Breeding Cattle for the Commercially Minded since 1980
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About Us Breeding Cattle for the Commercially Minded since 1980 |
       
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Barana Simmentals was founded in 1980 on traditional European and New Zealand bloodlines. Barana began showing at major Royal Shows in 1986, securing many Champion awards and earning a reputation for breeding good, sound, functional cattle. The stud ceased showing in 2001 after 15 years exhibiting & achieving success at all major shows. Stud Principal, Peter Cook has worked hard over 30 years breeding Simmentals to secure Barana’s reputation with both commercial & stud cattle producers throughout Australia. Barana is one of the largest Simmental breeders in the eastern states with the stud herd including 200 registered breeders. Great importance is placed on breeding for ease of calving, milk production & fertility and females must be able to rear a calf under natural conditions. Barana has endeavoured to breed bulls that produce steers that are quick growing with good carcase characteristics and the ability to finish. We have enjoyed success in the Australian National Field Days Grass-fed Steer and the RAS NSW Feedlot JapOx Competitions. Peter purchased Karewa Jester, a polled son of German sire Eizenherz from New Zealand in 2000. This bull bred well in Barana’s polling programme. German genetics have been utilised with Zimbo and Gowrie Yankee continues to produce some outstanding progeny. In 2007 we purchased Bullock Hills Buster [P] and Corinda Downs Buckshot [AI] [ET] [P]. Bullock Hills Buster is by a South African bred bull Shawacres Nacobi [ET] and Corinda Downs Buckshot is by another South African bred bull Shawacres Jahari 50L. Barana ventured into the black Simmental market in 2008 sourcing some of the best genetics in the world. Visitors to Barana who have seen these calves have commented that they are the best black Simmental genetics they have seen with the bulls displaying true Simmental attributes in a black coat. Barana’s black Simmentals complement our existing herd and the breeding programme has produced black cattle with similar characteristics to our traditional Simmentals. In February 2009 we purchased the top priced bull Bandeeka Poll Cossack [P] from WA. This sire is by a South African bull Bar 5 SA Piona. At Beef 09 in Rockhampton, eight of the broad ribbon winners were sired by Barana bulls and the top priced bull at the 2010 Woonallee Simmental sale was sired by Barana Yeardleigh. Barana bulls get results with clients reporting Simmental Cross Vealers straight off their mothers consistently dressing out at 58% & outdoing other breeds in weight for age. Barana clients have succeeded in gaining a rare Championship/Reserve double in the heavyweight division steer carcase judging at Brisbane Royal with a Simmental Cross Steer sire by a Barana bull. Our clients have topped the annual Bindaree Beef Weaner Sale with a pen of Simmental Cross Steers & won best pen of Euro or Euro Cross Steers in the competition section. Barana clients have topped the Casino Weaner & Grower Sale with 10-11 month old Simmental Cross Weaner Steers consecutively and secured top pen of Euro bred steers at the sale. Our bull buyers report that the introduction of Simmental bulls in their herd has significantly lifted weights in the weaner steers they turn off. The Barana Sale is the premier sale in NSW and at our 11th Annual On-Farm Sale we hope to continue with the pleasing results achieved in the past.
Our property, Barana, is located north of Coolah in the central west slopes of New South Wales where we operate a mixed farming business comprising cropping and beef cattle over 2300 acres. The stud, Barana Simmentals, was established in 1980 & is well known & respected in the stud beef cattle industry in Australia. I began showing at major Royal Shows in 1986 and ceased in 2001 after 15 years exhibiting & achieving success at all major shows. In August, 2001, we held our Inaugural On-Property Simmental Bull Sale which was a success & continues to go from strength to strength. The Barana sale is the premier Simmental sale in eastern Australia with the largest offering of purebred Simmental bulls by a single vendor. We have continuing sales nationwide of 50-60 bulls annually with many repeat buyers. I have worked hard over 30 years breeding Simmentals to secure Barana’s reputation with both commercial & stud cattle producers throughout Australia. We have hosted educational/information days at Barana for both adult tour groups and students, which focus on both the cattle breeding & cropping enterprises. I have also been a speaker at beef cattle workshops. We have always participated in The Land Beef Week until this year when a change in date for the Northern area meant that our Open Day would have been too close to Sale Day. I served on the State Council of the Australian Simmental Breeders Association for many years until my resignation due to other commitments. In the past, I have judged at Perth Royal, 1987 & 2007, Sydney Royal, 1996 & 2003, the 2001 Beef Expo in New Zealand, Canberra Royal 2005, Feature Shows in NSW, Qld & Victoria, the Red Angus National Show & Sale in Dubbo, major shows in Toowoomba, Bathurst, Dubbo & Tamworth and numerous smaller country shows. Most recently I was invited to judge at the National Beef Show held in Bendigo in 2008. I am married to Charmaine & we have two children Madison, 16 & Campbell, 12.
Peter's dad Max passed away on Friday 7th May, 2010, peacefully in Coolah Hospital. Max had a keen interest in Simmental cattle, running a commercial herd & always eager to keep up with what Peter was doing at Barana. He was a familiar sight around the sales which he enjoyed attending with Peter. He also travelled widely & this included quite a few Simmental events overseas and he has been remembered as a true gentleman by those who knew him from these trips. He also enjoyed entertaining friends & family from near & far with a bottle of red & some interesting opinions! He was a wonderful father, father-in-law & Pa who was well loved and is greatly missed. Forever loved & always in our hearts 11th February, 1927 ≈ 7th May, 2010
This site was last updated 04-Jun-2010 Website created by Braecroft WebDesign
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