The Boundary Rider's Report March 2026
The Boundary Rider’s Report March 2026
Dear Family, friends and colleagues
Welcome to the March Boundary Rider’s Report. As you are aware there are some major international political events happening at the moment, which will have an impact on our businesses. We are always extremely grateful to live where we live and do what we do and will continue to navigate the external challenges that we do not control and do the best with what we can control and that is breeding quality angus cattle.
Huge shout out to Tom Cleaver who has now departed the building. Thank you Tom and Alice and your family for your service to the Bald Blair team. We would like to wish you all the very best with your next adventure.
Our Human Resources Department (Sam and Kirsty) have worked through the recruitment process and met some great candidates and spoken to some great referees. We really appreciate everyone’s efforts in applying and providing us with information. We will introduce our new team member once they have settled in.
Season
We are very grateful for the easterly mist we are receiving, it has kept the temperatures down and put some moisture in the air. Truthfully, it is dry, soil moisture is low and we need rain. We have got clear signals to prepare for a dry short term. Time to restock fodder and hay reserves, which we have been doing over the past few weeks. There have been pockets around us that have received storm rain in the last week or so. We remain hopeful of rain in the next week or so, but are prepared for dry weather.
Markets
In spite of the weather, there are a lot of cattle coming to market and the market is holding up, both in sheep and cattle. We continue to offload stock to make room for weaners. The cull bull market is very high. For those looking for bulls this year, there is a reward for finishing those older bulls not being used, and trading up to another generation of bulls. For more detailed reports you can check out Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator | Meat & Livestock Australia or subscribe to https://agritrends.com/
Save the date for the Bald Blair Angus Bull Sale: 1pm Tuesday, 4th August 2026
https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/event/bald-blair-angus-2026-bull-sale
Cattle
Preg testing results were strong across stud and commercial herd and the cows are still in forward store condition. Weaning continues.
Bull Testing
This is an interesting article on bull testing.
Sheep
Lambs have been shorn and are now on feed. Looking forward to finishing and selling the rest. The Lamb market is strong.
Weeds
The weeds offensive has been on the back burner, however we continue to spray when the opportunity arises.
Methane Research at Bald Blair with GreenFeed units and Optiweigh Agcent.
Report from Dr Rachelle Hergenhan: As part of the Zero Net Emissions in Ag CRC project “Selecting for more methane efficient cattle and sheep” we are using GreenFeed units to record methane on V and W stud heifers at Bald Blair. Recording has been underway for a few weeks and the quiet cattle have taken to the machines quickly, with plenty of time spent hanging around the machines. The data collected will help in the development of an EBV for methane that can be used by industry for genetic selection to reduce methane emissions. The project aims to record 3000 beef cattle across southern Australia to build on the reference population developed as part of the Low Methane Beef project along with recording more cattle in the north, dairy cattle and sheep to build reference populations across these species. Report from Dr Rachelle Hergenhan, B Rural Science (Hons), PhD, Lecturer in Animal Science School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England.
Links to projects: ZNE CRC website https://zneagcrc.com.au/
Selecting for more methane efficient cattle and sheep https://zneagcrc.com.au/research_project/selecting-for-more-methane-efficient-cattle-and-sheep/
Low Methane Beef project https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2025/general/low-methane-beef-project-delivers-first-genomic-insights-to-help-reduce-emissions-in-beef-cattle
Optiweight https://www.optiweigh.com.au/methane-co2-reliable-indicators-of-metabolism-feed-efficiency
Caption for photo above is: CEO and Co-Founder Bill Mitchell with Dr Steven Miller (UNE Agriculture) and A/Prof Troy Rowan from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture at Optiweigh's Armidale headquarters.
Frogs
Cane toads have been found near Grafton - please keep an eye out for any and let Local Land Service know.
Events
Congratulations to all the volunteers and executives of the Guyra Show. The local show is a massive event and the dedication of the community volunteers is extraordinary.
The
Guyra Polox Carnival will be held on 14th and 15th of March at the Richard White Memorial Polox fields at Bald Blair. The club has done a great job upgrading the fields and they look good. Well done Suzie, Dan, Duncan and Darby Klabe on all their hard work on preparing the grounds for the practices, training day and carnival. It is wonderful to see the local young riders helping out. If you want to see some outstanding horsemanship from some of the best riders in the world - come to the carnival.
Listening
Chris Webb from https://www.chriswebb.com.au/ has done a podcast with the one and only Paul Dooley - Stud Auctioneer - check it out here https://podcasts.apple.com/ar/podcast/blue-ribbon-high-performance-by-chris-webb-with-paul-dooley/id1869953009?i=1000748701784
Reading
Dr Kate Burke has written two books that we have just purchased and have ready to read - Crops, People, Money and You is her first title and her latest one is Succession Future Proofing Your Family Farm - they are both available from her website: https://www.thinkagri.com.au/
Kind regards
Kirsty, Sam, Abbott and Arthur
