’t export anything to the US.  The level of uncertainty is playing out around the world hitting Share Markets overnight.  It will be interesting to see where this leads. There is a letter from Michael Crowley on the MLA website, https://www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/industry-news/mla-to-work-with-industry-and-australian-government-to-navigate-us-tariff-regime/

worth the read.  Level heads will no doubt prevail and again it reinforces the need for diversity in our marketplaces for our product.   

Not to mention the catastrophic floods up north, and the droughts down south. We feel for all those navigating these adversities. 

Sale O Sale O Sale O;  Proven Stud Breeders Sale

TUESDAY 8th April 2025 at 11pm; Physical Auction interfaced on Auctions plus. 

Our Female sale is this Tuesday, we have just lot tagged our 31 cows, and clipped their brands making them look fantastic.  Paint brands to go on on Monday.  They will be in the yards by 0900 on Tuesday ready to go. 

Inspections are still welcome by appointment any time, so please give us a call on 0438 792 140 or 02 6779 2141.  Likewise if you wish to ring and chat about the females do not hesitate to do so.

These proven breeders from our stud herd will be 5 year old (Q Drop Dams) & 6 year old (P Drop Dams), HBR and APR.  These cows have been part of the breeding program here at Bald Blair and represent an opportunity to add to existing stud breeding herds or those herds starting up.  There are 2 dams in this sales team that have been part of our Donor team in the past few years.

The sire lines of these stud cows include Rennylea L519, Lawsons Momentous M518, GAR Fail Safe, Clunie Range Legend L348, Paringa Judd M118,  Boonaroo Gravity G013, Alpine Justice J108, Knowla Nobleman N46 and our own homebred sires. 

They have been joined to Connealy Craftsman, Hart Network, Musgrove Rob Roy, Ardrossan Nector Q67, (NAQQ67),Rennylea T17, (NOR22T17) and covered by our homebred and bought sires Bald Blair Patriarch T23 (NBB22T23), Bald Blair Stirling S86 (NBB21S86) and Ben Nevis Top Tier T028 (NBN23T028).

While the online catalogue is available now (links below) a printed catalogues can be picked up at the sale complex next week. 

Link to Angus Australia Online Catalogue: CLICK HERE

Link to AuctionsPlus Online Catalogue: CLICK HERE

ELDERS online registration form: CLICK HERE

Link to Angus Australia calendar link: CLICK HERE

Link to podcast providing additional details about the female sale: CLICK HERE

Bull Sale

SAVE THE DATE: 1pm, Tuesday, 5th August 2025 

Bulls all going well in preparation for this year's sale.  100 bulls on offer. 

More information will be available on our website as we get closer to the sale.

Calendar link: https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/event/bald-blair-angus-bull-sale-5

What else is happening on the farm, many things to do.   

Still have pastures to sow and weaning to complete, and the AUtumn herd to AI before we start putting out the rams on Anzac day.  We now have enjoyed some family milestones with Arthur turning 15 and Abbott 19 in a few days. The rugby season starts on Satruday, Coffs Ocean swim on Sunday and we are looking forward to going to Brisbane to watch Abbott ride in the tour of Brisbane.  We are also the new owners of the Brockley Church and enjoyed a few drinks with the neighbours to celebrate.

Season

Bald Blair is looking green and lush from recent rain and it has been very interesting to compare the rainfall between our blocks, which are all on the eastern side of Guyra.  There is a 100mm difference between Bald Blair and our other blocks 5 kms east of here.  There has been 300 mm for the year here at Bald Blair, while upto 450 mm has fallen on our properties east of here. The water went over the bridge at Bald Blair on the 30th March.  We have reinstated our subscription with our moisture probe and ICT International - ICT International, soil moisture is high; and for the first time since spring peak flow run off has started filling our lagoon. 

Markets 

Sam attended the weaner sale in Elders Armidale on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025 on a cold, wet and windy day and the quality Bald Blair progeny weaners sold well.  So congratulations to all those breeders who have supported us it is your time to benefit when selling weaners.  Great to see positive results coming your way. 

We have also sold some lambs in the Guyra yards and keen to get rid of some more asap.  11 of these lambs went to Woolgoolga High School!

