Our Cattle - the Maine-Anjou Breed
History of the Maine Anjou Breed
The Maine Anjou cattle breed was founded in 1839 when a French count imported
Durham cattle, an English breed, to France and crossed them with the Mancelle,
a French dairy breed. The cross was extremely successful and the Durham-Mancelle
Society was established.
In 1909, the name was changed to the Society of Maine-Anjou Cattle, taking the name from the Maine and Anjou areas of north western France, where the original cattle were bred and after the two rivers of the same name.
Maine-Anjou excelled in their ability to grow and milk with only forage and soon were the most popular breed in the region. The growth, milking ability and docility so impressed cattlemen from Canada and the USA, who saw the breed in France, that the first cattle were imported into North America in 1969.
In a series of trials over many years by the US Meat Animal Research Dept., the breed has proven to be one of the most feed-efficient beef cattle breeds in the world and this trait contributes to their popularity in the United States, today.
West Inlet Maine-Anjou Cattle
Maine
Anjou semen was introduced into Tasmania, Australia, in 1974
and the first live cattle were imported from New Zealand to the Farley Stud in North East
Tasmania, in 1976, by the Sauer family.
Farley genetics, which were from a different genetic pool to the rest of Australia, were introduced to our purebred, registered, poll shorthorn herd in 1988 to improve the muscling quality of the shorthorn carcase. We were so impressed with the resulting calves that we purchased 12 purebred, registered cows and heifers, of New Zealand bloodlines, from the Farley Stud.
In 1996, we entered the inaugural Cydectin Liveweight Steer Trial with a team of 3 Maine-Anjou/Poll Shorthorn yearling steers. 54 teams were drawn from 36 breeders statewide and all grazed together on the same property, in Northern Tasmania, for 12 months. The steers were regularly weighed and following slaughter, points were allocated for market suitability, meat yield and weight gain. Our steers were successful in gaining first place overall.
Over the years we have used semen from various American, Canadian and French
bulls and our herd is now almost pure Maine-Anjou.
Our grass reared cattle are rated amongst
the best Maine-Anjou cattle in Australia and our seafront property is situated
in an ideal temperate location, with a reliable 35 inch rainfall.
Bulls, surplus breeding females and yearling heifers, are nearly always available
for sale. Bulls can be genetically tested for feed conversion, tenderness and marbling.
Visitors are most welcome. Complimentary tourist accommodation is available to all purchasers. For further details contact Chris or Janette - sse below.
West Inlet Cattle for Sale
To View cattle for sale click here.
Maine-Anjou Society of Australia
To view the web site click here.
