Vitulus Lowline Stud » News and Events

Are these Australian Lowlines or Redlines?

Margo Hayes — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:25:42 +0000

Don’t look now but I think we have another red one” width=”150″ height=”150″ class=”alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-641″ />
2010 has seen two more red line calves born this year plus all our commercial calves were sired by a RedLine bull. The photo says it all!

LowlineBeef.com.au wins approval at Sydney Show 2010

Margo Hayes — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:06:48 +0000

As part of the 2010 feature breed status at Royal Sydney Show this year Vitulus was fortunate enough to be able to serve its own branded beef line to over 180 people on a daily basis. Each day the beef was featured in the Woolworths Food Dome with tastings provided to the general public. The beef was also used by the Celebrity Chefs in their special recipes. The meat provided was from purebred steers that MSA graded 3 ensuring the tenderness and tastiness that Lowline Beef is renown for. The feedback we received was fantastic with orders for the beef far outweighing our expectations

Vitulus Females win at Royal Brisbane Show 2009

Margo Hayes — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:36:46 +0000

Vitulus females were very successful at the Royal Brisbane Show 2009. Perhaps the most interesting fact was that all winning females were related as they were all out of the same dam Gunny Gumpy Queeny.

Vitulus Duches: Junior Champion Female

Vitulus Beauty Queen: Grand Champion Female, Senior Champion Female

Vitulus Belle Epoque: Reserve Senior Champion Female.

Vitulus Wins both Ekka Carcass Competitions

Margo Hayes — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:15:36 +0000

VITULUS Lowlines at Thornton has taken out an historic double, winning both the lightweight and heavyweight sections of the 2009

carcase competition at the Brisbane Ekka, with the winner of the lightweight section named Grand

Champion Carcase.

Stud owner Margo Hayes first enjoyed Ekka carcase competition success in 2007. This year she became the first

breeder to take out the double win, which had never even gone to the same breed before.

The competition attracted 255 entries this year, with representa- tion from all breeds. The winning lightweight steer

and grand champion carcase of the show was an 18 month old crossbred — 75% Lowline, 25% Senepol — weighing 396kg.

With a perfect fat score and maximum marbling points, the steer also produced an EMA of 83, dressing percentage of 57.6% and

yield percentage of 64%. He also won the MSA Eating Quality Award for his class. The winning heavyweight steer

was a 22 month old crossbred — 50% Lowline, 25% Limousin, 25% Murray Grey — weighing 530kg. His fat score marbling was also

perfect. This steer produced an EMA of 98, dressing percentage of 55.1% and yield percentage of 61.54%. However Ms Hayes said this

steer had been more of a challenge to get to the right specifications, with his feed reduced for the last month to hold him at the right

weight, as his teeth were just about to break. He had been on grain for 120 days.

 Photos: SUPPLIED

Small Breeds Field Day

Margo Hayes — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:05:51 +0000

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6th 2010

We changed the format of our Annual On-farm Field Day in 2007 to include all small breeds. In the past we have had over 400 people attend. Now it is even bigger with more trade displays and more cattle. The emphasis next year will be on beef production for small breeds.

Breeds on display included Australian Lowline, Dexter, Square Meaters, Miniature Galloway, Miniature Belted Galloways, RedLine, Nadudana, Bramalows, Miniature Aussie Greys just to name a few. Enjoy being able to wander freely amongst the animals and compare the different types as well as being able to learn more about the breeds. A variety of lectures and displays are provided as well as both stud and commercial cattle on display including some very cute calves, our Royal Show winning stud bulls, registered and commercial cows, calves and steers, the show team. Not only will you be able to walk freely amongst the animals and gather information there will also be refreshments, trade displays, lectures, demonstrations and a stud tour.

DATE: SATURDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2010

TIME: 10AM TO 3PM

2009 Program

What a Judge looks for in show steers: presented by Neil Goetsch, leading seed stock producer and exhibitor of many Royal Champion Steers

Understanding Carcass Competitions criteria, AusMeat & MSA Industry Standards: presented by Terry Mudge, Plant Manager, Pittsworth Meat Processors.

