West Inlet Maine-Anjou Stud - Stanley - Tasmania
The accommodation at Beachside Retreat West Inlet is on West Inlet farm, the home of West Inlet Maine-Anjou cattle stud.
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. Our herd is now almost pure Maine-Anjou, and currently the only registered herd in Tasmania.
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.
Maine-Anjou Cattle for Sale
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. For further details contact Chris or Janette - 03 6458 1350.
To view the Maine-Anjou Society of Australia web-site, click here.