mmg.com.au

Buoyed by success at last year’s Royal Melbourne Show, Judy and Graeme Drew are refining breeding in their Murray Grey herd to emphasise higher milk production and superior carcase qualities.

The couple has been working with the breed for about 20 years and moved into stud cattle about 10 years ago.

Judy said a major reason for opting for Murray Greys was their record with temperament.

‘‘They’re good to handle and have very good muscling.

‘‘We’ve been concentrating on ease of calving and now we have lower birth weights, we are looking to improve milk production and carcase characteristics.

‘‘We’re using an AI program to develop that.’’

Their Graeju Park herd is based on Robern, Mt View and Saber lines.

Last year they received placings in the Royal Melbourne Show which featured the Murray Grey breed.

‘‘It was the 50th anniversary of the breed in Australia, so there was competition from five states.

‘‘We were happy with our outcome as it was only our third time at Melbourne.

‘‘We’re aiming to breed top-quality bulls with good genetic traits in milk and carcase quality for stud, commercial or dairy purposes,’’ Judy said.

Graeju Park is at 95 Mulcahy Rd, about 6km north-west of Tatura, and it will be open on Day 3, Friday, February 1.

Graeju park is one of hundreds of beef studs open for Beef Week between January 30 and February 6.