Meating the Market with Small Breeds: presented by Margo Hayes

Organic Pasture Management: presented by Jamie Dennison AgSolutions Australia

Small Breeds Parade

Small Breeds Field Day

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:17:16 +0000

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6th 2010

We changed the format of our Annual On-farm Field Day in 2007 to include all small breeds. In the past we have had over 400 people attend. It is now even bigger with more trade displays and more cattle. The emphasis next year will be on beef production for small breeds.

DATE: SATURDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2010

TIME: 10AM TO 3PM

2009 Program

What a Judge looks for in show steers: presented by Neil Goetsch, leading seed stock producer and exhibitor of many Royal Champion Steers

Understanding Carcass Competitions criteria, AusMeat & MSA Industry Standards: presented by Terry Mudge, Plant Manager, Pittsworth Meat Processors.

Meating the Market with Small Breeds: presented by Margo Hayes

Organic Pasture Management: presented by Jamie Dennison AgSolutions Australia

Small Breeds Parade

Field Day Slideshow

Small Cattle Care & Management Course: 2010 Dates

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:05:02 +0000

Care and Management Course is a one day introductory course designed for those interested in becoming involved with cattle. The course assists participants in developing skills in care, handling and management of cattle. All those questions you ever wanted to ask will be answered in a information packed day plus lots of practical tips that you will not find in any book. Chief instructor is Margo Hayes author of Small Cattle for Small Farms published by CSIRO.

2010 DATES: February 20th, March 20th 2010

THE PROGRAM: A wide range of topics will be covered including:infrastructure requirements, husbandry & nutrition, how and when to vaccinate, methods of identification, showing, marketing and promotion, beef production and Government requirements.

Course is delivered with both indoor and outdoor instruction including a tour of Vitulus stud and commercial animals.

COST: $330 Per person per day or $550 per couple. Includes copy of book Small Cattle for Small Farms, class materials, lectures, lunch, refreshments, and farm tour.

TIMES: 9am to 4pm

Email us for more information

My daughter and I attended the work shop day at Vitulus in April 2009, having previously attended an Open Day. We went along thinking that we had chosen our breed and were really wanting to learn more about day to day care for small cattle on our 80 hectare property. But it very quickly became obvious that this was a great educational day- we learnt so much on so many aspects- from the pros and cons of electric fences, to cattle yard and crush set ups, and came away wanting to do more research on the best breeds for us. Above all, it was open and honest teaching- no pushing of Lowline and Vitulus – but opening our minds to a variety of options. We really appreciated Margo and her helpers time- I am sure they have not heard or seen the last of us. And the social aspects and Lowline beefburgers for lunch were great. Dr John Jackson (05.05.09).

Vitulus genetics win Grand Champion Female and Grand Champion Bull at Denver Show, USA Show 2008. Plus Grand Champion Bull again in 2009.

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:04:36 +0000

Competing against an amazing 250 head, which took in excess of seven hours to judge, Vitulus Yes Yes Yes sired the Grand Champion Female, Junior Champion Female, Reserve Junior Champion Female, Sires Progeny, Best Six Head just to name a few. Colombo Park Zeffirelli, a bull that we have owned and shown since weaning, sired the Grand Champion Bull. Having begun the export drive some three years ago it was nice to see our efforts come to fruition. All this would not have been possible without the imput of George Jenkins and Gerry Adams from the USA, who from the start, also believed in our breeding program and were able to produce the show winning animals.

Vitulus won Grand Champion Carcase – Royal Brisbane Show 2009

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:59:59 +0000

WE HAVE DONE IT AGAIN.

This is the ultimate accolade for Vitulus and cements the Lowline breed’s position as a serious beef breed. This is open competition against all weights (light, medium and heavyweight), all breeds and the best compettion you will find in the nationTo find out more go to our Beef Page. We also won Grand Champion Carcass in 2007.

Never before in this history of the Royal Brisbane Show has an exhibitor or breed won both the lightweight and heavyweight section of the Carcass competition. This was out of 255 entries represented by all breeds. Already the serious led steer breeders are asking for Lowline bulls for their next lot of calves.