A recent look at the EYCI on the website shows an uptick in prices of cattle sold.  https://www.mla.com.au/prices-markets/cattle/eycireport/ Up until the Tariff announcement I believe markets would continue to gain strength.  Supply issues remain even after these issues, so I, we will all be watching the markets closely. 

Bald Blair Angus 2025 Open Day: Wednesday 23 July 2025

We are looking forward to hearing from Simon Quilty at our open day.  Please join us to hear all about the latest market updates and predictions from Simon. I can assure you this guy knows his stuff and is worth the listen, so come along.   Tea and coffee available from 10am & bulls in yards for inspection. 10am Morning Tea & registration available for bull sale,  Inspection of bulls in yards

11.15am to 12 noon Guest Speaker Simon Quilty 

12pm to 1pm Lunch served

1.05 pm to 1.45pm Guest Speaker Simon Quilty  Q & A session

1.45pm Sam thank Simon and close.

REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL FOR CATERING PURPOSES

https://events.humanitix.com/bald-blair-angus-open-day-with-guest-speaker-simon-quilty

Simon Quilty -  Biography

Simon graduated with a Bachelor of Melbourne University Agricultural Science in 1987.He first 

worked as a research officer with the Victorian Farmers Federation Pastoral Group for four years.

 It brought farmers and the meat processing sector together in Victoria with initiatives like 

establishing a direct shipping service from Victoria to Japan to open up the Victorian chilled 

beef market in Japan.

Simon moved into the meat trading and processing sector in 1990,working for Louis Dreyfus

Australia for four years - spending part of his training in North America - when LDC was Australia^' s largest single buyer of export beef.Simon^' s career moved to

ConAgra Foods at the time,owned by Australian Meat Holdings and DR Johnston,where he

worked for seven years and once again resided overseas - his involvement with meat trading remained until 2010 with his own trading company.

It established its brand name in various countries.

In recent years,Simon has moved into the risk management sector and developed derivatives

and meat swaps used by companies in North America and Australia to manage price risk in

processed meat and livestock.Simon spent two years working as a consultant with FC Stone in

starting up the livestock and meat desk and,in 2015,co-founded the Southern Aurora Group.

In 2020,Simon established Global Agritrends Downunder,the Australian arm of the US

parent company owned by Brett Stuart.

Global AgriTrends Down Under offers a variety of updates starting with our Monday

Thoughts for the Week podcast.In addition to the podcast each week will be an additional

article or update,as well as regular webcasts and a monthly newsletter.

Today he provides detailed weekly updates for subscribers as a  meat and livestock analyst

also brokers swaps on behalf of large financial institutions in Australia and the US and

brokers physical meat products around the world (namely from Australia,NZ and India),

working with large international companies that have interests in China,Australia,New Zealand,

Japan and the US.

In 2022,Simon was awarded a Churchill Fellowship,and in 2023 spent three months overseas doing 

this research.The project aimed to look at methane reduction schemes in the livestock sector

worldwide to reward farmers for lowering methane.He travelled to 11 countries,

including the US,Canada,Portugal,Spain,and Germany.Netherlands,Belgium,France,

England,Ireland,and New Zealand.

His  report findings were released in December 2024.

Calendar link:  Bald Blair Angus 2025 Open Day - Angus Australia

If you would like to be added to our bull sale catalogue mailing list please forward your postal address to Kirstywhite@baldblair.com.au. 

Optiweigh 

We are looking forward to the arrival of our newly purchased Optiweigh system with the assistance of the last round of funding under the Australian Government's On Farm Connectivity Program to enable primary producers in agriculture, forestry and/or fisheries to take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology. This program is part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia and aims to assist primary producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity, improve safety and drive more sustainable farming practices.

https://www.optiweigh.com.au/

MLA Transport Hub

There is a loading densities table on the MLA’s Transport Hub to assist with getting the load right and here is the link.

https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/resource-hubs/transport-hub/

World Angus Forum 

Save the Date: 7-8 May 2025

Bonus 8 Day pre-tour starting 29 April 

(including a visit to Bald Blair on Monday 5th May !)

