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Amberfield Lowline Cattle Stud
Amberfield Lowline Cattle Stud is located near Greenmount on the Darling Downs in South East Queensland.
The owners are Nina and Geoff Buttsworth.
We commenced operations in mid-2004, starting the stud as a lifestyle choice after a move to the Toowoomba area. We quickly got the bug and commenced developing the concept in earnest.
In a few quick years, we developed a very successful stud with many award winning stud Lowline cattle, a few commercial cows and calves and a vision to develop some high quality genetics and propagate the breed as it was originally intended.
Philosophy
Our aim is simply to breed high quality Lowline cattle. Accordingly, we set up our foundation herd firmly believing in quality over quantity. We had considerable success showing Lowlines, continuing these achievements with our own progeny and now producing quality, tender beef.
Where are we heading?
Quality
Following our showing successes, we are now focussed on meat quality. We have reduced our herd to the core of our quality breeding stock. In a relatively short period of time, we have aggregated some quality genetics which we are developing further.
We are also in the process of commencing AI on some of our best cows. We have chosen an award-winning sire and are looking forward to quality calves on the ground late in 2012.
Size
There has been a lot of discussion recently on where the beef industry in Australia is heading. Some believe that the continual quest for larger frame size is beginning to have a detrimental effect on some beef, and indeed dairy, breeds. Calving difficulties and the increased cost of maintaining large cattle in non-productive phases and times are two of the problems that have been identified.
There is a point of view that sooner rather than later beef breeders are going to be forced to reintroduce smaller beast sizes into their herds to redress this imbalance. At Amberfield, we want to be ready when the demand kicks in.
With our Australian Lowlines, we are committed to maintaining the original breed standard.
Working with Downlands College
We have recently donated some heifers to Downlands College in Toowoomba. We are keen to follow the progress of the students and the heifers as they develop their skills and experience together. Look for Amberfield Lowlines again soon at a show near you in SE Queensland.
Genetic Testing
We are also looking at other ways to improve the breed and are currently investigating recent genetic technology advances, especially relating to the prediction of the feed efficiency of an individual beast and the tenderness of the finished beef product.
We have had all our bulls and selected females DNA tested and consider these results when determining our joining strategies.
Want to Know More?
You are invited begin browsing our site by clicking one of the links in the margin.
For further information about Amberfield Lowline Cattle Stud, contact us.
Email Nina at
nina(at)amberfield(dot)com(dot)au or phone us on +61 (0)7 4696 3384 if
you are interested in any of the above.
