Hybrid Vigour in all of your herd:

By incorporating the four foundation breeds (Senepol,Bonsmara/Belmont, Brahman & Red Angus) in equal proportions, Popplewell Composites maintain approximately 75% of the hybrid vigour (heterosis) occurring in a first cross animal. Running a cow without hybrid vigour is like running a truck without oil! It provides cattle with extra fertility, adaptability, growth and resilience

A composite cow herd removes the need to keep inefficient purebred cows to breed crossbred replacement females, meaning more hybrid vigour overall. Its also a lot simpler!

Fertility and Apadtability:

The use of Brahman, Senepol and Belmont/Bonsmara provides a foundation of adaptability, parasite resistance and efficiency. These traits are vital for success in tropical production environments.

Red Angus, Belmont/ Bonsmara and Senepol provide a foundation for females that can calve as two year olds and have short calving intervals.

Meat Quality:

With lower bos indicus (25%), and excellent growth rate and  meat quality, Popplewell Composites fit well into quality beef programs, including the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) system.

Genetics measured and selected to perform from station to steak:

All of our cattle are performance recorded for fertility, growth, traits, adaptability, structural soundness and temperament. Our primary source of genetic evaluation is The Australian Composite Register’s Breedplan (BLUP) Program. This program provides us within herd Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for fertility growth and carcass traits. Over time we plan to gain linkage to other composite breeders in the register and receive comparable “Group” EBVs. DNA testing is used to verify pedigrees and gene markers of statistical and economical relevance are integrated into our program.
Genetic diversity is carefully monitored and maintained using a state of the art mate selection program called Total Genetic Resource Manager (TGRM). By maintaining a large gene pool and introduction of new genetics from foundation breeds, we aim to be our customers’ sole source of new and improved self replacing line genetics for both now and the future.

Naturally Polled:

Polled cattle offer better animal welfare, lower labour requirements and remove any impact of dehorning on animal productivity.
Sires and dams used in the Popplewell Composite program are either scurred or smooth polled. Horns are selected against.

Bulls are supplied with the following health credentials:

• Semen morphology tested and Vet checked (working age bulls)
• 7 in1 vaccinated
• Vibriosis vaccinated (working age bulls)
• Botulism vaccinated
• Pestivirus (BVD) vaccinated
• Ear notch tested BVD PI free
• Bovine ephemeral fever (3 day) vaccinated
• Trivalent (3-germ) tick fever vaccinated