Mansfield Amaroo was purchased in 2018 by Julie Duncan & Mark Symonds. Mark has a well- established family history, as a 3rd Generation Market Gardener & Dairy Farmer. A well decorated Friesian Master Breeder and self-proclaimed football star! Mark has extensively used AI techniques with his first embryo flush and transplant being in the September of 1985. Marks has breed and sold a total of 19 Bulls into the Australian AI centre’s. His cattle have broken Australian Dairy production records, have been awarded many show champions at both Royal and Feature shows including interbreed. Proudly breeding the number one Australian Selection Index (ASI) Holstein cow in 1989 and 1990. This cow Starbuck Claire lived to over 20 years of age.
Apon retirement from Dairy farming Marks attention turned to his established Angus herd. Julie’s attention was focused on the emerging Speckle Park cattle. yes it was the look that was initially the initial attraction, striking and captivating. However one can not deny the highly valuable attributes that come beneath their attractive hides. This bred aligned with our breeding goals. When the first calves hit the ground, Mark was instantly won over. They were strong and vigorous and their growth quickly exceeded that of other breeds.
A lot of research goes in to establishing a new heard. We attended every field day and sale days we could to establish what we liked about the heard, and what we believed needed to be improved. We were blessed with the honesty and guidance from many other Speckle Park breeders. We chose our foundation females and then had to wait quite a while to obtain them at a price we could afford.
With the majority of our herd established from embryo transfer programs, imported from Australia, Canada & New Zealand. We have scoured leading Speckle Park stud herds to access the very best the breed has to offer. We have a commercial focus and want to produce the best beef efficiently and effectively. We use Breedplan for measured traits and are focused on heard balance, and improvement through genetic gain. Bulls are selected I must say painstakingly with much debate on structural soundness and heard improving genetic traits. We love our cattle that are sound, easy to handle, have longevity and are low maintenance.
We are a small family business, we are the staff, the farm management, the cattle handlers, pasture management, marketing, and finance department.
We are blessed with the assistance of our very talented children & grandchildren. Hayley Symonds is all things animal welfare having studies her Ag&hortigulture degree whist working on the family Dairy farm. Her hands on yet gentile approach invaluable, her partner Jason Hayes, AI advise. Josh, Christy, Nic, Ali, Hayden & Ash, & Adelle are always so generous with helping around the farm and providing us with breaks during the year. They all have hands on experience in farming. The naming of our cattle usually ends up with our Grandchildren & future show team; Oakley, Casey, Opal, Blake and Grace.
Our amazing embryo success we share with Dom and Jo at GRS Gooroombat, whom provide us with their expertise & sense of humour!