Murray Van der Drift has proven the old adage of the stud beef business – good genetics might cost a lot but bad genetics cost even more.
Since launching his Black Diamond Speckle Park stud with the 2014 purchase of just four cows and two bulls from Riverina Speckle Park, the Macorna cattleman has gone from strength to strength.
His cattle ruled at the Swan Hill Show, in a good back-up to his spectacular inaugural sale in Queensland and two lots at the Royal Rumble sale as part of the Melbourne Royal Show on October 1.
At Emerald in Queensland in early September the stud offered and sold 37 bulls to a high of $25,000, average of $12,228 and gross of $452,436.
In the Royal Rumble his heifer made $7500 and the flush hit $6000.
Then the stud swept through the Swan Hill event with six big wins, including the Supreme Exhibit and Grand and Senior Champion Female.
Murray earlier told media that with the breed increasingly recognised he has turned to its “Canadian heartland, to improve and expand our genetics”.
Initially the family ran a Limousin stud nut but he said it was his “great desire to have my own input into the business and start something new for us”.
“Speckles are the fastest growing breed in the world,” he says. “Their moderate frame and doing ability, along with their unbelievable docility, makes them a great multi-purpose breed,” he says.
“Our breeding goal is to maintain a good carcase along with developing a strong female line with good udders and conformation to allow us to sell cattle into all sorts of climates and be able to walk long distances.”
