BEEF 2012 interbreed champion and $180,000 record-priced Droughtmaster bull Glenlands Prince will play a leading role in the future direction of Fortrus Pastoral Company's Droughtmaster enterprise at Bells Bridge near Gympie.
Fortrus Pastoral manager Cody Whiteman has recently returned from Rockhampton where his high-profile bull is having semen collected for domestic and export use.
"We wouldn't have bought him if we didn't think we could make money from him, and based on the current level of inquiry we see a great opportunity to market his semen in the new year," Mr Whiteman said. Prince was initially given a handful of cows prior to his departure, but has a number of 'ladies in waiting' upon his return to Fortrus within the next few months. "We have kept cows unjoined for Prince and when we can access his semen we will impregnate them," Mr Whiteman said.
"Prince is a step ahead of everything at the moment and we believe he has the ability to skip a generation and get us where we want to be fast track Fortrus to the next level but there are no guarantees. We have given ourselves the best possible chance to achieve our goals. Every time I look at him, I'm still impressed. Even after six weeks in the paddock with little feed he still looks impressive. I have no regrets."
Indicative of their commitment to the Droughtmaster breed and focus on objectives, Mr Whiteman this year bought the entire Angle Zed stud from Bill Zahnleiter, bolstering numbers to 300 breeders and their progeny, with another 100 yearling heifers and bulls. Mr Whiteman is also developing their 405ha property on the Mary River with 5.5km of laneways and 30km of fencing.
"We will have around 70 paddocks which will be rotationally grazed and suitable for single sire mating," Mr Whiteman said.
