Darcie Ingram: Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale Scholarship 2025

Contributed by Darcie Ingram, Broome WA

During the Scholarship we spent 10 days travelling around Queensland visiting multiple studs that supply bulls to the Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale every year.

The studs I was fortunate enough to visit included Valera Vale Droughtmasters, Barlyne Pastoral, Redline Brangus and SC Droughtmasters. We also completed a tour of the JBS Dinmore meat processing facility just outside Brisbane and did a tour of Rocky Repro while in Rockhampton for the Brahman Week bull sale.

Throughout the 10 days, I learnt about the different aspects of bull selection, from EBV’s to physical traits. Learning how to read and interpret estimated breeding values (EBV’s) was very interesting and I thought it a very useful tool in bull selection as they show future estimates over a vast number of traits.
It surprised me to hear that although EBVs are quite commonly shown in the sale catalogues, some buyers choose to only select their bulls based on physical traits alone.

I can understand that some of the tests show a very low accuracy and therefore are only a very vague estimate of the trait however after learning about EBVs and how to interpret the information shown and make informed decisions based on what particular traits you are trying to select for I will definitely be taking them into account in the future.

I was surprised at the vast number of physical traits that also need to be looked over while buying a bull, I knew of some such as the angle and looseness of the sheath but had only a very basic knowledge of what to look for in a good bull.

During the Brahman Bull sale in Rockhampton, I got a better grasp of this as we walked around the pens and were shown firsthand what to look for and that different traits were favoured by different buyers.
Buyers from different properties can have different traits they wish to breed into their herd, some may focus mainly on breeding the polled gene, while others may focus mainly on high fertility. Although it is important to remember that if you only choose for one particular trait and disregard all the others that you may negatively impact other traits in the process.

While we visited Michael Flynn at Valera Vale Droughtmasters, we assisted in collecting and testing semen from some of his young bulls. Michael showed us how they studied the sperm samples under a microscope to determine the motility of each sample. They then recorded the percentages for each bull, then labelled the samples and stored them so they could be sent away to the lab for morphology testing.

This experience and the tour of Rocky Repro helped me understand the differences between motility
and morphology.

One of the biggest takeaways from the experience was learning the importance of knowing what you want and having a goal in mind for the future of your herd. This helps you select the correct bulls with specific traits that will help you to reach that goal.

I would like to thank everyone involved that made this trip possible and all the studs who accommodated us and took the time to show us around their properties and answer all of our questions. I would encourage everyone in the Kimberley and Pilbara to apply for this scholarship if given the chance as it was an amazing experience.

Louise Clifton: Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale Scholarship 2025

Contributed by Louise Clifton, Halls Creek WA

I was privileged enough to get opportunity to go to Queensland for a 10 day scholarship with the Fitzroy River Bulls Sale.

With only having a insight of cattle production in the Kimberley’s Western Australia and a small part of the South West, WA with small scale sale yards. I was excited to learn how studs run and how we can improve our breeders in WA.

On our trip we where able to get a tour of JBS Dimore, it was interesting being taught about the production side of the cattle industry and how it connects through the nation and the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the data behind the bulls that we receive for the Annual Fitzroy Crossing Bulls Sale and how this data helps us decide the right bull for your own station.

The amount of work and pride that goes into preparing bulls not just for bull sales but for paddock sales was amazing as it showed us the care vendors put into there bulls to make them as productive as possible.

Making our way through Queensland from Brisbane all the way to Rockhampton there was lots of variations of country as there is in the Kimberley’s.

It was interesting to see how each stud caters for there cattle’s need and how they make there bulls sellable for everyone.

Studs are all looking to keep improving there mobs as we should be doing with our own breeders here in the Kimberley’s. Every vendor that bring bulls over for the Bull sale have different ways that work for them but I found grass fed steers and heifers the most interesting.

At Redline we where shown the large scale of Peters and Kristine Dingle production from difference in country to the different amount of cattle that should be held per hectare for each type of forage they own.

Through growing the cattle out from weaners to bullocks and explained why they have such great success in this gave me insight of how much your bulls matter, through maturing cattle and what you would like to breed through your mob.

They strive on getting a through to the European Market (EU) and getting a good MSA grade as it is the best production for their stud and commercial herd.

It was predominantly there bullocks and cull heifers, that caught my eye as I believe this the way that the cattle industry should steer as everyone is looking for a healthier way to live.

Throughout this trip I have been lucky enough to see some amazing places, from Valera Vale Droughtmasters, Redline Brangus, Barlyne Brahmans, SC droughtmasters, Muan, Rocky Repro, JBS Dinmore and Smart Berries and they have welcomed both Darcie and I in with warm arms.

This was a the best opportunity and I learnt and took away as much as possible. This secured my passion for cattle and improving herds throughout the Kimberley’s and making us more productive.