Rowley Bennet's passion for animals is second to none. With more than 50 years experience in treating, breeding and farming animals, the Corowa farmer and veterinarian knows his stuff. And despite admitting his stud, Fernhill Angus, "doesn't do anything special", the season he has had has allowed him to have 50 of his best bulls ready for sale earlier than usual. For this reason he has brought his annual bull sale forward for the first time holding an autumn sale on March 17. "Initially it was to try and have enough bulls for the sale in spring but we have been lucky enough now to build our numbers up a bit and we can now have an autumn sale," Dr Bennet said. "The bulls are therefore ready to go into the paddock with cows and that is a much better situation with the clients. "It has probably been a bit of a transition and there has been a trend towards selling yearly bulls. "I believe you are better off selling them when they are ready to work because then people don't have to put them some where and look after them." Dr Bennet said his stud, which initially started as "a hobby" has turned into a commercial enterprise, trying to get the most out of each bull. "We are very happy with the bulls we have this year, I think they look excellent, we have been able to give them plenty of feed even in a reasonably challenging year," he said. IN OTHER NEWS: "Fundamentally we probably AI (artificially inseminate) at least 95 to 98 per cent and then we use back up bulls, most of which we bred ourselves. "That is enabling us to improve our genetics. "We have to be very hard nosed because we can't expect people to buy our bulls if they are not commercially satisfactory." Dr Bennet said he doesn't do "anything special" at Fernhill, but is always striving for better genetics and prides himself on the temperaments of the bulls. When asked which bull is the one to look out for, Dr Bennet had one answer. "It has to be lot two, P105," he said. "He is the best looking and has a great temperament and feed efficiency." With his work as a vet, Dr Bennet strongly believes there is more to be done in progressing the cattle industry. "There has been a lot of work done in getting cattle to grow quickly and they are getting bigger, but at what expense?" he said. "What happens when they get too big? "Although it is a contentious subject, I do believe there is work to be done to see cattle become carbon neutral. "And I do believe there are more people on my side of the fence than not. "We have to think about the environment when we live and work on the land, it is just something that we have to take care of." Dr Bennet said Angus genetics continue to improve. "Growth rates are much superior to those considered satisfactory 20 years ago," he said. "We continue to strive for a better animal while expanding our stud herd" The bull sale kicks off from 1pm on March 17 on property at Warrah, 6770 Riverina Highway, Corowa.
SALE READY: Corowa farmer Rowley Bennet will hold his first autumn bull sale saying the change of seasons means the bulls are "ready to work". Picture: TARA TREWELLA
Rowley Bennet's passion for animals is second to none.
With more than 50 years experience in treating, breeding and farming animals, the Corowa farmer and veterinarian knows his stuff.
And despite admitting his stud, Fernhill Angus, "doesn't do anything special", the season he has had has allowed him to have 50 of his best bulls ready for sale earlier than usual.
For this reason he has brought his annual bull sale forward for the first time holding an autumn sale on March 17.
"Initially it was to try and have enough bulls for the sale in spring but we have been lucky enough now to build our numbers up a bit and we can now have an autumn sale," Dr Bennet said.
"The bulls are therefore ready to go into the paddock with cows and that is a much better situation with the clients.
"It has probably been a bit of a transition and there has been a trend towards selling yearly bulls.
"I believe you are better off selling them when they are ready to work because then people don't have to put them some where and look after them."
Dr Bennet said his stud, which initially started as "a hobby" has turned into a commercial enterprise, trying to get the most out of each bull.
"We are very happy with the bulls we have this year, I think they look excellent, we have been able to give them plenty of feed even in a reasonably challenging year," he said.
"Fundamentally we probably AI (artificially inseminate) at least 95 to 98 per cent and then we use back up bulls, most of which we bred ourselves.
"That is enabling us to improve our genetics.
"We have to be very hard nosed because we can't expect people to buy our bulls if they are not commercially satisfactory."
Dr Bennet said he doesn't do "anything special" at Fernhill, but is always striving for better genetics and prides himself on the temperaments of the bulls.
When asked which bull is the one to look out for, Dr Bennet had one answer.
"It has to be lot two, P105," he said.
"He is the best looking and has a great temperament and feed efficiency."
With his work as a vet, Dr Bennet strongly believes there is more to be done in progressing the cattle industry.
"There has been a lot of work done in getting cattle to grow quickly and they are getting bigger, but at what expense?" he said.
"What happens when they get too big?
"Although it is a contentious subject, I do believe there is work to be done to see cattle become carbon neutral.
"And I do believe there are more people on my side of the fence than not.
"We have to think about the environment when we live and work on the land, it is just something that we have to take care of."
Dr Bennet said Angus genetics continue to improve.
"Growth rates are much superior to those considered satisfactory 20 years ago," he said.
"We continue to strive for a better animal while expanding our stud herd"
The bull sale kicks off from 1pm on March 17 on property at Warrah, 6770 Riverina Highway, Corowa.
