THE loyalty of the Brahman breed is one its best traits according to Starbra Brahmans' Gregg Davey.
The Gilldora-based breeder, south west of Gympie, has developed a deep appreciation for the breed having invested in top line genetics since coming back into breeding.
After the loss of his father took him away from the cattle game for a number of years, he has since returned with a keen interest in IVF work in order to produce "top shelf" cattle from the best bloodlines.
His return to the yards has seen him pare down his numbers with more of a focus on quality rather than quantity.
"The stud herd I have at the moment is based on what I believe to be proven bloodlines," Mr Davey said.
Those lines include genetics from Royce and Beryl Sommerfeld's Brahrock Brahmans, near Maryborough.
"Royce is honest and knowledgeable," Mr Davey said.
"I can't thank Royce and Beryl enough for the advice, assistance and help they have given me and my family over the years."
Breed benefits
MR Davey is not opposed to cross breeding but said there was a lot to be said for carefully selected, high quality Brahman cattle.
"Brahmans have copped a bit of a bad reputation over the years but they are loyal and calm," he said.
That comes from a stringent and heavy culling regime for Starbra Brahmans.
"You don't keep or pass on anything which has a problem with temperament," he said.
"That bloodline must be culled out.
"We don't want anything toey here and you don't want to pass it on."
His eye for cattle has been recognised having topped the grey section of the Gympie Brahman Female Sale in previous years.
Pleasing pastime
ACCORDING to Mr Davey, cattle breeding is the perfect balm to his regular job: Officer-in-Charge, Gympie Police Station.
The Senior Sergeant's current position at Gympie comes after an extended stint as not just a police officer but as the Detective Senior Sergeant, Officer-in-Charge of the District Criminal Investigation Branch.
He said while he can't give as much time as he'd like to his cattle work, it's a welcome relief from what can be a stressful line of employment.
"There's a lot of pleasure in presenting an animal you've bred yourself," Mr Davey said.
"There is also great pleasure in seeing your bloodlines produce for others."
The dam of last year's sale topper at $20,000 was a Starbra female purchased by Tarramba Stud at a previous June Sale.
Mr Davey is a supporter of and regular vendor at the Gympie Brahman Female Sale.
This year's sale will take place on June 1 at the Gympie Saleyards with 93 females registered.
He'll have six heifers, including three poll heifers, on offer at this year's sale.
The line-up features elite polled genetics in the form of Three D Platinum (Lot 7, Starbra Miss Christina; Lot 8, Starbra Cordelia; and Lot 86, Starbra Miss Clementine) and (Lot 84, Starbra Miss Anastosic and Lot 85, Starbra Miss Alexandra) who are both by the $70,000 bull, Willtony Stetson.
Four of the six heifers are from the dam, Brahrock Miss Elmo Anna-Bella, who has produced sons to a top of $38,000 and daughters to a top of $10,000.
