Stud Stock Interview - Dane Pearce

As Stud stock manager for North Queensland you cover a pretty big area of Queensland cattle country, how are conditions looking at the moment?

Conditions are fairly good. Most areas have a fair coverage of grass after the late break in the season, which came for a lot of people in February and March when we really got good rain.  It was a good end to the summer and autumn grass growing period.

If you get into western Queensland, they're enjoying a really good season, and grass has stayed fresh. In saying that, we have had a bit of a harsher winter than in the last few years. There has been some frost in the coastal regions, which when driving around you can see has dried off some of the country, but producers are happy and comfortable.

Looking ahead, I think producers would like to see a bit of rain but you need the weather to warm up to really get that grass growing through the western downs into central Queensland. When you look out of the window and you’re coming out of winter, to see Buffel grass that is a foot high - that’s reassuring because when it does rain it grows quick.

We know that improving productivity is a big goal of growers investing in genetics but what are some other traits producers are focussed on?

There's a big push from a lot of areas about fertility. At the end of the day, if you're a producer and you want to increase your profit margin, you either have to put on more kilos or breed more cattle. So, the fertility focus I think is very prominent and will be again this season.

People are still focusing on growth, and other growth traits, but fertility is definitely key. In some of this marginal country, the option of putting more kilos on your weaners can be difficult at times. So, focussing on your calving is also very important.

Since you've been involved in stud stock, have there been many changing trends about how clients go about managing their stud or how buyers purchase stud stock?  

It's like anything, it's always changing. For vendors, stud stock is their shop window, so they've always got their best and the biggest, at the front on display. Preparing cattle in the right way is a big, big thing; they have to present well.  Going to a multi-vendor sale, you’ve got to have your cattle to a certain standard, or you're going to look subpar and have a subpar result.

Feeding and nutrition plays a big part in that, but it's also a double-edged sword.  When you prepare these cattle, they've got to be prepared not just like they're in a feedlot and heading to slaughter in 120 days, but they've got to be prepared to go out and do a job.

I had a bloke describe it to me once, he said, “what these stud stock breeders are doing is breeding an athlete. The bull is an athlete because he's got to walk ten kilometres to water, have enough energy to go feed himself and carry himself through the dry times, walk through the mud, jump through dry gullies, and then by the end of all that, he's got to have enough energy to breed with cows.”  So, these studs are really breeding an athlete, and that preparation piece is extremely important.

When talking about genetics you can’t avoid talking about EBV’s (Estimated Breeding Values), how are they impacting your day to day?

There is definitely more people looking at EBV’s and we are beginning to see that change as the generations change. It’s younger people that are interested in the data; they want to know. All the EBV’s are is a benchmark so people can see if a bull is above this mark or below this mark. It is not the be all and end all, but I think there’s merit in it.

You are always looking for those things that can bend the curve one way, but not bend too far the other way. It’s always important to remember what your goals are and the goals of your target market. A producer selling weaners is probably looking at different figures when compared with another producer that is doing a bullock job.  

After spending so much time travelling and speaking with producers all over Australia, what is the key to maintaining, a great relationship with clients over the years?

People deal with people and honesty is so valuable. I think the key is being honest and upfront with people. It also very important to keep in regular contact with your clients and providing genuine feedback.  It's that network we have behind us that really cements our position with a lot of these clients. Clients want to deal with good people so making sure you are a good bloke, or a good woman is very much a part of agency and always will be I think.

What is your favourite part of your role as Stud Stock Manager?   

My favourite part? Like everyone that is an auctioneer, I love getting up and selling our clients cattle but for me, I love it when vendors get a really big result. It means so much to these stud stock breeders. I’ll go out the back after a good result at some of these sales and see vendors crying and they’re so happy, it’s just a great feeling.

For a lot of these producers, they've invested their lives into it and before them it was their families doing it, so to get a result down the line and to be a part of that for me is really, really rewarding.

For those that might be looking to go invest in a bull in the coming weeks, what pointers or tips can you give to those that might be having a look?

Everyone has a different thing when it comes to bulls. I always start at the feet; the feet are what’s on the ground all the time for these bulls and when they go to work, they’ve got to be well set up in their feet and have good structure. That structural soundness is so important and probably number one for me.

Interview took place in August 2024