A year of resilience and gratitude

Thank you to everyone who invested in Bald Blair genetics at this year's sale. We know it's been a genuinely tough year with drought bearing down relentlessly and decreased cattle numbers affecting the entire industry. Every decision matters when conditions are like this, and we don't take for granted the producers who've backed us anyway.

To our valued regular clients, we appreciate your ongoing support more than words can say. Your loyalty through thick and thin speaks volumes. To our new clients who've put their trust in our program despite these challenging conditions, welcome to the Bald Blair family. That confidence you've shown means everything to us.

We're staying focused on what matters most: quality, quiet bulls with good growth and carcase EBVs, sound structure and parent verification. Proven genetics that have worked for generations here at Bald Blair and in the real world operations of our clients. Long term value that compounds over years, not just one season. 

The people who make it happen

None of this works without genuine partnership and support from those around us. Stanbroke Rangers Valley provided exceptional beef for lunch, with a special thank you to Arthur, Clem and Bodhi for preparing the steak with such care and skill. The Bald Blair School P&C catering team—Kristy Campion, Katie, Tessa, Jess, Mel and Michelle—along with all the parents who baked delicious cakes and slices, deserve enormous credit. It is always a genuine pleasure to work with you.

Our own team stepped up in every way. Sean Madden, Alec Grainger, Tilly Brown, Dan and Duncan Klabe, our eldest son Abbott White, put in exceptional pre-sale and sale day work, and younger son Arthur on the tongs at the BBQ and home on weekends. You're the backbone of what we do here. Dick Whale from IBMS continues to challenge us to keep getting better, and that kind of partnership is invaluable. Struan and Monica from Studstock Sales & AuctionsPlus brought professionalism and expertise. The entire Elders team—Paul Harris, Mark Atkins, Craig Waters, Terry Williams, Myles Williams, Wayne Jenkyn, John Newsome, Brian Kennedy, Sarah Gwilym, Kate Matthews and Liz—thank you. Paul Dooley's skill and professionalism behind the microphone set the tone for the entire sale. Dr Leisa Brown and the team at Guyra Vets continue to demonstrate second-to-none expertise and care for our cattle. And finally, thank you to Rebel Black, Alice Mabin and Sarah Horrocks for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our story alive.

Bulls For Sale by Private Treaty

All the bulls that were purchased at our on-property sale have now been transported to their new owners. However, we do have a few quality paddock bulls available for sale by private treaty. These bulls have all met our stringent criteria for structure, bull check and full vaccination, and they're ready to work. So if you missed out on a bull at the recent sales, please give Sam a call on 0438 792 140, and he can provide you with the details of the bulls available or for more information check out our website at: https://www.baldblairangus.com.au/bull-sale

Life on the farm through challenging times

Managing through drought

Weather continues to be dry, and feeding is now occurring on a daily basis. We are currently building our fodder reserves steadily, and new straw has just arrived. It's a relentless cycle during times like these, but it's necessary work to keep our cattle in good condition through the tougher months ahead. The good news came from our little block Kolora, where the bore drillers have found water—a small victory in dry conditions. We're still in the process of getting the bore sealed and pumps installed, but this discovery opens up new possibilities for the property.

Preparing for the future

We are preparing for the joining season and organising the best quality bulls as AI sires for this year. Last year's trip to the USA to see the future sires in person was invaluable. It's one thing to study the data and bloodlines, but seeing them work in their home environment gives you a completely different perspective. We also have the opportunity to use the best of our own homebred sires as cover sires for both our stud and commercial herd. Our own commercial and stud cows are the proving ground for our genetics—they tell us whether our breeding decisions are working in the real world.

With the majority of spring calves on the ground and thriving despite the difficult season, our cows are being exceptional mothers. Sires of some of the calves—including Connealy Craftsman, Hart Network, Basin True Value, NOR22T17, Paringa Statesman S115 and Stirling S86—are looking particularly good. It's in times like these that you really see the value of maternal genetics and resilience bred into your herd.

The small mob of ewes we have held onto have been scanned and we were happy with the results. It's always good to see positive outcomes, especially during challenging times. Nothing like hosting a bull sale to get some last-minute fencing done either! The team updated the fence between the bull sale shed and the new fodder shed. It looks awesome. Well done team.

Looking ahead

We were delighted to host a group of year 10 students from PLC Pymble Sydney on Thursday, 23 July 2026. This was the first time we have hosted PLC Pymble and we really appreciated the opportunity to meet the students and staff. For some of them, it was their first time on a farm, and it was great to have a couple of poddy calves on hand for them to feed. We hope they left with a real appreciation for agriculture and livestock farming.