Extra Bonus  7 Day post-tour until 15 May

Calling all cattle enthusiasts and breeders to the 2025 Neogen World Angus Forum! This event unites the global Angus community to share knowledge, promote the breed, and advance cattle breeding and management, plus also to have a good time. Hosted by Angus Australia, it’s an unmissable opportunity to celebrate, learn and catch up with international friends breeding Angus Cattle.  We look forward to showing everyone around here while visiting Bald Blair.

More information: CLICK HERE

Here is a video of Sam talking about the WAF: https://fb.watch/wd8R3Ie1ey/

Thank you to our sponsors for the morning tea at Bald Blair:

https://outcrosssystems.com.au/

https://www.achmea.com.au/

Proceeds will go to Bald Blair Public School and Guyra Central School who are assisting with the catering.  As you can imagine fundraising is a challenge for these schools, so this sponsorship is very much appreciated.

COURSES

Shearing

Check out the latest Beyondthebale newsletter for a list of shearer and wool handler training in Australia.

https://www.wool.com/

Playing in the Pits Workshop

A Soil Health and Carbon day at UNE Clarks Farm on Wednesday 16th April. Hosted by Local Land Services, this event will feature guest presenter Dr. Ivanah Oliver, Lecturer in Soil Science at UNE. You’ll get an understanding of soil principles and learn practical tests you can do to assess and understand your soil. The day will also give a brief understanding on Carbon Cycling in the soil. Contact:

Marijke Hartman | Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator

M: 0409 540 350

E: marijke.hartman@lls.nsw.gov.au

Playing in the Pits

Grazing Decisions

We hosted the Guyra Grazing Decisions monthly workshop organised by Jaimi-lee Edwards

Bachelor of Rural Science

Project Coach – Grazing Decisions coaching program

School of Environmental and Rural Science

To establish two (2) local farmer groups to improve their ability to manage pasture livestock systems for production, ecosystems, and climate and drought resilience. Outcomes will increase productivity, ground cover, and soil condition, reduce weeds, erosion and rainfall runoff.

AgTech solutions for future farming 

Held on 2 April 2025 at UNE - unfortunately we missed this event and wish attended.  This Symposium explores the latest advancements and breakthroughs in agricultural technology (AgTech) and how they can pave the way for a more sustainable, efficient and prosperous way we grow food.

https://www.atse.org.au/events/agtech-solutions-for-future-farming/

Bindaree Supply Chain Tour  

Are you interested in joining us for a supply chain tour withBindaree Food Group in Inverell on Wednesday 30 April?

The tour will include visits to the Myola feedlot and Inverell processing facilities, with dinner at the Tattersalls Hotel Inverell to wrap up the tour.

Spaces are limited, with only a few spots available, so please fill out the Expression of Interest form to indicate your interest. A waitlist be also be created for those who miss out in the event of participant cancellation, and future tours.

Express your interest https://bit.ly/42aYCzw

LISTENING

We have our own podcast, The Data Breeder and have recorded the latest episode based on the February Bounbary’s Rider’s Report, plus information about the female sale.

Listen to it here on spotify  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0L1Q7z4xFxdONLXZi1USW3?si=Kpi9B0NaSS-L9G1UiuzXhQ

Or here on apple  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boundary-riders-report-with-sam-white-and-rebel/id1574009246?i=1000695160437

You’re Not Alone: Every Family Struggles with David Westbrook - Farmer

AgriCoach Wealth & Wisdom Podcast by The Financial Bloke

https://thefinancialbloke.com.au/podcasts01e95/

Double Trouble or Double Profit? The Science of Twinning in Cattle with Dr. Leo Cummins

Genetics in the Paddock with Emily

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/double-trouble-or-double-profit-the-science-of/id1716267882?i=1000697230887

READING

Mid Week Missive - Company on Sunday  https://open.substack.com/pub/companyonsundays/p/the-mid-week-missive-194?r=3mhfkv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

WATCHING

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/rogue-heroes

Sam & Kirsty

samwhite@baldblair.com.au 0438 792 140

Kirstywhite@baldblair.com.au 0427 722 908

cover photo credit: Leigh White Elders