Commercial Semen For Sale

We also have semen for sale from. BALD BLAIR FAIRNSQUARE U207 ^PV

A son of Myers Fair-N-Square M39, who is being used as an outcorss sire in the Bald Blair Herd. Out of an NORL519 daughter NBBP136 recently sold to clients at our most recent female sale. An outstanding sire, in terms of growth and carcase but has added thickness, structurally very sound and a very appealing bull.   U207 will be retained within the Bald Blair Herd, he has been used as a yearling in Spring 2024, and then again in the Autumn of 2025 at 18 Months of Age. As well as Autumn and soon to be spring 2026. Great spread of EBV's from Birth to Growth, with impressive Carcase data as well. IMF in top 10% of breed.

https://www.baldblairangus.com.au/semen-sales

Farm safety matters

New resources and videos on Farmsafe Australia socials remind us that farm safety week should be every week. https://www.facebook.com/FarmsafeAustralia

Starting Wednesday 5 August, Ochre Medical Centre Armidale will be running a Q fever clinic once a month. Q fever is a serious risk for anyone working with livestock, in abattoirs, or in other high exposure occupations across the New England region. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself. To book a screening or vaccination, please call the practice on 6772 5022.  Please see flyer below.

Events worth your calendar space

The University of New England (UNE), in partnership with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services (NTLLS), is thrilled to announce the return of the highly successful Feeder Steer School to the region. Running from the evening of Monday, 8th to Thursday, 11th of February 2027 at the UNE Armidale campus, this intensive three-day conference is designed to equip beef producers, lot feeders, and industry professionals with the latest tools and insights to optimise feeder steer and heifer performance. From the paddock to the processor, this comprehensive program will dive deep into best practices for management, genetics, nutrition, risk mitigation, and data utilisation to maximise carcase value.

Help shape the event and secure priority access! By completing this quick Expression of Interest (EOI), you will help the working group tailor the final program to ensure we address the topics and challenges that matter most to your operation. Special bonus for Northern Tablelands producers: as part of the partnership, producers located within the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services region who submit this EOI will be notified of ticket sales two weeks before the general public. This guarantees you the best chance to secure early-bird registration and highly sought-after on-campus accommodation.

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019e62c7a02774f2baa83d1bd6c3a9cc

The Future of Beef 2026 is also coming up. Flyer below: See details here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1622742?qr=true&qr=true

Accommodation

If you are heading over the ditch, check out The Top Paddock—a beautifully appointed modern home perched on the hilltop of Romani Farm just outside Hunterville. Wake up to Mt Ruapehu and the Ruahine Ranges spread across the horizon. Three bedrooms, sleeps 5. A genuine escape from the world, where the only thing on the agenda is the view. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/1699592168020969763?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=843c0187-5ec6-405c-ab84-b681e737a01c

Reading, listening and watching

For market intelligence, you can check out the Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator via Meat & Livestock Australia, or subscribe to https://agritrends.com/ for regular market analysis.

In this episode of The Angus Table podcast, Scott Wright sits down with Sarah Horrocks from Horrocks Media for a conversation about social media strategy, brand building, and marketing for Angus cattle breeders. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DLJNS8tZfL1CkRFfVs65n?si=2gqFZ2LIRLqh4PFUBl-qvw

If you're after something inspiring, The Desert Swimmer tells the true story of Brendan Cullen, an Aussie bloke from the outback crippled with depression, who challenges himself to swim the English Channel as a way of managing his mental health struggles. https://open.spotify.com/show/1mPhkRI7EKV55F9BkIZ7af?si=c8233207d185405a

Don't miss the MLA Feedback magazine Winter edition—check out the story about the work Sam Clark is doing on page 21. You may recognise the faces. https://www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/publications/feedback-magazine/

If you're looking for a good read, The Island of Sea Women follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from very different backgrounds, as they begin working in the sea with their village's all-female diving collective. Over many decades—through Japanese colonialism, World War II, the Korean War, and the era of modern diving—they develop the closest of bonds. Nevertheless, their differences prove impossible to ignore, and forces outside their control will push their relationship to the breaking point. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40538657-the-island-of-sea-women

Check out the Angus Australia Winter Bulletin for the latest industry news. https://www.issuu.com/angusaustralia

For entertainment, Ride or Die is an American action adventure comedy series created by Tessa Coates, starring Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham and Bill Nighy. It premiered on July 15, 2026, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ride_or_Die_(2026_TV_series)

Above all, keep well and be positive.

Kind regards

Kirsty, Sam, Abbott and Arthur